Sander Berge

[Niceguyeddie]

If you read my post I also said that he'd looked good in the cameo's as well. On top of the fact that he's clearly had an outstanding season, yes, I'm saying he should start in place of Berge.

Will you be answering my question and giving a reason, one way or another?

Would you buy a top of the range sports car then drive it into a river ?

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

Fastest player at Genk, 40 meter record of 4,7. His size and running style makes him look slower than he really is, but players will struggle to keep up with him if he gets some space to run into. So far games have been a bit tight in midfield, so not much chance for him to stretch his legs.

These were the 40 meter sprint times that Mark Duffy shared:

View attachment 72286

Don't know if the above list includes reaction times. For footballers I think it's common to let the clock start when the player starts, thus eliminating differences in reaction.

I think Ched beat that time a few years back busting a gut to get to a hotel room in Rhyl.

 

[JohnDenver]

Didzy plays in front of the defenders, today we were crying out for someone to get in behind them.

I'm not one for criticising Wilder but today he had Mousset up and ready to come on and then sat him down again.

I can't understand why.

Mousset was primed to come on during a spell in which it seemed Brighton might push up the field looking for a win. It was short lived and they soon dropped back to 18 yard line. So no space in behind.

Didsy’s turn and cross set up our best moment of the second half. That’s why he came on. It was nowhere near the “mistake” people are claiming.

I’d probably have gone with Mousset but the choice of Didz being deemed inexplicable just silly.

 

[FredZeppelin]

Would you buy a top of the range sports car then drive it into a river ?

No, of course not, but we aren't talking about perishable goods, are we? Berge is very young, talented, and learning the game. His time will come, hopefully for years to come at United. IMO at the moment, he isn't good enough to get a start in the team if we are serious about top 6. Lundstam deserves to play. If CW/AK think Europe is beyond our capabilities within the next 6 months then fine, play him. But Wilder has been consistent in stating "the best eleven keep the shirt". Berge isn't in the best eleven.

I answered your question. Are you going to answer mine?

 

[Niceguyeddie]

No, of course not, but we aren't talking about perishable goods, are we? Berge is very young, talented, and learning the game. His time will come, hopefully for years to come at United. IMO at the moment, he isn't good enough to get a start in the team if we are serious about top 6. Lundstam deserves to play. If CW/AK think Europe is beyond our capabilities within the next 6 months then fine, play him. But Wilder has been consistent in stating "the best eleven keep the shirt". Berge isn't in the best eleven.

I answered your question. Are you going to answer mine?

What was it ?

 

[finlaytheblade]

Berge is improving game by game and shows the potential to be a good player when he adjusts to the speed of the Premiership, my biggest issue at the moment is his lack of awareness when defending. That’s twice now that players have ghosted past him and scored - the defensive coaches need to be working hard on that aspect with him.

Well spotted Trafford I thought the same switch off for a split second and you get punished in this league.
I'me sure Wilder and Knill will be working on this he will know he could have done better..
Intensity in Belgian league is no where near that in premiership definitely a learning curve for him.It is something a lot of players find difficult when playing for the first time in premiership.

 

[FredZeppelin]

What was it ?

Don't worry about it. I'm too bored by you.

You can have my pity if it helps.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Don't worry about it. I'm too bored by you.

You can have my pity if it helps.

Good lad !

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

As many have said , 3 games is far too early to asses a players' abilities and I'm a long way from doing so at the moment .

However , I have to say how ordinary he has looked so far for someone who came to us with such a pedigree and at such a cost . I would have expected by now to have seen at least a couple of " Yeh , that's why we paid £22 million pounds for him " moments , but that's not happened for me .

Perhaps my judgement is being clouded by having seen the debut of some 18 year old kid from Watford who cost us all of £27,500 .........

 

[derfblade.3]

Some silly cunts on here. 3 games for the lad and he's getting it. WANKERS!

 

[BushBlade]

As many have said , 3 games is far too early to asses a players' abilities and I'm a long way from doing so at the moment .

However , I have to say how ordinary he has looked so far for someone who came to us with such a pedigree and at such a cost . I would have expected by now to have seen at least a couple of " Yeh , that's why we paid £22 million pounds for him " moments , but that's not happened for me .

Perhaps my judgement is being clouded by having seen the debut of some 18 year old kid from Watford who cost us all of £27,500 .........

I think your judgement may be clouded by thinking £22m is a lot of money for a club with ambitions to finish top six.

