Christian Nørgaard - Signs to June 2024 (+1yr option)

[EalingRoadSnowball]

You hope so don't you? I'm worried that Frank doesn't see the Norgaard. Janelt. JDS/Jensen (rotation for JDS fitness) midfield that we all hope for.
Kind of how many wanted Fosu to have more minutes and Frank seemed to dig his heels on it.

Agree, whilst were a demon upfront. Let's face it we were very lucky to not be on a 4-3 / 4-4 game against Boro. Saville must still have a soft spot with finishing that bad.

I get why Frank didn't give Fosu more minutes as when he played at the end of last season and the beginning of this season he didn't contribute to goal creations. He was a great dribbling but wasn't scoring goals or creating them, Frank has given Fosu more game time as Fosu has shown a greater appetite for creating goals in the Championship. Now it feels like Fosu is undroppable but I think the calls for him to play were because our form fell off of a cliff after that 8 game win streak and at the beginning of the season no one trusted Sergi and his and Mbeumo's confidence were shot to pieces. But Fosu wasn't coming in and doing the business either.

Weirdly Fosu, Canos and Mbeumo have all seemed to find form together and that, alongside JDS being out, is why we've gone with a 4-2-4 as we can fit 3 wide-men (who will play as a second striker and rotate) alongside Toney.

 

[mhead bee]

I'm worried that Frank doesn't see the Norgaard. Janelt. JDS/Jensen (rotation for JDS fitness) midfield that we all hope for.

And what do you base this on and why does it worry you?

Jenson has been one of the best players in the Championship this season.

 

[AB]

You hope so don't you? I'm worried that Frank doesn't see the Norgaard. Janelt. JDS/Jensen (rotation for JDS fitness) midfield that we all hope for.
Kind of how many wanted Fosu to have more minutes and Frank seemed to dig his heels on it.

Agree, whilst were a demon upfront. Let's face it we were very lucky to not be on a 4-3 / 4-4 game against Boro. Saville must still have a soft spot with finishing that bad.

I think Frank knows what he’s doing, what the players can do and how to deploy them pretty well. He’s given Sergi the time to play himself in rather than binning him for Fosu. He’s had Fosu play himself in rather than being pushed on as a last hope. He’s experimented with Ghoddos and found him a good central option. Both CN and VJ have been given licence to attack rather than just to stand in front of the back 4 so there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t consider them together if needed, he’s just had only one game where he might have because both were available (Newcastle) and in which it wasn’t necessary.

I think the rotation for fitness, even when the squad has been depleted and with apparently few options, has been much more nuanced than “hey, Mathias, you’re playing the Josh role today, Vitaly, you can carry on being Christian until he gets back”.

 

[Mr Cynical]

I'd say that is doing them a disservice and think Janelt and Norgaard have a really good range of passing and Janelt has scored two goals from the edge of the area this season now. They are capable of attacking intent. I think it would free JDS up even more to basically do what he likes and dominate.

Yes, I do believe he was - we weren't performing in the wide areas and seemed reluctant to give Fosu a fair crack of the whip. We are seeing the benefit of him in the side now, which is fantastic. That isn't to say we wouldn't have seen it sooner.

It's not doing them a disservice, they're both excellent players. I can't wait for Norgaard to get back in as he provides a level even above what Janelt has brought to the party. The option to rotate those two will allow us a 100% fresh DM every game and as you suggest the opportunity to play a double pivot if required. Whilst I'm sure they can play further forward if required, the form of Jensen, DaSilva and the improvement in Ghoddos plus the imminent return of Marcondes renders that fairly pointless.

As for Fosu, we've seen it before with JDS etc, we don't throw players in when they're not quite up to what we want, we ease them in gradually. On many of Fosu's previous cameos (particularly last season) he was prone to running into a dead end, his decision making needed work along with his off the ball work. At the start of the season both he and Canos were in very similar positions, we now are in a situation where both are starting to really show as first team starters and providing consistent form. I don't think that's a coincidence. It's all down to the work we've done with them off the pitch and managing their minutes around that.

 

[SlumanBee]

And what do you base this on and why does it worry you?

Jenson has been one of the best players in the Championship this season.

It worries me that as we've become quite lax defensively lately that we won't take any steps to help that in games. Easy to point to all the goals we are scoring but Boro should have scored way more than they did.

