No matter the division we are in next year...

[GymClassHero]

Henderson (1)
Baldock Walker (5) Anel RND Kolasinac (6)
Gibbs-White (2) Doyle (3) McAtee (4)
Ndiaye McBurnie

(1) PL loan no1
(2) Champ loan assuming NF go down
(3) Buy 10-15m with sell back
(4) PL loan no2
(5) Paid up by City
(6) Out of contract

Not a bad team I don’t feel.

But enough Champ Manager. Let’s get there first, eh?

I reckon a deal for Walker isn't beyond the realm of possibility. Has stated on multiple occasions publicly he wants to finish his career here or at least return in some way.

Wages would be the big problem. If we resort to the same criteria (rigid low wage structure, comparatively) there's no way it could happen.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Maybe next season we look at some players outside of the British Isles. Berge and Anel 2 .good buys. Berge first came he was phenomenal, Anel same. Ndiaye, ok from Boreham Wood, from France not a bad pick up. There has to be a ton of players willing to play in The Prem but don't cost $20 m. Why not us? Oh yea cause the forum is toxic!!!!

This forum doesn't dictate transfer policy

 

[S64 Blade]

Agree with the OP. I’d probably keep Norwood for another year as he’s had a largely good season, but his limitations are clear, especially if we go up.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Need to go up. Sad to say do a Norwich, take the money, sort out the finances and put the club on a stable footing so we are competativve in the championship for the future.

Look at Norwich now though?

Having a business model of going up, buying no one, getting relegated, selling your best players - isn't a strategy. It's kami-kaze.

We need to go up, invest in the best young players and coaches we can find, so if we do come down we've got a team that is still evolving. Think a squad of Anel type players...

 

[Superblades]

Norwood another year but I wouldn’t be looking to start him. These last few weeks showed we need young players with a point to prove who have more energy than Norwood. We’ve looked a lot better since we went with Macatee and Doyle.

 

[Newbury Blade]

You saw his replacement yeah?

Amissah and Dewhurst are both good keepers, one of them should have been here and on the bench last night.

 

[Nicesheffielder]

Baldock
Ndiaye
Berge
Oli
RND (if he can stay fit)
Egan
Brewster (potentially)
Jebbison
Coulibaly (showing promise)
Wes (as back up, definitely need a better no. 1)
Doyle (would be great if we could get him permanent, but a season long loan at least)
McCatee (as above)
JLT
Billy (purely for his dressing room influence, look to get him started coaching)
Anel


Being completely honest, and realistic, these are the only players that could make any kind of impact in the PL. I don't necessarily think all the above should be first XI but some are adequate as squad players. I can't see us doing a Forest and having a complete clear out so I think even that list, and I've been extremely lenient with some on it, is wishful thinking sadly.

Egans shite runs like a T rex, but slower

 

[Nicesheffielder]

Norwood has NEVER been kept on by any club apart from us once they have reached the premiership wonder Why????????

 

[CrookesBlade]

Would be good if there was a new area of this forum called “The Crèche” , primarily used when we lose/draw a game so those who need to can go through the motions of pretending to be angry and the rest can attempt some kind of balanced debate.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

As good a servants they have been, players decline and these players are not good enough anymore to play at a top end championship never mind relegation battling premier league sides;

From tonight:

Norwood
Sharp
Davies
Robinson

You can add to that:

Stevens
Osborn
Brewster
JOC
Fleck

I’d keep Norwood, Robbo, Brewster and Osborn.
Would quite like to see Billy in a coaching role.
I can’t see there being a massive clear out myself. We just need to add 4/5 quality additions that are ready for the 1st team.

 

[ancientblade]

this is the big worry if we get to the premier league the majority of this squad are simply not good enough and if we cant bring at least 8 players in this summer im resigned to the fact we would be absolute certs to come back down

 

[metalblade]

Brewster still has 2 years left on his contract

18 months of that will be on the treatment table.

 

[PaulHalfway]

Norwood another year but I wouldn’t be looking to start him. These last few weeks showed we need young players with a point to prove who have more energy than Norwood. We’ve looked a lot better since we went with Macatee and Doyle.

We need quick, powerful. runners in the PL in midfield, ohh and skill as well who can pass, create and chip in with some goals
Does Norwood tick those boxes
Only joking, looks like his legs have gone recently, definitely not up to PL standard any more

 

[AWetFlannel]

Embarrassing thread this, people had just been forced to take Norwood off the hate list by the overwhelming evidence just to stick him back on after a nothing game.

 

[Guesty]

Embarrassing thread this, people had just been forced to take Norwood off the hate list by the overwhelming evidence just to stick him back on after a nothing game.

To be fair, he was awful against Wigan, too.