If TC was around now, he’d have been at Chelsea’s academy on £20k a week at 18 year old and out on loan in Belgium.

 

[bromtom]

Ridiculous argument as he had 10 minutes, probably reduced to about 5 'actual' football minutes due to Brighton's time-wasting.

Lunny probably deserved to be dropped for the Palace game after his form wained but he has been excellent in the cameos he's produced since.



I know, pal. I hesitated to think before typing it, myself. Nobody is more proud than me, and if we did decide not to pursue Europe this season I'd totally understand.

Heady, proud times.

UTB

Lundstram really wasn't good against Bournemouth though, apart from the goal.

I know a winner is a big thing but if he played from the start in a similar manner to his appearance against Bournemouth and his 12 minute cameo against Brighton, he'd have given it away a lot and potentially been sent off.

He was excellent against Palace. Hasn't been since.

I've been mentioning Besic, I don't know why Besic had fell below Lunny, when he was in front before Berge signed.

I'd stick with Berge though, but just pass the ball to him occasionally.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

He needs to get used to the pace & standard of the PL but in order to do that you need games . I think Lunny has been back to his best in last 3 matches maybe the healthy competition for places has made him raise him game ?
Agree that Besic has been unlucky if he’s not carrying an injury to not be involved? Not necessarily for competing with Berge & Lunny more for competition with Norwood

 

[Wooden House]

He's not going to play that position long term - probably just easier to acclimatise out there (and also give Lunny a nudge to signing a contract). He's not Norwood either, but think longer term he may play a holding role with Norwood, with 3 more attacking middies in front, or 2 with 2 top. Whatever, CW knows the position he will play and having spent £20m+ he will definitely need him up to speed and ready for next season.

 

[FredZeppelin]

Lundstram really wasn't good against Bournemouth though, apart from the goal.

I know a winner is a big thing but if he played from the start in a similar manner to his appearance against Bournemouth and his 12 minute cameo against Brighton, he'd have given it away a lot and potentially been sent off.

He was excellent against Palace. Hasn't been since.

I've been mentioning Besic, I don't know why Besic had fell below Lunny, when he was in front before Berge signed.

I'd stick with Berge though, but just pass the ball to him occasionally.

Besic is a decent call, mate. He did nothing wrong. Still don't think he'll give us the option going forward that Lunny does but I take your point. Wilder doesn't seem to agree though, as his selections show.

Some silly cunts on here. 3 games for the lad and he's getting it. WANKERS!

Who are these "WANKERS" that are giving it? I've not read any real criticism anywhere of him. Seems to be a common consensus that he's going to be a really good player and it's still very early days. Personally I don't think he should be starting ahead of Lundstram at the moment, but it's just my opinion.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Why is it , the more we pay for a player the less they seem to fit in ?...…..

 

[bromtom]

Why is it , the more we pay for a player the less they seem to fit in ?...…..

It's just expectation from fans that aren't used to spending money.

If he'd cost £3m no-one would be complaining, picking out his excellent strength, good passing etc

£22m is Aldi money in the Premier League, you don't get named brands for it, there's going to be something wrong with them, or work to do. We'll get used to it eventually.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

My early concerns from watching Berge are that he's not going to be suited to playing in a 3. He's definitely not a box-to-box wide player at the moment, but I'd be concerned with him giving it away in dangerous areas in the Norwood role - either through his trademark dribbling, or by his passing which has seemed a bit off. You can't give it away in that area at this level.

It's very early days, he's young, new league / country etc. he deserves our patience. I don't expect him to be a big player for us this season.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Sander is wasted at “inside right” he doesn’t seem to know where to put himself. In all fairness I don’t think Bash’s preference for marauding runs up that right hand channel helps the lad positionally. Whereas Jack on the other side tends to make his overlapping runs closer to the touch line, thus not interfering with Flecks position.

 

[Lawrence]

I admire you optimism over Burge, but Looking at our position, we have been playing well and winning games and my fear is by trying to keep Burge in the starting 11, at the expense of Didzy and Lundy is a mistake. We need to keep winning games and chancing Burge who we all no and acknowledged is not up to speed is a mistake! If Manure and Wolves win today (which they will) then we will drop down the table? and in a few week could drop out of contention, I’m sure Burge will be a good player but now is not the time to experiment with him, I fear he could be the difference between top 6 or not.

It’s getting very clutter now around the top half of the Prem, lose next game and results go against us and we could be10th

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

I think your judgement may be clouded by thinking £22m is a lot of money for a club with ambitions to finish top six.

