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

Getting spanked 4-0 is a pretty good indication that they arent a deep team. THe starting 13 or 14 are probably good enough to stay competitive, but after that, not so much.

 

Whitbread should be ready to return to the squad soon. From the manager:

"Zak is probably the closest one to coming back. He'll train next week at some point. He has been doing work with the physios and the fitness lads here and if he is okay we'll see how he does."
​

 

There was hope that Whitbread would be able to play with the reserves today. However, he is not quite ready for a match yet.

 

Advance time a couple weeks and story remains the same - Whitbread training but still not at full fitness or ready to play a match.

 

He's fit again, though it sounds like they'll ease him back into things. He made the bench for the savage beating at Man City on the weekend. He'll get his shot: The Canaries have given up 14 goals in their last five games.

 

Looks like he might get back in there against Newcastle.

Lambert boosted by defensive duo

 

Started and played 83 minutes. Sky Sports rated him a 5, in a 4-way tie for worst among starters.

 

Norwich got a good thing going here. I didnt think they stood any chance whatsoever at staying up. Zak is in a very good situation right now if he can stay healthy

 

Is Whitbread right or left footed? I ask because Seltzer rated him at LCB, in his USMNT depth chart.

 

I assume he's left-footed because he played LB coming up at Liverpool - even started there for some League Cup games and big friendlies in the US - and started at LB for the US U20 and U23 teams.

 

Left footed according to transfer market.

 

Why does Zak always seem to get subbed out in games? Normally I never see a CB come out of a game late.

 

Unfortunately, most of the time he has been subbed out is because of injury. Yesterday I would imagine was more fitness since it was the first match he has played since August.

 

Whitbread vows to grab chance

 

Just added him to my fantasy team for Tuesday. Hopefully he plays well against Wolves!

 

Whitbread got the start and went the full 90 against Wolverhampton today. Anyone know how Whitbread looked in this one?

 

He was rated a 6 by Sky

 

Whitbread's contract ends this summer. Will he resign with Norwich? Can't see why not, if they make him a reasonable offer.

 

Zak Whitbread started in the 0-0 v Chelsea this afternoon.

Seemed to go the 90 minutes.

Made one crucial block to a cross midway through the second half.

 

This was my first time watching Whitbread. Very solid player. He closed Torres down very well throughout the game and looked OK in possession. From my perspective he only faulted once throughout the game, which was on a Lukaku break. Poorly timed tackle that led to Lukaku easily pushing the ball past him. Other than that, he played a very good match. Naturally left footed defender who played some great balls into the channels for his strikers to run onto, and never really had any panicked clearances.

I'm honestly surprised he has not been considered as a left back for the USA yet. He's got decent enough pace, and for me he is probably the best left footed defender in our pool. Sure Chandler is quicker and better going forward, but as a natural left sided defender, he gets my vote. Another thing to consider is his size. Guy's a legitimate 6'2 and gets up very well in the air. Cut out many crosses, and overall he has very strong positioning and defensive technique. I think he goes to Brazil in 2014.

 

He isn't at the level of Boca or Onyewu, but since he's quite a few years younger, he definitly could be important for us in 2014.

 

He has been in the US pool off and on since he was young - maybe as young as 17? but he played for the U-20's and I think he was called up last year, no? He's just been snakebit with injuries.

 

Yeah.........I believe he was called up by Bradley before the Gold Cup. But got hurt.

He was part of our ill-fated 2004 Olympic qualifying team. But got hurt.

He'll get a chance with the USMNT if he keeps playing like this.

More importantly for him he needs to stay healthy and get a really long run of games with Norwich.