What is Berge’s best position?

[DocSavage]

Any thoughts on this?
He’s getting better by the game but I do think he is more effective a bit further forward. Maybe try massengo as a holding midfielder along with Cullen and Brownhill and it may give Berge a bit more freedom?

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Behind the striker in a three I would have thought.

[ClaretTony]

I like Berge. I'd prefer to see him further forward but having said that he's got a great ability to pick the ball up deep and make runs.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

I like Berge. I'd prefer to see him further forward but having said that he's got a great ability to pick the ball up deep and make runs.

I agree but think he would hurt teams constantly with his through balls if just behind the striker.

[Burnley1989]

He’s class, exactly the sort of player I’ve wanted us to sign for as long as I’ve watched Burnley. He can only get better

[Stalbansclaret]

I spent most of Saturdays game thinking "Get Berge further forward" and think his best position is as an attacking midfielder. His ability to glide forward with the ball ...seen to good effect for instance late in both games at Forest this season...would give us creativity through the middle of the pitch

[Pickles]

Probably our best option deeper at the moment (not saying much) but I think ideally he'd be a bit further up.

[Longsidelenny1882]

Central midfield along side muric utc

[CoolClaret]

Thought it’d be further forward but we really need his presence/size/stature in the middle of the park; he’s also very comfortable passing/receiving the ball in tight spaces/on the half turn.

[DocSavage]

Central midfield along side muric utc

[Papabendi]

One of few signings that seem to have worked so far.

[gawthorpe_view]

Central midfield along side muric utc

Well they do say you should never say never!

[claretandy]

His best position is inside right, number 8, not 10.

[evensteadiereddie]

Dunno, ask his missus.

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

Dunno, ask his missus.

As we are lacking shots on target, I hope he's practicing 'the rifleman'!

[ashtonlongsider]

I may be old school, but I think Berge would make a good sweeper like Dobbo used to do with great effect late in his career.

[northernpowerhouse]

I think his best position is fairly deep but with the freedom to get forward a lot. Similar to Yaya Toure or Pogba.

In the PL that probably means playing him in a midfield three with two other players who can cover for him.

[dougcollins]

I still don't think his tackling is his best attribute - I'd like to see him pushing on, higher up the pitch.

[StayingDown4Ever]

Central between two slices of bread.

[Roosterbooster]

2 weeks ago, attacking narrow right mid, definitely not a DCM

After Saturday... DCM?

Enigma

[Nonayforever]

I would imagine playing behind Amdouni with either Koleosho and or Tresor either side plus Foster.
That is probably Kompany's favoured front line.

[alwaysaclaret]

In front of Brownhill and Cork in a midfield 3

[alwaysaclaret]

In front of Brownhill and Cork in a midfield 3

With larsen and Koleosho wide

[dougcollins]

2 weeks ago, attacking narrow right mid, definitely not a DCM

After Saturday... DCM?

Enigma

Absolutely an enigma; which, unfortunately, is exactly what we don't need right now.

[claretspice]

His best performances have come in deeper roles when the game is primarily in front of him, and he can pick the ball up and progress it from deep and also drive onto second balls. He was by some distance our best player last weekend playing in that deeper playmaking role and I'd keep him there and build around him.

[Quickenthetempo]

Against the better teams he needs to be further forward.

Against sides around us he's good enough to carry the ball from deeper.

[Goobs]

Reckon he'd fit in perfectly sat as a sort of 8 just behind a front 2 of archer and McBurnie

[claretspice]

Against the better teams he needs to be further forward.

Against sides around us he's good enough to carry the ball from deeper.

I'd argue against the best sides, if we're to try and play out (which realistically we have to; we don't have the front players to do anything else) we need someone who can shield and protect the ball from deep and move it forwards under pressure. Which Berge can do better than any other player we have.

He looks lost to me when he's forced to play on the half turn because he's in front of the ball.

[Quickenthetempo]

I'd argue against the best sides, if we're to try and play out (which realistically we have to; we don't have the front players to do anything else) we need someone who can shield and protect the ball from deep and move it forwards under pressure. Which Berge can do better than any other player we have.

