Where does Norman fit? (18 Viewers)

[napolimp]

With the return of a front 3 with wingers being discussed, where any one of Simms, Wright, or BTA could play. Along with the current front 2 featuring Simms and BTA, with Wright still to come back in, where does Bassette fit in moving forward?

He's come off the back of playing regular pro football last season, he's clearly talented and he probably needs game time to develop. We never appear to have been the best at integrating young players into the team, where as other clubs appear to do it well - think Sunderland.

 

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[Perennial Lurker]

If his talent matched his ego he'd be a world beater but unfortunately he is looking more and more like a strange signing

 

[SBT]

I think he fits in where I would've expected to be honest - a long-term project who will get minutes here or there, will benefit from training with better players, and may well go out and get some loan time next season. I think he's shown that he is (understandably) nowhere near ready to be a lone striker in this league. But we've invested heavily in our forwards and he's still young so it's not exactly a surprise that he's some way down the pecking order. Plenty of time.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

If his talent matched his ego he'd be a world beater but unfortunately he is looking more and more like a strange signing

No.He wasn't bought as a first team starter. He's young, full of energy, and will improve with time and coaching. Writing him off at this point is ridiculous

 

[Perennial Lurker]

No.He wasn't bought as a first team starter. He's young, full of energy, and will improve with time and coaching. Writing him off at this point is ridiculous

Not writing him off at all , just hope for all sides he gets the chance to be a success but it is looking unlikely at the moment given the squad and system we play

 

[slondonskyblue]

If his talent matched his ego he'd be a world beater but unfortunately he is looking more and more like a strange signing

Give him a chance - he's adjusting to a new league and a new country. He was thrown into being a regular starter in a poorly performing team way too early and has scored 2 goals. Could be an odd signing, could bag 15 goals next season. Who knows.

Allowed us to drop Simms too when he wasn't performing which arguably helped him realise he's not a guaranteed starter every week.

 

[napolimp]

I think he fits in where I would've expected to be honest - a long-term project who will get minutes here or there, will benefit from training with better players, and may well go out and get some loan time next season. I think he's shown that he is (understandably) nowhere near ready to be a lone striker in this league. But we've invested heavily in our forwards and he's still young so it's not exactly a surprise that he's some way down the pecking order. Plenty of time.

I like the forward planning by the club, but players need game time. He got plenty in the first half of the season, of course, but there are signs that he may be surplus to requirements going into the final 16 matches.

 

[edgy]

I'd like to see him get a few more minutes alongside Simms in the 352.

 

[Nick]

Still not sure why everybody is obsessed with 4-3-3 while we are on a run like this?

It's almost as if as soon as EMC is fit we should revert back to what suits him? Not for me.

 

[Nick]

I like the forward planning by the club, but players need game time. He got plenty in the first half of the season, of course, but there are signs that he may be surplus to requirements going into the final 16 matches.

Why? We are playing with 2 strikers so they will need changing. When Wright is back, I guess he will drop down the order one but even so, likely to get minutes off the bench.

 

[edgy]

I wouldn't be adverse to him starting the FA Cup match either.

 

[SkyBlueMatt]

Great prospect, people were getting carried away with him early doors.

He's going to have to mould himself to what the team needs to get game time which is no bad thing. If we switch back to Wright/Simms/Saka(EMC) then I think he'll get more minutes. He has played the equivalent of over 11 games so far, if he can get half that again, it'll be a good first season.

 

[napolimp]

Why? We are playing with 2 strikers so they will need changing. When Wright is back, I guess he will drop down the order one but even so, likely to get minutes off the bench.

If that's the case, and we stick with 2 up top - which I've no problem with, I hope he gets a good amount of game time regularly. Such as at least 20 mins a game.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

He'll get some minutes. Inevitably there will be more injuries so that 10 minute cameo might become a bit longer.

I think that is just about right at this point. He shouldn't be a starter, but should be hungry enough to come on and influence games as a bit part player until he gets an opportunity either through injuries or taking a few chances. I think that's perfectly fine and I wouldn't be looking to send him anywhere. He has got some good attributes and is one to watch, just not quite ready yet to do much more than that.

 

[StrettoBoy]

I think he is a promising youngster, no more and no less. A period away on loan for half a season would probably do him good but - while Haji is injured - that would just leave us with Simms and BTA.

At the moment I see him as cover for BTA, as they are both similar energetic forwards who draw defenders away from Simms.

 

[SBT]

If that's the case, and we stick with 2 up top - which I've no problem with, I hope he gets a good amount of game time regularly. Such as at least 20 mins a game.

