Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram

[Camden Blade]

These three hold the key to the rest of the season. Not just tonight but for the next few games and possibly longer if Lundstram stays. That's our Rolls Royce midfield engine or was up until the latter part of last season. They've performed like clapped out old bangers this season. Maybe they're worth one last roll of the dice. We know they can do it. But if they don't perform it puts extra pressure on defence and nothing is created upfront. They seemed to play with more freedom on Saturday. Granted third tier opposition, but maybe the win will give them a lift.

 

[mattbianco1]

It's certainly been our most consistent formula.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Sander for Oli strengthens us x many.

Alas !!

UTB

 

[Stevo]

Sander for Oli strengthens us x many.

Alas !!

UTB

Hammond would strengthen that on this season's performance

 

[DronnieBlade]

Doesn’t fit the narrative with the hoards, but Lunny has shown plenty of quality and appetite and has contributed significantly tonight.

UTB

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

Doesn’t fit the narrative with the hoards, but Lunny has shown plenty of quality and appetite and has contributed significantly tonight.

UTB

It's madness not giving him a contract, how much would be cost to replace? £10+ million in a fee then wages. Straight away you can offer him £5 million across 3 years. I don't get it considering fees on other players in the last window.

 

[LJBlade]

It's madness not giving him a contract, how much would be cost to replace? £10+ million in a fee then wages. Straight away you can offer him £5 million across 3 years. I don't get it considering fees on other players in the last window.

Surely it depends what he’s asking for and whether he actually wants a new contract

 

[CaptainMorgans]

These three hold the key to the rest of the season. Not just tonight but for the next few games and possibly longer if Lundstram stays. That's our Rolls Royce midfield engine or was up until the latter part of last season. They've performed like clapped out old bangers this season. Maybe they're worth one last roll of the dice. We know they can do it. But if they don't perform it puts extra pressure on defence and nothing is created upfront. They seemed to play with more freedom on Saturday. Granted third tier opposition, but maybe the win will give them a lift.

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

 

[DronnieBlade]

It's madness not giving him a contract, how much would be cost to replace? £10+ million in a fee then wages. Straight away you can offer him 5 million across 3 years. I dont get it

I don’t have a beef with the club or the player over the contract. The player will fulfil his contract and, most likely, move on. He cost around £500k and has been excellent VFM at that.

For me he has been our best midfielder this season (albeit not much to beat !) and yet the FM/FIFA know nowts think they know better .

UTB

 

[LJBlade]

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

Fleck is just struggling from a lack of confidence, like the rest of the team (before today at least). He’ll come good again

 

[BladeInIreland]

They weren't at their best but by far the closest they have been for a long time. Delighted.

 

[Swannyblade]

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

What’s wrong with Flecky?
He won’t take any responsibility - doesn’t take opportunities to shoot, won’t cross and doesn’t try to beat his man...his confidence must be really low

 

[Sean Thornton]

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

Fleck was knackered after an hour.

 

[DeanLearner'sCat]

It was a bit like old times tonight. Although, Norwood still did that one square pass that gets cut out and leaves us in the shit that he seems to do every week.

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

Surely it depends what he’s asking for and whether he actually wants a new contract

Fair point I'm assuming that money is the only sticking point? I'm guessing having only played for us and Oxford he's never been on proper PL money and at 26 see this as his chance to set himself up for life. Not that professional players are poorly paid but there is chasm between League 1 and PL wages.

I can't fault his attitude and he is relatively two footed with a great engine. Hope the club and him can come up with something sensible.

 

[Bath Blade]

Doesn’t fit the narrative with the hoards, but Lunny has shown plenty of quality and appetite and has contributed significantly tonight.

UTB

Agree, always looking for the ball and putting lots of energy in. Definitely wasn’t hiding.

 

[LondonBlade89]

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

Which is a bit mad because, from memory, Newcastle were the first team last season to not give him time and space. Oh well. Not going to complain...

 

[Gavlar]

I wouldn't get too carried away.

Norwood will always look good against teams that sit off and allow us the ball & I didn't think Fleck looked great again.

Disagree on Fleck. Much more like his old self.

Norwood much better as well.

 

[SUFCinks]

Doesn’t fit the narrative with the hoards, but Lunny has shown plenty of quality and appetite and has contributed significantly tonight.

UTB

Was great tonight! When we play like we did tonight (with the ball on the ground and trying to play football) then the whole of the midfield play so much better. They look like actual footballers. I hope this signals the end of repetitive hoof that weve been doing for months without a result.

 

[Drunk blade]

I think fleck looks like he's playing injured not got the mobility he usually has, Norwood was excellent today tho

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

I don’t have a beef with the club or the player over the contract. The player will fulfil his contract and, most likely, move on. He cost around £500k and has been excellent VFM at that.

For me he has been our best midfielder this season (albeit not much to beat !) and yet the FM/FIFA know nowts think they know better .

UTB

I don't get those especially on twitter telling CW to get him out of the club. He's our only fit right sided mid and has been one of our most consistent performers. If he does leave he will leave with a "GLTTL" from me.

 

[Argentinemanager]

All of them were excellent,

 

[CaptainMorgans]

What I would say is that Ben Osborn and John Fleck looked comfortable playing with each other and gave us some genuine width on the left. I think we've really lacked that a lot this season.

Massive kudos to Ethan Ampadu tonight too. He stepped up and put in his best performance for us, particularly first half. Imposed himself on the game. He needs to do that every week if he wants Chelsea to take any notice.

 

[Stretch]

It worked tonight because Newcastle didn't press Norwood as much as other teams started to do, which resulted in his form dipping. Give him any time on the ball and he controls the game.

Nice to see the Aliens have released Fleck though, looked his old self tonight and Lunny looked well up for it too.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

I think fleck looks like he's playing injured not got the mobility he usually has, Norwood was excellent today tho

Fleck not been the same since he got married, Mrs Fleck taking all his energy ?

 

[tincan]

Fair point I'm assuming that money is the only sticking point? I'm guessing having only played for us and Oxford he's never been on proper PL money and at 26 see this as his chance to set himself up for life. Not that professional players are poorly paid but there is chasm between League 1 and PL wages.

I can't fault his attitude and he is relatively two footed with a great engine. Hope the club and him can come up with something sensible.

He is one of the best PL performers for us, it is essential we keep him. Why not use the "unexpected" income from the potential FA cup run to top up his contract offer - him signing a new contract now might reinforce the team unity it depends on - and who knows where the momentum could take us?

 

[Rodley]

Got to keep Lundstram this month. He’s one of our better performers

 

[Bucksblade]

All the players stepped up and best 45 mins so far this season but should have scored a couple from open play. Osborne ran away from a clear shooting chance for a half hearted Fleck effort. For me blades still need ideally the two Man U players touted on loan to boost midfield and left back and provide choices to keep midfield engine going for 90 minutes.

 

[Shoes_On]

Definitely our best midfield trio as a collective

 

[Varkanoid]

Fleck was knackered after an hour.

Lundstram was puffing hard at 80 minutes too. Although they put 100% shift in today.