Anyone else excited to see Berge play in that midfield?

[Nagima]

There will be plenty of games this season to assess all our midfielders. Rotation and injuries will mean we can't play the same players every game. Berge will get his opportunity too as will Hourihane. Slav mentioned about his discussion with Fleck where he told him what was expected from him. Hopefully Fleck and Norwood can keep up that level of performance. MGW and Ndiaye are making positive contributions to our attacking play but there will be games where they will need a rest so we need and now look to have options.

It's how we play that is important. Yesterday we attacked left, right and through the centre. There were a few short balls into the feet of Billy which we haven't seen in along time. Which ever personnel are picked we need the balance in the team to keep playing that way.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Quick answer: Yes!

Longer answer: I know it shouldn't by now, but it always amazes me when football fans on a forum (whose most significant athletic achievements probably include making it up the stairs in their house without keeling over) call young international footballers 'crap'. Even ones that have been part of a title winning side and played in European club competition. I digress....

I feel about Sander Berge very similarly to the way I felt about Paul Coutts when he joined and initially struggled to make an impact. Both are/were very obviously talented footballers with good technique but for a variety of factors don't/didn't always perform as well as their talent suggests they should or could. I'm hoping we eventually get to the same outcome with Berge as we did with Coutts; we get a settled side, with a way of playing that suits us, and a role in that side that really suits him.

I genuinely don't know where the argument that he doesn't work hard/isn't applying himself comes from. A few seem to accuse him of that but I can't say that I've seen that myself. In his interviews he comes across as a really grounded lad who works hard and I've not seen anything on the pitch to suggest otherwise. We always get this lazy argument when a team isn't playing well and is struggling for results. The default 'they don't care/aren't trying' - football fan 101.

There also seems to be a few putting a lot of stock in the fact that Berge hasn't played in a winning side for a while, as though it's some sort of irrefutable proof of his negative impact on our team. I don't buy it. I don't buy it because he was our best midfielder in both of the previous home games, so my own eyes tell me that there are other players who have played WORSE than him in losses and therefore logic dictates it isn't solely down to his inclusion. I seem to remember a certain Gareth Bale playing a large number of games for a Spurs team that couldn't win. Doesn't appear that turned out to be either a good indication of his ability, or a good predictor of his career success does it? In a team game of 11 players it is ridiculously simplistic to put winning/losing down to the inclusion or omission of one player, regardless of how good or bad you think they are.

All that being said - I completely agree with anyone who says he hasn't been consistent, hasn't had a big enough impact, and can/should offer us more. Agree on all counts. I just don't understand how some are writing him off so completely and categorically at this stage.

 

[bonobo]

Berge should and I assume will come in for Norwood. But, he is going to have to really live up to his promise to keep his place. If the team around continue to play that well, no excuses.

 

[SwissBlade]

Berge is a very good player on the ball but there are many weaknesses in his game - his tackling isn’t great and hes terrible in the air. But these can be worked on.

I’d have no problem dropping him into the side, if a slot became available.

Looking at yesterday’s performance, we played with more flexibility and freedom in midfield than we’ve done in the last two season, that’s not a dig at wilder, it’s just going back to how we played in the championship. Structured but less rigid as that’s what this division demands

Can Berge slot into the GW role? Possibly, but as others have said, he’d be better off deeper in the Norwood or Fleck role from yesterday. Berge is suited to starting deeper

 

[Freddie]

If we were to sell Berge in January to ease our financial burden would we miss him?

No

 

[Snowflake]

If norwood and fleck continue to play like we all know they’re capable of, where does he fit in. Norwood and fleck much better defensively and each bring something unique. Fleck is exceptional driving with the ball and norwood is a great passer (when he turns up)

Berge takes Norwood’s place.He cannot be any worse defending and should be more positive going forward.

 

[sitwell]

Berge takes Norwood’s place.He cannot be any worse defending and should be more positive going forward.

Fancy wanting to replace a midfielder with a player who once had a decent 45 miinutes for us when youve won 6-2. So apparently we scored 6 in spite of Norwood and conceded 2 because of him . Fucking hell

 

[Snowflake]

Fancy wanting to replace a midfielder with a player who once had a decent 45 miinutes for us when youve won 6-2. So apparently we scored 6 in spite of Norwood and conceded 2 because of him . Fucking hell

That’s just a view on the end of a defective spectrum. It doesn’t matter what the last score was, but whether the team is better with any changes. For example Olsen and Davies would be better in my view and should play once fit and available.
In my opinion Berge should play instead of Norwood, who did not have a good game on Saturday .