Realistically he is never going to get 20 minutes a game with so many players rightfully ahead of him. He's already played miles more senior minutes this season than he's ever played before, this is all a good learning experience for him. A loan may be the answer, as he apparently lacks some of the maturity needed in senior football.

 

[SBT]

Still not sure why everybody is obsessed with 4-3-3 while we are on a run like this?

It's almost as if as soon as EMC is fit we should revert back to what suits him? Not for me.

It's the FPL-ification of football tactics for some people.

 

[Robinshio]

probably ahead of callum wilson at the same stage of their career who was playing at Kettering at his age on loan
he has potential at this stage and could end up premier league or national league

 

[ptr]

Early Gyokeres comparisons were ridiculous but there is clear potential to be a good Championship striker at the very least.

Personally think he’s a very good option. Type of option we haven’t had last few years.

 

[SkyB]

Kids 19, some of the comments on here should be about a 26 year old.

Honestly need to give him at 3 years before we have this chat. He hasn't set the champ alight but if he does at any point over the next 5 years he's worth as much as Vik was.

 

[Hutch11]

No.He wasn't bought as a first team starter. He's young, full of energy, and will improve with time and coaching. Writing him off at this point is ridiculous

Well said mate

 

[Bernie Rhodes Nose]

With the return of a front 3 with wingers being discussed, where any one of Simms, Wright, or BTA could play. Along with the current front 2 featuring Simms and BTA, with Wright still to come back in, where does Bassette fit in moving forward?

He's come off the back of playing regular pro football last season, he's clearly talented and he probably needs game time to develop. We never appear to have been the best at integrating young players into the team, where as other clubs appear to do it well - think Sunderland.

Where does Norman fit?
With our injury record anytime soon.

 

[Hutch11]

New players generally need time to adjust to their new surroundings, team mates and coaches
Add to the fact that he's so young any judgement on him is premature imo

 

[Offhegoes]

Where has this doubt and criticism of Bassette come from. He's 19. Looks an exciting forward with an attitude. He was given a run under Lampard as Wright was injured and Simms & BTA were not in form. He did pretty well.

 

[skybluecam]

Kids 19, some of the comments on here should be about a 26 year old.

Honestly need to give him at 3 years before we have this chat. He hasn't set the champ alight but if he does at any point over the next 5 years he's worth as much as Vik was.

Where has this doubt and criticism of Bassette come from. He's 19. Looks an exciting forward with an attitude. He was given a run under Lampard as Wright was injured and Simms & BTA were not in form. He did pretty well.

he's 20 tbf

Point stands though, he's 4 years younger than Simms and 6 years younger than BTA/Wright. Could well be a better player than some of them in 4-6 years time.

 

[Viktor17]

He’s 19! And very very raw.

training and a summer bulking up will do him world of good, layer on a pre season with this coaching team - back him to come back different player next season. He’s a long term prospect, remember also, PL teams are looking and on their radar, which reinforces why we bought him.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Where has this doubt and criticism of Bassette come from. He's 19. Looks an exciting forward with an attitude. He was given a run under Lampard as Wright was injured and Simms & BTA were not in form. He did pretty well.

I think it’s mostly just debating rather than direct criticism.
He’s great! Love his attitude and there’s been times when commentators/experts have raved about his potential.
Could be worth a lot to us at some point.

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

I think it’s mostly just debating rather than direct criticism.
He’s great! Love his attitude and there’s been times when commentators/experts have raved about his potential.
Could be worth a lot to us at some point.

His feet remind me of JCH, his touch needs developing as it is all at 100 MPH.

 

[AOM]

Still not sure why everybody is obsessed with 4-3-3 while we are on a run like this?

It's almost as if as soon as EMC is fit we should revert back to what suits him? Not for me.

Yeah not sure if we'll be as good defensively if we change again, as 3 CB's has worked really well recently, especially for players like Lati.
However players like Mason-Clark and Sakamoto don't then really fit in

 

[napolimp]

Are we all in agreement that he's 19 then?

 

[SBT]

Are we all in agreement that he's 19 then?

He’s 19 until he’s 20 (which he is)

 

[shmmeee]

On loan for L1 for a season. Let him get regular games in English football and file some of the rough edges off.

 

[AOM]

On loan for L1 for a season. Let him get regular games in English football and file some of the rough edges off.

Yeah, I think he has something about him but the aspects of his game that are currently lacking are things he could gain with added experience and regular game time in league one or two

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Bassette will be a good player with the right coaching. Right now, he’s not at the level of BTA or Simms who are accomplished Championship players and well versed to English football.

In reality, he’s a rookie who needs to work hard in training and take his chances when he’s given them. I don’t think a L1 loan is appropriate to be honest, we need the depth.