Best midfield we ever had?

[SwissBlade]

I used to think that at the time, but if you watch some of the highlights of our games from 90-93 I think you'll be surprised how often he threads the ball through for our goals.

He seemed to look for the perfect slide rule pass all the time, if that wasn't on he would go sideways or backwards. Of course he was long before the Beckham/ Gerrard 70 yard diagonal ball over the top, but you wanted more of a range from him.

 

[Dnblade]

The 70'a side initially played 424 ,which meant TC alongside Hockey/Speight/Eddy or Bradford during his time..Woody and Salmons were wingers...Can't remember when we changed to 442 ,but if you convert that to a midfield of say Woody,Eddy,TC and Salmons,they could bag you 40 goals a season plus sacks full of assists.
The current midfield is nowhere near that in terms of goal scoring potential,but is the best since then for me...great to watch...Norwood has filled the void left by Coutts and we look way more fluid than after he got injured,plus Coutts still to come back in.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

The Coutts, Fleck & Duffy trio without doubt brings the most perfectly complementary set of skills and attributes that I have seen in a United midfield. We may have had equally good individual players over the years but the way these guys understand each other is just incredible.

Norwood looks to be on the same wavelength as well.

Annnnddd... thread.

 

[oldblade]

Not seen a mention for Cockerill yet ,who stood out a mile amongst a mediocre team , guess what he was worth a few bob , so we sold him .

The team as a whole might have been a little bit on the mediocre side (although it did get promoted). However, a midfield boasting Arnott and Cockerill is somewhat better than mediocre.

I thought Arnott was actually a more talented player than Cockerill, but Cockerill was probably more consistent.

 

[snootyfenooty]

No one's mentioned Keith Kettleborough yet. Proper hard bastard, decent footballer too and an ugly fucker to boot, Ticks all the boxes for a fans favourite.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

As said elsewhere, in 1971-72 we played a 424 almost with Currie/Hockey. By the time the 1974-75 season arrived we were more of a 442 with Woodward/Eddy/Currie/Salmons as the quartet with Bradford coming in for Eddy sometimes (seem to remember Eddy dropping into the back four a few games). Now that four is probably the best Blades midfield I've seen. Current one isn't bad, with Coutts still to slot in somewhere.

 

[Longdog]

David Powell from the 70,s.

 

[Booker4]

Yes good crosser and decent in the air but he wasnt top division class. Roberts played just a hour before tiring out.

I thought at the time, and that's important to remember in my view, as football has definitely improved, that Bryson was decent in the old First division. Top Class, no, but probably only Deano was top class from that era, although we had some decent players.

You heard the story about Roberts where he was that sick of being subbed that he managed to get hold of the subs board with his number on and hid it, so he couldn't be subbed?! I can't remember how Harry got round it but he still subbed him, presumably to Roberts dismay. I wonder if Roberts really regrets leaving us now, because apparently he didn't like Harry's football and he didn't liked been subbed but then he joins Lincoln and we get promoted to the First Division! Of course he broke his leg early doors at Lincoln and that was the end, which was a real shame given his obvious talent, but even that aside, I'm sure he would have been better sticking with us and for me Roberts was better than Bradas, although Bradas made a very good right back later and certainly could cross a ball well.

 

[Speedracer]

David Powell from the 70,s.

Dave Powell was a superb player, but was a right half/central defender not a midfield player. Such a shame he had terrible luck with injuries, he could have gone on to have a stellar career & been a Blades legend, mind you to me he still is a legend. Real hard man who really could play, & very good in the air for his size 5ft 10in).