For what it's worth... Berge

[BobblesBlade]

I just don't get the view that he is an effective midfielder for us. You can use stats all you want but they are an aid to the management team, not the gospel. Some on here will not have any criticism of him. The usual lines are trotted out...he is played out of position and defensive work is not what he is there for.

We are in the Championship and he rarely looks better than average. I expect that with his ability he should boss games at this level. Sadly he doesn't have the fire within to do that. All we see are cameos.

Great players do work hard on and off the ball they don't just rely on skill alone. I have been lucky enough to see Ray Wilkins, Tim Sherwood dominate games. For work rate and ability to stretch the game Jurgen Klinsmann was tops. You don't see everything watching on TV. Stats only tell a partial story. It's being there live and assessing what you can see with your own eyes, that is how to evaluate a player.

I really hoped for great things from Sander.
As you mentioned he doesn’t boss games and that’s what you need in our formation.

I do feel bad for slating him but when Utd are in need of all ten outfield players to come together he seems to disappear.

 

[ancientblade]

interesting that andy 67 seems to think berge is better in the norwood role ive always thought that berge is better higher up the pitch but thinking about it its an interesting concept maybe berge and doyle as the 2 deep lying midfield pivots with mcatee in the number 10 role might be the way to go mind would still prefer us to go 4231 with jebbo up top

 

[Lightsoot]

Immense tonight, even before his goal. And one of the few players who held his own against City. If the lad turns up more often he can be a top player. Well done Sander. Stood up to be counted.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

interesting that andy 67 seems to think berge is better in the norwood role ive always thought that berge is better higher up the pitch but thinking about it its an interesting concept maybe berge and doyle as the 2 deep lying midfield pivots with mcatee in the number 10 role might be the way to go mind would still prefer us to go 4231 with jebbo up top

Interesting about Sander in a deeper role similar to Norwood. I think that stifles his movement forward with the ball. In full flight attacking the opposition final third he’s superb. Add to that the fact that he was on the penalty spot to lift the ball into the net for the first goal last night and it’s a dilemma where actually to play him.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Sander has been much improved at this, the business end of the season to be fair. Battled harder than I’ve seen him since he signed.

 

[SwissBlade]

Sander has been much improved at this, the business end of the season to be fair. Battled harder than I’ve seen him since he signed.

Dare we say we’ve seen some aggression?

He’s looked an all round better player and he’s had moments of passion as well.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Dare we say we’ve seen some aggression?

He’s looked an all round better player and he’s had moments of passion as well.

Made me laugh that comment, totally agree, it's as though the penny has dropped.
He's a giant of a man, so use it to your advantage and terrorise/ bully the opposition.

Last night he was great showing effort, aggression and quality. He very much looked a £25 million player.

 

[SwissBlade]

Made me laugh that comment, totally agree, it's as though the penny has dropped.
He's a giant of a man, so use it to your advantage and terrorise/ bully the opposition.

Last night he was great showing effort, aggression and quality. He very much looked a £25 million player.

Still shite in the air

 

[Nedski]

Still shite in the air

Last night he won multiple headers, including one leading to his goal and another where he took it off Egan or McBurnie, can't remember which. While heading is his weak point (I can sympathise, I've always hated heading) he's definitely worked on it.

If he took testosterone pills or something like that (I'm not sure on the legalities here) he'd be snapping players in half, but he looks so much better on the occasions where he's fully confident and realises he's older bigger better stronger that 95% of Championship players. The mental side of his game is hugely important.

 

[MobileBlade]

Sander has been much improved at this, the business end of the season to be fair. Battled harder than I’ve seen him since he signed.

Maybe the run of games and we are for the first time seeing him fully fit?

 

[Wards]

He's really benefitted having Doyle and his mobility next to him, especially when they've played as a two in that deeper role. Always felt when he's played there with Norwood he's often compensated for the lack of legs in there. Now means he's got more license to do what he's good at.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

He's really benefitted having Doyle and his mobility next to him, especially when they've played as a two in that deeper role. Always felt when he's played there with Norwood he's often compensated for the lack of legs in there. Now means he's got more license to do what he's good at.

I can see us going in for a CDM in the summer as one of our big signings, alongside bringing back Doyle. We will need to sure up the midfield and putting in a ball-winner between Doyle and Berge and could work well. Both of them two can stick a foot-in and go forward very well but having someone who they can trust to stay at home and break things would open them up.

 

[SwissBlade]

Last night he won multiple headers, including one leading to his goal and another where he took it off Egan or McBurnie, can't remember which. While heading is his weak point (I can sympathise, I've always hated heading) he's definitely worked on it.

If he took testosterone pills or something like that (I'm not sure on the legalities here) he'd be snapping players in half, but he looks so much better on the occasions where he's fully confident and realises he's older bigger better stronger that 95% of Championship players. The mental side of his game is hugely important.

I’m partly joking about his heading, defensively he does his job but in attacking situations he seems to get into great positions but heads like a 12 year old.

Strength wise from last to this season he’s worlds apart, he is definitely coming to terms with the physical aspects of the game and perhaps in the premier league he may get more space and time.

His running with the ball has been a plus since we got him but I’d say that his ability to fend off tackles in tight spaces has improved as well as his passing range.

He plays the deep role well, which is an improvement and his ability to take teams on when he’s more advanced has improved playing alongside Doyle.

 

[SwissBlade]

He's really benefitted having Doyle and his mobility next to him, especially when they've played as a two in that deeper role. Always felt when he's played there with Norwood he's often compensated for the lack of legs in there. Now means he's got more license to do what he's good at.

The whole side has benefitted from bringing Doyle and Baldock in.

Last night Baldock looked to be everywhere being the enforcer. Second half Gardner-Hickman was hunted down by Baldock after his first half afters with McAtee

 

[DaveBassettsgoneonholiday]

Dare we say we’ve seen some aggression?

He’s looked an all round better player and he’s had moments of passion as well.

Sander needs to go and lodge with George for six months, that'll toughen him up........or break him completely.

 

[AlexHD]

Sander needs to go and lodge with George for six months, that'll toughen him up........or break him completely.

Didn't he live with George during covid?