The Norwood Effect

[Ricky]

Those going crazy about him today obviously didn't see him against Hull, where he was more impressive. He shouldn't have got MOTM today.

Our corners were excellent v Hull with him taking them. I pointed that out as a promising sign and it's already started to pay off.

And he's not a shit penalty taker btw. Why do you think he took the first?

So now we have a set piece taker and a match winning goalkeeper. Two things we've lacked previously.

These two things are big advantages for us, good bonuses, but have we got enough in the team to truly take advantage of them?

 

[bromtom]

Those going crazy about him today obviously didn't see him against Hull, where he was more impressive. He shouldn't have got MOTM today.

Our corners were excellent v Hull with him taking them. I pointed that out as a promising sign and it's already started to pay off.

And he's not a shit penalty taker btw. Why do you think he took the first?

So now we have a set piece taker and a match winning goalkeeper. Two things we've lacked previously.

These two things are big advantages for us, good bonuses, but have we got enough in the team to truly take advantage of them?

He was immense against Hull, missing a penalty and nobody really giving a shit is quite a feat. It was obvious after 5 minutes that we'd done some amazing business.

If we can just get a pacey striker and everyone continues at this level, once the defence gels and barring injuries I think we'll be well placed until the JTW.

 

[alcoblade]

Norwood is a step up from Coutts, easily as good on the ball and at passing, but far better defensively and with set pieces.

Fuck me, opinions are formed far too easily.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I love the way Norwood strikes ball so cleanly and is able to spin the ball where he wants it to go. Stevens has benefited from his passing because instead of receiving a ball that he's got to bring under control, it's being played to him in a way that he's able to get it instantly under control without breaking stride. Those things make all the difference. It will be interesting when Coutts returns and with no disrespect to Duffy who I really like, I can see Fleck playing in the advanced role in front of Norwood and Coutts. He basically played the first half v Swansea in that role and he looked more than comfortable with his control, driving runs and ability to beat a man. Some european sides actually play a more defensive midfielder in that position as they are able to win the ball back higher up the pitch, putting more pressure on the opposition defence. I believe Busquets has played that role for Barcelona before.

 

[YES Blade]

Fuck me, opinions are formed far too easily.

I’d just like to point out I’ve seen Norwood play before he signed for United and it isn’t based on a couple of matches.

 

[SwissBlade]

He will be a huge asset regardless of goals from setpieces. Dictates the pace of the game, not many at this level can do that.

Yes i agree, just giving a special mention to the impact of his corners.

 

[Worksop II]

As this thread goes on he just gets better and better and better.......

Usually our Players get better and better .... when they are sat on the Bench or Injured

 

[Jonboy60]

What's a Benley?

Looks a Bit like the model T.

 

[flashinblade1889]

We’ve really missed Coutts.
Norwood plays a very similiar game, always shows for the ball, always looks calm, makes passing look easy.
Yes I’m impressed.

Reminds me of a younger version of Gordon Cowans calm and cool on the ball and looks a top class player.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Those going crazy about him today obviously didn't see him against Hull, where he was more impressive. He shouldn't have got MOTM today.

Our corners were excellent v Hull with him taking them. I pointed that out as a promising sign and it's already started to pay off.

And he's not a shit penalty taker btw. Why do you think he took the first?

So now we have a set piece taker and a match winning goalkeeper. Two things we've lacked previously.

These two things are big advantages for us, good bonuses, but have we got enough in the team to truly take advantage of them?

I agree, he played much better Tuesday.

 

[Eric Cartman]

Those going crazy about him today obviously didn't see him against Hull, where he was more impressive. He shouldn't have got MOTM today.

Our corners were excellent v Hull with him taking them. I pointed that out as a promising sign and it's already started to pay off.

And he's not a shit penalty taker btw. Why do you think he took the first?

So now we have a set piece taker and a match winning goalkeeper. Two things we've lacked previously.

These two things are big advantages for us, good bonuses, but have we got enough in the team to truly take advantage of them?

We need a top class striker to top it off.

