The enigma that is Paul Coutts

[raul]

Last season there was hardly a week went by without mention of him being out till all hours with the bad lads. This year not a peep.

Is his improvement come about because he's stopped going on the pop and is working hard or is he still out and about but noone mentions it anymore?

 

[secretchief]

I have been surprised by the praise he has been receiving for last night's performance because all of his failures were there in spades: cannot/will not tackle, doesn't win any loose balls, allows players to get past him too easily, giving away soft free-kicks, doesn't track players, absolutely exhausted after 60 minutes.

This is not to say he doesn't do things well... control excellent, passes well, keeps the ball, decent vision, even carried the ball forwards well with a couple of driving runs.

It was a game where his strengths and weaknesses were both equally apparent.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Still a pointless player for me. Doesn't score, doesn't assist often and is still prone to being knackered and/or lazy.

Though if players had a better first touch....and better finishing I recall 3-4 decent chances where he has played someone in only for them to not score for whatever reason.
Fine lines......but a player takes those chances then he has several assists. Stats prove very little, and mean nothing to being there and watching someone's overall contribution.

Something I noticed at Scunny was him beginning to be the vocal man in the middle, the player bollocking others for not doing their job. We wanted more captains.....is he stepping up?
I am relatively smug in that through all his time here, from the minute he arrived I could see we had a bloody good player. And no matter what anyone says, he has always been a good player. If managers failed to get the best from their players then that ended up as their problem.

Wilder however has managed to get him doing what he does consistently, and found a way to get that quality in his team. He's fitter, looks stronger and appears to have a better attitude. Wilder deserves all the credit for doing that, and I'm fairly confident that if he keeps injury free, and continues as he is, we will eventually see a few efforts on goal thrown in there.
I just hope we aren't crying into our tea come May when he's walked away from the club, and bemoaning the fact the club let him go. That would be a huge turnaround for many fans to admit.

 

[The Bohemian]

Honestly thought he was possibly the best player on the park today. He was busy, his control and first touch were first class, he played some nice balls and linked up well, but questions remain over his fitness and work rate and remarkably he is still yet to score for us.

I wouldn't knock Billy, but he's had a stinker today.

I had fallen into a big sulk with Coutts after witnessing his lack of spine and questionable work rate under Adkins. By the end of last season he had become a microcosm of Adkins' anodyne, non-entity of a team. The fact that he had talent and was by some margin our most comfortable player 'on the ball' made his personal capitulation even less forgivable.

After last night's performance I'm firmly back on side. He looked 'head and shoulders' the most accomplished player on the park and delivered the best midfield display I've seen in League One this season.

His range and quality of passing was outstanding. And when he wasn't passing the ball beyond Rovers' players, he was making surging runs past them - belying his alleged lack of pace. He used the ball intelligently throughout the game and never shirked responsibility. His work rate was also excellent - for 90 minutes!

He is not and never will be an enforcer or a regular goalscorer but, based on last night's performance, there are few, if any, better playmakers in League One.

Wilder deserves huge credit for Coutts' reformation, which could prove just as important as his better signings.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I have been surprised by the praise he has been receiving for last night's performance because all of his failures were there in spades: cannot/will not tackle, doesn't win any loose balls, allows players to get past him too easily, giving away soft free-kicks, doesn't track players, absolutely exhausted after 60 minutes.

This is not to say he doesn't do things well... control excellent, passes well, keeps the ball, decent vision, even carried the ball forwards well with a couple of driving runs.

It was a game where his strengths and weaknesses were both equally apparent.

He does tackle...but not his strongest attribute. Tackling is an art, and the timing is the key. Not many have it, while also having all the positives you speak of. If Coutts could tackle like Keane, and run like Keane he would be Roy Keane and in the premier league.

If Coutts could get his fitness to a level where he can be all action for 90 minutes, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday etc etc then he may just spend the last few years of his career in the top division.

 

[JohnDenver]

Last season there was hardly a week went by without mention of him being out till all hours with the bad lads. This year not a peep.

Is his improvement come about because he's stopped going on the pop and is working hard or is he still out and about but noone mentions it anymore?

He could be out every night mainlining Aftershocks but no one would care if we're winning and he's doing well.

That said it's hard to discern whether his upturn is mainly about him or about the fact he doesn't have Hammond or Baxter weighing the midfield down. Or, for that matter Collins keeping the defence ten yards deeper, or Sammon hiding up front...

The campaign for mobile footballers has finally emerged triumphant.

 

[Yewsman]

Totally agree with this. I am despondent about how many negative comments about Coutts there are on here. Is it ignorance or in built prejudice?

 

[CarlingBlade]

He's was a poor poor player under both Clough and Adkins, fair play he'd spent a lot of time out through injury, however it was his pure lack of effort that annoyed me, he seemed to be coasting in the twilight of his career.

