The stinging criticism former Portsmouth hero Will Norris has faced following 'pathetic' display for Wycombe at Luton
Former Blues stopper Will Norris has been receiving flak after he conceded four goals in Wycombe’s Boxing Day trip to Luton
Former Pompey keeper Will Norris has found himself on the receiving end of widespread criticism following his latest outing for Wycombe Wanderers.
So much so that some Chairboys supporters have been demanding he repays the cost of their match ticket for their Boxing Day trip to Luton Town. Or even worse - that he never dons a Wycome shirt again.
The stinging sentiments come after the 32-year-old conceded four goals as Michael Duff’s side were pushed aside with ease by a dominant Hatters outfit at Kenilworth Road.
They are also a product of the belief that the Blues League One title winner played a crucial role in all four goals - including Gideon Kodua ‘s opener that should have been a routine stop, the miscommunication with centre-back Anders Hagelskjær that allowed Kodua to tap into an empty net for his second while the keeper stood stranded on the 18-yard line, and Norris’ failure to claim a high cross into the penalty area that enabled Jordan Clark to fire come from close range.
You can make up your own mind how much Norris was at fault by watching the highlights of the game here.
However, according to many Wanderers fans, there’s no denying where the culpability lies as Wycombe registered a fourth defeat in six games to leave them 10th in the League One standings.
What Wycombe fans have been saying following Luton defeat
Here’s a selection of the views shared on X in the aftermath of Wycombe’s defeat at Luton.
Ben_stenner15: Each and every single player and management team should be embarrassed and ashamed by that display. Absolutely pathetic, I dont want to see Norris in goal again please.
@MarcosLumb: This isn’t a first from Norris, since he has joined he has had a number of howlers. Bloke shouldn’t be any near number 1.
george_caplan5: Every single player was utter dross today and sadly I think that’s just the low level of player we have. Norris and Leahy should never start another game for us.
@Tagfcuk: If he’s selected v Plymouth it’s a major red flag for MVS. You can’t reward that level of incompetence.
Will Norris - Pompey and Wycombe
Norris made 56 appearances for Pompey after arriving in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer from Burnley.
The former Peterborough stopper started all 46 matches as the Blues stormed to the League One title during his maiden season on the south coast and was named in the division’s team of the season as the Fratton Park club looked forward to a return to the Championship.
The step-up to the second-tier, though, proved to be Norris’ undoing. A few blunders in the opening weeks of the 2024-25 season, plus the six goals he conceded against Stoke, forced head coach John Mousinho to hand Nicolas Schmid his chance in goal.
And while the Austrian has never looked back, his rival for the No1 jersey was forced to look for another club.
Indeed, Norris never played again for the Blues after that defeat against the Potters on October 2, 2024 and left the club during the last January trasnsfer window.
Pompey’s ruthlessness freed up a move to Wycombe, where the keeper played every minute of every game over the second half of their 2024-25 season - until the final game of the campaign against Charlton in their play-off semi-final.
The summer signing of Dutch keeper Mikki van Sas put his Adams Park future in doubt. But while the 21-year-old started Wycombe’s first 10 league games of the season under then boss Mike Dodds, Norris was recalled to the starting line-up three matches into Duff’s reign as manager.
Norris has remained Wanderers first-choice since that October 4 promotion and has kept four clean sheets in the process.
But that could easily change against Plymouth Argyle tonight, if the fans get their way.