Doyle or Norwood

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

I assume Norwood is no longer going to be on free kick duties if Doyle is on the pitch

 

[jono_t2000]

Doyle's shirt for me now.

Norwood gonna have to be happy for a place on the bench

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Barring injury or suspension the two City lads have gotta starting every game

 

[jono_t2000]

Not sure if it's because Doyle has been starting but Norwood's lack of mobility is even more noticeable now. (if that's somehow even possible)

Think father time has finally caught up with the lad once and for all.

Less than 60 seconds after coming on with supposedly fresh legs there was a moment where they broke away from him with ease.

Should be absolutely no question who starts for the remainder of the season.

 

[Yewsman]

We have all known that ever since we got back in Prem our midfield has lacked energy and athleticism. This was badly exposed by Boro and Luton (and a few other sides before) and Hecky finally twigged it. The game seems to have moved on and it is now (more than I remember) about closing the opposition down when you don’t have the ball and trying to win it back. I never expected that Doyle could take over the role he has but the lad has made himself undropable and with Macca (plus IllimAn who is fantastic at closing down and winning the ball back) given us what we were lacking. Basiclly Doyle is an energetic, athletic version of Norwood. what an exciting prospect as he will only get better. Whatever Division we are in next year we need to learn this lesson in our recruitment.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

It’s been the same with Norwood throughout his time here.

If he’s on his game (like a 7 out of 10) or above - we win. If he drops below that as he does every dozen or so games (4/5 out of 10) then we really struggle to do anything. Our performance suffers disproportionately when he’s not on it, compared to every other player because he dictates most of what we do. We can’t hide his bad games.

Still has a role to play. You can’t really lose pace if you’ve never had it to start with. His ability and football brain are vital to keep around.

 

[FTPE]

It's all well and good saying we should probably keep Norwood around.. he's the one that's ours.

 

[haich1889]

I think Norwood's decision to start wearing gloves recently tipped the balance forever.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Let’s be honest Norwood has still had a sensational season so far. It’s chiefly down to him why we’re up this end of the table. But watching those two kids grow into men before our very eyes…Has been a joy to behold.

 

[Eric_Brooks]

Norwood just needs turning back in the right direction. Not sure why his confidence is shot, but when he receives the ball in space his first instinct is to turn towards his own goal.

 

[Nedski]

Norwood looked very rusty yesterday. We need him on top form for the Man City game and I feel he needs more minutes to get up to scratch, but at the same time we need to secure promotion and our best team currently has Doyle in his place.

 

[Roygbiv]

He's had a bit of a bad patch over the last month but he's been a huge reason to why we are so close to promotion. I don't think he's lost anything other than maybe confidence. I expect he will be back in the team before the end of the season

 

[reedy63]

Easy question Doyle any day, Norwood is past his best, unfortunately.

 

[haich1889]

Easy question Doyle any day, Norwood is past his best, unfortunately.

& he's started wearing gloves

 

[Maidenhead]

I'd play Norwood at Burnley.

He'll be like a man possessed.

 

[dingledog]

He's had a bit of a bad patch over the last month but he's been a huge reason to why we are so close to promotion. I don't think he's lost anything other than maybe confidence. I expect he will be back in the team before the end of the season

Well at Wembley at least, so 1 out of 7 games, his form is way off what is needed for the final push for promotion.

 

[Roygbiv]

Well at Wembley at least, so 1 out of 7 games, his form is way off what is needed for the final push for promotion.

Doyle hasn't managed to stay fit for more than a few months so with the amount of games in quick succession I think Norwood will play a fair few in the league. I wouldn't be surprised if he started on Monday at all

 

[GymClassHero]

Easy question Doyle any day, Norwood is past his best, unfortunately.

Norwood is not 'past his best'. This was being bandied about a couple of seasons ago, it was rubbish then and it is rubbish now. He's just out of form, most players (bar the handful of exceptional players) go through these cycles.

