Fleck

[Inter_blade83]

Excellent display yesterday. One or two wayward passes but worked his socks off.

Surprised others were getting MOM mentions after the game tbh and no mention of Fleck.

Least impressed with Carruthers. Doesn't really possess the cuteness to play the supporting role to Sharp and Clarke. Would like to have seen Brooks come on for him after an hour.

 

[SteveBlade]

Seen a few people say this about Carruthers. Thought he was our most dangerous player until he went off.

 

[McGrath]

I thought he was quiet first half. Better in the second half.

Coutts played better in my opinion, he looked more at home at a higher level

 

[Punk Blade]

I felt the opposite, I thought Carruthers showed some good touches and helped us move the ball into dangerous areas, whereas Fleck, although hardworking, was short of his standard from last season.

Blackman, Basham and Clarke the MOTM contenders in my view. Coutts probably pick of the midfield.

 

[RMBlade]

I thought fleck did well, carruthers looked good a little frustrating at times and I think Coutts was knackered after 60 mins. I would have swapped Coutts for lundstrom instead of carruthers.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I thought both Coutts and Fleck did well and I thought our midfield were better than theirs first half. Second half we gave that Woods too much room to play. I thought Coutts was slightly better, particularly defensively, he doesn't put big challenges in but is so good at nicking the ball away and anticipating and intercepting by being in the right place. I thought Fleck did ok but got caught in possession a few times. Samir did well but I think he's one of those that does something really good (good close control and a couple of bursts into the box) and also does some equally sloppy stuff (slow to react to passes and sloppy passing).

 

[LSF]

John Flecks qualities will not shine as much in the championship as there are more players with his skills in there.
However, he's enough in his locker to be an asset once again this season.
Coutts performance was similar to his last season's fayre. He can do this in the championship just as effectively as in div 1.
Carruthers carries such a threat to opposition with his ability over the first 10 yards, taking people out of the game with ease. Players like this are so valuable and he was excellent yesterday.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I thought fleck did well, carruthers looked good a little frustrating at times and I think Coutts was knackered after 60 mins. I would have swapped Coutts for lundstrom instead of carruthers.

I thought Lundstram looked well off the pace of the game when he came on. Perhaps needs to get used to how we play. I'd have put Brooks on for Samir who was clearly struggling after getting a whack, but as it was just 1-0 I could see the logic in going for Lundstram instead.

 

[RMBlade]

I thought Lundstram looked well off the pace of the game when he came on. Perhaps needs to get used to how we play. I'd have put Brooks on for Samir who was clearly struggling after getting a whack, but as it was just 1-0 I could see the logic in going for Lundstram instead.

I understood the logic behind the change however I think it made us sit back a bit more. replacing Coutts would have allowed us to keep the same shape. Lundstram put in some good tackles (the crunching tackle in the middle of the park springs to mind) but did look a little rusty.

I agree with Brooks or even Duffy replacing carruthers around 70/75 mins. We won though so what do i know?

 

[Bladezz]

I wasn't so keen and a few around me at the game were saying similar. Back at the pub some had him down as contender for man of match.

In regards Brooks I don't think that's a game to throw him on to try and see out a game.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Funny how we see things so different eh? For me, Carruthers was our most creative player. He ran his socks off and he's got very quick feet, can turn on a sixpence and he was all over the place with the ball. He genuinely caused Brentford some problems because they didn't know where he was going to be, when, or what he was going to do next. At the same time, he'll do a brilliant jinking run and get around several of their players then....do a right sloppy pass when it was easier to do a good one. I think some of the folks on here who were not impressed with Carruthers are completely ignoring all the positive work he did and only focusing on the three or four sloppy passes he did during the game. I'm afraid, from what I've seen of Carruthers so far, that this is him. He will do the most amazing creative things and be totally unpredictable - but he'll also make the odd careless and casual mistake as well. I can live with that - because he'll do more damage to the opposition being that type of player, than his occasional mistakes will do to us.

Coutts, for me, was anything but knackered. In fact I think it's the fittest I've ever seen Coutts - and I thought that in the pre season games too. I don't know where RMBlade has got his confidence in Lundstram from, based on the glimpse we saw of him yesterday, but I'd be very concerned about taking Coutts off at any stage of a game unless we were absolutely coasting it, because he's the cement that holds the team together. Without him we'd be back to the team that started last season with lots of effort and energy but no ability to hold onto the ball and keep possession. Said on another thread but I'll reserve judgement on Lundstrom till I've seen more of him, but initial impressions were big, strong, slow.

Fleck to me wasn't quite on the pace yesterday. Didn't have a bad game, but there have been many games when he's been unplayable and yesterday wasn't one of them. The opposition midfield were very quick.

I was impressed with that ginger haired guy in midfield for them. Ryan Woods. Looked him up in fact and he's an ex Shrewsbury Town player that won two Player of The Year awards whilst he was there. Championship side Brentford then signed him from League 1 Shrewsbury for a fee reported to be £1M. Signing players from League 1 to play in the Championship eh? But that's not supposed to work according to our friends over at S6 is it?

