Zak Whitbread to Norwich: 5-16-2012 released by Norwich

A rumor mag, but first I've heard: The Sun is reporting Whitbread's contract is up at the end of the season and he won't be offered a new one. Seems unbelievable that your starting CB won't be offered a deal, unless they anticipate bringing in a better one. Still, no quotes so probably dust in the wind.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...31/Norwich-are-set-for-a-summer-clearout.html

 

Anyone know how long Whitbread is out for?

He's missed the last two games with I believe a calf injury, after being subbed out at halftime against Fulham a little over a week ago.

edit: Never mind, it looks like he was touch and go for today's match, so he shouldn't be out much longer.

 

well hes been injured for all but like 6 or 7 games of his contract

someone will take a flyer on him. bet Wolves wish they had him right now. their central defense stinks.

 

Not on the roster again. Is he still injured? Rumors awhile back said Norwich were looking to get rid of him as his contract is up. Any truth to that maybe?

 

Whitbread is still dealing with the groin injury.

 

I don't have any particular insight, but I think it may be true. Norwich have done very well this season, but every team looks to strengthen the squad in the off-season. With the 4th-worst defensive record in the league, Norwich's priority will be to buttress the defense. From what I've seen of Zak so far, he's not bad but a team looking to become EPL regulars will want better quality CBs.

I wouldn't worry about Zak, there'll still be plenty of good quality teams looking for a CB.

 

This is the feeling I get too and I'm sure being injured a lot doesn't help.

 

I don't get how a player can get injured as often as Zak. Honestly how is it possible?

 

How insulting.

Regards,
Mr. Glass

 

Could be any combination of bad genes and / or lack of fitness. Some people just aren't born with bodies that are capable of holding up to the strain of a professional athlete.

 

Hahahaha

 

John O'Brien could tell you.

 

Zak makes O'Brien look practically unbreakable.

 

Whitbread to Everton, Wigan, Sunderland, Reading, or Southampton for free. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7726950/Eyes-on-Canaries-ace

 

Not surprising. I'm surprised at how negative this thread has become towards Whitbread. If my count is correct, in the 18 PL matches Whitbread has started they've only allowed 25 goals compared to 37 in the 18 he didn't start.

He's definitely a serviceable defender at this level.

 

Wonder if the David Moyes magic would work on him?

 

It's not about quality, it's about his durability. Whitbread usually isn't out long periods of time because of degenerative issues like John O'Brien, but it may be that he has more individual "injury incidents" than any other American professional player at any level.

A groin tear kept him out of over half the season for Millwall in 06/07.

08/09 was his healthiest season.

Hip surgery in August 2009. Despite missing the first half of the season, he transferred to Norwich in January 2010. He got healthy and made a few appearances, but then picked up a calf injury in early February and missed a few more months. At the end of the 09/10 season he was fit enough to make one more appearance.

During preseason 2010/11 Whitbread injured his calf in training. He was expected to return in September, but he had a setback and made his first appearance in late December.

In 2011/12 he missed time with hamstring issues from late Aug-late Nov and for most of Feb. He also hasn't played since March because of a calf problem.


There are probably more injuries during his Millwall days, but it's hard to find info on that now.

 

More than servicable. Those (25 goals in 18 games) are quite impressive numbers for a recently-promoted mid-table team.

 

I don't think he's proven he's Premiership quality yet. As a Reading fan, I don't think I have strong feelings either way if he joined us. I don't think he's better than what we have already, but could provide back-up or competition for our current CBs. For free and likely a modest wage even if it doesn't work out we wouldn't have lost much.

 

I've liked him in the games I've seen. Maybe not as fleet as some in the midfield but I wonder how much his injury has to do with that. His positioning around goal always seems just right.

 

Sunderland will sign him.

 

I don't think anybody has questioned his ability.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18108069

Released today