Oliver Norwood

[Exile]

But based on what you did see, and I know you're a keen observer of the game - where would you have him? If I'd asked you this question in May, would he have been in your top 10 for example?

I wanted to know who had chosen him in their team of the year and it seems that no one has (or no one that anyone can link to) but a statistical model did. That's fine, and an interesting talking point. I'm not convinced by anyone claiming he was one of the best 2 central midfielders in the league last season though.

He wasn't in the PFA one, which is the TOTS. He was in the one based on stats. Both are valid IMO. Sometimes pure stats are misleading, sometimes removing opinion and emotion is illuminating - for example almost all Albion fans last year were of the opinion that Kayal > Stephens. The stats said the opposite.

By the way, we scored from TWO Norwood set-piece deliveries last night

 

[Bozza]

He wasn't in the PFA one, which is the TOTS. He was in the one based on stats. Both are valid IMO. Sometimes pure stats are misleading, sometimes removing opinion and emotion is illuminating - for example almost all Albion fans last year were of the opinion that Kayal > Stephens. The stats said the opposite.

Please answer the question. Based on what you did see last season, and this is all just for fun, where does Norwood rank in your list of best central midfielders? I'll lay my cards on the table: I don't think he'd be in your top ten - certainly if you were answering this last May oblivious to this discussion.

 

[Wardy's twin]

It all depends on the type of team we are playing and whether we remain committed to 4 4 2. If we need a physical presence then Norwood is not a good option, if we want to be moving forward quickly then he is. I would prefer to see him play instead of Skalak/Murphy rather than one of the established midfielders.

 

[wallyback]

Please answer the question. Based on what you did see last season, and this is all just for fun, where does Norwood rank in your list of best central midfielders? I'll lay my cards on the table: I don't think he'd be in your top ten - certainly if you were answering this last May oblivious to this discussion.

I didn't even know who Norwood was until we bought him.

However, how many times were Reading on on live games last season, so we could appreciate him.

It was easy to appreciate Boro, Burnley Us Derby etc midfielders as we were on a bunch of live games and high profile because of the promotion push.

Lowly teams can have very good players that go under our and live tv's radar

 

[BensGrandad]

In the same team as Norwood was Duffy.

 

[Lush]

Who took the freekick that led to Stephens' goal?

 

[Diego Napier]

I can't find any team of the year, picked by a human, that has Norwood in it.

That's your problem, far too much subjectivity!

 

[Withdean11]

Who took the freekick that led to Stephens' goal?

Norwood. And the corner that led to Duffy's

 

[Exile]

Please answer the question. Based on what you did see last season, and this is all just for fun, where does Norwood rank in your list of best central midfielders? I'll lay my cards on the table: I don't think he'd be in your top ten - certainly if you were answering this last May oblivious to this discussion.

He would definitely NOT sprung to mind, but that is self-evident as I only saw him play ONCE. I didn't go to the away game, and don't recall watching a single Reading game on the box. By contrast I must have seen the likes of Barton, Clayton, Leadbitter, Ramirez, Marney, (and everyone who plays for Leeds) a dozen times each. Thus, stats have a value.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Not necessarily pointing the finger at Norwood for the defeats but at the flaws in the OPs analysis. That said, from what I've seen, he is fourth choice for a reason. With the defence, I'm happy that Goldson and BFG are more than adequate replacements to come in for Duffy/Dunk but I don't see the same for Norwood as a replacement for Stephens, Kayal and Sidwell.

Do you think that anyone better than Norwood would be happy at being 4th choice? I don't..

 

[Lush]

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice.

Norwood is a very different player to Sidwell, Stephens and Kayal. I imagine Hughton looks at the opposition, decides what skills we need to beat them and plays the best men for the job.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice.

Norwood is a very different player to Sidwell, Stephens and Kayal. I imagine Hughton looks at the opposition, decides what skills we need to beat them and plays the best men for the job.

That's the key.

 

[dazzer6666]

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice.

Norwood is a very different player to Sidwell, Stephens and Kayal. I imagine Hughton looks at the opposition, decides what skills we need to beat them and plays the best men for the job.

Quite. Horses for courses. It's the squad that's critical. Someone could be 1st or 2nd choice for one game but not another. Luckily we've got a manager to do that who seems pretty clued up.

 

[Exile]

Quite. Horses for courses. It's the squad that's critical. Someone could be 1st or 2nd choice for one game but not another. Luckily we've got a manager to do that who seems pretty clued up.

Indeed. If a team is likely to sit back and give our midfield time on the ball, then there is an argument that Norwood would be our MOST effective CM, able to stroll about and utilize his range of passing. In a frantic game like the 2-2 with Burnley last season, I can see him being a liability.

SQUAD.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

This is sounding like a modern day problems thread of a spoiled middle class.

I don't know whether I should buy the fair trade or the organic manuka honey. Problems, problems.

 

[Captain Sensible]

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice.

Norwood is a very different player to Sidwell, Stephens and Kayal. I imagine Hughton looks at the opposition, decides what skills we need to beat them and plays the best men for the job.

That's the key.

Took the girls to hit the nail on the head. Thread closed!

 

[wallyback]

Took the girls to hit the nail on the head. Thread closed!

Begging your pardon See this earlier post:

"I didn't even know who Norwood was until we bought him.

However, how many times were Reading on on live games last season, so we could appreciate him.

It was easy to appreciate Boro, Burnley Us Derby etc midfielders as we were on a bunch of live games and high profile because of the promotion push.

Lowly teams can have very good players that go under our and live tv's radar"

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Norwood has come in to the side and we've won two out of two (with two of his set pieces leading to goals last night). I don't understand why he gets a bit of criticism on here. As others have said he's a great option to have. When you look back to last season, what would have happened if we'd lost Kayal and Stephens for any length of time? This season, we've not had Kayal since late September and Stephens was in and out at the start of the season. I doubt they've started many games together. So both Sidwell and Norwood have played a big part in our success this season.

Maybe the biggest problem Norwood has is he was signed the week the Pritchard deal fell through so some were underwhelmed when he signed. Personally, I think he provides real quality (one of the best passers we have) and we're lucky to have the options we do in central midfield.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Begging your pardon See this earlier post:

"I didn't even know who Norwood was until we bought him"

When he signed I genuinely thought we'd bought the former US Marines Lt Colonel, Vietnam vet and Iran-Contra geezer. Doh!

 

[Marshy]

our best passer of the ball