Norwood

[kop_blade9]

I think he played well last night but on two occasions he found himself in loads of space in the middle of their half. Nobody around him and nobody closing him down. Fleck or Duffy would be charging forward and maybe having a shot or trying to get into the penalty area and lay it off there. Norwood didn't even look up or move, he simply passed it sideways and the chance to maybe cause mayhem was gone. Frustrating! When the space opens up these are the chances to create something different by running towards the opposition.
Look at how frightened of Fleck the Derby players were when he took them on. In the penalty area they dare not touch him.
UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Fleck or Duffy would be charging forward and maybe having a shot or trying to get into the penalty area and lay it off there.

Yes, but they’re two completely different players to Norwood. I don’t think charging forward past players has ever been something Norwood’s done a great deal of in his career. It’s also why when Coutts and Fleck are with him in midfield, it’s Norwood that’s at the centre, rather than Coutts who has had times out wide and is more adept at taking on players.

 

[Eric Cartman]

He wasn't at his best at points yesterday, he made some stinking decisions and made a few poor passes.

Great free kick and some lovely crossfield pings though.

 

[kop_blade9]

Yes, but they’re two completely different players to Norwood. I don’t think charging forward past players has ever been something Norwood’s done a great deal of in his career. It’s also why when Coutts and Fleck are with him in midfield, it’s Norwood that’s at the centre, rather than Coutts who has had times out wide and is more adept at taking on players.

But Norwood has shown us that he can shoot and hit the target.

 

[Grecian2000]

Norwood is a "passer", not a "dribbler" really. He possibly has got it in his locker but perhaps not enough pace to bring it off.

What he really isn't is a tackler. Accident waiting to happen when not on the ball.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I think he played well last night but on two occasions he found himself in loads of space in the middle of their half. Nobody around him and nobody closing him down. Fleck or Duffy would be charging forward and maybe having a shot or trying to get into the penalty area and lay it off there. Norwood didn't even look up or move, he simply passed it sideways and the chance to maybe cause mayhem was gone. Frustrating! When the space opens up these are the chances to create something different by running towards the opposition.
Look at how frightened of Fleck the Derby players were when he took them on. In the penalty area they dare not touch him.
UTB

I was saying the same after the game.

I guess if he added that dimension to his game, he wouldn't be languishing in the Championship!!

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I really like Norwood but agree that last night he had chances to be a bit more positive and attack space in front of him.

His control, showing for the ball and passing ability are excellent, but when we took the lead last night a lot of that seemed to disappear and he played some aimless balls. Was as if the confidence to dwell on the ball and make decisions went because we went into 'protect the lead' mode even if it was subconscious.

 

[sitwell]

Its football in general ,it must be a passing game to be a good side ,what happened to dribblers and wingers ,the most exciting players on the pitch.Out of fashion. Fleck showed on Saturday how defenders cant handle a player running at them ,nowadays its the job of the full/wing backs and the centre backs to carry the ball. Beagrie ,Morris ,Wigley wouldn't get a game at any decent level these days ,that's what coaching badges do to football.

 

[Iceybabey]

Wilder got onto him on one occasion for not getting out of his feet and doing something positive with it- should have shot imo and I think Wilder was telling him the same. I think sometimes players are reluctant to shoot incase it flies way over the bar(cough cough, Fleck) and such an effort affects their confidence in the game.

 

[Dec]

What he really isn't is a tackler. Accident waiting to happen when not on the ball.

Think this is really unfair. He puts in some fantastic tackles.

 

[Lmaobob]

Norwood's role is not to drive and make runs into the box.

Whilst we're at it, why isn't Dean Henderson running into the box when no one is closing him down?

 

[DaleHillBlade]

It wasn't his best game last night.. but even so, he was still one of the stand out player on the pitch. Well done him and well done Wilder. I accept some passes go sideways but that is not a bad thing when mixed up with some of the superlative passes he makes. If he carries on at this level he will be a true great.

Yes, in case there is any doubt, I am a huge fan of Norwood.

 

[Beans]

Think this is really unfair. He puts in some fantastic tackles.

Agreed, just looking on Whoscored.com there's only Enda in our squad who makes more successful tackles per game than Norwood, and no one who makes more interceptions. I can certainly think of a couple of brilliant ones that led directly to chances, eg our fourth goal against Villa.

 

[SteveBlade]

His job is to rEcYcLe the play. I saw someone use that word somewhere about Coutts a while back and I like it.

He moves the ball quickly and in front of players, which keeps up our tempo. The difference between him and Lee Evans is incredible.

He's got a weird technique when he goes to pass the ball. It looks effortless, but he gets this unique sort of movement on it.

We did really fucking well signing him.

 

[blademark]

His job is to rEcYcLe the play. I saw someone use that word somewhere about Coutts a while back and I like it.

He moves the ball quickly and in front of players, which keeps up our tempo. The difference between him and Lee Evans is incredible.

He's got a weird technique when he goes to pass the ball. It looks effortless, but he gets this unique sort of movement on it.

We did really fucking well signing him.

I actually can't think of a better 'Pinger' of a pass, certainly not in the championship !
It's a thing of beauty.

 

[Grecian2000]

Think this is really unfair. He puts in some fantastic tackles.

