News and Views

Norwood Completes Brighton Move

04 August 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Oliver Norwood has confirmed his move to Championship side Brighton. Norwood joins Brighton after a successful European Championships with Northern Ireland, and leaves Reading after two decent seasons with us. Norwood signed from Huddersfield in the summer of 2014 and went on to make 92 appearances for the Royals scoring 5 goals. He has signed a three year contract with his new club, and Brighton are rumoured to have paid out 1.5 million for a player who had one year left on his contract with Reading.

It's a disappointment to lose Norwood, who on his day was a match winner with his balls into the area. It seems an odd move for the player as well - the move could be described as "sideways" at the very best. Following on from others released or sold, Norwood is another player moving on who has been a big part of the club in recent seasons. It's all change at Reading Football Club.

 

Discussion On This Story:

 genome

» 03 Aug 2016 15:18

Lots of chat over on NSC (in their 100 page thread about Alex Pritchard) about Norwood being in Brighton today for a medical, 1/1 odds for them to be his next club on Bet Victor.

 Stranded

» 03 Aug 2016 15:29

Would be surprised unless it'd good money for us and he wants to leave. Feels like a bit of a sideways move for him.

 Crux

» 03 Aug 2016 15:30

If they give us the 8m they were going to pay for Pritchard before Norwich steamed in then fine.

We need more in midfield than a player who just sits deep and sprays it around with varying success

 genome

» 03 Aug 2016 15:33



Are you kidding? Brighton are far bigger than tinpot Reading.

 CountryRoyal

» 03 Aug 2016 15:36

They're welcome to him. I don't think his style of play suits the championship, I'd much prefer to have VDB as a defensive mid breaking up the play. We don't need a Pirlo, we need a Leigertwood.

 One8Seven1*

» 03 Aug 2016 16:23

Free in 12 months? I'd take £1.5m now and be happy with that. We're in pretty good shape in midfield.

 CountryRoyal

» 03 Aug 2016 16:33



Regardless of his contract status, given some of the money flying about at the moment I'd be looking for close to double that at least.

 Nameless

» 03 Aug 2016 17:17

£1.5 million would be a crazy price, and it's hard to see how Joey would be any sort of replacement.
A midfield of Evans/Quinn/Williams would sweat buckets but lack much finesse.
Would not see a move to Brighton as a great one for Norwood and would hope for his sake better opportunities appear.

 Hendo

» 03 Aug 2016 17:19

£1.5m with a year left on his contract practically values it at £30,000 a week, which seems like a lot.

 CountryRoyal

» 03 Aug 2016 17:45



My point being we don't need to replace him like for like. While Norwood has been a standout performer you have to take into consideration that we've been pretty poor since he signed.

I attribute a lot of our ineffective playing style to Norwood and Guthrie type players.

 From Despair To Where?

» 03 Aug 2016 18:25

When Norwood plays well, we play well. The fact that we've spent the last 2 seasons fighting relegation suggests he's not played well nearly enough.

Would be nice if he stayed but not gutted if he goes.

 arthurfondrelli

» 03 Aug 2016 18:34

Don't get the fuss around Norwood. Would absolutely not mind if he went.

Would be nice to get a decent fee for him though, given there has been a bit of interest this summer.

 Lower West

» 03 Aug 2016 19:33

Swift adds a different dimension to the midfield. At least has the ability to dribble past an opposition player.

 Ian Royal

» 03 Aug 2016 19:54

Player's whose main attribute is passing tend to struggle in poor performing sides, because there's inevitably less movement and what there is is shit. Norwood is easily one of our best players. And with Swift, Beerens and Meite he might actually have someone to link up with effectively finally. Brighton may be at the other end of the table, but if he's going to move, he should definitely be able to do better than them. He'd be an excellent signing for them and we shouldn't let him go for anything less than £3m. Tish has more ahead of him, but Norwood is currently a better player IMO.

If they want Norwood for £1.5m, we should tell them £4m, or Williams for £750k.

 elrey

» 03 Aug 2016 20:11

Choose how you want to play and buy the players who play like that, ie, like Swansea did.

We seem to buy players, bring in any old manager and then they have to perform. You have longer ball football under McDermott, Norwood isn't going to play well, put him in a Swansea type team and he might be amazing.

 Crux

» 03 Aug 2016 20:26



Can tell you haven't seen much so far this pre-season. Williams has been the only central player capable of running forward with the ball. More of a driving force. I would rather lose Norwood than Willian's.

Clueless post again.

 SCIAG

» 03 Aug 2016 20:44

We shouldn't sell to another Championship club for less than £3m.

I could accept £2m if he wanted to leave to join a better team.

If Norwood did leave, hopefully it would mean Kuhl playing regularly. I don't think VDB is up to it. We need someone who can pass well in front of the defence.

Liam Bridcutt is available, don't see why Brighton don't just go after him.

 genome

» 03 Aug 2016 20:45

So the general consensus is he's overrated but we should charge a large amount of money.

 Esteban

» 03 Aug 2016 20:46

It's official. Club just tweeted it.

 MrSwickle

» 03 Aug 2016 20:47

Confrimed

 AthleticoSpizz

» 03 Aug 2016 20:48

Shrugs shoulders

next.............. :arrow:

 genome

» 03 Aug 2016 20:48

Kes mode on:

First with the news 8)

 CountryRoyal

» 03 Aug 2016 20:56



That's Moore paid for then.

 Royal Ginger

» 03 Aug 2016 21:12

That's a shame. He was quite good. He'll do very well with a decent team like Brighton and will be fantastic against us. Let's hope Evans is a good passer.

 Wycombe Royal

» 03 Aug 2016 21:15

In my opinion he was one of those players who looked very good in a poor team, but was actually the reason why it was a poor team. His style of play dominated our game but it was a style that did not suit us or the players around him.

He is a good player and will be an asset to the right team. I guess we'll find out if that is Brighton.

 tidus_mi2

» 03 Aug 2016 21:26

Not fussed, maybe I can actually get excited when we have a set piece this season for a change.

 sandman

» 03 Aug 2016 21:34

Delightful! Perhaps we can now consign the "quarter back role" to permanent deletion.

 maffff

» 03 Aug 2016 21:35

Evans, Swift, Williams, Quinn, Kelly, Van den Berg, Gravenberch, Kuhl, Barrett. We're hardly short on players for DM/CM. Panic not.

Last year of his deal, looks to me like a good move for all concerned.

I'm not sure Norwood is the Stam-iest of players, since he often slows things down. We'll see how it goes.

I reckon our set pieces have just improved, anyway. Wonder if Stam sees Kelly as being able to do Norwood's job? He and Brian were raving about him in pre season. He can do the set pieces anyway as far as I'm concerned.

 wingnut

» 03 Aug 2016 21:37


'Greed

 Anonymous

» 03 Aug 2016 21:42

Not fussed. Slows the game down and is a luxury. Can pass the ball given space but can't hit a dead ball for toffee.

Poor mans Caskey.


Share this article: