Anyone else excited to see Berge play in that midfield?

[A Storm of Blades]

I’m definitely excited to see him play in a formation that would suit him, with players constantly showing for the ball, intelligent movement in front of him offering him options.

Fleck and Norwood improved dramatically yesterday and l think it’s fair to say Berge could too, I don’t understand the treatment of Berge from some of our fans. He’s been asked to play out of his natural position in a team that’s played shite with little or no quality at the side of him for 18 months yet the quality he possesses has still been pretty obvious. I still believe In the right setup he could be the best player in this league.

I think a prime Andrea Pirlo would have struggled in our midfield since things went pear shaped, not yesterday though as things aligned.

Couldn’t agree more

 

[A Storm of Blades]

I’d 100% rather norwood than berge defensively. Berge is not good at defending

He’s far better than Norwood but we’ll just have to disagree on that one

 

[adamawdhali]

He’s far better than Norwood but we’ll just have to disagree on that one

Who knew a disagreement about football could end in a way other than personal attacks

 

[Fulwood Blade]

The premier league last season showed how to "sit" on Norwood and nullify how he plays and how we played as a team. They didn't do this the first season but teams during the first lockdown probably analysed how we play and how to stop us being effective. They also (IMHO) sussed out how our CB's got forward, some of which ensured our wing backs played deeper to our goal, making us a back 5 instead of a 3.

Not all teams are going to sit in like Peterborough did yesterday and other teams are going to be savvy like Birmingham/Huddersfield and Luton were in being patient and then breaking on us.

Norwood did well yesterday, but he has to up his game to keep Berge out. the difference yesterday was Ndiaye and MGW showed for the ball, wanted it, were prepared to take numerous touches with it or move it on. Billy also did well running in channels behind their defence.

Don't care WHO plays - but we MUST dominate centre midfield like yesterday.

UTB

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think yesterday we made a tactical change with Fleck and Norwood. Fleck replaced Norwood as the one picking the ball up from the back 4, with Norwood slightly further forward. Fleck was also the one protecting the defence and his tackles often broke down the opposition attacks. He then had the license to run forward from deep to take on players which he also did successfully. With Norwood not having these responsibilities he was able to make passes in an area where he had the time and space to be more effective and we switched play across the pitch well.

I think Berge could probably play the role Norwood played as well, but I wouldn't be in any rush to change things after the way the midfield played yesterday.

 

[Ron_Justice]

The premier league last season showed how to "sit" on Norwood and nullify how he plays and how we played as a team. They didn't do this the first season but teams during the first lockdown probably analysed how we play and how to stop us being effective. They also (IMHO) sussed out how our CB's got forward, some of which ensured our wing backs played deeper to our goal, making us a back 5 instead of a 3.

Not all teams are going to sit in like Peterborough did yesterday and other teams are going to be savvy like Birmingham/Huddersfield and Luton were in being patient and then breaking on us.

Norwood did well yesterday, but he has to up his game to keep Berge out. the difference yesterday was Ndiaye and MGW showed for the ball, wanted it, were prepared to take numerous touches with it or move it on. Billy also did well running in channels behind their defence.

Don't care WHO plays - but we MUST dominate centre midfield like yesterday.

UTB

Having willing and capable attack minded players in the final third, who's first thought is 'GO!' will have most teams on their heals IMO. That will create the space for the Midfield to flourish. Just need to ensure that whoever in in Midfield is equally willing and capable of making the killer pass into the final third.

 

[Houston_Blade]

It depends if he decides to start being as good as everyone seems to think he is. If not then he’s interchangeable with our other midfielders.

 

[HeySethUTB]

Berge for Norwood IMO although it is harsh. Flecks performance was down to the fact he had three players in Sharp, MGW and Ndiaye that wanted the ball and weren’t afraid of tracking back and getting stuck in, the goal also did him the world of good. MGW is a premier league player, at times he looked like he was playing against boys, Berge is the same.

