Scunthorpe Utd: On-loan Manchester United signing Norwood eager for first team action
Young, Giggs, Cleverley, Nani, Valencia, Carrick… the list could go on and on.
Such is the plethora of midfield talent at the disposal of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, a talented 20-year-old in the reserves at Old Trafford can feel like his chance may never come.
So, in a bid to force the issue akin to Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, Oliver Norwood has stepped into the unknown and chanced his arm in League One with Scunthorpe United.
On loan until the beginning of January, the Northern Ireland international is well aware of the growing queue of talent seeking a spot in the Red Devils' first team, and believes he needs to be playing regularly to enhance his prospects at the three-time European champions.
“I have been in the reserves now for two full seasons - this would have been my third - and I think it is getting a bit easy for me because we are playing against the same teams every year. You are not really challenging yourself,” said Norwood, who will wear the number 14 shirt for the Iron.
“There comes a time when you need to get out and play games in a stadium full of fans, and expect to get three points out of every game.
“That is what you want as a footballer, to wake up on a Saturday morning and know you are going to be playing.
“With the reserves you don’t really get that, there is nothing really at stake.”
Born in Burnley, the creative midfielder is eager to prove his worth, so he can achieve a life-long dream, held since first signing for Ferguson when he was seven years old.
“To make it in the Manchester United first team, it has always been my dream,” added Norwood, who will be in the squad for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup second round clash with Newcastle United.
“It is every kid’s dream. Realistically, will it happen, I am not sure.
“But I’d like to give it my best shot, come here, get the games, do the best I can and see where that takes me.”
His first appearance for the club may well come against the Magpies at Glanford Park after a relatively quick settling in period.
“It has been easy to settle in,” said the midfielder, who has previously spent time on loan at Carlisle United.
“It feels like I have been here for two or three weeks and I know everybody, when I have only been here for a few days.
“I feel ready to go - it is not a bad first game to come into is it?”
If he can make an impression during his time with Scunthorpe, who knows, it may not be the last time he plays against Premier League opposition.
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by RobinJackson1
Saturday, September 03 2011, 11:50AM
“I have never claimed to speak for the silent majority unlike you who seems to think he is the voice of the people.
Oh deary deary me.
When are you finally going to be put of here?”
by Iron123
Thursday, September 01 2011, 4:45PM
“...an you speak for this silent majority do you?
Deary me.”
by RobinJackson1
Thursday, September 01 2011, 10:51AM
“Thought you were 'out of here' Iron123?
I know loads of Iron fans whose opinion pretty much match my own. The reason most online appear to match your way of thinking is that the silent majority dont want to get into online arguments with internet geeks.”
by Iron123
Wednesday, August 31 2011, 4:28PM
“Also - how do you 'ram your opinions down someones throat' online? You are on this forum every single day Oscar, boring the life out of the half a dozen contributors with your mundane views that everything is rosey etc....is that how you do it?”
by Iron123
Wednesday, August 31 2011, 4:25PM
“Well I know loads of Iron fans and their opinions pretty much match the majority of the opinions online - that we missed the boat and failed to cash in, that we could have kept Hayes, Sparrow or at least replaced them and that we are in freefall as a result of small minded thinking-both team and stadium-wise.
I might also add that no one is a 'happyclapper' or 'POD' or whatever juvenile tag you bracket people you've never met - we are ALL supporters and entitled to our own opinions. Quite what makes you believe you have a right to shut people up is debatable - if you can't even argue your corner dont expect people to take your views seriously.
Are you really that deluded Oscar, that you believe the town is right behind the club and that club is pushing in the right direction? I'm guessing you've yet to attend a game in twelve months if so, although that shouldn't stop you checking the attendences.
Up the Iron!”
by RobinJackson1
Wednesday, August 31 2011, 12:22PM
“Very well put Oscar I get sick to the backteeth of the know it alls claiming the represent the majority or know what the majority want. Each and every one of us can only know the opinions of those we personally know which is a very small percentage of our support.”
by oscarmoggy
Wednesday, August 31 2011, 10:44AM
“The comments from P.doff and Iron 123 are personal opinions but are expressed in such a way to give the impression that they are talking on behalf of the majority of supporters. i.e. 'I think you will find that the supporters have grasped exactly what the clubs vision is'. These guys don't know the majority of supporters, never mind their opinions. Even if they knew just 500, they wouldn't all have the same views. No-one knows if the majority of supporters are 'moaners', 'happy clappers' or in between but they are all entitled to an opinion, and they shouldn't have it rammed back down their throats just because it differs to someone elses.
P.doff & Iron 123, you are one voice, you have no mandate to speak on behalf of the masses. Like the rest of us you are the minority, you have a majority of one.”
by Iron123
Wednesday, August 31 2011, 9:18AM
“Ironite - I think you'll find that the supporters have grasped EXACTLEY what the clubs vision is!
No signings, no ground improvements, no atmosphere, no effort, no investment, nothing going on preseason, lies, no youth system, no and hope we either reach the third round of the FA or chance upon a genious like Adkins.
We had a GOLDEN opportunity to progress the club over the last five years but one look around GP last night and at the team and you'd never know that we'd even climbed out of Division four - if you find that easier to blame on your fellow supporters, then fair play.
Up the Iron!”
by ironite
Tuesday, August 30 2011, 9:56PM
“PStoff......my point has always been that you don't deal in facts, nothing but rumour. We can all come on here to debate as it should be about things we feel strongly about. I also don't deny something isn't exactly right with the internal "goings-on", but what is indisputable is that the fans have never grasped onto the vision of what the club (atleast on an outgoing level) were looking to achieve. But from your point of view, if your name is PStoff 24/7 i.e. a verbal expression of your angst and frustration with a mentality of negativity so obvious its like being hit over the back of the head by a rubber club, you will come across reasons to vindicate and exonerate yourself. You have to wonder in your case whether after being miserable and doing your utmost to bring down the mood of all around you, you will notice the difference when something positive appears (I suspect you've missed a few already).”
by carllewis2010
Tuesday, August 30 2011, 6:21PM
“Neil griffin,old tightwad did,nt want us to make progress as a club.Everything is going to plan for Wharton and chums.We will be back in league 2 next season,and our recent success will be a distant memory.By the way did you see sheff Wednesday are in talks with ryan lowe.Would,nt it be great if our club showed the slightest bit of ambition to succeed.Await clappers response,wish things could improve at our club."UP THE IRON"!!!”