Fleck back to his best

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

We need 2 or 3 athletic young uns in midfield with Fleck/Norwood rotated in as and when it suits...

As tempting as it is to throw every player from this season under the bus, we do need to retain some and I'd offer Fleck still has a great to offer.

He revels as being the still point in a lung busting, athletic, high octane side. We've simply not being that this season.

Time will tell if the new manager wants to play that way, but implementing a system that capitalises on the creativity of Fleck and Norwood would be my starting point.

 

[Badger Blade]

If John Fleck and Norwood are still here next season which I'd imagine they would, they simply can't be guaranteed starters like they are at the moment. We desperately need some fresh blood and these two play if needed but should be on the bench or out the door.

We've wasted too many places in the squad with back up players rather than pushing the current starters down the pecking order and establishing some kind of succession plan. As it stands, first 2 names on the teamsheet are arguably McGoldrick and Basham which tells the story of our recruitment over the last 2 seasons in a nutshell.

 

[Bert]

If John Fleck and Norwood are still here next season which I'd imagine they would, they simply can't be guaranteed starters like they are at the moment. We desperately need some fresh blood and these two play if needed but should be on the bench or out the door.

We've wasted too many places in the squad with back up players rather than pushing the current starters down the pecking order and establishing some kind of succession plan. As it stands, first 2 names on the teamsheet are arguably McGoldrick and Basham which tells the story of our recruitment over the last 2 seasons in a nutshell.

Ramsdale being the first name on the team sheet in more ways than one.

 

[Nah den]

We need 2 or 3 athletic young uns in midfield with Fleck/Norwood rotated in as and when it suits...

As tempting as it is to throw every player from this season under the bus, we do need to retain some and I'd offer Fleck still has a great to offer.

He revels as being the still point in a lung busting, athletic, high octane side. We've simply not being that this season.

Time will tell if the new manager wants to play that way, but implementing a system that capitalises on the creativity of Fleck and Norwood would be my starting point.

I defo agree we need young/powerful/strong midfielders bringing in.

Obviously JL and ON have been on the receiving end of most criticism but Fleck is equally culpable for me. Slow, weak, lacks effort/fitness. I know he's been injured, but if it takes him months to get to anything like decent form everytime he picks up an injury we can't afford to carry that, because footballers do and will continue to get injured.

As for 'creativity' this is a bit of a myth. 2 assists last season, 2 this season I think.

We need better. Luckily I don't think a new manager will have any sense of loyalty for seasons past, selection and squad composition will be based on performance.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

I defo agree we need young/powerful/strong midfielders bringing in.

Obviously JL and ON have been on the receiving end of most criticism but Fleck is equally culpable for me. Slow, weak, lacks effort/fitness. I know he's been injured, but if it takes him months to get to anything like decent form everytime he picks up an injury we can't afford to carry that, because footballers do and will continue to get injured.

As for 'creativity' this is a bit of a myth. 2 assists last season, 2 this season I think.

We need better. Luckily I don't think a new manager will have any sense of loyalty for seasons past, selection and squad composition will be based on performance.

Sadly , I have to agree with your comments Fleck .

In many matches recently he has been largely anonymous with just the odd 5 minute cameo to remind us what he is capable of when fully fit and commited, and at present I have serious doubts in both respects .

As to your comments about possible young / fit / powerful replacements , I’d settle for someone who is good at the game of football irrespective of age . The likes of Stuart McCall and Gordon Cowans spring to mind.

The idea that the former qualities are essential in order to be an influential midfielder in a successful team is given far too much credence on this forum and you only have to look as far as the likes of James Milner to see the proof of that .

 

[Nah den]

Sadly , I have to agree with your comments Fleck .

In many matches recently he has been largely anonymous with just the odd 5 minute cameo to remind us what he is capable of when fully fit and commited, and at present I have serious doubts in both respects .

As to your comments about possible young / fit / powerful replacements , I’d settle for someone who is good at the game of football irrespective of age . The likes of Stuart McCall and Gordon Cowans spring to mind.

The idea that the former qualities are essential in order to be an influential midfielder in a successful team is given far too much credence on this forum and you only have to look as far as the likes of James Milner to see the proof of that .

Fair comment re age, and in the short term it absolutely doesn't matter as long as they are good enough. But ideally any new midfielders who are good enough are also young enough to play at that level for a number of years. Otherwise we find ourselves back at square one fairly quickly.

 

[Bladesman]

Fleck is trying to carry the midfield.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Fleck has not been anywhere near his best all season. Not sure if he has peaked now - he might have.

 

[Peter Dornan]

Fleck is trying to carry the midfield.

And the left-hand side of the team too. We've had no JOC, and Enda's form has gone missing. The John Fleck we know and love will return.

 

[Need4speed]

Fleck has not fully recovered from his back injury He can play but not train and is playing in pain because there is no other midfielders

 

[Blacksea]

Is there a place for Fleck in a high press system that needs to turn the ball over successfuly and quickly?
He cant tackle without fouling,he's not getting any younger,and at the moment with his injury,we might already have seen his best.I would like to see an upgrade,along with the ones for Norwood and Lundstram.
In a 3-4-1-2,I don't see him as a first choice 1,or anywhere in the 4.

 

[Nagima]

We need 2 or 3 athletic young uns in midfield with Fleck/Norwood rotated in as and when it suits...

As tempting as it is to throw every player from this season under the bus, we do need to retain some and I'd offer Fleck still has a great to offer.

He revels as being the still point in a lung busting, athletic, high octane side. We've simply not being that this season.

Time will tell if the new manager wants to play that way, but implementing a system that capitalises on the creativity of Fleck and Norwood would be my starting point.

I would agree with most of that. The question being how effective Norwood will be next year and what alternatives we have. This season has shown that very few of our team are capable in the PL. It make take a few seasons in the championship to overhaul our squad to the extent that if promoted we only need to buy 3 to 4 players to strengthen.
Interesting times ahead.