The signing of Grant Hanley has literally happened overnight, after news broke only yesterday of the Canaries’ interest in the imposing Scot.
Describing himself as an ‘old fashioned, no-nonsense’ type of defender, you would be forgiven for thinking that he is exactly what Norwich need at this time.
On paper, Hanley looks to be the sort of player we’ve been crying out for and I can’t help but think it’s a decent signing, there are plenty in the Canary nation who think the opposite though.
Twitter had been full of people rubbishing the lad before he’d even been announced, let alone before he’s kicked a ball for us.
The former Blackburn centre back made 200 appearances for Rovers in both the Premier League and the Championship, which was enough to persuade Rafa Benitez to pay £5.5m for him last summer.
His time at St. James’ Park though was almost a write off, which then leads us to a reported £3.5m move to Carrow Road.
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After watching James Vaughan out jump Marcel Franke to flick the ball on for Lewis Grabban, as he scored for Sunderland and then seeing Steve Morison do something similar last weekend, it’s quite clear to me that we need someone with strength and presence.
Someone who will put his head in where it hurts and not be easily outmuscled.
I didn’t see Hanley play much for Newcastle (who did?) but I did see him often enough for Blackburn and he always struck me as a decent centre back so the latest round of moaning surprised me a little.
Having said that though, I shouldn’t be surprised because social media is full of ‘experts.’ Whether that be about how Conor McGregor was unlucky against Floyd Mayweather (from where I was sitting, he was walked down and hit at will, getting waved off before he was knocked out) or Jordan from Trunch who thinks Daniel Farke should be sacked because he’s got no Plan B and no idea – not like you, eh Jordan?!
Paul Lambert described Hanley as ‘a colossus,’ while managing him at Blackburn and that is good enough for me.
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As ever, I’m going to reserve judgement until I see him play in a Norwich shirt, which may well be against Birmingham City in just over a week’s time.
I’d advise the Jordan’s of social media to do the same.
OTBC
*Apologies if you live in Trunch and your name is Jordan.
Any resemblance to persons from Trunch and named Jordan, living or dead is purely coincidental.
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