 

[snootyfenooty]

Seems like a mixed bag on Carruthers. Personally I thought he was our best midfielder. As RMBlade pointed out we lost our shape when he went off and this allowed Brentford to dominate possession in the last 20 minutes, although our defence managed with ease it must be said. Our problem is the lack of a DM who can break this possession, calm things down and get the game moving again on our terms.

 

[Smirth]

Fleck seemed a little rusty at the start but got better as the game progressed.

Carruthers was our most threatening midfielder and had Brentford worried when on the ball. I think he could be a big player this season for us.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I understood the logic behind the change however I think it made us sit back a bit more. replacing Coutts would have allowed us to keep the same shape. Lundstram put in some good tackles (the crunching tackle in the middle of the park springs to mind) but did look a little rusty.

I agree with Brooks or even Duffy replacing carruthers around 70/75 mins. We won though so what do i know?

I'll have to agree to disagree because overall I thought Coutts was our best midfielder. I remember that tackle by Lundstram though, corker!

 

[Sheffsteel]

Seems like a mixed bag on Carruthers. Personally I thought he was our best midfielder. As RMBlade pointed out we lost our shape when he went off and this allowed Brentford to dominate possession in the last 20 minutes, although our defence managed with ease it must be said. Our problem is the lack of a DM who can break this possession, calm things down and get the game moving again on our terms.

Totally agree with all that.

The last 10 minutes was a concern and reminded me of the Clough performances where we just sat back in numbers inviting pressure.
The fantastic news is that the manager and players will have learnt so much BUT we still gained the full 3 points, I'd like to see us manage out the game better and not have to reply so much on the defense towards the end.

 

[Blade58]

I won't single out any of our midfielders because I thought they all did well and contributed to the performance

All 3 at times excelled and all 3 at times made the odd mistake, but their overall performance as a unit was commendable

Midfield is not an area that concerns me. I do think we are are missing a proven striker up top tho, despite Billy's goal and Clarkes performance

 

[LSF]

Funny how we see things so different eh? For me, Carruthers was our most creative player. He ran his socks off and he's got very quick feet, can turn on a sixpence and he was all over the place with the ball. He genuinely caused Brentford some problems because they didn't know where he was going to be, when, or what he was going to do next. At the same time, he'll do a brilliant jinking run and get around several of their players then....do a right sloppy pass when it was easier to do a good one. I think some of the folks on here who were not impressed with Carruthers are completely ignoring all the positive work he did and only focusing on the three or four sloppy passes he did during the game. I'm afraid, from what I've seen of Carruthers so far, that this is him. He will do the most amazing creative things and be totally unpredictable - but he'll also make the odd careless and casual mistake as well. I can live with that - because he'll do more damage to the opposition being that type of player, than his occasional mistakes will do to us.

Coutts, for me, was anything but knackered. In fact I think it's the fittest I've ever seen Coutts - and I thought that in the pre season games too. I don't know where RMBlade has got his confidence in Lundstram from, based on the glimpse we saw of him yesterday, but I'd be very concerned about taking Coutts off at any stage of a game unless we were absolutely coasting it, because he's the cement that holds the team together. Without him we'd be back to the team that started last season with lots of effort and energy but no ability to hold onto the ball and keep possession. Said on another thread but I'll reserve judgement on Lundstrom till I've seen more of him, but initial impressions were big, strong, slow.

Fleck to me wasn't quite on the pace yesterday. Didn't have a bad game, but there have been many games when he's been unplayable and yesterday wasn't one of them. The opposition midfield were very quick.

I was impressed with that ginger haired guy in midfield for them. Ryan Woods. Looked him up in fact and he's an ex Shrewsbury Town player that won two Player of The Year awards whilst he was there. Championship side Brentford then signed him from League 1 Shrewsbury for a fee reported to be £1M. Signing players from League 1 to play in the Championship eh? But that's not supposed to work according to our friends over at S6 is it?

Absolutely this!^^^^

 

[ShefRedandWhite]

Can't agree with OP. Perhaps it's due to expectation but I was really surprised Carruthers came out and played as well as he did, having started the game. He's obviously a technically gifted player but I didn't expect him to get stuck in, defend from the front and also create as well as he did. He's earned that starting position for another game in my eyes.

Flecks a player I love, and in parts he was great, breaking up the play, finding a bit of space and getting the team forwards. What disappointed me with him was the the second half defensively. He often left Jota with far too much space to make horizontal runs in our final third, giving the option for a shot or lay off to team mates. In this division I can only imagine we will conceed plenty from these positions if that keeps happening. Luckily our back 3 was about themselves!

 

[Groucho Blade]

I think we invited them on to us too much when Carruthers went off. To be fair to Lundstram, I think he was played a bit out of position, so I don't think we should judge him on that cameo. We might have been better bringing on Duffy, giving them something else to think about. I don't think it was the game to introduce Brooks, I thought we needed an older head out there.

But hey, we won...so what do I know?

 

[SwissBlade]

Excellent display yesterday. One or two wayward passes but worked his socks off.