Ndiaye had a period where he didn't score for a run of games, was he past his best?

 

[reedy63]

You must be joking Iaye have been a Blade for 66 years I can tell when a player is past it we have had quite a few. Ndiaye is our best player so mentioning him is rather stupid. get your brain in gear before you open your gob.

 

[bertieblade]

Not Norwood.
he came on yesterday, the ball went predictably backwards or sideways and when everyone else was trying to retain possession he was knocking Hollywood balls, the one into the corner which went out of play for a goal kick was a joke.
he sat ten - twenty yards deeper than Doyle to pick the balls up off our centre halves and give it them back, unfortunately you could see why he had been dropped. When positive he has improved his and our play but ????

 

[ancientblade]

no has to be doyle before norwood his touch yesterday was awful both him and fleck can only be on the pitch late on when were protecting a lead neither will be of any use in the premier league theyve both had their time im afraid

 

[Aston max]

If we go up we need to try and take Doyle on a permanent after that pick up obrian from scabs
But midfield needs revamping
Kyle and Harry on season loans to shore up at the back
And maybe MGW with a cheeky bid
I'll get my coat

 

[reedy63]

Would be great to get Walker and Harry on loan next season. Walker, we have a chance of loaning him. However, I can't see Harry going on loan. Man, U want to recoup most of the £80m they paid for him.

 

[buddy]

Norwood just needs turning back in the right direction. Not sure why his confidence is shot, but when he receives the ball in space his first instinct is to turn towards his own goal.

Thats one of the reasons our midfield was struggling , it was either a hollywood ping or a stupid return ball to a defender , with nothing in between from Norwood . Fleck was offering nothing due to being past his best ,and Berge refused to take any responsibility . Fortunately Heck woke up just in time . Unfortunately he’ll probably revert to these three at Wembley

 

[Toronto Blade]

Norwood is 32 this month and it is showing. If we gain promotion his lack of pace and inability to take a man on will be exposed .Burnley has a good midfield they control everything, we need new blood in there if we go up or stay in the Championship.

 

[Antonb]

it has to be doyle for now, mainly for his energy. I dont think his passing is any better though. His long range passing is very up and down

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

it has to be doyle for now, mainly for his energy. I dont think his passing is any better though. His long range passing is very up and down

Yes, Doyle it is. The signings of, and the management of, Doyle and MacAtee, have provided the energy ( with quality ) needed to supplement an aging choice of midfield players. Whether or not we could sign one or both of them is unlikely, but these are the types of players we need to sign for next season.

 

[bakeblade]

Not sure if it's because Doyle has been starting but Norwood's lack of mobility is even more noticeable now. (if that's somehow even possible)

Think father time has finally caught up with the lad once and for all.

Less than 60 seconds after coming on with supposedly fresh legs there was a moment where they broke away from him with ease.

Should be absolutely no question who starts for the remainder of the season.

Qué Norwood and Fleck starting on Monday

 

[nopigfansintown]

Mobility is massive in the PL. In season one in the Prem we got away with Norwood due to the effectiveness of the overlapping centre backs. In season two they'd gone and you saw Norwood's limitations on an orthodox 3-5-2. His lack of press resistance and mobility. The wide centre backs was a cheat code.

He's fine in the Champ and will be for a few years yet. He's never had mobility and he reads the play defensively better than he ever has. His stats for interceptions and ball recoveries are very high. What you want ideally are two mobile partners even at Champ level to compensate for his weaknesses. We haven't had them since we came down. All our midfielders strengths lay elsewhere.

Doyle was mediocre at best until he was placed in the Norwood role. He now looks a different player.

 

[dingledog]

Doyle hasn't managed to stay fit for more than a few months so with the amount of games in quick succession I think Norwood will play a fair few in the league. I wouldn't be surprised if he started on Monday at all

If he does we will lose heavily, but of course fans forums are all about opinions and egg on your face, time will tell just how many eggs are on my face.