Deadbat
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2019/20 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT
Rest of week will be posted as below
Saturday – Part 6 Attack
Sunday – Part 7 Final awards / Conclusions
Midfielders
Oliver Norwood Had a sensational first season at the club and was pivotal in promotion. All the talk was he would finally get his chance at the top level after being moved on/not used for the previous club he went up with. There were some doubts due to this, even amongst United fans. His lack of mobility, pace and ability even to dictate games at a higher level, were all things mooted as reasons why he may not be able to be a regular for a team at this level. He started the season as skipper showing what Wilder thought and was really solid in the opening games. We saw his range of passing in the opening games and when we had the good runs, he was normally a big part of this. We stayed around the top 8 most of the season after the opening month and he was an ever present in a successful team.
He has so many positives. His control, skill and passing are consistently good. He never hides at all and always comes off square or into positions looking for a pass. He always wants to get the ball and make us tick. Normally when he plays well, we do. We saw his range of passes again although as the season went on, he did not quite go as long as he had done to start the season and we saw a bit more safety. At times he gives it away but his pass retention is very high.
There are weaknesses to his game and when his passing is off and teams press him, he can struggle. He cannot really run with the ball much (saw this more from Coutts actually – these two wrongly do get compared) and most of his work comes from when he gets it and moves it rather than run with it and then release- but nothing wrong with making the ball do the work.
He does lack pace and at times mobile runners do get away from him (saw this post lockdown) but did not see this as much as I thought and our shape/structure covers for other players weaknesses too. He has a penchant for diving in a bit much as the season went on and picked up some cheap bookings I thought and made some silly tackles, going to ground too much. It seemed at times he looked a bit leggy after the restart – as did quite a few of the others too.
Overall, I felt he had a good season though and whilst he was not quite player of the season territory, he was still one of our better 5/6 players – and along with Fleck our best midfielder.
He started every game until the final game although was taken off at times in games and sacrificed when we needed more defensive protection or normally wanted an extra attacking threat. He seemed to accept that in the same way Bash did. He will now see what it takes to succeed at this level and realise with legs/runners around him he can be successful.
Seems a really good pro. Looks after himself, never complains, no theatricals we see of other players. Been a big part of the last few years and see no reason why he won’t be moving forward. I, personally, see him starting again next season and do not get all this we need to play Berge in ‘his’ position and that he will usurp Norwood next season. Maybe in a few seasons if that is where he is slated to play but don’t see it now. Some of the criticism of Norwood since lockdown was ridiculous and they forget how important he has been and probably will be. Not sure Berge has done anything so far to suggest he can yet play the position he plays so well. Norwood has also just signed a new contract – he is 29 so in his peak really and never been the quickest so not like he will lose lots of pace.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
John Fleck Was excellent of course as we moved through the leagues but another who we were not sure whether he could move up and succeed at the very top. He clearly had tons of ability, could run with the ball, pass, tackle and was all energy but it would be wrong to say a few of us did not think would the top-level midfielders might be stronger, faster and just better? He always starts seasons quite slowly and that was the case again this year as he got an injury and ended up out of the team for a few games end of August. He came back and slowly started to get better and better. He was really good v Liverpool and maybe the outstanding player on the field and carried this on in games against as we moved up the league and the country began to take notice of us. He was excellent also in the away games and was involved in much of the good stuff we did. Versus Burnley he scored a lovely goal and then got another v Man Utd and due to the new formation with a flat three, he often became the most advanced. He scored two cracking goals v Villa in a man of the match showing and then after a few seasons of barely scoring (one criticism of his game along with the slow starts) he had four and made it five with a lovely strike v Arsenal away. His performances were very consistent and some of the games he was absolutely bossing things against established Premier League performers. Recall the game away at City when we played the then champions and he was sensational first half against some unbelievable players. He little dribbling runs and drives forward had been a feature in League One and the Championship but these were working at the top level and he was looking a brilliant player even against much more difficult competition. He even got a Scotland cap and became involved as even they could not ignore him anymore as they saw him outplay others (some from his country like McGinn). He was our best player up to lockdown and showed he definitely belonged at this level and then some.
After the break he picked up an injury and missed the first game and then came back and struggled in two big defeats and then Wilder realised he was not fully fit or he picked up another knock. Osborn came in and did well and gave us some energy as Fleck had looked way off it and as I have said probably miles off full fitness. He got back in from the bench and did well against Everton and then in the final game was not really at it and did not have the best end to the season. He was my player of the season along with Bash but then ended it in poor form.
Definitely the injury and his form (probably due to the injury) held him back and for us to be essentially without our best player for the final 10 games was hard – as a fit and firing Fleck and I believe we maybe got more results than we did – although Osborn did well in that trio of home games to give him credit.
