Luke Norris is recovering from serious injury and has not been match fit since he returned. However, on Saturday he looked sharper and was beginning to show what he is capable of at this level.
His injury record is a risk, but if he can complete his recovery he will be an asset for any club in League Two. He would be effective as a number nine with the pace of Saunders / A.N. Other alongside him.
I would not want James Norris, because in a smaller squad I am not sure what role he performs. Like Sparky, I don't think he is good enough defensively at full back, and would not create or score as many as Apter / Morris / Hawkes if played further forward.
Since Vaughan this team has been playing with a concrete weight dragging in the water, this league without a physical presence up top is near impossible. We failed to get Jamille Matt and have had limited use of Norris. His injury was from an impact, can happen to anyone. We need to get an alternative to him as well as him, if he leaves I would halve our chances of going up as a gambling man. He is very skillful for a target at this level, that pass Saturday was sublime.
I'd also say the more Saunders starts, the lower our promotion chances get, you can't replicate previous strategies and expect a vastly different outcome. Equally what can Merrie offer when he created very little in a long run in midfield.
I'm not totally convinced Norris Jnr can't play left back and if LOC goes a wing back role might be perfect. Apparently he played central midfield for LFC, which seems odd as we haven't tried that- just hope he doesn't replace LOC!!
We probably will lose 15 players and bring in 10. Wood's efforts have been workmanlike at best, maybe we can't get anyone better, I can't even recall what Leake was like. Calum MacDonald has barely played in 2024 and may not be wanted after promotion, would be better and maybe a more mature man by now?