For me though it's not about being anti-Norwood, it's the fact that we pissed about with two of our best performers to accommodate him - McAtee on the bench and Doyle out of position. What's the justification for that?

I know people think last night was a hiding to nothing anyway and we get the term "free hit" bandied about. It's rubbish though - as a direct result of last night we now have to play two absolutely vital matches with a goalkeeper who is simply not up to it.

 

[AWetFlannel]

To be fair, he was awful against Wigan, too.

For me though it's not about being anti-Norwood, it's the fact that we pissed about with two of our best performers to accommodate him - McAtee on the bench and Doyle out of position. What's the justification for that?

I know people think last night was a hiding to nothing anyway and we get the term "free hit" bandied about. It's rubbish though - as a direct result of last night we now have to play two absolutely vital matches with a goalkeeper who is simply not up to it.

Doyle wasn't out of position, he's always been an 8, and Pep thinks he's a more attacking midfielder. McAtee hasn't been one of our best performers this season by a long way.

We accommodated Norwood because he was one of our best performers himself. He was the best midfielder in the league by nearly every metric.

We had a bad run of form, dropped him and have been playing better. No complaints from me, but the revisionist takes are baffling. I'm not talking about Norwood 2019, this is Norwood this season, in this division.

 

[Guesty]

Doyle wasn't out of position, he's always been an 8, and Pep thinks he's a more attacking midfielder. McAtee hasn't been one of our best performers this season by a long way.

We accommodated Norwood because he was one of our best performers himself. He was the best midfielder in the league by nearly every metric.

We had a bad run of form, dropped him and have been playing better. No complaints from me, but the revisionist takes are baffling. I'm not talking about Norwood 2019, this is Norwood this season, in this division.

Doyle has been tearing it up since he's played at the base of the midfield, and while I agree that McAtee hasn't been among our best players across the length of the season, in recent weeks he (and Doyle) have been out most reliable match-winners. Ignoring all of that for the benefit of an out-of-form Norwood was a risible decision.

 

[Shirty Blade]

On the other hand last time we went up our first 11 was more than competative but our back up squad which we had to increasingly rely on in the second season, along with poor signings resulted in us achieving relegation with aplomb. Should we go up this season arguably we don't have the inadequate second string around our neck. We don't have a second sorting at all! With some astute loans and.a few inexpensive signings, it might be an opportunity to set us up for the future.

Look at Norwich now though?

Having a business model of going up, buying no one, getting relegated, selling your best players - isn't a strategy. It's kami-kaze.

We need to go up, invest in the best young players and coaches we can find, so if we do come down we've got a team that is still evolving. Think a squad of Anel type players...

what i meant really.

 

[Nelson1889]

The hate for Norwood is a bit strange. He's not been anywhere near his 2019/20 form recently but to say he's finished is a bit of a joke.

I think 22 other teams in our division would sign him tomorrow if he left us. I'm not saying I'd want him starting every game next season but I'd definitely have him in our squad. Especially if money is not going to be splashed on replacements.

There's far bigger fish to fry than Norwood for next season.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Embarrassing thread this, people had just been forced to take Norwood off the hate list by the overwhelming evidence just to stick him back on after a nothing game.

I think pointing out when a player has had a bad game, and discussing that we've evolved without him, isn't 'hating'. I've loved watching Norwood over the past 4 years. He's been phenomenally. His link up play with McGoldrick was some of the best football I've ever seen us play.

It comes from a place of love to see him so clearly in a role, team, tactical set-up which doesn't suit him and in a division which is no probably too athletic for him.

I can see him rolling back the years in division one next season with a team like Derby but like I say, we've evolved past him...

 

[Panini]

For me though it's not about being anti-Norwood, it's the fact that we pissed about with two of our best performers to accommodate him - McAtee on the bench and Doyle out of position. What's the justification for that?

100% agree with this. No coincidence Berge is less effective alongside Norwood too.

A midfielder protects the defence, starts attacks, contributes at both ends and delivers set pieces. Norwood occasionally does one of those things (set pieces) but even then we end up facing a counter attack because he hit the first man as often as it creates a chance.

Not a chance he starts last night were he not a Burnley fan. Whenever a manager tells you a team isn't picked on sentiment, it means the next starting XI will contain at least one player picked on sentiment.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Doyle has been tearing it up since he's played at the base of the midfield, and while I agree that McAtee hasn't been among our best players across the length of the season, in recent weeks he (and Doyle) have been out most reliable match-winners. Ignoring all of that for the benefit of an out-of-form Norwood was a risible decision.

We were the best team for the first 15 imo, and would have lost it after that point with David Silva playing in our midfield.

Norwood has been amazing this season, and will need to play against City in the semi. Don't think giving him a game after a quick turn around was too controversial. Even if you disagree, risible is OTT.