 

[Greenblades]

I would like to think this dynamic duo of MGW and Ndiaye will inspire their previously underperforming teammates to raise their game. These two lads are different gravy, and for the others to see the new level of performance required to get in this team...It can only help the them.

Spot on ! How embarrassing for our multi million pound, drunk driving, over paid super stars that 1 junior and 1 loan player showed more than all of them put together. Perhaps Moose now realises he can’t turn up late every day, pay the fine and laugh about it. Let’s hope so.

 

[Greenblades]

Quick answer: Yes!

Longer answer: I know it shouldn't by now, but it always amazes me when football fans on a forum (whose most significant athletic achievements probably include making it up the stairs in their house without keeling over) call young international footballers 'crap'. Even ones that have been part of a title winning side and played in European club competition. I digress....

I feel about Sander Berge very similarly to the way I felt about Paul Coutts when he joined and initially struggled to make an impact. Both are/were very obviously talented footballers with good technique but for a variety of factors don't/didn't always perform as well as their talent suggests they should or could. I'm hoping we eventually get to the same outcome with Berge as we did with Coutts; we get a settled side, with a way of playing that suits us, and a role in that side that really suits him.

I genuinely don't know where the argument that he doesn't work hard/isn't applying himself comes from. A few seem to accuse him of that but I can't say that I've seen that myself. In his interviews he comes across as a really grounded lad who works hard and I've not seen anything on the pitch to suggest otherwise. We always get this lazy argument when a team isn't playing well and is struggling for results. The default 'they don't care/aren't trying' - football fan 101.

There also seems to be a few putting a lot of stock in the fact that Berge hasn't played in a winning side for a while, as though it's some sort of irrefutable proof of his negative impact on our team. I don't buy it. I don't buy it because he was our best midfielder in both of the previous home games, so my own eyes tell me that there are other players who have played WORSE than him in losses and therefore logic dictates it isn't solely down to his inclusion. I seem to remember a certain Gareth Bale playing a large number of games for a Spurs team that couldn't win. Doesn't appear that turned out to be either a good indication of his ability, or a good predictor of his career success does it? In a team game of 11 players it is ridiculously simplistic to put winning/losing down to the inclusion or omission of one player, regardless of how good or bad you think they are.

All that being said - I completely agree with anyone who says he hasn't been consistent, hasn't had a big enough impact, and can/should offer us more. Agree on all counts. I just don't understand how some are writing him off so completely and categorically at this stage.

Paul Coutts cost what ? Berge is / was meant to be one of Europes top talents? I can forgive PC for being garbage for 2 years after we signed him… Berge at £20m. I don’t think so. if we got £10m for him we would be doing well. I have been home and away for every game he has played. cant think of one MOM..

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Paul Coutts cost what ? Berge is / was meant to be one of Europes top talents? I can forgive PC for being garbage for 2 years after we signed him… Berge at £20m. I don’t think so. if we got £10m for him we would be doing well. I have been home and away for every game he has played. cant think of one MOM..

Not the point I was making.

 

[alcoblade]

Perhaps Moose now realises he can’t turn up late every day, pay the fine and laugh about it. Let’s hope so.

Unfortunately he can. I think he gave up on being a top professional footballer when he signed his fat contract.

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Yes.
Just hope his heart is in it and he wants to play for the Blades and isn't just cruising through until the January transfer window.

To me, playing in the squad that plays like we did yesterday would be the best advert for him if he wants out

 

[Stretch]

Apart from Olsen and Davies, it's hard to see anyone automatically walking into yesterday's team, for the next few games at least.

Slav is going to have some real selection headaches, even for the bench, and a job on keeping some of the players happy.

Bash, Robbo, Bogle, Hourihane, Berge, Freeman Brewster, Didsy and McBurnie are all going to expect gametime, and that's already too many for the bench.

Then add in Stevens and Mousse when both fit. JOC too, although far less likely we will ever see him again.

We also have Burke, who won't want completely freezing out, and to his credit is one of the few wide options we have, as well as the youngsters (Lopata, Gordon & Brunt) who will want a sniff from time to time.

I expect Slav will also try to add another AM/winger in January.

