Thank you Sander

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If someone ponies up, fine, but if it turns into a saga I can see all our transfer business being squeezed into the last moments of the window with us having to wait for his money to come through, not knowing our budget, not moving in on targets etc etc etc.

That's where my money is.
 

Also he has not recognised any development at all in Berge. He thinks Berge can get away with being an attacking midfielder cause the championship is shit, rather than that actually better suits his game. Berge is not particularly good at tackling or has amazing vision so is not exactly perfectly suited to holding role.
 
Sander Berge developed more last season than he did in his previous two seasons in the prem so why is playing in the championship such a bad thing for his development
 
Mojo said:
Because he could simply state he would prefer Berge to be playing at a higher level. Why say he doesn't want to be getting any more calls from Sheffield United? It's fuck all to do with him
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Maybe lost in translation, his answer came during a press conference with norwegian journalists. He could have phrased it slightly more boring, like "No disrespect to Sheffield United, but Sander may benefit from playing football at a higher level than the Championship now that he's fit again", but the message would be the same.

He said the same when Ajer played for Celtic. Solbakken thought Ajer was getting a bit sloppy, as often small mistakes weren't punished) Although Celtic's a fine club, there can be things to gain by playing regularly against the likes of Man City, compared to Ross County. (Apologies to Ross County fans... 😉 )
 
Mojo said:
Also he has not recognised any development at all in Berge. He thinks Berge can get away with being an attacking midfielder cause the championship is shit, rather than that actually better suits his game. Berge is not particularly good at tackling or has amazing vision so is not exactly perfectly suited to holding role.
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With the greatest of respect for Norway, a National we've had player from a few times, playing wherever in term of club is not going to impact Berge's International chances because they have a limited amount to pick from.

However his comments are only going to antagonize United. Need Berge for a key game? Sorry old chap he's a bit injured at the moment. We can't risk him, maybe next time?

United have been very supportive of our players picking up caps for their country. That could easily change. We pay player wages and many players are not 100% fit through the season. Easy to just say at 80% fit we won't risk him so pick some far lesser player for your key International game instead.

I'm more disappointed that we have finally found a role where Berge can excel yet his International Manager persists in shifting him all over the place. How is he supposed to get form? Let's not pretend form came easily to him. He's had plenty of anonymous games. On his day he is top end of the Championship. He's also capable of being average and disappearing in games. There's a lot of recency bias when speaking of Berge. When Brewster, N'Diaye, Gibbs-White and Sharp were all fit and Norwood and Hourihane partnering in midfield it wasn't clear how he would merit a spot. This seems to be easily forgotten with a strong finish he had. He's certainly not been consistently too good for Sheffield United in his time with us. Gibbs-White, Foderingham, Bogle and a few others can all claim to have had equal or better seasons than Sander.

I'd like him to stay and build on his last month. But it's not like Gibbs-White where he was a constant and significant cut above.
 
Bergen Blade said:
Maybe lost in translation, his answer came during a press conference with norwegian journalists. He could have phrased it slightly more boring, like "No disrespect to Sheffield United, but Sander may benefit from playing football at a higher level than the Championship now that he's fit again", but the message would be the same.

He said the same when Ajer played for Celtic. Solbakken thought Ajer was getting a bit sloppy, as often small mistakes weren't punished) Although Celtic's a fine club, there can be things to gain by playing regularly against the likes of Man City, compared to Ross County. (Apologies to Ross County fans... 😉 )
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Wether intentional or not he should think before he speaks because his comments came across as very disrespectful. He was a shit manager at championship level himself but it's not done his career any harm has it?

I don't necessarily agree with him either. Mitrovic is too good for the championship but it doesn't harm him playing there. A season of Berge being absolutely dominant and the best player in the league might be best for his development, allowing him to grow his confidence and form even further rather than sat on the bench for a prem club trying to work out what position to play him in.
 
