Analysing Will Norris’ 3 blunders for Wycombe Wanderers against Luton Town

Will Norris did not have the finest of games away to Luton Town on Boxing Day. Whilst emerging as Wycombe’s number one over 21-year-old Mikki Van Sas due to his better shotstopping, this skill eluded the 32 year old as three costly errors on his behalf allowed Luton Town a two goal lead within 45 minutes and a third by the 70th minute. A unique form of hat trick, it must be said.

The First Goal:

His first error was the result of a low shot from former Chairboy Gideon Kodua. The winger cut inside from the right wing and shot low towards Will Norris. Realistically speaking, keepers should tend make saves at their near post, especially with the ball close to them. Kodua’s shot was worth around 0.04xg (so only 4 out of 100 shots in the same position go in).

Norris manages to get a hand to the shot, as he would be expected to.

Bizarrely however, the ball then rolls off his hand, under his diving body and into the bottom of the net.

A strange goal to concede, especially by a keeper in a great position to save a strong but ideal shot right by his body and at the near post close to him.

The Second Goal:

The second goal by Kodua, meanwhile, was worth .99xg, given that he had the ball in front of the net with no Chairboys even close to him.

A poor back pass was played by Dan Harvie who had an uncharacteristically poor game. Anders Hagelskjær dutifully received the ball, and turned to his right to play a simple back pass to Norris.

It’s a pass we’ve seen time and time again from Wycombe, with Anders or the right handed Centerback playing it back to Norris if there is pressing from the opposition, with Norris having time to either switch the play to the opposite Centerback, or going long to clear the danger.

As Anders played this pass to middle of the box where Norris usually resides for this play, Norris instead ran directly towards the ball, perhaps believing that Anders will instead leave it for Norris to collect.

The pass then directly bypasses Norris, and Gideon Kodua once again is the scorer who must be thanking his lucky stars, having been given an open goal to simply tap into.

Perhaps most egregiously, Norris essentially gives up once the ball rolls past him, simply watching Kodua run onto the ball.

The Third Goal:

After a solid start to the second half, with Wycombe managing to keep the score at 2-0, in the 70th minute a high cross from Jerry Yates was floated into the edge of the six yard box.

Norris, as most keepers should, reacted quickly to claim the cross. Only, he didn’t as he missed the ball and the cross fell to Jack Grimmer.

Unlikely to be expecting it given Norris has jumped for it, Grimmer had to get a touch on the ball to prevent an easy tap in for Cohen Bramall.

Unfortunately, Grimmer’s header fell straight to Jordan Clark, who quickly thanked Wycombe for the opportunity by making it 3-0 and game over.

A strange game from Norris, with Duff lamenting on it in his post match interview. Perhaps it will fall on Van Sas to get a nod back in the net, maybe Shamal George will get a recall following his successful spell up in Scotland, or Wycombe could even dive into the market once again.