Ollie Norwood

[CaptainMorgans]

Norwood is our best passer and in my opinion is STILL the key man in our system... but Wilder is a stubborn guy and seems to have decided Berge is an upgrade in that role.. don’t see it myself.

Is he a stubborn guy? He's always moved fast to change something he sees as not working.

 

[Grappler]

Norwood was part of our success last season and our (relatively) high finish.

Berge is a better footballer, but given his size (tallest player in the entire squad, he can chest a ball down, that other players have to head), I prefer him running forwards and into the box. It doesn't matter if he wins headers every time once he is in the box, it's about causing some carnage and panic, using his physicality to knock defenders around, causing gaps to open up. On top of all that, he is a very skillful player.

Not sure why we can't play both.

I don't read every interview with players and managers. Is this a case of Berge being more comfortable playing back where Ollie normally is?, does he not like running forwards and attacking?

Fleck is also off the boil, we all know that, not sure why (think someone said on here he had a knock).

Osborn to come on, if needed, when the game is drawing to a close, and opposition players have weary legs, use his pace to press.

Norwood to start (unless injured) next game for me.

 

[BanderSerge]

Can accept the reasons you've quoted about Norwood being sat on by the opposition.

Osborn and Lundstram is a real problem for some of us.

Who are your 3 central midfield players a

Agree with Osborn and Lunny. Now we have Brewster I wouldn’t play 3 midfielders, I’d play 4. A double pivot of Ampadu and Berge with Fleck and Mcgoldrick just in front of them. By using a centralised square shaped midfield we can have Egan, Berge and Ampadu to guard against an opposition counter attack instead of just Egan and Norwood. Ampadu is a younger version of Norwood any way, but more mobile with a similar passing range. Bogle and Lowe wing backs adding more pace out wide. Stevens at LCB if Kongolo/Davies doesn’t come in. In possession we have 6 players with freedom to roam, overload and attack. Out of possession we have a more solid base with the 4 midfielders locking up the central areas of the pitch? The only problem is that CWAK like to square pegs in square holes and Berge is a right footer. But he played left of a midfield pivot for Genk, didn’t he?

 

[Nagima]

My view is that due to loss of form and in trying to change things around we have lost our balance in midfield. The best midfield does not always consist of the best players.
Is Berge better than Norwood, probably. But Norwood plays a more simple game in front of the back four and has a decent range of passing. Berge has more close control and gets forward better. I would go with Fleck Norwood and Berge on the right. Osborn has industry but not the quality of Fleck. Hopefully Fleck can play himself back into form. Ampadu may be an option if we play 4 in midfield.
Also it maybe time to give lowe a run instead of Enda and see how he gets on.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Agree with Osborn and Lunny. Now we have Brewster I wouldn’t play 3 midfielders, I’d play 4. A double pivot of Ampadu and Berge with Fleck and Mcgoldrick just in front of them. By using a centralised square shaped midfield we can have Egan, Berge and Ampadu to guard against an opposition counter attack instead of just Egan and Norwood. Ampadu is a younger version of Norwood any way, but more mobile with a similar passing range. Bogle and Lowe wing backs adding more pace out wide. Stevens at LCB if Kongolo/Davies doesn’t come in. In possession we have 6 players with freedom to roam, overload and attack. Out of possession we have a more solid base with the 4 midfielders locking up the central areas of the pitch? The only problem is that CWAK like to square pegs in square holes and Berge is a right footer. But he played left of a midfield pivot for Genk, didn’t he?

I thought he played for Genk where CW now wants him to play for us. I watched the youtube stuff on him and he seems excellent in there for Genk and Norway. It appears the premier league is way better than either standard and Berge is not quite at the races. We have to find a way of utilising what he's good at and for me he looks wasted, IN the Premier league in the Norwood position.

As for CW and square pegs/round holes - I don't think he would ever relent on playing a player "on the wrong" foot. For this I have to 100% agree with him. Warnock loved it, just think with all the money and players available, especially in the premier league it's up to us to find a decent 1st 11 and decent squad players for every position.

It is certainly a difficult call for CWAK to make and it could be what defines this season. If we can't give Brewster decent opportunities we are going to struggle all season and the decision is all about how they sort out primarily centre midfield and slightly secondary, the wide midfield.

Osborn and Lunny on a regular basis is simply not an option.

UTB

 

[Champagneblade]

On the 4 games so far, I can’t exactly say Lundstram has made a compelling case to be in ahead of Norwood, Fleck or Berge.

Our bigger results later in the season came with these three. I think we should go back to that, especially with a potentially explosive forward now in the mix.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Berge has the mobility and physicality to get himself out of trouble. When Norwood is pressed he coughs it up.

yes, agree with that - but we as a team have limited options in the engine room of the team. It is not just Norwood, but how the whole midfield centre three work.

Osborn/Berge/Lundstram could quite easily get us relegated but for me a midfield 3 of Fleck/Norwood/Berge is better, if not ideal, especially against the lesser teams.

It's finding a balance - it simply isn't one for some of us with Osborn and lunny playing a regular part.

UTB

 

[Pedro Verde]

yes, agree with that - but we as a team have limited options in the engine room of the team. It is not just Norwood, but how the whole midfield centre three work.

Osborn/Berge/Lundstram could quite easily get us relegated but for me a midfield 3 of Fleck/Norwood/Berge is better, if not ideal, especially against the lesser teams.

It's finding a balance - it simply isn't one for some of us with Osborn and lunny playing a regular part.

UTB

I agree Lundstram and Osborn if played regularly would more than likely get us relegated
Osborn is a good work horse but you need more than that in the PL especailly if you have Lundstram alongside him

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

I may have dreamt this but weren't their two players who went training abroad and tested positive pre season ?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Yes but he’s a ball player. But he’s been replaced by a ball pusher.

 

[Danny Blade]

He's not going to give up his starting berth too easily as apparently he's ruled out a return to International football with Northern Ireland which he retired from over a year ago.