 

[Ricky]

We need a top class striker to top it off.

That would at least give us a chance.

We might have a great midfield, a proper set piece taker and a match winning keeper but it would be a real shame if these things went to waste. They're promotion winning ingredients and it's hard to see us being stronger in all three departments at the same time at any point in the short-medium term future.

If we kept Brooks and just loaned a good striker I'd be feeling really confident - and that's something we should've been able to do.

 

[bladesman3]

Reminds me of the kids jokes like....

What do you call a bear with no ears?
B

Still makes me laugh!

 

[Antonb]

Like already posted, Norwood played better on Tuesday. Made many more cross field passes. And was more positive in his play. Still really good though! Thought fleck and billy were slightly better. His deliveries though are easily the best in the team

 

[Dnblade]

Looking a cracking signing...plays that Coutts role well,one and two touch passing,or is happy to carry it a few yards before passing it off...always looks to have time...It shows how much we've missed Coutts or a player to drop deep and knit things together,we never really got that with Evans and Lundstram playing there.
I like the Woody/TC corner early on where Norwood played it to Fleck on the edge of the D... only problem Fleck couldn't hit it first time on the volley and took a touch to get it on his left.

 

[Blade56]

Heirs not so much how he strikes the ball or the accuracy. He has that gift of knowing where players are without having to take a couple of touches before he passes.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Well, I'm excited.

A 3 of Coutts, Norwood and Fleck?

 

[The Bohemian]

Norwood is a step up from Coutts, easily as good on the ball and at passing, but far better defensively and with set pieces.

Norwood is class but that’s a big NO from me YES.

 

[YES Blade]

Norwood is class but that’s a big NO from me YES.

Which part of that do you disagree with?

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Norwood is top class at this level. The David Beckham of the Championship. Well done to Wilder and others for getting him in.

Stands out as cut above. Fair to say an upgrade on Evans ;o)

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Is he definitely contractually bound to sign for us permanently in January?

Would be very Bladey if he was recalled and sold to somebody offering more for him.

 

[The Bohemian]

Which part of that do you disagree with?

The ‘step up from Coutts’ part. Far too early to make such a claim even though the signs are good. Incredible that we will soon have such great midfield options.

 

[Antonb]

The ‘step up from Coutts’ part. Far too early to make such a claim even though the signs are good. Incredible that we will soon have such great midfield options.

He's been as good as this for ages . Top end championship midfielder. Daft to compare them really. There there both great

 

[YES Blade]

The ‘step up from Coutts’ part. Far too early to make such a claim even though the signs are good. Incredible that we will soon have such great midfield options.

I backed up my point with why I think he is a step up from Coutts.

Which part of as good at passing and on the ball but far better defensively and at set pieces do you disagree with?

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

That would at least give us a chance.

We might have a great midfield, a proper set piece taker and a match winning keeper but it would be a real shame if these things went to waste. They're promotion winning ingredients and it's hard to see us being stronger in all three departments at the same time at any point in the short-medium term future.

If we kept Brooks and just loaned a good striker I'd be feeling really confident - and that's something we should've been able to do.

If we had kept Brooks, who made an impact in perhaps 3 or 4 matches last season, we probably would have signed few of this summer's signings; and then there is the problem of the loan of a good striker. Clubs generally keep their good strikers, unless they are very young, very old, and/or injury-prone. You occasionally get lucky with a loan striker, but most turn out like James Wilson or John Cofie or Ian Rush... Feel free to add to the list.

 

[The Bohemian]

I backed up my point with why I think he is a step up from Coutts.

Which part of as good at passing and on the ball but far better defensively and at set pieces do you disagree with?

I reiterate, I see them both as excellent players with certain similarities, especially in range of passing and I'm not sure how much there is to be gained at this stage by suggesting one is better than the other. I have only watched Norwood closely in two games - one of which was of lesser importance - so I don't really feel qualified to judge yet, though I am very impressed with what I have seen.

I have however seen Coutts over the course of 3 seasons, since he joined us In January 2015 so I can respond directly to your points in relation to him.