LewishamBlade said:
He's clearly better than the Championship. I think we all need to be realistic and accept he's going.
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I've not got a problem with that just the disrespect in those comments from the manager rubbed me up the wrong way
 
Club v Country has always been an issue.

I would be more concerned about an agent telling Berge that he could double his wages if he moved on.

Berge seems to prefer keeping his own council. He does not seem to be too motivated by finance, more concerned about his own development as a player.
 
Mojo said:
Wether intentional or not he should think before he speaks because his comments came across as very disrespectful. He was a shit manager at championship level himself but it's not done his career any harm has it?

I don't necessarily agree with him either. Mitrovic is too good for the championship but it doesn't harm him playing there. A season of Berge being absolutely dominant and the best player in the league might be best for his development, allowing him to grow his confidence and form even further rather than sat on the bench for a prem club trying to work out what position to play him in.
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Of course Solbakken's fiasco at Wolves did harm his career. He'll argue that Wolves were relegated following a similar season to ours in 20/21, then sold their three main creator/scorers the summer he arrived. He struggled to make the new signings adapt as well as introducing a new playing style to the existent players. They were 18th when they sacked him. Dean Saunders came in and they finished 23rd. Nevertheless, he had to go back to his old club, FC Copenhagen to rebuild his career.


I think Berge may develop further with us and I'm sure Solbakken would also prefer that to the not very optimistic alternative you suggest.
 
I suspect that plenty of managers who could be interested in him might be wondering what his best position is.

I don`t think he is a stand out holding midfielder which has been his nominal position.

The way Hecky has used him of late, in behind the front two,, has made use of his ability to beat a player, his ability to pick a pass, and his composure in forward areas where others go to pieces.

I would like to see him stay and continue to play that role.
 
Bergen Blade said:
Maybe lost in translation, his answer came during a press conference with norwegian journalists. He could have phrased it slightly more boring, like "No disrespect to Sheffield United, but Sander may benefit from playing football at a higher level than the Championship now that he's fit again", but the message would be the same.

He said the same when Ajer played for Celtic. Solbakken thought Ajer was getting a bit sloppy, as often small mistakes weren't punished) Although Celtic's a fine club, there can be things to gain by playing regularly against the likes of Man City, compared to Ross County. (Apologies to Ross County fans... 😉 )
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Yep maybe lost in translation a bit.

Just seemed he was overstepping the mark from the comments we've read. Normally club managers don't comment on transfer rumours and targets out of respect for their current clubs.

Whereas Solbakken seemed to belittle and be slightly rude about Sheffield United. But probably due to translation.
 
Fair play Bergen Blade for a reasoned argument.

I am ofc being somewhat emotional. Would have loved to see Berge, MGW, Ndiaye etc together in the prem. Can't help feel the penalty shoot out loss has set us back years.

However I do think Berge is still finding himself as a player hence another season with us might not be the worse thing for his development. I am not entirely convinced he has the attributes to be a holding midfielder at the top level. It didn't really work with us and in fact he hasn't even looked that good a holding midfielder at championship level. I think the Norway manager wants Berge to develop as a holding midfielder as that's the only real position he has available and where he needs him to play rather than where it best suits him.
 

Alan Birchenall's hair said:
Norway aren't much kop. Without Harland, I'd back us to more than give them a game. Perhaps even with Harland. And they can have Berge in their team for the match. They haven't qualified for the Euros since 2000 or World Cup since 1998. Fuck me, doesn't anyone remember how crap Jostein Flo was?
So even playing for Barcelona, Madrid or Bayern won't get Berge's international career much further.....
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Flo was good, not great but one of the better centre forwards we have had in the last 30+ years
 