 

[Greenblades]

Unfortunately he can. I think he gave up on being a top professional footballer when he signed his fat contract.

I think he can as well. However this manager won’t laugh. That said this manager also thinks he’s our best striker.

 

[Barney]

Would have no issue swapping him in for Norwood

 

[Stretch]

Unfortunately he can. I think he gave up on being a top professional footballer when he signed his fat contract.

I thought he looked properly fired up before he pulled his hammy. Sadly I think he may have been having to try too hard because there was nothing happening behind him.
That's not to say that his attitude is fixed, but I think the main issue (like many others in the squad at that point) was lack of match fitness.

Put Mousse in front of yesterday's midfield and we might get the best out of him again, maybe.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Berge is a very good player on the ball but there are many weaknesses in his game - his tackling isn’t great and hes terrible in the air. But these can be worked on.

I’d have no problem dropping him into the side, if a slot became available.

Looking at yesterday’s performance, we played with more flexibility and freedom in midfield than we’ve done in the last two season, that’s not a dig at wilder, it’s just going back to how we played in the championship. Structured but less rigid as that’s what this division demands

Can Berge slot into the GW role? Possibly, but as others have said, he’d be better off deeper in the Norwood or Fleck role from yesterday. Berge is suited to starting deeper

It may be that Berge is seen as competition for Fleck / Osborn rather than Norwood. Hourihane played a lot of games for Swans as a deep lying midfielder (though one with more license to progress up the pitch) maybe that's the biggest threat to Norwood's position?

I like Oli Norwood. His signing really catapulted us forwards in the Championship. He seems to have a good attitude and he can be exceptional with time & space to move the ball.
But that isolated central position he's playing in at the moment requires mobility which he just doesn't possess. He'd still be an asset if we played a double pivot with him next to somebody like that, but it doesn't look like that's the immediate plan.

 

[Greenblades]

Apart from Olsen and Davies, it's hard to see anyone automatically walking into yesterday's team, for the next few games at least.

Slav is going to have some real selection headaches, even for the bench, and a job on keeping some of the players happy.

Bash, Robbo, Bogle, Hourihane, Berge, Freeman Brewster, Didsy and McBurnie are all going to expect gametime, and that's already too many for the bench.

Then add in Stevens and Mousse when both fit. JOC too, although far less likely we will ever see him again.

We also have Burke, who won't want completely freezing out, and to his credit is one of the few wide options we have, as well as the youngsters (Lopata, Gordon & Brunt) who will want a sniff from time to time.

I expect Slav will also try to add another AM/winger in January.

It’s a good job a lot ( not all I may add) of that lot have had loads of game time and decided to do nothing with it. !

 

[alcoblade]

I thought he looked properly fired up before he pulled his hammy. Sadly I think he may have been having to try too hard because there was nothing happening behind him.
That's not to say that his attitude is fixed, but I think the main issue (like many others in the squad at that point) was lack of match fitness.

Put Mousse in front of yesterday's midfield and we might get the best out of him again, maybe.

I’ve heard too many stories of his off field behaviour, and seen enough of his poor condition to be able to afford him the benefit of the doubt about his actual non performance on the field.

I think he was potentially our best striker, but I think he’s blown it now. Attitude is part of being a top footballer, and his is piss poor. So disappointing.

 

[Stretch]

I’ve heard too many stories of his off field behaviour, and seen enough of his poor condition to be able to afford him the benefit of the doubt about his actual non performance on the field.

I think he was potentially our best striker, but I think he’s blown it now. Attitude is part of being a top footballer, and his is piss poor. So disappointing.

Yeah it's clear there were/are issues, but we don't know whether Slav may have got through to him pre season. As a manager he may be more used to dealing with these mercurial types than Wilder, who I suspect (and understandably) ended up loosing patience with him.

Like I said, to me at least, he looked really fired up in that first game before the injury, but lack of conditioning did for him.

We'll see I suppose, and soon as his injury had him out for 4-6 weeks I think.

 

[Barney]

Maybe Berge will be better alongside better players, and at CDM too considering thats where he played at Genk and presumably why we signed him. Never understood why we didnt play him there

 

[sitwell]

Maybe Berge will be better alongside better players, and at CDM too considering thats where he played at Genk and presumably why we signed him. Never understood why we didnt play him there

Because we have lost every game he has played there and he has been shit.