Under Wilder the players dont get mixed messages, everyone give 100% and looking at the players bought in, Fleck, OConnell, Ebanks-Landell, Moore and Wright (apologies if i missed anyone), these are all loud players who appear to demand 100% from those around them as well as putting their own heads on the line. Under Clough and Adkins we appeared to have very few leaders, now we have them in abundance which appears to have lifted a number of players games.

Coutts still has the odd wobble, he's never going to run round putting in tackles, tracking back and scoring goals, however he's a calming influence who can slow down the play (a poor man's McCall if you like), its amazing what a bit of pride in the shirt and drive from your team mates can do.

 

[Jehovah]

Though if players had a better first touch....and better finishing I recall 3-4 decent chances where he has played someone in only for them to not score for whatever reason.
Fine lines......but a player takes those chances then he has several assists. Stats prove very little, and mean nothing to being there and watching someone's overall contribution.

Something I noticed at Scunny was him beginning to be the vocal man in the middle, the player bollocking others for not doing their job. We wanted more captains.....is he stepping up?
I am relatively smug in that through all his time here, from the minute he arrived I could see we had a bloody good player. And no matter what anyone says, he has always been a good player. If managers failed to get the best from their players then that ended up as their problem.

Wilder however has managed to get him doing what he does consistently, and found a way to get that quality in his team. He's fitter, looks stronger and appears to have a better attitude. Wilder deserves all the credit for doing that, and I'm fairly confident that if he keeps injury free, and continues as he is, we will eventually see a few efforts on goal thrown in there.
I just hope we aren't crying into our tea come May when he's walked away from the club, and bemoaning the fact the club let him go. That would be a huge turnaround for many fans to admit.

I really don't see what there is to be smug about. He still hasn't scored a single goal and lacks any attacking intent for me. All opinions of course so fair enough.

 

[RedandWhite]

What does he actually do?? He's got a good touch......and?? He does nothing positive with the ball, and without it he's a liability. If you think he's a good player, expect a few more seasons in league one.

He demands the ball, plays the ball about and is good at it, without him we would not be playing the football we are now.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Because I wanted him in the side, and always want quality players in the team. And since he came in and has started we haven't lost and won 5 from 6.
I stated confidently that Wilder may just put Coutts in the side, and that Coutts would then play a whole lot more. Many derided this as Coutts was apparently shit.

So far, so good for my view on the player.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I have always been a fan of Coutts, even through his dark days - there was always a talented player there.

I see people highlighting his weaknesses - he's not a tough tackle, he gets done for pace or he doesn't score enough, well I tell you what, if he did add those things his game then he'd be playing for Barcelona.

We're league one, we don't get perfect players.

He his great on the ball, has the balls to take a pass from our centre half's even when under pressure, looks up for the froward pass and keeps things ticking. He can also carry the ball and advance us up the pitch. What is infuriating is the lack of movement from our forward players, they don't always help Coutts (or Fleck) with their lack of movement. This then forces him to look for a more simple pass - which he is criticised for and not the forwards.

I do however think we see the best of Coutts when we play with a 3 in midfield, allows them all to concentrate on their out and out strengths.

 

[blades78]

He's definitely improving and looks fitter than last season, I just wish he'd try get involved in the final third. I'd like to see him now and again bring the ball forward from midfield and have a shot, or knock a ball into the striker feet and get a return. I haven't mentioned his lack of defensive ability either.

He's getting there, but I believe he is capable of alot more tbh

 

[larkymasher]

I am a Coutts fan........... As far as a ball playing midfielder that keeps the game ticking over there is no better in this league.

It is no fluke that at last he is proving a main stay in the side.......... he now has a manager playing him week in week out in his proper position.

CW wanted to see how much Coutts wanted it over pre season and he has proved what a good player he is............... with a good attitude.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I see there is still some criticism of Coutts - that why he is a 3rd tier player.

In this team, he is the player that links everything together - keeps things moving.

It isn't going to suit everyone - but at least CW is getting the best out of him, and if Wilder WANTS a link player then he is the best there is.

I think we saw last night also why BASHAM is normally in the team - thought we missed him a lot.

Someone said after P'boro - we should be thankful for the 3 points - same last night, thankful for 3 points in a midfield that struggled all night.

3 points, we move on.

PLEASE REVERT TO 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2..............Please !!!!!! - we look so much better.

UTB

 

[HermitageBlade]

Coutts was fantastic again last night but I've always been a big fan. He reads the game well, has a fantastic touch and is always available for the pass. I really do enjoy watching him play, unfortunately I think it took him a bit of time to settle and last season under Madkins I don't think anyone could flourish. My one frustration is that he should have a pop at goal more often as he does seem to find himself in some fantastic positions on the edge of the area just simply from holding his position when others are charging into the box. He's a player that will get better and better as the season goes on and I wouldn't be surprised to see him getting more and more plaudits.

 

[wizadry]

Well I've read through this thread and thought we'd signed League ones' Zinedine Zidane. Obviously the non goal scoring, can't tackle, won't sprint back, no assists and without the head but Zidane.