There's two issues with Sander for me:
  • He needs to impose himself on games - when he does, he's magnificent. Watching Berge drive forward in that effortless way whilst defenders retreat and bounce off him is a joy to watch. He's a game changer, but he needs to believe it himself and dictate the play more often. He's too ready to play second fiddle to other players and be a passenger in the team rather than the main man (of which he is more than capable). Sounds like this happened vs. Serbia
  • He needs to accept that his best position is not CM/CDM. During interviews up until very recently it was clear that Sander still saw himself as a deep lying centre midfielder and was reluctant to fully embrace his new role in a more advanced position. I understand that he played this position in Belgium and to good effect and he's had moments when he's looked decent in this position for us. However he's been far more effective in the advanced position and his attributes seem better suited to this role. Sounds like Solbakken could do with watching a few Championship games to understand this. Although I'm sure the presence of Odegaard is likely to prevent Berge playing in this role for Norway and Solbakken would prefer Berge to play as a holding midfielder for club and country.
As unlikely as it is to happen, I think the best thing for Berge's development would be to carry on where he left off with us last year. What's more likely is that he's sold to a top end Prem team and warms their bench, or he's sold to a lower end team and struggles to find an effective role in their lineup.
 
Snowflake said:
Has the club released a statement saying that ? I have not seen it.
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Apologies, it was Bladesman on Twitter... still it seems like we're desperate to get rid of him and it's not a good way to get the most money we can for him
 
bongleblade said:
Apologies, it was Bladesman on Twitter... still it seems like we're desperate to get rid of him and it's not a good way to get the most money we can for him
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I think the Norwegian manager is acting as our agent !!!!
 
I think he'll be sold. United are putting out "he's not for sale on the cheap" noises but I think it's just transfer poker. I can remember what the Prince said last year about wanting the £ for Ramsdale AND Berge. That wasn't really feasible then, it is more feasible now.

It's a big shame as in the periods when he's been up to speed (post first lock down, start of the second prem season, back end end of last season) the kid has looked real quality - a delight to watch. Thrashing him to death at the start of last season, without a preseason under his belt broke him (and others) and may well have cost us promotion. When he got fitter he was obviously excellent.I feel if he remains, does his pre season and is fit and ready we'll get a full season of the Sander we saw at the back end. I hope the shorter window of him showing how good he is results in us keeping him. If he played like that all season we'd have no chance.

I'm surprised that so many want to let him go - "because he's too good for the league". Players too good for the league will be starting against us next season for other teams. Why them and not us? If he goes for under what we payed for him with year on year transfer inflation it'd be horrible. All we can hope is that they have half a dozen permanents lined up, the right side of 25, with real scope for high resale value and improving the team. If the money gets swallowed up...well you know what happens. If it goes on loans, well, you know what eventually happens.

The Norway manager has shown a lack of common courtesy and respect. He acknowledges this with his phone call comment. He should've given a generic answer: "It's preferable if all my players play at the highest level possible", or something like that..
 
nopigfansintown said:
I think he'll be sold. United are putting out "he's not for sale on the cheap" noises but I think it's just transfer poker. I can remember what the Prince said last year about wanting the £ for Ramsdale AND Berge. That wasn't really feasible then, it is more feasible now.

It's a big shame as in the periods when he's been up to speed (post first lock down, start of the second prem season, back end end of last season) the kid has looked real quality - a delight to watch. Thrashing him to death at the start of last season, without a preseason under his belt broke him (and others) and may well have cost us promotion. When he got fitter he was obviously excellent.I feel if he remains, does his pre season and is fit and ready we'll get a full season of the Sander we saw at the back end. I hope the shorter window of him showing how good he is results in us keeping him. If he played like that all season we'd have no chance.

I'm surprised that so many want to let him go - "because he's too good for the league". Players too good for the league will be starting against us next season for other teams. Why them and not us? If he goes for under what we payed for him with year on year transfer inflation it'd be horrible. All we can hope is that they have half a dozen permanents lined up, the right side of 25, with real scope for high resale value and improving the team. If the money gets swallowed up...well you know what happens. If it goes on loans, well, you know what eventually happens.