 

[AWetFlannel]

A midfielder protects the defence, starts attacks, contributes at both ends and delivers set pieces. Norwood occasionally does one of those things (set pieces) but even then we end up facing a counter attack because he hit the first man as often as it creates a chance.

Someone quote the graph that shows how Norwood was one of the best defensive and attacking midfielders in the league please. Sure he was something like 2nd for tackles and interceptions, on top of being one of the best for chance creation. Baffling take.

 

[AWetFlannel]

I think pointing out when a player has had a bad game, and discussing that we've evolved without him, isn't 'hating'. I've loved watching Norwood over the past 4 years. He's been phenomenally. His link up play with McGoldrick was some of the best football I've ever seen us play.

It comes from a place of love to see him so clearly in a role, team, tactical set-up which doesn't suit him and in a division which is no probably too athletic for him.

I can see him rolling back the years in division one next season with a team like Derby but like I say, we've evolved past him...

I agree he had a bad game, and agree that saying so is not hating.

Don't think we've evolved past him though. This season, in this division and formation, he has been objectively brilliant. He has captained this club, clearly has respect in the dressing room, and is the most experienced and successful midfielder in this division for the last decade.

The desire to get rid of Norwood ASAP given all that is baffling. Saying that we're better without him atm and he shouldn't start is fair game given our recent form. Doyle has been great in that position, and it's his to lose.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I agree he had a bad game, and agree that saying so is not hating.

Don't think we've evolved past him though. This season, in this division and formation, he has been objectively brilliant. He has captained this club, clearly has respect in the dressing room, and is the most experienced and successful midfielder in this division for the last decade.

The desire to get rid of Norwood ASAP given all that is baffling. Saying that we're better without him atm and he shouldn't start is fair game given our recent form. Doyle has been great in that position, and it's his to lose.

He was fantastic the first half of the season, and you're right, if we changed the way we played back to having 3 in midfield and had a Lundstram (the good version) and Fleck (again the good/busy/pestering version), then he has a role. However, we don't play that way anymore and his picking the ball deep from Egan and then looking to ping it to a WB or McBurnie's head is looking increasingly one dimensional.

If we don't go up, there's a strong case for reverting back to that midfield and Norwood will be key. However, if we do go up, then like 3 other teams before us, I see us wishing up all the very best...

 

[AWetFlannel]

He's was fantastic the first half of the season, and you're right, if we changed the way we played back to having 3 in midfield and had a Lundstram (the good version) and Fleck (again the good/busy/pestering version), then he has a role. However, we don't play that way anymore and his picking the ball deep from Egan and then looking to ping it to a WB or McBurnie's head is looking increasingly one dimensional.

If we don't go up, there's a strong case for reverting back to that midfield and Norwood will be key. However, if we do go up, then like 3 other teams before us, I see us wishing up all the very best...

Suppose if we get promoted, our budget will determine whether or not we can improve on him as an option or not.

But for this season, in this division, he's undoubtedly a class act.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

unfortunately we are coming to the end of the Norwood and fleck era, next season needs a refresh and it’s the perfect time to do it with them being out of contract.
We need hungry quick strong creative midfielders IF we are a prem side next season.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Norwood played well for at least half the season and had the best stats in the league.

Robbo has played really well often too.

You’re right, but when they’re up against the best teams who will be pressing them they’re too slow to move the ball. If we’re to be promoted then this will cost us. They both need replacing.

 

[Panini]

Someone quote the graph that shows how Norwood was one of the best defensive and attacking midfielders in the league please. Sure he was something like 2nd for tackles and interceptions, on top of being one of the best for chance creation. Baffling take.

It's curious how many people suddenly had an interest in the type stats they usually shoot down. The same metrics have Watford's João Pedro as the Championship POTY and Max Lowe as the most successful tackler in the division.

I couldn't give a shit about completing 90% of passes at home to Reading etc, I want him to stand up and be counted in a tough game when he's needed.

If he's one of the best defensive and attacking midfielders in the league, why was he dropped for a relatively inexperienced teammate who isn't yet a specialist in the same role? And why have we been much better since he was dropped? Surely even on a bad day one of the best midfielders in the league is able to still do enough to keep the shirt?

Do you disagree that we're a weaker team with Norwood in it? Doyle and Berge had to be compromised to accommodate him last night and McAtee had to be left out altogether. In return we got absolutely nothing. Shouldn't one of the supposed best midfielders in the division offer something, even on a bad day?

Also quote me the graph that shows whether he came over the fans at full time.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

It's striking how little choice these players offer us from the bench

We can do little but make like for like changes with underpowered replacements

We at least need Jebbison back

And if McAtee is one of the subs....... maybe, just maybe he's the first one you should bring on