Footballs a funny game, 2 weeks ago Norwood and Fleck were spent entities, now they’re good enough to keep out a player that at times as been the only midfielder to have done anything of note. Not too sure one good performance merits a wholesale opinion change, if anything it tells me a lot about the internal motivations of our players.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

The premier league last season showed how to "sit" on Norwood and nullify how he plays and how we played as a team. They didn't do this the first season but teams during the first lockdown probably analysed how we play and how to stop us being effective. They also (IMHO) sussed out how our CB's got forward, some of which ensured our wing backs played deeper to our goal, making us a back 5 instead of a 3.

Not all teams are going to sit in like Peterborough did yesterday and other teams are going to be savvy like Birmingham/Huddersfield and Luton were in being patient and then breaking on us.

Norwood did well yesterday, but he has to up his game to keep Berge out. the difference yesterday was Ndiaye and MGW showed for the ball, wanted it, were prepared to take numerous touches with it or move it on. Billy also did well running in channels behind their defence.

Don't care WHO plays - but we MUST dominate centre midfield like yesterday.

UTB

Good post. Again, this highlights how catastrophic removing the ‘10’ from the formation ultimately was. It’s harder (or riskier) to sit on our central midfield if you have a ‘Duffy’ floating behind you. I’ve said this numerous times, but I actually think the ‘10’ was just an important defensive cog to our play as it was from an offensive POV.

 

[Rodley]

Stick me in the Berge can’t defend camp.

If he doesn’t show anything in this latest line up / system, think it’s one to look to move on in January.

 

[Yogi]

The premier league last season showed how to "sit" on Norwood and nullify how he plays and how we played as a team. They didn't do this the first season but teams during the first lockdown probably analysed how we play and how to stop us being effective. They also (IMHO) sussed out how our CB's got forward, some of which ensured our wing backs played deeper to our goal, making us a back 5 instead of a 3.

Not all teams are going to sit in like Peterborough did yesterday and other teams are going to be savvy like Birmingham/Huddersfield and Luton were in being patient and then breaking on us.

Norwood did well yesterday, but he has to up his game to keep Berge out. the difference yesterday was Ndiaye and MGW showed for the ball, wanted it, were prepared to take numerous touches with it or move it on. Billy also did well running in channels behind their defence.

Don't care WHO plays - but we MUST dominate centre midfield like yesterday.

UTB

I agree that’s still my nagging question with Norwood yesterday he showed what he has when he isn’t pressed. He still needs to show it in a game where the opponents are prepared to get after him before I’ll have complete confidence in him.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Yes.

UTB

 

[HeySethUTB]

We‘re also forgetting the fact we have a much more capable and comfortable centre back in Davies to come back in.

 

[HeySethUTB]

I agree that’s still my nagging question with Norwood yesterday he showed what he has when he isn’t pressed. He still needs to show it in a game where the opponents are prepared to get after him before I’ll have complete confidence in him.

Same. The shear size of Berge, his superior technique in tight spaces and his ability to ball carry makes him the better option in games when we are pressed. Not to sure if he has the same range of passing or eye as Norwood though. It’s nice to have a dilemma like this, got no idea how Hourihane gets into the mix.

 

[Boroblade1889]

🗣 He's Norwegian.......

Seems like a lifetime ago now

I still hold onto hope that this story has a happy ending.....

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

If i am honest i dont think Berge gets back into the team that started yesterday.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I'd be intrigued to hear what people's views are on what Norwood offers over Berge?

Long distance passing is the one that stands out, but if we're going with this system of fluid roaming midfielders carrying between the lines then I'm not sure we'll need that as much.

For me, Berge gives us extra athleticism and ball carrying through the middle of the park. He is far more likely to create something than Norwood and may even be able to grab some goals in this team if we allow him to attack the box.

 

[DronnieBlade]

This whole Sander vs Norwood debate is as laughable as some of the other a vs b debates previously had.

