Outgoing? Paul Coutts

[Akinbiyi]

So... what's the rumour?

 

[Rusty view]

If there is money

That there's money

 

[chipsncake]

Vaulks is average.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Coutts, although he will not be overly happy with it, is being sensibly managed back in to the squad, having had a really bad injury.

At 90-95%, he will ultimately prove that (assuming Fleck is still here) he is our numero uno and displace Norwood in the 11.

Until this time, Norwood is just fine

UTB

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I would expect his performances to improve with fitness and game time to be honest.

Took him ages to deliver after signing as he was battling injuries and fitness. Once he’s back he’s at least the player Norwood is without the occasional stinker of a game (imo)

 

[Sean Thornton]

So... what's the rumour?

Champagneblade is bored at work?

 

[BLADES1988]

GERRIMSELT

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Is it fair to him to be in the line of fire so soon after injury?

I'm concerned that should Norwood be out suspended or injured we turn to a Paul Coutts operating at 60% and expect too much.

If there is money to spare at all Vaulks would be better in the matchday squad right now.

Coutts would do better getting some games on loan where there would be less expectation and get his fitness up and a good preseason rather than being in the matchday squad for us pushing for top two.

With Lundstram not being up to it, one injury to Fleck or Norwood and we are quite exposed in my opinion

Anyone share the concern?

Please tell me what coutts can do while he’s sat on the bench ?

Should he run on the pitch and start tackling?

 

[Revolution]

Is Coutts' contract up at the end of this season?

 

[nopigfansintown]

Is Coutts' contract up at the end of this season?

Correct.

 

[Revolution]

Correct.

Tough decision as to whether to renew.

 

[alcoblade]

Much as though Coutts proved so many of us wrong, and was fantastic for us over a season and a half, I don’t think many will agree that the place is now his once even 100% fit.

Norwood has been an unbelievable signing.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Much as though Coutts proved so many of us wrong, and was fantastic for us over a season and a half, I don’t think many will agree that the place is now his once even 100% fit.

Norwood has been an unbelievable signing.

Then I will be one of the not many !!

And as regards the contract, it would be madness to let this run down.

UTB

 

[bertieblade]

Sure we will have an option to extend?

 

[JohnDenver]

Please tell me what coutts can do while he’s sat on the bench ?

Should he run on the pitch and start tackling?

That would be tremendous.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Much as though Coutts proved so many of us wrong, and was fantastic for us over a season and a half, I don’t think many will agree that the place is now his once even 100% fit.

Norwood has been an unbelievable signing.

I'd agree with that. The only issue is, when Norwood has a flat game we tend to lose. I'd love to keep a (fully fit) Coutts as a backup option and as someone to keep Norwood on his toes. Whether he'd want to settle for that after being a starter is another question of course!

 

[Inter_blade83]

I don't get this coutts is better than Norwood nonsense.

Norwood is a far better footballer.

 

[Pinchy]

That would be tremendous.

Especially if he injured an unsuspecting Sordell and never contacted him thereafter.

 

[Ricky]

If Wilder continues to use Coutts at the current rate then he'll leave in the summer without doubt and we will have thrown away a quality player.

I don't get this coutts is better than Norwood nonsense.

Norwood is a far better footballer.

By which you mean he's better at playing spectacular passes?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't get this coutts is better than Norwood nonsense.

Norwood is a far better footballer.

Norwood’s skillset is superior in my opinion, but one thing the Coutts of Wilder’s first 1.5 seasons certainly had was consistency. I can’t recall in that period of time a game where I thought “Coutts was poor today by his standards”, whereas there are a few (albeit a handful at most) where that could be levelled at Norwood.

There’s no question over who is more of use at this current point in time though.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I don't get this coutts is better than Norwood nonsense.

Norwood is a far better footballer.

Norwood is a quality player. No doubt. The “swap” for Lee Evans has been the catalyst for out promotion push.

But I, and others it would appear, are not so sure he is THAT much better than Coutts, if at all,and, more importantly, if his INFLUENCE is as great.

Coutts and Fleck is > Norwood and Fleck. IMHO and assuming Coutts is back to something like.

As the song goes ...................

Never

UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

I don't get this coutts is better than Norwood nonsense.

Norwood is a far better footballer.

I don't think anyone suggested that Norwood has been anything less than an excellent recruitment. His range of passing is wonderful to behold and makes us a threat when he's playing well.

What I think Coutts did was to act as the fulcrum to what was probably the best midfield we've had for several decades. Together with Duffy and Fleck, Coutts enabled us to both control a game as well as enable Duffy and Fleck to get forward far more often than we've seen since his injury. Coutts tactical and spacial awareness was excellent, something I feel isn't quite as obvious in Norwood's game. As good as Norwood is, nobody can tell me that he's been able to raise the standard of those around him. Norwood is a wonderful addition to our squad, but please don't confuse his excellent range of passes with the far more impressive ability that Coutts possessed to make us a more threatening attacking force.

I still believe that playing Norwood in a more forward position we'd be able to accompany Coutts in a deeper role, allowing Duffy and/or Fleck the chance to get forward and help our attack.

 

[bromtom]

Norwood is great, but he's feisty and will get yellows and suspensions so having Coutts, who is also a fantastic player albeit one coming back from injury, as backup is something we'd be stupid to lose.

Coutts doesn't do the Hollywood passes but that's a disadvantage to Norwood as much as it is to Coutts, if a team comes to stop Norwood playing long balls, there's a good chance he'll have a very quiet game.

 

[Torrix1889]

My concern is losing that bit of grit in midfield if Fleck goes, he wins so many 50/50's and does a lot of the dirty work that I am not sure Norwood, Coutts, Duffy, Dowell and Lundstram are capable of combined...

 

[Wards]

I’d give Coutts another year deal. Didn’t expect a lot this season and he’s still contributed (Blackburn away springs to mind). Needs to prove he’s got it over the summer.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Norwood’s skillset is superior in my opinion, but one thing the Coutts of Wilder’s first 1.5 seasons certainly had was consistency. I can’t recall in that period of time a game where I thought “Coutts was poor today by his standards”, whereas there are a few (albeit a handful at most) where that could be levelled at Norwood.

There’s no question over who is more of use at this current point in time though.

How many times did norwood give the ball away in that first half against Norwich ?

I’m not saying coutts is better than Norwood and Norwood has been an amazing signing but I’d like to see how coutts would play in his proper position as I reckon where a much better team than we are at the start of last season.

 

[Pinchy]

My concern is losing that bit of grit in midfield

I’m concerned about Flecky’s continuing poor form as much as anyone but to call him a bit of grit goes too far...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

How many times did norwood give the ball away in that first half against Norwich ?

More than he usually does. Which is the point I was making about consistency...

We are of course comparing current Norwood to past Coutts. Unfortunately for Coutts, current Coutts is inferior to past Coutts and there isn’t really a good argument for playing him over Norwood right now.

 

[Pinchy]

More than he usually does. Which is the point I was making about consistency...

We are of course comparing current Norwood to past Coutts.
Unfortunately for Coutts, current Coutts is inferior to past Coutts and there isn’t really a good argument for playing him over Norwood right now.

Unfortunately for us, you might think?

Bring back Jostein...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Unfortunately for us, you might think?

Bring back Jostein...

Sold too soon...

A growing concern I do have with Coutts is that this most recent injury, following several in his career, might be one too many and that rather than his current abilities being a result of rustiness and lack of match action it might be more of a cumulative effect of those injuries. We won’t really know till after pre-season, but the Barnet game, his first real opportunity to get a proper start in his preferred position after months back in full training now, was not encouraging.