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

 

[mhead bee]

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides.

Neither would Sawyers aye

 

[Kingston Bee]

It's not doing them a disservice, they're both excellent players. I can't wait for Norgaard to get back in as he provides a level even above what Janelt has brought to the party. The option to rotate those two will allow us a 100% fresh DM every game and as you suggest the opportunity to play a double pivot if required. Whilst I'm sure they can play further forward if required, the form of Jensen, DaSilva and the improvement in Ghoddos plus the imminent return of Marcondes renders that fairly pointless.

As for Fosu, we've seen it before with JDS etc, we don't throw players in when they're not quite up to what we want, we ease them in gradually. On many of Fosu's previous cameos (particularly last season) he was prone to running into a dead end, his decision making needed work along with his off the ball work. At the start of the season both he and Canos were in very similar positions, we now are in a situation where both are starting to really show as first team starters and providing consistent form. I don't think that's a coincidence. It's all down to the work we've done with them off the pitch and managing their minutes around that.

I am sorry but you do not do Janelt justice. As good as Norgaard is he was not part of a team that has gone 20 games undefeated, scoring goals for fun and with automatic promotion in our own hands. You seem unhappy with this situation, and want to change it, why would you change a winning formula unless through rotation and or injury. We can argue all day about who is the better player, but having the best players available does not always mean you have the best team, just have to look at Jimmy Greaves being ommited from the 66 World Cup final. Its all about team dynamics. We are the runaway train atm, leave as is please.

 

[jlove]

... we've gone with a 4-2-4 as we can fit 3 wide-men (who will play as a second striker and rotate) alongside Toney.

Why do you think we've gone with that base formation? What are the 2 midfield roles?

We play with a lot of flexibility between the roles but, for some seasons now, we've played a midfield three, each of whom (assuming options are available) play three distinct roles, albeit able to swap when required.

 

[nick logan]

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

what plop

 

[SlumanBee]

what plop

Thanks Nick!

 

[AB]

It worries me that as we've become quite lax defensively lately that we won't take any steps to help that in games. Easy to point to all the goals we are scoring but Boro should have scored way more than they did.

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

“Won’t take any steps” to tighten defence? You make it sound like we’ve got a plethora of better defensive players rotting in the stiffs or getting splinters on the bench who inexplicably aren’t being brought on.

Jensen has had more assists than all but one or two central midfielders in the division despite playing a much more defensive role than previously. He’d get into most other clubs’ starting XI.

Raya is a big part of why despite having lots of chances Boro only got one goal. Their fans were saying if we swapped keepers they’d have won the game. Dalsgaard is if anything a player who is playing particularly well this season. Everyone has their faults and mistakes but your comments make it sound like nobody is looking at improving and ignoring obvious fixes for no good reason. It’s an odd line to take this season.

 

[Mr Cynical]

I am sorry but you do not do Janelt justice. As good as Norgaard is he was not part of a team that has gone 20 games undefeated, scoring goals for fun and with automatic promotion in our own hands. You seem unhappy with this situation, and want to change it, why would you change a winning formula unless through rotation and or injury. We can argue all day about who is the better player, but having the best players available does not always mean you have the best team, just have to look at Jimmy Greaves being ommited from the 66 World Cup final. Its all about team dynamics. We are the runaway train atm, leave as is please.

What are you banging on about?? Of course I'm happy with this situation and I want it to continue that's why I can see it's sensible to give Janelt a rest once Norgaard is fully fit and that the option to rotate those two and keep them fresh is a massive PLUS. It'll increase our chances tenfold. We saw last season that with this schedule you can't just play the same 11 week in, week out, you need players at their peak if we're to keep up at the top of the table. A lot of the chances we've given away in recent games have been from sloppy errors, Ethan Pinnock v Bristol is the perfect example, the sort of pass he'd ace 999/1000 but with a bit of mental fatigue possibly it's gone awry. If we stick with the same 11 with games every 3 games then we'll see more and more of that. We've had no choice in recent weeks but to play a very similar team and there were signs on Sat that that is taking it's toll. Whilst we won comfortably in the end we were uncharacteristically sloppy at times across the pitch. Frank this season has managed the squad very well and that's a huge reason why we're where we are at the moment. He won't hesitate to swap things around if we need to freshen up in areas and with more players becoming available over the next few weeks that's a really good thing..