He's an outstanding passer of the ball over short and longer range. He also times his passes to great effect and creates openings between defenders. In terms of 'on the ball' I'm assuming you mean decision making here? Again, I see Coutts as a very intelligent player who rarely makes the wrong choice in terms of when and where to pass or run with the ball. You very rarely see him clearing long because he's too good and doesn't need to - he makes space and finds a better option. So, we are far better 'on the ball' with Coutts in the team than without him, which probably explains why we have scored at an average of a goal every 49 minutes, when he's played as opposed to one every 69 minutes when he hasn't played - over the period since he joined us.

We are also better defensively when Coutts plays. His timing of tackles is good - so you rarely see him on his arse - and he keeps discipline and shape in front of the back 3. Again, we concede fewer goals when he's in the team than when he isn't.

He also brings the best out of Fleck and the two of them provide us with the platform to control things from midfield over the course of 90 minutes - something we never seemed to manage after Coutts' injury.

We were top of the league after 17 games when he got injured last season. My view at the time was Coutts was the only player we would find it impossible to replace within the squad. We were never as effective after his injury.

With set-pieces, I don't see Coutts being a real specialist in this area, which based on two games, Norwood certainly seems to be.

If Norwood proves as effective as Coutts over the next few seasons we will all be highly delighted. We're very fortunate to have them both.

 

[SUFC Guy]

I reiterate, I see them both as excellent players with certain similarities, especially in range of passing and I'm not sure how much there is to be gained at this stage by suggesting one is better than the other. I have only watched Norwood closely in two games - one of which was of lesser importance - so I don't really feel qualified to judge yet, though I am very impressed with what I have seen.

I have however seen Coutts over the course of 3 seasons, since he joined us In January 2015 so I can respond directly to your points in relation to him.

He's an outstanding passer of the ball over short and longer range. He also times his passes to great effect and creates openings between defenders. In terms of 'on the ball' I'm assuming you mean decision making here? Again, I see Coutts as a very intelligent player who rarely makes the wrong choice in terms of when and where to pass or run with the ball. You very rarely see him clearing long because he's too good and doesn't need to - he makes space and finds a better option. So, we are far better 'on the ball' with Coutts in the team than without him, which probably explains why we have scored at an average of a goal every 49 minutes, when he's played as opposed to one every 69 minutes when he hasn't played - over the period since he joined us.

We are also better defensively when Coutts plays. His timing of tackles is good - so you rarely see him on his arse - and he keeps discipline and shape in front of the back 3. Again, we concede fewer goals when he's in the team than when he isn't.

He also brings the best out of Fleck and the two of them provide us with the platform to control things from midfield over the course of 90 minutes - something we never seemed to manage after Coutts' injury.

We were top of the league after 17 games when he got injured last season. My view at the time was Coutts was the only player we would find it impossible to replace within the squad. We were never as effective after his injury.

With set-pieces, I don't see Coutts being a real specialist in this area, which based on two games, Norwood certainly seems to be.

If Norwood proves as effective as Coutts over the next few seasons we will all be highly delighted. We're very fortunate to have them both.

Great insight mate. Let's hope that Coutts, Nozzer and Fleck can be a constant trio in there and that they compliment each other.
Presume Fleck would play a more advanced role with Nozzer, and Coutts sitting in where he usually does.
What a trio that would make

 

[SUFC Guy]

...also, team with both Coutts and Norwood in. Would this work with Duffy as a false striker?


-----------Coutts

-------Norwood---------Fleck

-------------Duffy

------------------Sharp

 

[bromtom]

...also, team with both Coutts and Norwood in. Would this work with Duffy as a false striker?


-----------Coutts

-------Norwood---------Fleck

-------------Duffy

------------------Sharp

I think Norwood could do a convincing Duffy with Duffy or Woodburn in front.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Just hope Norwood doesn’t get “homesick” or his family don’t settle in Sheffield.(like Leon Britton.) He’s spent a lot of time in the south.