Hope he can start next season well (something he does not normally do – takes him a bit to get going) and be back fully fit. He has proved he can do very well at this level and been one of our better players. Love to watch him when he is in full flight, running with the ball or chipping away at opponents to win it back or threading those little give and go passes with Enda/Jack. Like Norwood he is 29, so entering his prime. Sure, he can go on and be a key player for years to come. He has to go and build on a great (until the break) season and maintain it now. The only worry is that if he does then teams may look at him as he certainly has shown what a fantastic footballer he is. It seems a long way from those comments Roy shared from Coventry fans saying he would be no great loss at all.
Grade A- (Last season B)
John Lundstram Last year I wrote the following in my end of season review, ‘Still has another year on his deal but he has shown he is not good enough consistently for the top end of the Championship to play regularly so not sure how he would cope with an even bigger jump.’ Shows how wrong we can be. Wilder kept him around but when Duffy moved on, you expected him to go with Luke Freeman but then as the pre-season games came around, Lunny was involved quite a bit. The season started and he was a surprise pick opening day (and a widely criticised selection too) but he was out best player at Bournemouth and some great assists/range of passes. He then scored the winner v Palace in another excellent showing and started every league game up to Dec 29 at Man City when he was injured. Those first 4-5 months, he was excellent. It was literally like a different player to the one we saw before. He was strong, mobile and good with the ball in lots of situations – we had seen some of his long passing but he looked like someone who was a bit of an all-rounder. He was excellent in lots of games, recall the assist at Everton and played well in many of our successful performances. His link play with Bash and Baldock down the right and his ability to find key passes or get in the box for chances. More than anything his level of fitness and strength were things we had not seen before. He was making lung bursting runs up and down and holding off players for power. He showed some pace too as I said earlier. The game v Burnley was his stand out as he scored two great goals getting on the end of two fabulous team moves and was superb that day. He carried this on with more good games home and away – recall him having some good games in the capital and a superb second half v Villa. He seemed to have gone from a player not good enough for the Championship to a player now a regular and one of our key men in a top half and even higher, Premier League player. It really was an incredible transformation so credit to him for the work he had done in the off season and determination to get a place and keep him. Also to Wilder whose faith and the player none of us really saw before this season, started to emerge.
Amongst this improved form, he became a bit of a hero for many playing fantasy football who signed him probably as a fill in and the fact he was listed as a defender but not only played well (clean sheet suppose counted for him) but also scored goals and gained the nickname, Lord Lundstram! He was actually seen as one of our best players and key men in those early months and rightly so as he played so well.
Can recall only a few ordinary games before he dropped off at Brighton and then at home to Watford and then things changed after this.
Besic got in the team a bit and then Berge came in and suddenly he was not a guaranteed starter – he only made 7 starts in the games left (19) after the game on Boxing Day. He did score against Bournemouth when he came on as sub and assisted in Sharp’s goal but his form was quite patchy to poor up to lockdown – Berge hardly impressed so he would not have had to do much to keep his place.
When we came back, he started with Fleck out but not sure he did enough in the game he did play and was back out of the team as Berge came in and improved. I watched him carefully when he came on as sub in games and he looked a bit disinterested. He moved it sideways/backwards or gave it away and never got on the ball and drove/linked up like in that opening few months. His body language did not look great and looked like his fitness was not what it had been – more like the player we saw for most of his United career. His form had dropped off in terms of not doing the things that had seen him stand out but he also his attitude seemed to not be as it was. Did score a goal in the final game but this was a fleeting moment in a poor end to his season after he started so well. Maybe he sulked over the Berge signing/selection but all throughout the season after his improvements, there was discussion over his contract and Wilder was asked about it too. He had another year with United having an option (which they took later on in the season) but Wilder likes players tied down longer and it seems he was not interested in what the Blades were offering. This seems to be still rumbling on and is a shame.
I would not be shocked if we get a bid if Wilder moves him on. I do not see lots of Premier League clubs coming for him at all. His body of work is 4-5 months in 3 years of work and not sure teams will take a punt on the money/wages he is supposedly looking for especially with the market being damaged in terms of what teams can spend. I thought maybe a Burnley type team might look at him but he would have to work much harder than he has most of his United career. Outside of that I do not see it and he would end up back in the Championship and probably be on wages no better than he is now. He has to be careful as Duffy found out. What I would like him to do is sign a deal and knuckle down and get back to the form he showed. Be surprised if this happens and would not be shocked if we do not see him at the Lane much longer. Shame as he showed he can be a real asset in that spell and if he could get back to that then even with Berge here, we would rotate players and have injuries etc so still could play a fair bit.
