Coutts best passer in league

[Smirth]

Seems a lot of the 'gerrit forward brigade are out in force.

Our play goes through him, he makes himself available to the defenders all the time and helps us play out from the back, and then he will pop up on the edge of the box and look to probe and find away to get the ball in behind the opposition defence. If he can't find that he will recycle possession and look to switch the flank or play it back but ensuring we keep the ball alll the time.

He is proving himself as one of the best midfielders in the league this season, we are lucky to have him. If he was a couple of years younger he would be attracting a hell of a lot of interest at the moment.

 

[allypallyblade]

One of the best organisers we have ever had. If he stays fit we will be top 6.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Bit over the top.

But a lot of fans, myself included, think Coutts is more important to our style of play than Billy and would be a lot harder to replace.

Taking nothing away from Sharp, who is loved by all Blades fans, odd that you'd think so differently.

I'm sorry to say he's far from loved. He's barely acknowledged in fact. If he goes two games without a goal, the knives are soon out for him.
He's the reason we aren't lining up against Forest Green this season, because he did his job even when we were shit, whilst some mainstays in this team (Coutts included) barely showed up.

 

[Smirth]

I'm sorry to say he's far from loved. He's barely acknowledged in fact. If he goes two games without a goal, the knives are soon out for him.
He's the reason we aren't lining up against Forest Green this season, because he did his job even when we were shit, whilst some mainstays in this team (Coutts included) barely showed up.

Even if you do think that, why can't you also enjoy the performances of other players as well? Sharp has had a good start to this season and it's a shame he is out injured.

Also, why look back to two seasons ago? We should be looking forward and not back to one of the worst times in our history.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Even if you do think that, why can't you also enjoy the performances of other players as well? Sharp has had a good start to this season and it's a shame he is out injured.

Also, why look back to two seasons ago? We should be looking forward and not back to one of the worst times in our history.

I've enjoyed the contributions of all our players, even the ones I've been critical of. I'm just using recent history to point out an unfair double-standard.

 

[davidblade]

And 90% would have gladly given him away.

Yes and some of admit we were wrong unlike others

 

[Grizzly blade]

Not this again.

Lots of short passes eh....no pleasing everyone. Staggering as that is, if there is anybody who thinks that what he does is simple, then I suggest they give it a try. Because it’s not that he’s making simple passes, it’s that he is often receiving it under pressure and drawing a man to make space for others. With a sublime first touch helping him make that short pass very quickly.
Plus the fact that he is making that many passes and almost all find their target....it’s exceptional. He’s the Scottish Xavi.
Of course when Xavi did it, he was a genius. Coutts.....well he once didn’t run around like a nutcase for one of the top 3 shittest Blades managers in history so that single season means he’s not the messiah after all.

 

[Trafford]

There's elements of the truth in most of the above comments and it's definitely Coutts that we rely on to dictate the play, my only (constructive) criticism is that he should penetrate more - he creates chances when he does but has reverted to playing very deep again recently, particularly against Norwich.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I'm sorry to say he's far from loved. He's barely acknowledged in fact. If he goes two games without a goal, the knives are soon out for him.
He's the reason we aren't lining up against Forest Green this season, because he did his job even when we were shit, whilst some mainstays in this team (Coutts included) barely showed up.

?


Not true.

We were shit due to a shit manager who brought in shit players. But not that shit we were ever going down. Sharp scored goals, as would somebody else if he hadn’t been there. To say that is daft, you simply don’t wipe all his goals and say United would have score that number less. We may have brought in someone else who scored more.

Being a little dramatic there.

 

[Grizzly blade]

There's elements of the truth in most of the above comments and it's definitely Coutts that we rely on to dictate the play, my only (constructive) criticism is that he should penetrate more - he creates chances when he does but has reverted to playing very deep again recently, particularly against Norwich.

Tactical....he sits so others go forwards more.

 

[Tyler Durden]

?


Not true.

We were shit due to a shit manager who brought in shit players. But not that shit we were ever going down. Sharp scored goals, as would somebody else if he hadn’t been there. To say that is daft, you simply don’t wipe all his goals and say United would have score that number less. We may have brought in someone else who scored more.

Being a little dramatic there.

If anything I'm understating it.

Can't say I'm surprised that you see Billy as being so disposable, that's the general attitude of this forum.

He should've stayed at Leeds to be honest. They still love him even now and he only scored 7 goals for them. Maybe they appreciate their players more.

 

[sheffielder]

I'd have paid the knackers' yard to take him, shoot him and make glue out of him but no one gets everything right.

Have you not met Sitwell?

 

[BushBlade]

Have you not met Sitwell?

Not to my knowledge. Why, does he own a knackers' yard?

 

[sheffielder]

Not to my knowledge. Why, does he own a knackers' yard?

Possibly or could be a nickname of where he’s travelling tomorrow.

 

[Jon Slinn]

Who would you replace him with then ?

Nobody Could replace him, At this point in time.

Under Wilder he has a better footballing brain, more stamina and is more physical less easy to push off the ball.

Under Adkins he was lazy, couldn't be bothered, and weak.

Won a Coutts match worn shirt a couple of years ago. Because nobody else bid on it. Wouldn't get it now so easy

 

[sheffielder]

?


Not true.

We were shit due to a shit manager who brought in shit players. But not that shit we were ever going down. Sharp scored goals, as would somebody else if he hadn’t been there. To say that is daft, you simply don’t wipe all his goals and say United would have score that number less. We may have brought in someone else who scored more.

Being a little dramatic there.

