“Just been immense” - Stockport County’s unexpected standout in League One promotion push | OneFootball

Once seen as a gamble, Ollie Norwood has become one of Stockport County’s most important players.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stockport County have been a team in transition in 2024/25, with 21 players leaving the club, and 22 arriving in their place.

Most impressive of those incomings - and overall - has been former Sheffield United man Oliver Norwood, who joined the Edgeley Park outfit for free in the summer upon expiration of his Blades contract.

Football League World spoke to our Stockport County fan pundit, James Cropper, about the player that had surprised him most so far this season. His answer on Norwood was emphatic.

“I thought he was coming for an extra payday, but…” - Stockport County, Ollie Norwood verdict issued

“I’d say definitely positively with Ollie Norwood - how good he’s been.” Cropper told FLW on Stockport's 33-year-old central midfielder.

“I just didn’t expect it, I really didn’t, and I really should have. Despite the fact he was a Premier League player last season and previously been a top-level championship player for Sheffield United, I just didn’t see it coming.

"I thought he’d be slow, he’d be old, and he’d play about five, ten games, and they'd be mostly in the cups. But he’s been really, really key in our season so far. His ability to pass it around and pass it to anyone on the pitch has just been so handy, because he’s been able to create chances from absolutely nothing.

“When we’ve needed a spark of creativity, he’s just been able to come up with it. I just didn’t see it coming - I just thought he’d be past it, and I thought he was just coming for an extra payday, but he’s actually been playing really, really well recently.

“I did think he was a bit slow and a bit not up to the fitness levels at the start of the season, but he’s been able to hamper that, and he’s just been really, really good in his passing - it’s just been immense.”

Ollie Norwood’s revival at Stockport County

Ollie Norwood’s impact at Stockport has been nothing short of remarkable. Initially viewed by some as a veteran winding down his career, he has instead emerged as a crucial cog in Dave Challinor’s side.

His experience, vision, and ability to dictate play have made him indispensable in County’s push for promotion.

Norwood’s passing range and creativity have added a new dimension to Stockport’s midfield, defying expectations of a slow fade into semi-retirement.

His statistics in League One so far this season - 41 chances created, 82.8 percent pass accuracy, and 115 recoveries paint a picture of a player still operating at an elite level. More importantly, his influence extends beyond numbers, providing leadership and composure in key moments.

Our Stockport fan pundit James Cropper’s admission that there was an expectation Norwood would be a squad player rather than a standout performer, reflects the same surprise many have felt watching him this season.

Instead of simply collecting a final paycheck, Norwood has embraced the challenge, proving that class is permanent. With Stockport firmly in the playoff picture, his performances could be the difference between another season in League One, or a push to the Championship.