Midfield this Midfield that but

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Soooooooooooooooooooooooo...just changing tact ever so slightly, does anybody want to see our players get the call for Scotland? I certainly do I think once they get in the squad it will be a short step away from debuts.

Absolutely! Not necessarily for the benefit of United, but because they deserve it. For me Fleck has been one of the best players outside the top two divisions for some time, and has unsurprisingly looked at home playing Championship football. Coutts is a player who has matured fantastically over the last year or so, and has finally recovered from his injury. He and JOC are also the two who have settled into Championship life, both look like they have played at that level for years. However I'm not sure how well they will fit into the Scotland set up, Scotland are beyond cautious in their style, and very different to how we play. I'm sure both will get a chance this year though, sadly (for them) I imagine it will be one or the other, not both. If I were a betting man; I'd say it'll be Fleck who gets more caps, purely because he offers more defensively.
 



Soooooooooooooooooooooooo...just changing tact ever so slightly, does anybody want to see our players get the call for Scotland? I certainly do I think once they get in the squad it will be a short step away from debuts.

Absolutely! Not necessarily for the benefit of United, but because they deserve it. For me Fleck has been one of the best players outside the top two divisions for some time, and has unsurprisingly looked at home playing Championship football. Coutts is a player who has matured fantastically over the last year or so, and has finally recovered from his injury. He and JOC are also the two who have settled into Championship life, both look like they have played at that level for years. However I'm not sure how well they will fit into the Scotland set up, Scotland are beyond cautious in their style, and very different to how we play. I'm sure both will get a chance this year though, sadly (for them) I imagine it will be one or the other, not both. If I were a betting man; I'd say it'll be Fleck who gets more caps, purely because he offers more defensively.
Of course you're right guys and they have much to thank Chris Wilder and Alan Knill for. If Scotland continue to ignore them though, on a purly selfish note it could be to our advantage. Can you imagine the interest should our two great players revitalise Scotland.
 
theres no doubt Fleck Coutts have been outstanding but both have to concede its teamwork thats giving them the platform to shine.
The system CW and Knill have created is all about the whole team not individuals , Obviously the better the player the more they shine, but the team ethic is the building block for our rise.
Despite several questioning the capability of several individuals in the team , it still works , theres always room for improvement in any set up , but we can go forward knowing we are more than holding our own now , and can bring in players to add to it at CW s leisure, when they are found available,

Its not about any one position , as the huddle at the end of saturdays game showed its about the whole, strength in numbers
 
How many times have we seen midfielders from yesteryear look like they're going to shit themselves when they get a bit of pressure put on them? Or look clueless as to what to do with the ball, even with loads of time?

We've NEVER had a mid-field that plays the way we're doing now.
Quite a few skillful individuals but no pairing as good as Fleck and Coutts :)
 
I just read the whole thread, including the OP twice, and I really don't know what the debate is about? There isn't a debate is there? Does anyone on here think that it's not about the whole team playing well and pulling together? It's obviously about that. But pointing out how excellent the current midfield trio of Coutts, Duffy and Fleck doesn't take away from that - it's simply highlighting a particular strong area of the team. And no I don't think you can say that about the defence (yet) because I still think we need additional cover there. And as I've been saying since before the start of the season, the attack isn't good enough as it stands currently. So, overall...great teamwork - midfield particularly strong. That's all this thread is about isn't it? Or is it?
 
You really are the boy who cried wolf.
Just looked up anti footballer and it came up with your name.
You can keep your crazy gang/Wimbledon Mk Dons style away from me. I prefer to get our players to attack in numbers like myself and Chris Wilder discussed in a conversation early last November. No we will not go back to your David Weir style and the team containing Your hero Doyle.
Fast incisive passing and a confidence on the ball is what we have and although you hate it we have a team ALL of whom play a style of football 99% of Blades fans wanted. The 1% like you can go elsewhere to watch your negative brand.
COYRAWW.

Nobody has been more supportive of Tuftyball than me. I even gave it its name!

You've just won the Nobel Prize for misrepresentation. Your apparent conversion to proper football is, however, to be applauded.

IMG_2664.JPG
 
Nobody has been more supportive of Tuftyball than me. I even gave it its name!

Pinchers going all modest again.

Why only take the credit for a mere name of something on the internet?

Surely the great Brazilian team of the 1970s, the 1950s wingerless Hungarians and wonderful Spanish tikka-takka giants all took their lead from you?