Grade B (Last season C-)
Rest of week will be posted as below
Saturday – Part 6 Attack
Sunday – Part 7 Final awards / Conclusions
Midfielders
Oliver Norwood Had a sensational first season at the club and was pivotal in promotion. All the talk was he would finally get his chance at the top level after being moved on/not used for the previous club he went up with. There were some doubts due to this, even amongst United fans. His lack of mobility, pace and ability even to dictate games at a higher level, were all things mooted as reasons why he may not be able to be a regular for a team at this level. He started the season as skipper showing what Wilder thought and was really solid in the opening games. We saw his range of passing in the opening games and when we had the good runs, he was normally a big part of this. We stayed around the top 8 most of the season after the opening month and he was an ever present in a successful team.
He has so many positives. His control, skill and passing are consistently good. He never hides at all and always comes off square or into positions looking for a pass. He always wants to get the ball and make us tick. Normally when he plays well, we do. We saw his range of passes again although as the season went on, he did not quite go as long as he had done to start the season and we saw a bit more safety. At times he gives it away but his pass retention is very high.
There are weaknesses to his game and when his passing is off and teams press him, he can struggle. He cannot really run with the ball much (saw this more from Coutts actually – these two wrongly do get compared) and most of his work comes from when he gets it and moves it rather than run with it and then release- but nothing wrong with making the ball do the work.
He does lack pace and at times mobile runners do get away from him (saw this post lockdown) but did not see this as much as I thought and our shape/structure covers for other players weaknesses too. He has a penchant for diving in a bit much as the season went on and picked up some cheap bookings I thought and made some silly tackles, going to ground too much. It seemed at times he looked a bit leggy after the restart – as did quite a few of the others too.
Overall, I felt he had a good season though and whilst he was not quite player of the season territory, he was still one of our better 5/6 players – and along with Fleck our best midfielder.
He started every game until the final game although was taken off at times in games and sacrificed when we needed more defensive protection or normally wanted an extra attacking threat. He seemed to accept that in the same way Bash did. He will now see what it takes to succeed at this level and realise with legs/runners around him he can be successful.
Seems a really good pro. Looks after himself, never complains, no theatricals we see of other players. Been a big part of the last few years and see no reason why he won’t be moving forward. I, personally, see him starting again next season and do not get all this we need to play Berge in ‘his’ position and that he will usurp Norwood next season. Maybe in a few seasons if that is where he is slated to play but don’t see it now. Some of the criticism of Norwood since lockdown was ridiculous and they forget how important he has been and probably will be. Not sure Berge has done anything so far to suggest he can yet play the position he plays so well. Norwood has also just signed a new contract – he is 29 so in his peak really and never been the quickest so not like he will lose lots of pace.
Grade B+ (Last season A-)
John Fleck Was excellent of course as we moved through the leagues but another who we were not sure whether he could move up and succeed at the very top. He clearly had tons of ability, could run with the ball, pass, tackle and was all energy but it would be wrong to say a few of us did not think would the top-level midfielders might be stronger, faster and just better? He always starts seasons quite slowly and that was the case again this year as he got an injury and ended up out of the team for a few games end of August. He came back and slowly started to get better and better. He was really good v Liverpool and maybe the outstanding player on the field and carried this on in games against as we moved up the league and the country began to take notice of us. He was excellent also in the away games and was involved in much of the good stuff we did. Versus Burnley he scored a lovely goal and then got another v Man Utd and due to the new formation with a flat three, he often became the most advanced. He scored two cracking goals v Villa in a man of the match showing and then after a few seasons of barely scoring (one criticism of his game along with the slow starts) he had four and made it five with a lovely strike v Arsenal away. His performances were very consistent and some of the games he was absolutely bossing things against established Premier League performers. Recall the game away at City when we played the then champions and he was sensational first half against some unbelievable players. He little dribbling runs and drives forward had been a feature in League One and the Championship but these were working at the top level and he was looking a brilliant player even against much more difficult competition. He even got a Scotland cap and became involved as even they could not ignore him anymore as they saw him outplay others (some from his country like McGinn). He was our best player up to lockdown and showed he definitely belonged at this level and then some.
After the break he picked up an injury and missed the first game and then came back and struggled in two big defeats and then Wilder realised he was not fully fit or he picked up another knock. Osborn came in and did well and gave us some energy as Fleck had looked way off it and as I have said probably miles off full fitness. He got back in from the bench and did well against Everton and then in the final game was not really at it and did not have the best end to the season. He was my player of the season along with Bash but then ended it in poor form.
Definitely the injury and his form (probably due to the injury) held him back and for us to be essentially without our best player for the final 10 games was hard – as a fit and firing Fleck and I believe we maybe got more results than we did – although Osborn did well in that trio of home games to give him credit.
