Buzzin Championship Football

On Saturday, Leroy Lita scored the only goal of the game at Carrow Road as Norwich City defeated Charlton Athletic in a clash of two teams struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table.

It was the Reading striker’s 7th goal in 14 matches while on-loan at Norwich City and there is no doubt that Glenn Roeder will want to hold onto him if at all possible. Speaking about this, the Norwich boss admitted that Leroy Lita is ‘the sort of striker we ought to be trying to sign’.

Whether this is happens though is very much in Reading’s hands. Leroy Lita’s contract expires in the summer, so they must decide whether to sell him in January or risk losing him for free when his contract comes to an end.

Should they opt to cash in on the striker, it is thought that £300,000 would be enough to secure his signature. This, despite Norwich’s financial restrictions, should be in their reach. However, Leroy Lita’s high wage demands may prove to be the stumbling block.

The low asking price for someone who is a proven goal scorer may also alert some of the higher placed clubs. Perhaps Premier League side West Brom will take a punt on Leroy Lita? Or maybe Wolves or Birmingham would like him to fire them to promotion?

A lot depends on the player himself as well. If he has enjoyed his loan spell and Norwich and wants to stay, he may have to take a wage cut. He would very much be the ‘big fish in a small pond’ at Carrow Road though and I imagine he enjoys this. Plus, he is guaranteed first-team football, something he wouldn’t be at the likes of West Brom, Wolves and Birmingham.

In the mean time, Leroy Lita has two games left for Norwich City as they take on Crystal Palace on Boxing Day and Nottingham Forest three days later. Then, it is up to Reading, Norwich City and Leroy Lita to decide on his future.

One thing for sure though, is that the football odds are far more likely to back Norwich City to achieve a decent league position if they manage to hold onto Leroy Lita.