We really are lucky to have you.

No, really......
 
Nobody has been more supportive of Tuftyball than me. I even gave it its name!

You've just won the Nobel Prize for misrepresentation. Your apparent conversion to proper football is, however, to be applauded.

View attachment 30077
People call you many things and made up names. Let's try Weirfat or Doylefanball. Maybe even after your favorite type of player, Bootballconepassback.
You may claim many things but those 99% of Blades fans who appreciate Wilder Winners will not be swayed by Your desire to go back to Weirfat.
The next time I meet with Chris I'm sure we'll have a laugh at your claims.
PS; nice picture of your favourite type of player that you post every time.
 
We've NEVER had a mid-field that plays the way we're doing now.
Quite a few skillful individuals but no pairing as good as Fleck and Coutts :)


Quinny and one other? Apparently even now he can fill either role?
 
People call you many things and made up names. Let's try Weirfat or Doylefanball. Maybe even after your favorite type of player, Bootballconepassback.
You may claim many things but those 99% of Blades fans who appreciate Wilder Winners will not be swayed by Your desire to go back to Weirfat.
The next time I meet with Chris I'm sure we'll have a laugh at your claims.
PS; nice picture of your favourite type of player that you post every time.

Boo, you've lost it. As Michael Caine often said, nobody does me as well as me. You haven't quite got the knack.

Me, a Doyle fan? You're bonkers.
 
Without wishing to appear as if I don't hold both Coutts and Fleck in the highest regard, I feel that the omission of Duffy from our midfield seriously under-serves our effectiveness. I know Duffy may not last longer than 60-70 mins during a game, but as we've seen recently, his contribution to why we're so good in midfield needs to act as a reminder to all those who view Duffy as little more than a 'filler'. If the penny still hasn't dropped, so far his effectiveness has been second to none. He has guile, probably the most valued talent any creative player can possess. He acts like a foil to both Coutts and Fleck, and I'm sure they'll be the first to admit that Duffy's role makes this midfield triumvarate tick effortlessly. When Duffy is no longer with us his absence will be noted by many, a pity then that it needs a post to identify one of the best creative players we've had at this club for years. I'm not lessening Coutts or Fleck's value to how good we are, both tremendous players that are a joy to watch, but then so is Duffy.
 
Without wishing to appear as if I don't hold both Coutts and Fleck in the highest regard, I feel that the omission of Duffy from our midfield seriously under-serves our effectiveness. I know Duffy may not last longer than 60-70 mins during a game, but as we've seen recently, his contribution to why we're so good in midfield needs to act as a reminder to all those who view Duffy as little more than a 'filler'. If the penny still hasn't dropped, so far his effectiveness has been second to none. He has guile, probably the most valued talent any creative player can possess. He acts like a foil to both Coutts and Fleck, and I'm sure they'll be the first to admit that Duffy's role makes this midfield triumvarate tick effortlessly. When Duffy is no longer with us his absence will be noted by many, a pity then that it needs a post to identify one of the best creative players we've had at this club for years. I'm not lessening Coutts or Fleck's value to how good we are, both tremendous players that are a joy to watch, but then so is Duffy.
Agree entirely about Duffy, we missed him pre season when his missus was expecting. We lacked a bit of pace and were more predictable.
Talking of pace, and bringing pacey players in, think we should have more of a look at Thomas. Didn't think he looked too bad against Chessie and Walsall.
 



Boo, you've lost it. As Michael Caine often said, nobody does me as well as me. You haven't quite got the knack.

Me, a Doyle fan? You're bonkers.
Try to do you!! Well now if you are lost in your own importance or impotence that is something the folk in long white coats may be able to sort out.
On another issue Michael from Northampton will dispute your claim.
I'm sure you sit at your computer lost in your own world with a little giggle and smile about what you can Google next.
Me and the other 99% of Blades fans who love the style we are playing under Wilder Wonders wish you well but it really has to start with you. Come on denounce the negativity of your cone style go nowhere and start to appreciate that every player has a role to play in Wilders Wonders. Don't fret the 99% have faith in his methods and if a player is not up to the task he will let them go. Come on you can do it, let your Weirfat/Doyle hero worship go and join the Wilders Wonders appreciation society.
 