 

[Beezy]

It worries me that as we've become quite lax defensively lately that we won't take any steps to help that in games. Easy to point to all the goals we are scoring but Boro should have scored way more than they did.

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

I'll politely let you know that's bollox.

 

[SlumanBee]

“Won’t take any steps” to tighten defence? You make it sound like we’ve got a plethora of better defensive players rotting in the stiffs or getting splinters on the bench who inexplicably aren’t being brought on.

Jensen has had more assists than all but one or two central midfielders in the division despite playing a much more defensive role than previously. He’d get into most other clubs’ starting XI.

Raya is a big part of why despite having lots of chances Boro only got one goal. Their fans were saying if we swapped keepers they’d have won the game. Dalsgaard is if anything a player who is playing particularly well this season. Everyone has their faults and mistakes but your comments make it sound like nobody is looking at improving and ignoring obvious fixes for no good reason. It’s an odd line to take this season.

No, I was clearly commenting on Janelt/Norgaard existing in the same midfield. When that is available, i am worried we won't use it.

What do Jensen's figures for assists look like without set pieces? Honest question.

Raya is a great keeper but Krul, Foster, Woodman would all rival him quality wise. I didn't see those comments about Boro keeper? Hell of a save from Henry and was unlucky with the second Toney goal too. Not sure he was at fault for any of the goals.

I was just commenting on where i think we are a little weak - RB and Marcondes/Jensen are definitely those areas for me.

Anyway, back to Norgaard. Amazing player, looks like he is on the cusp again. Can't wait to have him back in the fold.

 

[SlumanBee]

I'll politely let you know that's bollox.

Thanks for letting me know your opinion.

 

[ruislip bee]

No, I was clearly commenting on Janelt/Norgaard existing in the same midfield. When that is available, i am worried we won't use it.

What do Jensen's figures for assists look like without set pieces? Honest question.

Raya is a great keeper but Krul, Foster, Woodman would all rival him quality wise. I didn't see those comments about Boro keeper? Hell of a save from Henry and was unlucky with the second Toney goal too. Not sure he was at fault for any of the goals.

I was just commenting on where i think we are a little weak - RB and Marcondes/Jensen are definitely those areas for me.

Anyway, back to Norgaard. Amazing player, looks like he is on the cusp again. Can't wait to have him back in the fold.

RB - we have one of the best in the league and an established international at that.

 

[taxi driver]

I would have liked to see him get some minutes in the game at Jersey Rd today....shame.
Maybe we will have to wait a little longer

 

[wanderer paul]

I would have liked to see him get some minutes in the game at Jersey Rd today....shame.
Maybe we will have to wait a little longer

There’s another game Sunday, at Stevenage 6pm ko, hopefully that me be his first chance to play?

 

[magicbees]

Did Norgaard pick up a different injury against Newcastle or was it his ankle again.

 

[maddogging]

I would have liked to see him get some minutes in the game at Jersey Rd today....shame.
Maybe we will have to wait a little longer

I thought that but having been out for 4 months with ankle injuries, giving him any time on a nearly rock hard training ground pitch probably made no sense at all....

 

[sonofabee]

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

Jensen frustrates and needs a defensive holding midfielder behind him and to be told to play in the opposition half. He has vision, sees killer balls and had a range of passing that no other player in our club has. He is a great asset and my only criticism is that I don’t want him being asked to tackle or play football in our half. He is one of the most gifted players in the Championship and was the best player on the pitch against Swansea IMHO

 

[Dynamite]

Did Norgaard pick up a different injury against Newcastle or was it his ankle again.

Unfortunately his old injury broke up after a hard tackle from Shelvey.
Brian Riemer said in a Danish podcast yesterday that they expected him to play matches again within a couple of weeks.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Unfortunately his old injury broke up after a hard tackle from Shelvey.
Brian Riemer said in a Danish podcast yesterday that they expected him to play matches again within a couple of weeks.

hmm, might have to try and manage janelt a little over the next couple of weeks. Let’s hope we can get a few ahead in one of the next few so we can sub him off early

 

[Billy Hunt]

hmm, might have to try and manage janelt a little over the next couple of weeks. Let’s hope we can get a few ahead in one of the next few so we can sub him off early

Not too early though...