Surprised others were getting MOM mentions after the game tbh and no mention of Fleck.

Least impressed with Carruthers. Doesn't really possess the cuteness to play the supporting role to Sharp and Clarke. Would like to have seen Brooks come on for him after an hour.

Fleck and Coutts looked decent but second half they got overrun a little, hence Lundstram coming on for Carruthers.

Thought Carruthers was OK and i do get why Wilder picked him ahead of Duffy and Brooks, but its hard to play that role from a more advanced position, again, hence Lundstram coming in to shore things up.

Can't say that anyone played badly, some were quieter than others, but the big players like JoC, Basham, Fleck, Coutts, Sharp, Clark looked more than capable in this league. Stearman, like Jake Wright last year, just looked assured. Blackman, solid, reliable, dependable.

 

[Antonb]

To be honest, how I saw it, Fleck was poor first half, gave the ball away and not as mobile as there midfield. But he did get better second half. What worried me is we looked tired towards the end and couldn't defend from the front to stop Brentford coming at us. Saying that, we did have to chase the ball down an awfull lot. We need something different upfront for sure. Hopefully the players will get used to playing against quicker opposition and show some more patience when they don't have the ball, and reserve more energy.But a wins a win, and its great to get off the mark first game.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Fleck is class and just about the least concerned we should be about any of our players.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Alongside the equally impressive Coutts, this is an area of the pitch that concerns me not one jot.

UTB

 

[Inter_blade83]

Can't agree with OP. Perhaps it's due to expectation but I was really surprised Carruthers came out and played as well as he did, having started the game. He's obviously a technically gifted player but I didn't expect him to get stuck in, defend from the front and also create as well as he did. He's earned that starting position for another game in my eyes.

Flecks a player I love, and in parts he was great, breaking up the play, finding a bit of space and getting the team forwards. What disappointed me with him was the the second half defensively. He often left Jota with far too much space to make horizontal runs in our final third, giving the option for a shot or lay off to team mates. In this division I can only imagine we will conceed plenty from these positions if that keeps happening. Luckily our back 3 was about themselves!

Every time they came down the right in the second half Fleck was remonstrating with the forwards and others to help out. It was always 3 on 2, this is why Jota maybe had more space than he should have.

Carruthers did well early second half when we looked more positive, but in the first half there wasn't much coming from him. I felt we needed someone who can run at people with the ball. Perhaps a better option might have been going to 1 up front with two supporting midfielders for the last 20. This would have helped shore up the space they were exploiting down the right as well as give us some fresh legs on the break. Lavery did OK in an attacking sense, but offered nothing in helping out the defence like Clarke was doing so excellently.

 

[BigBed]

I thought fleck did well, carruthers looked good a little frustrating at times and I think Coutts was knackered after 60 mins. I would have swapped Coutts for lundstrom instead of carruthers.

Carruthers for Brooks for the final 15-20min.

 

[sitwell]

Don't really see why we have to say one was better than the other ,all 3 played as a midfield unit and all complimented each other. Carruthers can disappear for periods and judging by pre season and today ,Wilder must think he either runs out of steam or concentration after 60 minutes. as for Fleck and Coutts they ust compliment each other brilliantly ,best pairing at the club since Brown and McCall and the chance to be even better ,just watch them warming up before a game ,they are like siamese twins.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Fleck looked very slightly rusty yesterday, but his class will come through. Nearly got us a second with that free kick.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

With carruthers I think we have to accept the role he is playing is different to Duffy.

Duffy was very technical and strong at retaining & recycling the ball - was often his more deliberate build up and link play with the likes of freeman that lead to chances.

For me Samir's remit is to make things happen and he has to take more risks to do that - drive at players, try tricks and flicks to create chances.

This isn't always going to come off and he will occasionally give the ball away / look sloppy. If he didn't he'd be deli alli and worth £70m.

But I like him it is like a new signing really and one that can get the fans off their feet with something unexpected. Junk he has a critical role this year

 

[PokerBlade]

Fleck made a major mistake in the first half where he let the ball run past him and led to a half-chance for Brentford. I'll put it down to first day rustiness. As the game went on he was rock solid Fleck. My biggest fear has been not holding on to him.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Excellent display yesterday. One or two wayward passes but worked his socks off.

Surprised others were getting MOM mentions after the game tbh and no mention of Fleck.

Least impressed with Carruthers. Doesn't really possess the cuteness to play the supporting role to Sharp and Clarke. Would like to have seen Brooks come on for him after an hour.

Perhaps not the game and time for Brooks. Agree about Carruthers. Always looking left, and never scanning right where there was often space to exploit.

 

[FlamingLip]

I wasn't so keen and a few around me at the game were saying similar. Back at the pub some had him down as contender for man of match.

In regards Brooks I don't think that's a game to throw him on to try and see out a game.

They daydreamer in me was hoping for a jimmy muir esque introduction of Brooks and was thinking a straight swap for Carruthers was the button to press.

However, Wilder knows best and did the right thing. He'll know when Brooks will make the most impact.