Try to do you!! Well now if you are lost in your own importance or impotence that is something the folk in long white coats may be able to sort out.
On another issue Michael from Northampton will dispute your claim.
I'm sure you sit at your computer lost in your own world with a little giggle and smile about what you can Google next.
Me and the other 99% of Blades fans who love the style we are playing under Wilder Wonders wish you well but it really has to start with you. Come on denounce the negativity of your cone style go nowhere and start to appreciate that every player has a role to play in Wilders Wonders. Don't fret the 99% have faith in his methods and if a player is not up to the task he will let them go. Come on you can do it, let your Weirfat/Doyle hero worship go and join the Wilders Wonders appreciation society.

Boo has become the Salvador Dali of football punditry. Can anyone out there interpret his artistic bonkersness?
 
Wow ! That's a big statement.

Michael Brown and Stuart McCall ?

Lord Currie of Shoreham and Geoff Salmons ?

All good players, Brown and McCall were tireless, combative and gave their all for the Blades, Lord Currie was Lord Currie, but rarely stopped anyone in their tracks and Salmons was essentially a very quick left winger who rarely left the touch-line.
So yes, a big statement - but I believe a true one. :)
 
Agree entirely about Duffy, we missed him pre season when his missus was expecting. We lacked a bit of pace and were more predictable.
Talking of pace, and bringing pacey players in, think we should have more of a look at Thomas. Didn't think he looked too bad against Chessie and Walsall.

There's no doubt Thomas has talent. The only people who'll be able to gauge his development are Wilder and Knill, and if I recall the player himself was interviewed and commented that he was still some way behind due to everything being faster, so he may need time to acclimatize, but he'll be working hard, learning and improving, and once his chance arrives his confidence will grow, and hopefully then Thomas will rise to the occasion.

Definitely a talent, and he could turn out to be a bargain, let's hope so! UTB
 
Win the midfield, win the game.

I've loved watching Coutts ever since Millwall away last season when I had to check the match programme as he was unrecognisable from the previous season. He is so key to us that I'd go as far as saying he's our most important player, and one we have to keep a hold of. Coutts is capable of playing Premier League football.
 
Without wishing to appear as if I don't hold both Coutts and Fleck in the highest regard, I feel that the omission of Duffy from our midfield seriously under-serves our effectiveness. I know Duffy may not last longer than 60-70 mins during a game, but as we've seen recently, his contribution to why we're so good in midfield needs to act as a reminder to all those who view Duffy as little more than a 'filler'. If the penny still hasn't dropped, so far his effectiveness has been second to none. He has guile, probably the most valued talent any creative player can possess. He acts like a foil to both Coutts and Fleck, and I'm sure they'll be the first to admit that Duffy's role makes this midfield triumvarate tick effortlessly. When Duffy is no longer with us his absence will be noted by many, a pity then that it needs a post to identify one of the best creative players we've had at this club for years. I'm not lessening Coutts or Fleck's value to how good we are, both tremendous players that are a joy to watch, but then so is Duffy.

I was wondering when Duffy would get a mention. He was fantastic on Saturday, somebody mentioned that Coutts and Fleck are always available even in tight situations and Duffy is the same, he was everywhere, god knows how many second balls he picked up in those pockets between their defence and midfield which meant they couldn't get out of their half because he kept picking it up and kept testing and probing them. He will be difficult to replace.

Having said that, they all put in a shift on Saturday, it was a true team performance. Surely we can all agree on that?

UTB!
 
What a load of rubbish this thread is.

They're both League one players, everyone keeps telling us this.

We should accept it.
 
I was wondering when Duffy would get a mention. He was fantastic on Saturday, somebody mentioned that Coutts and Fleck are always available even in tight situations and Duffy is the same, he was everywhere, god knows how many second balls he picked up in those pockets between their defence and midfield which meant they couldn't get out of their half because he kept picking it up and kept testing and probing them. He will be difficult to replace.

Having said that, they all put in a shift on Saturday, it was a true team performance. Surely we can all agree on that?

UTB!

Coincidentally, I said exactly the same in another thread a few days ago. Quite a few posters agreed, but one Blade, no doubt recovering from a long-term eye operation, could see no merit to Duffy at all! By all means question a player's worth, but to suggest that Duffy plays no significant role within this team is sacrilege.

I suppose it depends on what you enjoy from watching football. I love quality, whether it's a defensive player looking as if he makes the game easy where others struggle, a midfielder taking a grip on a game and instructing those around him to do his bidding, or a forward, either demonstrating an assassin's hunger to be first to a ball and convert it into a goal, or one whose dribbling skill is such that the only way he'll be parted from the ball is to foul him.

