Most improved over the year
- Thread starter Slim Man
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Rodley
Well-Known Member
Bash. The others had the potential but other factors seemed to inhibit their performance. Basham has emerged as an absolute class act from someone who never looked to have it in him.
DronnieBlade
Only in S2 !
From August 2016, when he was gash to August 2017, when he was not, I would add Leon in to the mix as well.
But he must keep up this kind of form for longer periods.
UTB
But he must keep up this kind of form for longer periods.
UTB
DronnieBlade
Only in S2 !
I couldn't honestly say Fleck blew me away in the early games last season.
By season end, he most certainly did.
UTB
I couldn't go with Coutts in this poll. He always had it, you just had to look a wee bit closer
By season end, he most certainly did.
UTB
I couldn't go with Coutts in this poll. He always had it, you just had to look a wee bit closer
bladesmanluke
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Bash on current form is an absolute world beater. Taking nothing away from Coutts and Freeman either, both have become cult heroes at the club, but Basham... immense
SteveBlade
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Basham was almost universally deemed not good enough at league 1 level at one point.
Wilder starts playing him where he should be played, in a formation that suits him and he turns into arguably the best centre half at the club.
No debate.
Wilder starts playing him where he should be played, in a formation that suits him and he turns into arguably the best centre half at the club.
No debate.
Danny_Blade
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Bashambauer!
dazzlingblade
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the effort he puts in, the way he works his socks off to get the best out of his ability, the love for the club, starting to remind me of a certain oooooooo ahhhhhhhhh
sheffielder
Welcome Positive Nigel
I couldn't honestly say Fleck blew me away in the early games last season.
By season end, he most certainly did.
UTB
I couldn't go with Coutts in this poll. He always had it, you just had to look a wee bit closer
He never always gave it, there is a difference
DronnieBlade
Only in S2 !
When you have the almighty Dean Hammond as a CM partner, I reckon Pirlo might have struggled to stand out !
UTB
veganblade
Member
Basham 100%. Cannot wait for him to let Brit Assambolonga know his place.
JohnDenver
¡No Pasarán!
Short memories folk have. Prior to Wilder's influence, Basham had some thoroughly decent spells in amongst some anonymous ones. Freeman also played well until he found himself bombed out by Adkins.
Whereas Coutts looked like his career was over barring one or two performances of note where we saw his latent talent. He couldn't get about the pitch, looked thoroughly uninterested, and was mostly just a silkier Dean Hammond.
Coutts has come back from the footballing dead.
Whereas Coutts looked like his career was over barring one or two performances of note where we saw his latent talent. He couldn't get about the pitch, looked thoroughly uninterested, and was mostly just a silkier Dean Hammond.
Coutts has come back from the footballing dead.
This is exactly my view. Freeman and Basham were never that bad. Coutts on the other hand was terrible. Definitely most improved for me.
You didn't have to look closely at all, he just had to stop being a lazy cunt and put a bit of effort in for the club that paid his wages. Thankfully for all our sakes Wilder came and sorted him out. Keep it up Coutts lad.I couldn't honestly say Fleck blew me away in the early games last season.
By season end, he most certainly did.
UTB
I couldn't go with Coutts in this poll. He always had it, you just had to look a wee bit closer
Sheffsteel
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All 3 have improved but unlike others I've always rated Coutts so his rise in form didn't surprise me.
Freeman was decent and has also improved
But my vote goes to Basham, never rated him, always considered him "a trier" who gives 100%.
Good player in league 1 but I was convinced he'd be the one that wouldn't be able to handle the Championship.
For a while now he's been playing as though he knows his position is under threat and he's refusing to lose his position.
At the moment he's undroppable and he deserves real praise for proving so many people (including me) wrong.
Freeman was decent and has also improved
But my vote goes to Basham, never rated him, always considered him "a trier" who gives 100%.
Good player in league 1 but I was convinced he'd be the one that wouldn't be able to handle the Championship.
For a while now he's been playing as though he knows his position is under threat and he's refusing to lose his position.
At the moment he's undroppable and he deserves real praise for proving so many people (including me) wrong.
Pinchy
Blade, not Bladey.
He most certainly wasn't. The half a dozen of us who can spot a good footballer have said so consistently.
Groucho Blade
Groucho Marxist Anarchist
Ooh ahh Bashambauer!
Ooh ahh Bashambauer!
Ooh ahh Bashambauer!
stringjunior
A Stringer original
On repeat at an away game would work
Woodwardfan
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Surely Bash always played well at the back but was maybe enticed to sign for the club so he could play in his favoured midfield where he was very limited. Clough seemed intent on making him a midfielder and only played him at the back in an emergency.
Freeman would always have been an excellent wing back but we never played one. At full back he was vulnerable and distinctly average.
Coutts turned over a new leaf when Wilder transfer listed him and is now playing to his potential and is probably training harder. I always thought he was talented but carrying a permanent physical condition as a result of his career threatening injuries. As it happens he just wouldn't play for Adkins but will for Wilder. Wilder's quote after an early away game last season " I told Couttsey at half time, don't you disappear in the second half like you usually do". That's management for you.
Most improved by development - Freeman ( who was also transfer listed by Wilder).
Freeman would always have been an excellent wing back but we never played one. At full back he was vulnerable and distinctly average.
Coutts turned over a new leaf when Wilder transfer listed him and is now playing to his potential and is probably training harder. I always thought he was talented but carrying a permanent physical condition as a result of his career threatening injuries. As it happens he just wouldn't play for Adkins but will for Wilder. Wilder's quote after an early away game last season " I told Couttsey at half time, don't you disappear in the second half like you usually do". That's management for you.
Most improved by development - Freeman ( who was also transfer listed by Wilder).
ShockingBadBuy
Often disappointed, never discouraged
Agree with this. I remember posting after an away game (Crewe ?), during the run of matches when Bash was first played at the back, suggesting that he looked much more accomplished at CH than in midfield. I also recall that during this run of games he was plenty people's man of the match.
That said, his form since, say, Christmas, has often been spectacularly good !
Punk Blade
Active Member
Leon Clarke.
Woodwardfan
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IdLiketoRogerMoore
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Freeman for me. Bash may have made me eat humble pie with his resurrection, but Freeman is now right up there with one of the best RWB not only in the division but maybe higher. Certainly starting (with me anyway) comparison with out last truly great RWB who has just gifted us another £5m...
sheffielder
Welcome Positive Nigel
He can't use that excuse, sorry you can't use that excuse for him because Hammond was only here for one year. I am guessing he just needed a few pre-seasons etc is coming next?
1danewhitehouse
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Close but Coutts for me. Bash has been absolutely immense but I always thought he was decent before. Coutts has gone from zero to hero. From a "wage thief" to a key player in the division above. That just gives him the edge for me.
Woodwardfan
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Just 7 playing months in fact, not a long time at all. Bash was average for well over a year. Coutts was average and then awful in well over a year. Freeman was a mixed bag for over a year.
That United dressing room was a difficult place for the man to come to, especially the way Adkins had foolishly built him up as the man to sort them all out. Not ITK but I bet Coutts was one of the hardest colleagues for him to work with.
I'm not saying he was a good player, my heart dropped after watching him for his first 20 minutes with us, but we could not judge him to be fair. I think it's fair to say he felt unloved and awkward right from the word go. My heart also dropped a little when I watched Lundstram for the first time but it is obvious the management team think they have recruited a gem of a player.
Players need time to settle, look at Clarke and even O'Connell struggled at first.
He most certainly was. It was obvious he had the ability, doesn't mean he was doing it for us though.
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