Oliver Norburn

In this scout report on Oliver Norburn, Wigan Athletic's seasoned central midfielder, we delve into a player whose game is underpinned by exceptional ball retention and progressive carrying. Norburn's ability to keep hold of possession is almost unparalleled, making him a vital cog in midfield transitions. His style of play is marked by a calm assurance on the ball, allowing him to effectively link defence and attack. While his chance creation and goal threat aren't standout features, Norburn compensates with his adeptness at moving the ball forward and maintaining team shape. Defensively, he's not the most commanding in one-on-one situations, which might be a concern against more skilful opponents. However, his knack for recovering the ball and contributing to penalty area defending adds a layer of resilience to his game. At 32, his experience in reading the game and orchestrating play from deeper positions remains invaluable, though his defensive stats suggest room for improvement in direct confrontations.