Duffy is one of those players who, I suggest, needs to find a home, where the style of play, the team's formation, and what the manager expects, suits his undoubted talent. Since he came to the Blades he's been someone I've enjoyed watching. I'm not uncritical, sometimes Duffy attempts something and it doesn't come off, but good on him for having the confidence to see angles or opportunities that evade other players. Duffy has this lovely, almost lazy, approach to seeing who's available and then make the right choice of pass. He understands the value of possession, and thus the short pass, the give and return, is meat and drink to him. Duffy will play with the opposition until they grow lazy and then we're away! It's superb to watch, and his willingness to make himself available to his team-mates is a pivotal part of what makes this team tick. I could write at length, but it's clear that there are many of us who admire what Duffy brings to this team. He's quality, he's a Blade, what more could we ask for?
 
Coincidentally, I said exactly the same in another thread a few days ago. Quite a few posters agreed, but one Blade, no doubt recovering from a long-term eye operation, could see no merit to Duffy at all! By all means question a player's worth, but to suggest that Duffy plays no significant role within this team is sacrilege.

I suppose it depends on what you enjoy from watching football. I love quality, whether it's a defensive player looking as if he makes the game easy where others struggle, a midfielder taking a grip on a game and instructing those around him to do his bidding, or a forward, either demonstrating an assassin's hunger to be first to a ball and convert it into a goal, or one whose dribbling skill is such that the only way he'll be parted from the ball is to foul him.

Duffy is one of those players who, I suggest, needs to find a home, where the style of play, the team's formation, and what the manager expects, suits his undoubted talent. Since he came to the Blades he's been someone I've enjoyed watching. I'm not uncritical, sometimes Duffy attempts something and it doesn't come off, but good on him for having the confidence to see angles or opportunities that evade other players. Duffy has this lovely, almost lazy, approach to seeing who's available and then make the right choice of pass. He understands the value of possession, and thus the short pass, the give and return, is meat and drink to him. Duffy will play with the opposition until they grow lazy and then we're away! It's superb to watch, and his willingness to make himself available to his team-mates is a pivotal part of what makes this team tick. I could write at length, but it's clear that there are many of us who admire what Duffy brings to this team. He's quality, he's a Blade, what more could we ask for?

I think you're being rather generous, I think anyone who can't see that Duffy plays a significant role, frankly, knows nowt about the game. As a team, we look far more comfortable with him playing than when he's not.
 
Duffy is as valuable as all the rest. the fact he causes so much hassle to the opposition with his drive to go forward means he can look as though he is caught in possession. This CW knows and it is important to back this player up to pick up the second balls. He is one hell of an exiting player and his control at this risky position is as good as anyone in the team. Disappointed to come off on Saturday and for us fans who like Wilders attacking intent that is a good sign.
 
All good players, Brown and McCall were tireless, combative and gave their all for the Blades, Lord Currie was Lord Currie, but rarely stopped anyone in their tracks and Salmons was essentially a very quick left winger who rarely left the touch-line.
So yes, a big statement - but I believe a true one. :)

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, but I think you're doing Brown and McCall a massive disservice by describing them as merely " tireless and combative ", particularly the former who was good for 15 plus goals a season at Championship level.

For what it's worth, my choices would be :-

Lord Currie and Salmons

Lord Currie and A. N. Other

Brown and McCall

Counts and Fleck, good as they may be.
 



We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, but I think you're doing Brown and McCall a massive disservice by describing them as merely " tireless and combative ", particularly the former who was good for 15 plus goals a season at Championship level.
According to Wiki,

Browns 5 seasons resulted in 3, 2, 7, 22 and 2 goals
Style of play: Brown was criticized throughout his career for his heavy tackling. Throughout his career he was received 137 yellow cards and seven red cards

McCalls 3 seasons resulted in 0, 2 and 0 goals
Style of play: McCall was a box-to-box midfielder characterized by his tireless running,[30] tackling and also weighing in with an average of one goal every 11 games

I'll agree that Brown and McCall were effective, but Coutts and Fleck play a different style which seems to be effective but with a huge element of "Total Football" in their play :)

Anyway, makes a change to argue about 'who is best' rather than who was the worst! :oops:
 

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