 

[beebopalula]

hmm, might have to try and manage janelt a little over the next couple of weeks. Let’s hope we can get a few ahead in one of the next few so we can sub him off early

IMO Janelt looks like one of those players with the ability to play continuously. I haven't seen any sign that he needs a rest. Made of nails.

 

[Doovster]

IMO Janelt looks like one of those players with the ability to play continuously. I haven't seen any sign that he needs a rest. Made of nails.

I agree. He seems to come from the same school as Rico. Just press the 'on' button and off he goes game after game. Incredible fitness, endurance and recovery powers.

 

[upnorthbee]

It worries me that as we've become quite lax defensively lately that we won't take any steps to help that in games. Easy to point to all the goals we are scoring but Boro should have scored way more than they did.

I'll politely disagree and say that Jensen is not even close to being one of the best players in the champ this season, he wouldn't get in any of the other top sides. Most of our other players would bar maybe Raya or Dalsgaard (Lots of great keepers and Dals is very hot and cold for me).

Blimey, this post feels a bit like a throw back. I think Raya is easily the most valuable goalkeeper in the league, his footwork is up there with the Man City keeper and would walk into any team in this league, and the majority in the prem. I’m dreading the day we lose him tbh.
Jensen on his day is the best footballer we’ve had, similar to Sawyers in ways and I can understand how he might frustrate some, but his form this season has been 1st class, and he would get in all of the other “top sides”.... I mean we are the top side!

 

[hypa123]

Is Janelt better than Norgaard? Is Canos better than Mbeumo? Jensen better than Marcondes? I'd prefer to hear less of this sort of talk, at least until the end of the season. We play a system, rather than a bunch of individuals, and clearly our present first-team squad is so much bigger than the sum of its parts. Let's celebrate all of them, all doing their darnedest to ensure that we make it to the Premier League. I'd rather enjoy the present moment than pick holes in this or that player's performances.

 

[AB]

Blimey, this post feels a bit like a throw back. I think Raya is easily the most valuable goalkeeper in the league, his footwork is up there with the Man City keeper and would walk into any team in this league, and the majority in the prem. I’m dreading the day we lose him tbh.
Jensen on his day is the best footballer we’ve had, similar to Sawyers in ways and I can understand how he might frustrate some, but his form this season has been 1st class, and he would get in all of the other “top sides”.... I mean we are the top side!

This! I mean, I might be tempted if Norwich wanted to do a straight swap for Cantwell or Buendia (though we’d need a back up for the latter given his disciplinary record!) but they’re both £20m players and it isn’t going to happen. Or Grimes from Swansea, Swift from Reading (though he’d never come back to us). I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else I’d jump at in the Championship as a potential upgrade for Jensen.

 

[smiffy superbee]

Playing again within a couple of weeks ..... great news!

 

[ruislip bee]

Blimey, this post feels a bit like a throw back. I think Raya is easily the most valuable goalkeeper in the league, his footwork is up there with the Man City keeper and would walk into any team in this league, and the majority in the prem. I’m dreading the day we lose him tbh.
Jensen on his day is the best footballer we’ve had, similar to Sawyers in ways and I can understand how he might frustrate some, but his form this season has been 1st class, and he would get in all of the other “top sides”.... I mean we are the top side!

Top, top, top you mean

 

[Bigbee]

Is Janelt better than Norgaard? Is Canos better than Mbeumo? Jensen better than Marcondes? I'd prefer to hear less of this sort of talk, at least until the end of the season. We play a system, rather than a bunch of individuals, and clearly our present first-team squad is so much bigger than the sum of its parts. Let's celebrate all of them, all doing their darnedest to ensure that we make it to the Premier League. I'd rather enjoy the present moment than pick holes in this or that player's performances.

I would of thought that if you played the ones with the most ability you'd get the best performance out of the system

 

[Kingston Bee]

I would of thought that if you played the ones with the most ability you'd get the best performance out of the system

The best players don't always make the best teams. The good teams are generally better than the sum of parts, which I think is us atm. There are better individual players around but no better team. That is why the returning Pontus and Norgaard as good as they are should not go straight back in the team imo.

