I think a couple of veterans who can set an example in training and play a bit part on the pitch are good but I really wouldn't pin all of my hopes on them.
Summer '24 transfer window
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I think a couple of veterans who can set an example in training and play a bit part on the pitch are good but I really wouldn't pin all of my hopes on them.
We don’t have anyone who can take set pieces like Norwood can mind.
Correct. As I said, on the ball he's excellent and that includes set pieces but is that really what we need?
Plus, who's to say just because he's 33 he is automatically an experienced head who can help our younger players? Dack clearly didn't, or if he did it isn't as big a factor as some would make out.
I'm fine with the signing just don't want people to pin our hopes on him especially when people seem to be misslabelling him as a defensive midfielder.
I think 'experience' has more to do with character than age, to be honest. Maybe Norwood brings that, I don't know. He's a good player and I wouldn’t be upset if we signed him but he doesn't eally bring anything significant that we haven't already got. Other than to bring the average age of the squad up.
Just Norwood and Millar
Yeah I don't want people to think i'm saying Norwood is bad, more just people saying he's the experienced defensive midfielder we need are probably going to be disappointed.
I like him as a player, I like the use of the free agent market, if the club have done research on his character and he's a good older head then I like that. I don't like using him as a lone 6 or asking him to do the dirty work in midfield.
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Tell that to Kroos lol. Average age of Madrid’s back 4 in the CL final was 31.5
I think you need a couple of wise heads in the camp but I’d generally put quality over age and they aren’t the same thing.
Bronze Bummer said we’d spoken to both. I know which one I’d rather have and it isn’t Norwood.
While I agree with you to an extent, I think Neil is as important if not more. They're were games last season where Neil really stood out and tbh even though I would class Clarke as having a good season last year, he didn't really do much when he came back from injury. Whether that was because of the injury or his agent in his ear, I doubt we'll ever find out
Only way he'll learn is if he plays though, Neil made a load of mistakes in his first two seasons especially when receiving the ball on the turn. Ekwah has played in less than 70 pro games!
He needs to have the knackers to win 50/50’s and the will to win to track players at full tilt. It’s heart not ability that’s the issue and I’d like to see if he starts to grow down if he isn’t picked in the first 12, but he isn’t going to by getting picked even when he’s significantly contributed to a defeat. Players I’d lose if other clubs offered a decent fee would be him and Roberts.
You’re bang on. Even now Neil can’t play the 6 and it’s Ekwah who’s forced to play there accommodate. Neil is a good player but weirdly I don’t think he’d be anywhere near as hard to replace as some make out.
Agree on Roberts, think there's better out there for much cheaper.
Ekwah though i'd hold onto if possible. He has rare traits you don't see often in players and i'd bank on him making a bigger impact at the top level than a Clarke or Ballard. Does need to be on it more though, Mowbray said that multiple times.
It's why I'm really not keen on the Norwood signing, he doesn't compliment either Neil or Ekwah. If Neil is leaving then Norwood would be a good replacement for a season or two but I don't see the fit of them playing alongside eachother.
Disagree. Feel we’re desperate for some proper experience in the squad. O’Nien is our oldest outfield player at 29 y/o. Madness imo