The Norway manager has shown a lack of common courtesy and respect. He acknowledges this with his phone call comment. He should've given a generic answer: "It's preferable if all my players play at the highest level possible", or something like that..
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We came out last year and said no pressure to sell anybody, but the Prince told YorkBlade we pretty much had to sell one of Ramsdale and Berge, or even both if good offers were received. No surprise to see we're making hardball statements in early June, but we're already revealing a little bit of leg by throwing £25m out there. In reality, I think we'll get £20m at best, including add ons/clauses, but there's no doubt to me he won't be here come 1st September.

It's shit, yes, and it hurts a bit that Sheffield United owned a £20m player, and in a couple of months we won't. And who knows how long it will be until we pay £20m for a player again. But thats just footballing reality, and the cost of not getting promoted. The alternative is playing deaf dumb and blind to FFP, and being in a Derby like situation if we don't get promoted next year.
 
LewishamBlade said:
Why?
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...because he may wish to stay. Play regular games, possibly get promoted to Premiership, stay in an area he knows and with a group that he appears to get on with.
He still has the JTW if things are not working out or next summer if we aren’t promoted.
If he is motivated mainly by money then perhaps not, but none of us knows him well enough to be that subjective.
 
Snowflake said:
...because he may wish to stay. Play regular games, possibly get promoted to Premiership, stay in an area he knows and with a group that he appears to get on with.
He still has the JTW if things are not working out or next summer if we aren’t promoted.
If he is motivated mainly by money then perhaps not, but none of us knows him well enough to be that subjective.
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No sounds from any party other than United lead me to believe he wants to stay. I don’t think he’ll down tools if United wish to keep him, but I don’t particularly think he wants to stay.
 
Another dominant display by Sander in Norways 3-2 win vs Sweden today. He controlled midfield as DM, He's started all 4 games for Norway in june, only him , Haaland and Odegaard did. He's looking better every game, big fee or keep.
 
10-0 win said:
Another dominant display by Sander in Norways 3-2 win vs Sweden today. He controlled midfield as DM, He's started all 4 games for Norway in june, only him , Haaland and Odegaard did. He's looking better every game, big fee or keep.
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Christ knows why their manager has decided to play him in all the games when he's spent a large part of the season coming back from injury.

Shows little or no consideration to the player or the paymasters.

Then again, when you've failed to reach the World Cup with Håland, Ødegaard and Berge already, I suppose you're looking for some results to build up your credibility.

Berge should have been rested for some of these meaningless games. He needs time to rest after a long lay off and an intensive end of season, not 4 matches in quick succession and a shortened summer.
 
Champagneblade said:
Christ knows why their manager has decided to play him in all the games when he's spent a large part of the season coming back from injury.

Shows little or no consideration to the player or the paymasters.

Then again, when you've failed to reach the World Cup with Håland, Ødegaard and Berge already, I suppose you're looking for some results to build up your credibility.

Berge should have been rested for some of these meaningless games. He needs time to rest after a long lay off and an intensive end of season, not 4 matches in quick succession and a shortened summer.
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For a nation who always qualifies I understand Nation League matches seem as unimportant as friendlies. England are always ranked top and usually qualify through the normal qualification.

For nations like Norway, not been in a tournament since 2000, the nation league offers another path to qualification. Not only that, all results count in the FIFA ranking, which could see us get a easier qualifying group. Typical for Norway is that we get seeded third, and have to face two teams who are generally considered better. Two defeats saw us finish below Holland and Turkey the last time, another failure. In short, these games are not unimportant to Norway.

Berge started 22 league games last season. There are many players who've had more exhausting seasons. He played twice for Norway in March, his first international involvements since 2020, and Solbakken seems determined to make him an important player now that he's fit. I think Berge really enjoys being part of the national side and physically he's seemed up for it.
 

I can’t wait for him to go. The last of the technically minded players.

Next season mantra.

“ just fookin boot it up pitch”
“ non of that fancy tippy tappy crap”

We’ve gone from a progressive club with Wilder back to the 1980s wi Hecky.
 
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