 

[jlove]

The best players don't always make the best teams. The good teams are generally better than the sum of parts, which I think is us atm. There are better individual players around but no better team. That is why the returning Pontus and Norgaard as good as they are should not go straight back in the team imo.

I'd agree wholeheartedly in principle but this relentless season does require the additional dimension of recovery and fitness, something only the backroom staff will know, both before and during a specific game. It's clear that the possibility of playing with a bit of tiredness or a niggle or returning from injury too quickly is having a significant influence over team selection.

I'd also say, for the two identified players, that both have a great influence on making the team better, over and above their individual performances.

 

[Kingston Bee]

I'd agree wholeheartedly in principle but this relentless season does require the additional dimension of recovery and fitness, something only the backroom staff will know, both before and during a specific game. It's clear that the possibility of playing with a bit of tiredness or a niggle or returning from injury too quickly is having a significant influence over team selection.

I'd also say, for the two identified players, that both have a great influence on making the team better, over and above their individual performances.

Don't disagree, obviously rotation is a big part of this season. Will they actually make the team better that is difficult to answer given we have gone 21 games without defeat without them. On paper yes they would make us stronger but I suspect in reality it might no be so straight forward. Will have to wait and see.

 

[1889]

Surely he must nearly be ready? Place on the bench on Wednesday would be a massive boost

 

[jlove]

Surely he must nearly be ready? Place on the bench on Wednesday would be a massive boost

It's clear the club do not want to risk bringing him back too early as they believe that was a contributory factor in the recurrence of the injury.

 

[LingfieldBee]

It's clear the club do not want to risk bringing him back too early as they believe that was a contributory factor in the recurrence of the injury.

Agree with this, we probably rushed him back last time caused further issues.

I am.very excited to see him back though but only after he has had some B Team minutes under his belt.

 

[Bigbee]

Obvs he should only start when he's ready .It will be a massive boost to moral when he is fit .Also the same with Pontus

 

[Gazza Bee]

Surely he must nearly be ready? Place on the bench on Wednesday would be a massive boost

I can see him being on the bench on Sat but he only started full training last week

 

[A Real Mysteron]

Obvs he should only start when he's ready .It will be a massive boost to moral when he is fit .Also the same with Pontus

Im sure morale in the squad is excellent as we’ve lost one game in the last 22.

 

[Beat Poet]

Surely he must nearly be ready? Place on the bench on Wednesday would be a massive boost

My gut feeling is not quite yet, as he wasn't in the squad for the B team match last night, unless for some reason he doesn't need any B team minutes before coming back into the first team fray.

 

[Beezy]

Imagining a midfield of Janelt and a fully fit Norgaard plus one of either Jensen or Da Silva making up the midfield three.

Here's a thought - Norgaard to patrol in front of the back 4 (with Reid/Jansson in the right CD spot and Pinnock on the left side where he belongs), Janelt to play a bit higher bang in the middle like he often does when patrolling and pushing us forward in the second half of games and Jensen playing off them and linking the front three with lots of magic touches.

Then Da Silva deployed as part of a front 3 (can interchange with Fosu on the right side and cut in with that left peg) with Toney and Canos AND/OR we go 4 - 1 - 3 - 2 with Toney and Forss up front. Oooosh. That would be so good.

 

[jlove]

... we could play Raya and Daniels together, too...

 

[mundee4england]

You get the feeling his return could be pivotal, a real ‘shot in the arm’..... hoping its not too far off!

 

[bees1984]

And my CD collection of Bob Marley......

 

[badgerbee]

You get the feeling his return could be pivotal, a real ‘shot in the arm’..... hoping its not too far off!

No pressure on him then??!!

 

[unBEEliveable]

You get the feeling his return could be pivotal, a real ‘shot in the arm’..... hoping its not too far off!

Hoping, praying, everything crossed, committing ritual sacrifice etc etc

 

[mundee4england]

No pressure on him then??!!

Pressure comes with the territory and I suspect he will welcome it.

 

[shepperton bee]

Amazing what we’ve achieved without him and that’s a massive tribute to Janelt and the rest of the midfield , but wow it will be good to have him back !!
Last season despite the headlines the BMW made he was our best player , it could be a season defining moment if we can get him fit and firing , can’t imagine that breakaway happening tonight with him playing , let’s hope he’s back sooner rather than later and he’s able to get up to speed fast when he is !