So under the shit management of Adkins, sharp managed not to give up on the team and score 20. Bet that doesn’t suit your argument though

 

[sheffielder]

For the record I like Coutts as he’s playing now, I don’t trust or forgive and hope we don’t go through a bad spell to have to find out he would give up again

 

[tomtheblade]

I think there's a slight over-emphasis on certain stats in the modern game.
Don't get me wrong, I love Coutts and think he's a fantastic player, he suits our system perfectly.

However, a player who never gives the ball away is a player who's never attempting through balls to the strikers, or chips over the top into the channels, or crosses for that matter. Creativity is about risk, you can try and walk the ball into the net but it won't work most of the time.

 

[Valleyblade]

I'm sorry to say he's far from loved. He's barely acknowledged in fact. If he goes two games without a goal, the knives are soon out for him.
He's the reason we aren't lining up against Forest Green this season, because he did his job even when we were shit, whilst some mainstays in this team (Coutts included) barely showed up.

Well I love billy sharp.

I named my 11 year old dog after him. At the time I named him, sharp left soon after and at one point I had a dog named after a Leeds player.

Nothing made me happier than seeing billy lead the team to glory last season, with iconic images of him being raised aloft by the fans, leading chants on the town hall balcony.....

When he scores I do the nananana we've got Billy Sharp at the top of my voice.

I just can't see how anyone can draw the conclusion that the fans don't like him.


P.S... Will be needing a new dog soon.


I'm thinking Tufty.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Well I love billy sharp.

I named my 11 year old dog after him. At the time I named him, sharp left soon after and at one point I had a dog named after a Leeds player.

Nothing made me happier than seeing billy lead the team to glory last season, with iconic images of him being raised aloft by the fans, leading chants on the town hall balcony.....

When he scores I do the nananana we've got Billy Sharp at the top of my voice.

I just can't see how anyone can draw the conclusion that the fans don't like him.


P.S... Will be needing a new dog soon.


I'm thinking Tufty.

Most of us in the stands do appreciate him. It's just this forum that largely doesn't (with a few exceptions).

 

[JayGreen17]

By quite some margin too

 

[Woodwardfan]

Who would you replace him with then ?

When he's injured or suspended maybe soon? That was the intended context.

Possibly depends on the opposition, home or away. Maybe Bash if it's Real Madrid but Carruthers for me and he could well excel at that type of role.

 

[sheffielder]

Most of us in the stands do appreciate him. It's just this forum that largely doesn't (with a few exceptions).

Nearly got us relegated under Adkins apparently

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

Well I love billy sharp.

I named my 11 year old dog after him. At the time I named him, sharp left soon after and at one point I had a dog named after a Leeds player.

Nothing made me happier than seeing billy lead the team to glory last season, with iconic images of him being raised aloft by the fans, leading chants on the town hall balcony.....

When he scores I do the nananana we've got Billy Sharp at the top of my voice.

I just can't see how anyone can draw the conclusion that the fans don't like him.


P.S... Will be needing a new dog soon.


I'm thinking Tufty.

I reckon John Fleck would be good depending on the breed. Is Billy a Pomeranian?

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Nobody is criticising him, he is a brilliant player who I love to watch, but stats can be misleading.

Leon Britton had a better pass completion rate than Xavi and Iniesta at one point but would barely get a goal or assist a season.

Its a very easy on the eye stat but doesnt tell you much other than the player can pass a ball 10 yards.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Not this again.

Lots of short passes eh....no pleasing everyone. Staggering as that is, if there is anybody who thinks that what he does is simple, then I suggest they give it a try. Because it’s not that he’s making simple passes, it’s that he is often receiving it under pressure and drawing a man to make space for others. With a sublime first touch helping him make that short pass very quickly.
Plus the fact that he is making that many passes and almost all find their target....it’s exceptional. He’s the Scottish Xavi.
Of course when Xavi did it, he was a genius. Coutts.....well he once didn’t run around like a nutcase for one of the top 3 shittest Blades managers in history so that single season means he’s not the messiah after all.

I agree with you, he's fantastic at just moving the ball, recycling the play and dictating the tempo. I would like to see him occasionally burst into the box as he has got that ability to glide past players and get a few more shots in. I suppose his instruction is to operate mainly just in front of the back 3 and get us playing.

 

[DronnieBlade]

A select few knew this many moons ago.

Couldn’t possibly remember exactly who they were.

Now doing it in the Championship.

We are blessed. Enjoy for as long as we can.

UTB

First name on the sheet. Soooooooo vital to what we do and how we do it.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Mostly easy balls and No goals no assists but a key man in our team. Easier to replace than Fleck IMO.

Most teams have one.

Naive in the extreme.

Sorry.

UTB

15% more than ANYONE else in the division is not a coincidence. Nor is it a fluke. It is by design. Understand WHY.

 

[1975 Blade]

Not for me. Coutts has been our best player this season without a doubt for me. Totally controls the games.
Fleck is awesome too. Losing either would be a travesty.

You said it pal !

 

[SRBlade]

Not for me. Coutts has been our best player this season without a doubt for me. Totally controls the games.
Fleck is awesome too. Losing either would be a travesty.

Mate, he controls the league.

Seriously though these most accurate passes stats can be found as side to side short passes or back and forth passes with defenders. I never get that impression from Coutts, I just think he plays a great role, tailor made, in a great system.

I for one cannot believe that after watching his dismal display at home to Wigan in 2016 we are now here stating that he is one of our most key players.

That, more than anything, encapsulates the Wilder effect.