 

[sitwell]

I really don't see what there is to be smug about. He still hasn't scored a single goal and lacks any attacking intent for me. All opinions of course so fair enough.

Have you been the last 4 or games ? If you don't see any attacking intent ,then you just don't want to.
Big problem most fans have is they would rather see what a player doesn't/cant do than concentrate on the things they can do. That's why we are fans and managers are managers.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I have been surprised by the praise he has been receiving for last night's performance because all of his failures were there in spades: cannot/will not tackle, doesn't win any loose balls, allows players to get past him too easily, giving away soft free-kicks, doesn't track players, absolutely exhausted after 60 minutes.

This is not to say he doesn't do things well... control excellent, passes well, keeps the ball, decent vision, even carried the ball forwards well with a couple of driving runs.

It was a game where his strengths and weaknesses were both equally apparent.

That first paragraph could have been said about Michael Doyle for his whole spell at the club apart from the last line and he is lauded by some. The 2nd paragraph however cannot be said about Michael Doyle.

 

[Jehovah]

Have you been the last 4 or games ? If you don't see any attacking intent ,then you just don't want to.
Big problem most fans have is they would rather see what a player doesn't/cant do than concentrate on the things they can do. That's why we are fans and managers are managers.

I think the fans bigger problems are countering an argument with " have you been to the games?" Yes I've been, did I miss his goals? Must've been in trap 2.

 

[alcoblade]

I had fallen into a big sulk with Coutts after witnessing his lack of spine and questionable work rate under Adkins. By the end of last season he had become a microcosm of Adkins' anodyne, non-entity of a team. The fact that he had talent and was by some margin our most comfortable player 'on the ball' made his personal capitulation even less forgivable.

After last night's performance I'm firmly back on side. He looked 'head and shoulders' the most accomplished player on the park and delivered the best midfield display I've seen in League One this season.

His range and quality of passing was outstanding. And when he wasn't passing the ball beyond Rovers' players, he was making surging runs past them - belying his alleged lack of pace. He used the ball intelligently throughout the game and never shirked responsibility. His work rate was also excellent - for 90 minutes!

He is not and never will be an enforcer or a regular goalscorer but, based on last night's performance, there are few, if any, better playmakers in League One.

Wilder deserves huge credit for Coutts' reformation, which could prove just as important as his better signings.

sitwell - sit down first. ;

Spot on. Coutts has been a real asset for us this season. He's growing into the position nicely.

Obviously he can improve on his tackling and workrate, but I think there are signs that it is happening.

Credit to both Wilder and Coutts.


UTB

 

[sitwell]

I think the fans bigger problems are countering an argument with " have you been to the games?" Yes I've been, did I miss his goals? Must've been in trap 2.

Are you genuinely only interested in how many goals he gets to evaluate his form and use to the team ?

 

[sheffielder]

Are you genuinely only interested in how many goals he gets to evaluate his form and use to the team ?

Assists tackles would also help if he fancies putting one of those in

 

[sheffielder]

sitwell - sit down first. ;

Spot on. Coutts has been a real asset for us this season. He's growing into the position nicely.

Obviously he can improve on his tackling and workrate, but I think there are signs that it is happening.

Credit to both Wilder and Coutts.


UTB

He's on his way but he really couldn't be any worse. He's been booked at least twice this season for not being arse to track back and put a legitimate.

Yes there are signs but no credit just yet

 

[Jehovah]

Are you genuinely only interested in how many goals he gets to evaluate his form and use to the team ?

How many games has he played for us? How is it possible for such a "good" player to not score a single goal from midfield? Even Monty managed it on occasion and he had hands for feet.

 

[Bladeloyal]

Credit where credit is due coutts is technically the best footballer at the lane by a country mile.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Well I've read through this thread and thought we'd signed League ones' Zinedine Zidane. Obviously the non goal scoring, can't tackle, won't sprint back, no assists and without the head but Zidane.

Basham is Zinedine !

Pick another ludicrous comparison

UTB

 

[DronnieBlade]

As I've said previously.

He doesn't eat lightning and crap thunder. For some, that's not good enough. Technical ability, on and off the ball, simply does not count for anything with some. Tippy tappy bollocks !

And we are paying him circa £500,000 p.a to be a L1 player, not £500,000 per month !

Get a bit of perspective. He is playing well and contributing to the uplift in performances of the entire team.

UTB

 

[Cerberus Blade]

You know what fellas? Coutts is a very good player. I think sometimes it's easy to criticise for what a player can't do. Coutts isn't an aggressive ball winning midfielder - never will be - so don't even dream of it. But he's a very composed player and does a very good job for us in that midfield. We are much worse off without him and we saw a big change in our fortunes when he came back into the team this season. Let's try and appreciate him for what he is - not what he isn't.

 

[Lane Ender]

Are you genuinely only interested in how many goals he gets to evaluate his form and use to the team ?

Be patient fella he seams injury free after a good pre season time to prove the doubters wrong and he's getting there.