Some folks would do well to accept that they simply are not a good judge of what good actually looks like. FACT .

UTB

 

[A Storm of Blades]

I'd be intrigued to hear what people's views are on what Norwood offers over Berge?

Long distance passing is the one that stands out, but if we're going with this system of fluid roaming midfielders carrying between the lines then I'm not sure we'll need that as much.

For me, Berge gives us extra athleticism and ball carrying through the middle of the park. He is far more likely to create something than Norwood and may even be able to grab some goals in this team if we allow him to attack the box.

I agree. I think Beans and Roygbiv mentioned last time that our midfield has been a barren wasteland when it comes to goals and creativity. Given Norwood is our chief set piece taker, his assist numbers are incredibly poor.

 

[Yogi]

Same. The shear size of Berge, his superior technique in tight spaces and his ability to ball carry makes him the better option in games when we are pressed. Not to sure if he has the same range of passing or eye as Norwood though. It’s nice to have a dilemma like this, got no idea how Hourihane gets into the mix.

Yesterday’s performance gives us time to integrate hourihane before throwing him in which is great and if he’s kept out of the side by others then fair enough he’s a very good bench option at this level.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

We also have Hourihane. A good set piece taker and goal getter that spent a lot of time playing in the centre of the park for Swansea. We all assumed that he'd be competition for Fleck but maybe he is someone that can slot into the middle, keep it neat & tidy & occasionally push forward and arrive into the box late.

 

[Russ]

Sander was at the game yesterday. He sat in the South Stand a couple of rows behind the dugout. He must be not far off now.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

We played with a real pace & intensity yesterday & they couldn’t cope with it . Though I like Berge and he’s clearly a talented player I don’t see him as the holding midfielder & Fleck & Gibbs White were superb , so I could only see him changing that with Norwood

 

[pommpey]

Berge or Norwood can get the ball, look up, pass it to forward thinking players. Whichever one can do it best should play

Norwood can get the ball, look up and clip it pointlessly across the park, ypu mean?

Although he was 'better' yesterday, it's more because LN and MGW forced the issue and attacked the inner channels rather than us being slaves to Norwood's propensity to bang it across the pitch with another Hollywood pass into a dead end up in the crossing zone.

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Sander was at the game yesterday. He sat in the South Stand a couple of rows behind the dugout. He must be not far off now.

What? A loan out?

I'm still not bought on what he can bring to the side.

pommpey

 

[Staffs Blade]

I know I am! He hasn’t lived up to his potential thus far, but the lad clearly has talent. Stick him in with MGW next to him and Ndiaye in front and he could take off.

No slow and overrated , dont see him fitting in /.

 

[Nedski]

It's laughable that Berge gets blamed for slowing things down. Every single player has dawdled on the ball and been painfully slow going forward for 18 months.

Berge is the only one that ever made the bursting runs to the opposition box, trying to make things happen. If he had to turn back on himself and knock it backwards, it's the frustrating lack of movement and team mates not showing for the ball that can be blamed, not Berge. We've obviously not seen him at his best but there's been numerous times he's looked a class above.

It sounds a little strange but MGW and ICN could be the ones that finally unlock the full potential of the likes of Berge and Brewster

 

[A Storm of Blades]

No slow and overrated , dont see him fitting in /.

Ok?

 

[HeySethUTB]

We played with a real pace & intensity yesterday & they couldn’t cope with it . Though I like Berge and he’s clearly a talented player I don’t see him as the holding midfielder & Fleck & Gibbs White were superb , so I could only see him changing that with Norwood

It reminded me of Slavs Fulham side in the 5-4 game. Loads of players running the channels, striker dropping deep midfielders running beyond, quick one twos, playing passes into space, a range of different attacking angles (Right,Left and Central), most players willing to play a one on one battle with the opposition and keeping possession. It gives the opposition lots to think about and it is very hard to contain. Still got Moose, Davies and Berge to get into that.

 

[sitwell]

When was the last time Berge played in a winning team ?