If TC was around now, he’d have been at Chelsea’s academy on £20k a week at 18 year old and out on loan in Belgium.

Possibly - but possibly not .

Who is to say whether or not they would have considered him not good enough and released him to a lesser club like Watford , as they did at the time and as many clubs have done with players who went on to be outstanding .?

 

[FMBlade1]

By the way it's ok and you're allowed to predict that a player won't be a success here, it is a forum after all!

You aren't (necessarily) scapegoating him or being too critical too early.

I for one saw through Ben Woodburn after three appearances and said so, got panned but unfortunately proved right. (my track record is as mixed as everyone else's is)

 

[BushBlade]

Possibly - but possibly not .

Who is to say whether or not they would have considered him not good enough and released him to a lesser club like Watford , as they did at the time and as many clubs have done with players who went on to be outstanding .?

Me, because if he was good enough at 18 to impress in his debut then his talent would have been there for all to see.
My point is that the game has changed immeasurably since the days of TC and it’s much harder for clubs like us or Watford to find and keep young players with TC’s all round technical ability. For the likes of us it’s about finding potential and developing it. Fortunately, we seem to be quite good at that.

 

[BushBlade]

By the way it's ok and you're allowed to predict that a player won't be a success here, it is a forum after all!

You aren't (necessarily) scapegoating him or being too critical too early.

I for one saw through Ben Woodburn after three appearances and said so, got panned but unfortunately proved right. (my track record is as mixed as everyone else's is)

Why do you think I need your permission to criticise him? I’ll slag him off when I’m good and ready.

 

[JohnDenver]

Go on then - I’ll put my early judgement down for future ridicule:-

I’d be amazed if Berge doesn’t become our most valuable player. To my eye he looks to have a scary set of talents. Height, strength, pace, touch, awareness, passing... And he seems a clever, ambitious lad who knows why he’s joined us.

Hope he settles quickly, because we’ve got some potential player here.

 

[finlaytheblade]

As many have said , 3 games is far too early to asses a players' abilities and I'm a long way from doing so at the moment .

However , I have to say how ordinary he has looked so far for someone who came to us with such a pedigree and at such a cost . I would have expected by now to have seen at least a couple of " Yeh , that's why we paid £22 million pounds for him " moments , but that's not happened for me .

Perhaps my judgement is being clouded by having seen the debut of some 18 year old kid from Watford who cost us all of £27,500 .........

I witnessed that two TC was a special player and 22 million wont buy you that today.
It maybe better he has a slow start and not build our expectations to quickly.
Although he's played for Norway and Genk I get the feeling he is a bit in aah of the premiership and is feeling his way. He maybe 6/6 but is still boyish premiership will make him grow up.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

That ball to baldock up the wing ,weighted to perfection
So used to seeing safe passes slightly behind players or cross field pings that i it was nice to see a simplistic but aesthetically beautiful " here you go son won't need to take a touch or anything " ball

 

[Charlieblade]

I admire you optimism over Burge, but Looking at our position, we have been playing well and winning games and my fear is by trying to keep Burge in the starting 11, at the expense of Didzy and Lundy is a mistake. We need to keep winning games and chancing Burge who we all no and acknowledged is not up to speed is a mistake! If Manure and Wolves win today (which they will) then we will drop down the table? and in a few week could drop out of contention, I’m sure Burge will be a good player but now is not the time to experiment with him, I fear he could be the difference between top 6 or not.

I disagree. Berge is learning, but not at the expense of losing games.
The loss of points against Brighton was an inability to finish, very little to do with Berge not fitting in yet.

 

[Bonzodog]

Some silly cunts on here. 3 games for the lad and he's getting it. WANKERS!

That's right almost certainly the same people who were saying "I've seen nothing about McBurnie to show he's worth £20 million" and even more impressively those who slagged off the signing of Mousset before he'd even fuckin played.
Total tests.

 

[dazzlingblade]

I sometimes despair at such early judgements on players, he's 22, playing in England for the first time, in a system that is alien to English players let alone a young Norwegian on his first foray into one of the big league

It's bound to take time, and believe me I'm a huge lunny fan but it's this kind of player we need to try and take us to the next level, he may not adapt, some don't, but I've seen enough to believe that he will

I would also point to our current side, barring maybe moose how many set the world alight in their first few months at the club

Is there a single one of us who can say we predicted bash, Baldock, Stevens, fleck, Norwood, lunny, mcgoldrick would have reached anywhere near the level they have after their first 10 or 15 appearances for the club??