Twenty years ago (even ten) I would've agreed. Today he's a gnat's off being red carded once or twice per game when he launches in.
Stupid interpretation of the rules these days, that the game is not better off for.

 

[Harry's Game]

Its football in general ,it must be a passing game to be a good side ,what happened to dribblers and wingers ,the most exciting players on the pitch.Out of fashion. Fleck showed on Saturday how defenders cant handle a player running at them ,nowadays its the job of the full/wing backs and the centre backs to carry the ball. Beagrie ,Morris ,Wigley wouldn't get a game at any decent level these days ,that's what coaching badges do to football.

A man with a pony tail and a clipboard full of stats has decreed teams with wingers don’t win anything these days.

Twenty or so years ago Hazzard and De Bruyne would have been wingers, they’ve moved central to play the ‘Zola’ role.

So Has Mark Duffy to be fair he was a jobbing winger until JFH at Burton moved him to a free role.

 

[Bladesman]

I think he played well last night but on two occasions he found himself in loads of space in the middle of their half. Nobody around him and nobody closing him down. Fleck or Duffy would be charging forward and maybe having a shot or trying to get into the penalty area and lay it off there. Norwood didn't even look up or move, he simply passed it sideways and the chance to maybe cause mayhem was gone. Frustrating! When the space opens up these are the chances to create something different by running towards the opposition.
Look at how frightened of Fleck the Derby players were when he took them on. In the penalty area they dare not touch him.
UTB

Bizarre thing is he was known for scoring goals from outside the box back in the day at Huddersfield.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Wilder got onto him on one occasion for not getting out of his feet and doing something positive with it- should have shot imo and I think Wilder was telling him the same. I think sometimes players are reluctant to shoot incase it flies way over the bar(cough cough, Fleck) and such an effort affects their confidence in the game.

You were quick to change that mate

 

[Iceybabey]

You were quick to change that mate

Hahaha good job I proof read it

 

[stringer]

. I think sometimes players are reluctant to shoot incase it flies way over the bar(cough cough, Fleck) and such an effort affects their confidence in the game.

In case it flies over and the crowd jumps on them, you mean?

 

[SwissBlade]

He wasn't at his best at points yesterday, he made some stinking decisions and made a few poor passes.

Great free kick and some lovely crossfield pings though.

I agree, he wasn't at his usual exceptional standard yesterday, but some of the balls that he played were still just merely sublime.

He did make probably a handful of poor passes and decisions.

Just shows how far we've come

 

[HoodedClaw]

I also thought he wasn't quite at his exceptional standard.

The passes were mostly great it was more the decision making. There were a few times where he could have played a more positive pass to a player that was in a reasonable amount of space.

I love the switching of play passes he makes, but a few occasions last night it wasnt the right decision. For example a couple of times in the first half he pinged a lovely ball out to Freeman from the left handside and it found him perfectly, the only problem being Freeman was effectively being marked by two players and pretty much the rest of our players were over on the left handside, needless to say Freeman lost the ball.

Technique and execution were excellent, maybe just a bit lazy on the decision making.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Did I watch a different match thought Norwood had one of his best matches last night by a mile .

That performance was as good as the villa one had much clearer chances and openings just missed the siitters

 

[kop_blade9]

Norwood's role is not to drive and make runs into the box.

Whilst we're at it, why isn't Dean Henderson running into the box when no one is closing him down?

I think in Wilders team everybody is asked to go forward except Hendo.
Who would have scored the goal on Saturday if Bash wasn't getting into the area?
Are you saying it's not jack's job to put crosses in?
Even Egan goes on a rampage every now and again.
I don't subscribe to the view that Norwood is the only guy that does not go forward.

 

[Tazzy]

If he was perfect we would not be singing him . maybe plying his trade in the prem .for me hes been fantastic

 

[Sheff de party]

Bemoaning Norwood for not darting forward is like called Henderson out for not scoring enough goals really

It’s not his skillset and not his job.

 

[billyblademan]

I think Ollie's fantastic, and a real asset to us while Coutts works up to fitness. Yesterday, for 70 minutes I think he was brilliant, not only collecting the ball out of defence (as he always does), but more positive in his range of passes. As mentioned above, it looks like he can play the switch balls with his eyes closed he makes it look so simple.

However, at 1-0 he was as culpable as anyone for the hot potato football we played. He's the man who dictates our play, is a calm presence, always shows for the ball, and 99% of the time knows where he's going to play it before he even receives it. So yesterday, why did he stop? Why did he resort to the aimless long balls, losing us possession again. He should have been the man who trapped the ball, looked up, and kept possession to take the pressure off.

I'll add that I thought the same Vs Preston. When our heads went for that 5 minute spell it looked to me like he actively didn't want the ball, and we were completely at sea. I think he needs to be stronger in being calm headed, and not joining the rest of the team in playing like its the 95th minute.

Fantastic addition overall though. Just needs to play like he does for the full game.

 

[kop_blade9]

See message 25

Bemoaning Norwood for not darting forward is like called Henderson out for not scoring enough goals really

It’s not his skillset and not his job.

 

[mattbianco1]

I can imagine the meltdown on here if Norwood went on a mazy run before getting tackled, leaving us exposed at the back only to concede.