 

[S40BLADE]

Blades tonk a side playing best performance in years and peoples instincts is to shove the boot into a Norweigan international who is out with Coronavirus... Extremely odd folk out there.

 

[Charlieblade]

Too many fans seem to forget what Slav has said about Berge. He wants to keep him at the club.
If Slav picks him, and we continue to play exciting attacking football, Berge will get the offers he wants by the January window. Slav and the fans lose out to a great prospect if Berge does blossom.
The club and the Prince will get the dividend they want to stabilize finances.
Slav has a wealth of riches at his disposal now, in terms of the players who might fit in and contribute to his desired style of play.
Presumably he supported the signing of MGW and was part of Ndayes decision to sign a new contract.
He’s created a selection headache for himself, out of an underperforming side

 

[Revolution]

Quick answer: Yes!

Longer answer: I know it shouldn't by now, but it always amazes me when football fans on a forum (whose most significant athletic achievements probably include making it up the stairs in their house without keeling over) call young international footballers 'crap'. Even ones that have been part of a title winning side and played in European club competition. I digress....

I feel about Sander Berge very similarly to the way I felt about Paul Coutts when he joined and initially struggled to make an impact. Both are/were very obviously talented footballers with good technique but for a variety of factors don't/didn't always perform as well as their talent suggests they should or could. I'm hoping we eventually get to the same outcome with Berge as we did with Coutts; we get a settled side, with a way of playing that suits us, and a role in that side that really suits him.

I genuinely don't know where the argument that he doesn't work hard/isn't applying himself comes from. A few seem to accuse him of that but I can't say that I've seen that myself. In his interviews he comes across as a really grounded lad who works hard and I've not seen anything on the pitch to suggest otherwise. We always get this lazy argument when a team isn't playing well and is struggling for results. The default 'they don't care/aren't trying' - football fan 101.

There also seems to be a few putting a lot of stock in the fact that Berge hasn't played in a winning side for a while, as though it's some sort of irrefutable proof of his negative impact on our team. I don't buy it. I don't buy it because he was our best midfielder in both of the previous home games, so my own eyes tell me that there are other players who have played WORSE than him in losses and therefore logic dictates it isn't solely down to his inclusion. I seem to remember a certain Gareth Bale playing a large number of games for a Spurs team that couldn't win. Doesn't appear that turned out to be either a good indication of his ability, or a good predictor of his career success does it? In a team game of 11 players it is ridiculously simplistic to put winning/losing down to the inclusion or omission of one player, regardless of how good or bad you think they are.

All that being said - I completely agree with anyone who says he hasn't been consistent, hasn't had a big enough impact, and can/should offer us more. Agree on all counts. I just don't understand how some are writing him off so completely and categorically at this stage.

Coutts is an interesting comparison to Berge:

- Coutts was signed in January 2015, showed only a few glimpses of his talent that season and the season after, and started to play well only in September 2016 when (i) Wilder was desperate and (ii) a formation was built that suited him down to the ground and (iii) he was given a rocket

- Berge was signed in January 2020, showed only a few glimpses of his talent that season and the season after. it is now September 2021, the same period of time when Coutts began to play well, and we have a new formation.

One thing we can say about Coutts is that he was not putting in 100 per cent effort in his first 2 seasons. We know this because he said so in interviews. He was playing within himself, worrying about getting injured again.

Like Coutts, Berge needs to buck his ideas up.

 

[ekke287]

A guy playing in a broken system surrounded by underperforming players is now wank after two of said underperformers had an ok game in the last 18 months.

The thought of Berge in this team is very exciting, and Brewster too. Let’s see what they can do without having their legs tied together in a broken system with no plan B.

 

[Ron_Justice]

Good selection problems to have IMO:

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Deary me last week John fleck wasn’t good enough for Cowdenbeath this week fleck should be playing for Real Madrid

Same will happen with Berge and people will be saying that Jimmy fleck is back again after one average performance

Not sure people get that if we play well as a team like yesterday it drags all the players up like yesterday

And if we play shiteee they all look poorer than they are

Play like we did Saturday as a team and Berge / Mcburnie whoever will look a million times better and might actually look like the players we originally signed as we have deceided to play fast attacking football by

 

[SuperBobbyHatton]

Berge in for Norwood next match. Norwood looked competent because he wasnt pressed, Preston will more than likely press him and he's no good at all in that situation.