He looks lost to me when he's forced to play on the half turn because he's in front of the ball.

The best part of his game, that I have seen so far, is him running with the ball between the opposition midfield and defence. Where midfield chases him and defence backs off.
If you run at their midfield from our half, their midfield pounces.

Receiving the ball on the half turn is a bugbear for me since Vinny came in. It's a staple for Pep but we are useless at it.

[fidelcastro]

I may be old school, but I think Berge would make a good sweeper like Dobbo used to do with great effect late in his career.

Glad you're not the manager.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

Agree with most of the opinions in this thread.

What surprises me is how nimble he is for a tall lad. He has wrongfooted defenders more than once with a quick change of direction.

[CoolClaret]

I think his best position is fairly deep but with the freedom to get forward a lot. Similar to Yaya Toure or Pogba.

In the PL that probably means playing him in a midfield three with two other players who can cover for him.

I think you're right.

Be interesting to see how he could potentially play with Brownhill and Cullen or even say a Massengo gets up to it... two work horses ratting about either side of him

I will say that I think he definitely has shown that he can play in the PL, along with our man main Lyle

[spt_claret]

He reminds me of a better Chris McCann. Box to box midfielder who excels at driving runs carrying the ball, mobile and big/strong enough to help with the defence, best passing is short-range and around the transition into the final third / halfway into the opposition half.
The problem we're having with accomodating him is we play a very heavily delineated midfield in general- 2 defensive midfielders 1 attacking midfielder, not really using that orthodox central position. I could see him doing well further forwards in an outright attacking role but he's got the attributes for the deeper role which is one we're finding harder to fill, so can understand him playing there for now.

[ClaretAndBlue94]

I think he can be a good DM - especially if allowed to drive forward. Needs a Cullen alongside rather than Brownhill for me.

[SalisburyClaret]

He looked totally different playing for Sheff U where he came across as a combative midfielder who often went wide right when attacking.
He’s not looked totally comfortable defensively for us (who has) but carries the ball very well and is probably the best we have in picking a pass in a forward position. Doesn’t panic either, so an inside right role is probably favourite

[ClaretPete001]

I think he looks more effective in our team playing ahead of the double pivot.

The problem is that Cullen and Brownhill just aren't effective either so you either try Messengo or Cork with Cullen and push Berge on.

You'd then want two wide players and a pacy forward. However, as the double pivot looks weak, the wingers not producing much end product and our two main strikers not available I'm not sure what you do.

Glad I'm not VK on his way to the Emirates to be honest but hope springs eternal.

[KRBFC]

I think he looks far better played deeper, gives him space to drive and control the game, wonderful footballer and our best player atm. Doesn’t seem to ever lose the ball, comfortable on both feet, he’s not as slow as I first thought either, long 6ft 4 stride is deceiving.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

I think he looks far better played deeper, gives him space to drive and control the game, wonderful footballer and our best player atm. Doesn’t seem to ever lose the ball, comfortable on both feet, he’s not as slow as I first thought either, long 6ft 4 stride is deceiving.

Definitely our current best player. Will get better as well.

[basil6345789]

Central midfield along side muric utc

Muric would be a good centre half - he can stick the nut on an opponent for sure

[tarkys_ears]

Probably holding centre mid cos of his size / ability to keep the ball.

If we wanna go back to VK's tactic of going straight through the middle as per last season, maybe we should just stick him in the centre with the objective of carrying the ball?

[NewClaret]

Absolutely outstanding today. Seemed to move the effort levels up a notch. Our best player.

[Clive 1960]

I thought he played really well yesterday so hopefully he continues with Brownhill.

[Darthlaw]

He reminds me of a better Chris McCann.

Impossible. Given the time McCann has not been playing for Burnley now, Chris must be at Platini level

[BabylonClaret]

Tbh I think he can influence the game positively from anywhere in the middle. Right now though we need him sitting deeper mostly.

[warksclaret]

He is best in an advanced roli in CM, but in fairness has put in good performances in last 2 games playing infront of the back four. Our best player yesterday with the bulk of his passes finding his team mates