http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/norburn-leaves-1466864.aspx I don't know what goes on behind the scenes but I think he's been unfairly treated. Someone who could PASS the ball. Thoughts?
I agree. As DC said in the BP today - our squad is lopsided and we've got too many holding midfielders. Norburn was probably our best passer of the ball and we're only going to have to replace him in the summer. I would imagine that something has gone on behind the scenes - he may even have had a bust-up with DC and that's why a change of gaffer hasn't improved the situation.
Until we have the details (which I doubt we will ever get) I cant agree about him being treated unfairly. No one knows what has gone on apart from those involved at the club. Maybe nothing has actually happened. I doubt he would have agreed to leave now if he was being treated unfairly as he would refuse to leave to make sure he was picking up his wages until his contract expires. It dont sound like he has been treated unfairly as well due to the club agreeing to let him go now which will help him find a new club before it gets hard in the summer when there are tons of out of contract players. To me thats a good employer! I think maybe the club dont want him is because he dont fit in their plans. You have 3 sets of midfielders who play in the middle. Defensive, Central and Attacking. Rovers this season seem to like playing 3 midfielders in the middle. 2 defensive midfielders (like Clarke, Lockyer and Clucas - ball winners who supports the defence) and 1 attacking midfielder (like O'Toole and Clarkson who gets forward to support the lone striker). We dont play with Central midfielders which is Norburns position. If we are all honest, Norburn cant play defensive midfield as cant tackle and he certainly not better than Clarke, Lockyer and Clucas in that position. He cant play as attacking midfielder as cant play that high up the pitch and he certainly not better than O'Toole and Clarkson in that position. Norburn needs to play central where he has more space to pick a pass and be the playmaker. We just dont play the formations where we need a centre mid meaning we just cant fit him in the team! Or maybe it could be his own fault. He may not be doing enough in training to warrant a place in the match day squad? Or he frustrates the hell out of the coaching staff in training as he sometimes frustrates the hell out of me giving the ball away trying to do the hollywood pass which most of the time he gets wrong when there were better options. Maybe he has been warned about this but he hasnt listened therefore not earned a place even on the bench and not a new contract. We just dont know! But what I do know is when he is on his game in the middle of the park he could be the best player on the pitch. I think he is more suited to League 1 style of football and we may well see him jump up a league.
Shame as he has been decent in certain games, particularly second half against the ****. Best if luck to the lad
Yeah I agree with what you say CJS, he is probably better suited to League One, but he is an entertaining player to watch. Consistency was his only problem. His performance against Portsmouth before Christmas was brilliant, but in other games he could go missing.
Yep, spot on with that. While Clarke and Lockyer have been consistant and deserve their place and although O'Toole is frustrating to watch as well most weeks, we cant moan due to the amount of goals he has scored which is more than every single striker put together have at the club.