Hope he can start next season well (something he does not normally do – takes him a bit to get going) and be back fully fit. He has proved he can do very well at this level and been one of our better players. Love to watch him when he is in full flight, running with the ball or chipping away at opponents to win it back or threading those little give and go passes with Enda/Jack. Like Norwood he is 29, so entering his prime. Sure, he can go on and be a key player for years to come. He has to go and build on a great (until the break) season and maintain it now. The only worry is that if he does then teams may look at him as he certainly has shown what a fantastic footballer he is. It seems a long way from those comments Roy shared from Coventry fans saying he would be no great loss at all.
Grade A- (Last season B)
John Lundstram Last year I wrote the following in my end of season review, ‘Still has another year on his deal but he has shown he is not good enough consistently for the top end of the Championship to play regularly so not sure how he would cope with an even bigger jump.’ Shows how wrong we can be. Wilder kept him around but when Duffy moved on, you expected him to go with Luke Freeman but then as the pre-season games came around, Lunny was involved quite a bit. The season started and he was a surprise pick opening day (and a widely criticised selection too) but he was out best player at Bournemouth and some great assists/range of passes. He then scored the winner v Palace in another excellent showing and started every league game up to Dec 29 at Man City when he was injured. Those first 4-5 months, he was excellent. It was literally like a different player to the one we saw before. He was strong, mobile and good with the ball in lots of situations – we had seen some of his long passing but he looked like someone who was a bit of an all-rounder. He was excellent in lots of games, recall the assist at Everton and played well in many of our successful performances. His link play with Bash and Baldock down the right and his ability to find key passes or get in the box for chances. More than anything his level of fitness and strength were things we had not seen before. He was making lung bursting runs up and down and holding off players for power. He showed some pace too as I said earlier. The game v Burnley was his stand out as he scored two great goals getting on the end of two fabulous team moves and was superb that day. He carried this on with more good games home and away – recall him having some good games in the capital and a superb second half v Villa. He seemed to have gone from a player not good enough for the Championship to a player now a regular and one of our key men in a top half and even higher, Premier League player. It really was an incredible transformation so credit to him for the work he had done in the off season and determination to get a place and keep him. Also to Wilder whose faith and the player none of us really saw before this season, started to emerge.
Amongst this improved form, he became a bit of a hero for many playing fantasy football who signed him probably as a fill in and the fact he was listed as a defender but not only played well (clean sheet suppose counted for him) but also scored goals and gained the nickname, Lord Lundstram! He was actually seen as one of our best players and key men in those early months and rightly so as he played so well.
Can recall only a few ordinary games before he dropped off at Brighton and then at home to Watford and then things changed after this.
Besic got in the team a bit and then Berge came in and suddenly he was not a guaranteed starter – he only made 7 starts in the games left (19) after the game on Boxing Day. He did score against Bournemouth when he came on as sub and assisted in Sharp’s goal but his form was quite patchy to poor up to lockdown – Berge hardly impressed so he would not have had to do much to keep his place.
When we came back, he started with Fleck out but not sure he did enough in the game he did play and was back out of the team as Berge came in and improved. I watched him carefully when he came on as sub in games and he looked a bit disinterested. He moved it sideways/backwards or gave it away and never got on the ball and drove/linked up like in that opening few months. His body language did not look great and looked like his fitness was not what it had been – more like the player we saw for most of his United career. His form had dropped off in terms of not doing the things that had seen him stand out but he also his attitude seemed to not be as it was. Did score a goal in the final game but this was a fleeting moment in a poor end to his season after he started so well. Maybe he sulked over the Berge signing/selection but all throughout the season after his improvements, there was discussion over his contract and Wilder was asked about it too. He had another year with United having an option (which they took later on in the season) but Wilder likes players tied down longer and it seems he was not interested in what the Blades were offering. This seems to be still rumbling on and is a shame.
I would not be shocked if we get a bid if Wilder moves him on. I do not see lots of Premier League clubs coming for him at all. His body of work is 4-5 months in 3 years of work and not sure teams will take a punt on the money/wages he is supposedly looking for especially with the market being damaged in terms of what teams can spend. I thought maybe a Burnley type team might look at him but he would have to work much harder than he has most of his United career. Outside of that I do not see it and he would end up back in the Championship and probably be on wages no better than he is now. He has to be careful as Duffy found out. What I would like him to do is sign a deal and knuckle down and get back to the form he showed. Be surprised if this happens and would not be shocked if we do not see him at the Lane much longer. Shame as he showed he can be a real asset in that spell and if he could get back to that then even with Berge here, we would rotate players and have injuries etc so still could play a fair bit.
Grade B (Last season C-)