Scougall vs Baxter

[blader]

It seems highliy unlikely we can accomodate both these players in the same team, particularly at home when we will play an out and out striker. Which leaves room for only 1 number 10. So, who would we all prefer to play? I would go Baxter as I feel he is slightly more influential with his passing and creativity from deep, Scougall may be more effective off the bench against the tiring legs.

 

[Damski]

You could happily play both, as was done several times last season. I prefer scougs tho, he's a lot more versatile, and has more pace. Like you say though, may be better as an impact player off the bench.

 

[itsinyerblood]

As was mentioned a few times last season, we'll see a lot more from Scougall with a better quality of player for him to play off. We saw glimpses of this last term, but this season, hopefully with a decent centre forward installed, Scougall will add far more threat than Baxter is capable of.

 

[JJBlade]

Scougall for me.
But we have played effectively with both in the team and now we've got Louis Reed as well to throw into the equation as well.

Would love to see Scougall picking the ball up on the half way line and carry it twenty or thirty yards as he does, play a one two with Baxter on the edge of the area that takes the defence out of the game, Scougall runs through, draws the keeper and sidefoots it to Di Girolamo who taps into the empty net.

 

[blader]

5 minutes after I post this, Clough plays what I imagine is his 'best' team and both are playing. Shit thread.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Simple answer, you use whichever one best suits the lineup and tactics on the day. Both good players but very different and I agree, if we sign one or two centre forwards and intend to use them then it will become difficult to play both Baxter and Scougall.

I would interchange them depending on our team selection and the opposition.

 

[FTPE]

I genuinely couldnt choose, I personally love them BOTH in the team. I just don't see Jose as a lone striker

 

[Thaddeus]

5 minutes after I post this, Clough plays what I imagine is his 'best' team and both are playing. Shit thread.

If you watch the quick pre-match interview Clough did on Thursday, he mentioned that he wasn't expected many who started on Thursday to start today as "two games in 36 hrs is too much" (there are three in Howard, Flynn and McGahey). So I'm not sure how much of a clue this is for next Saturday's starting 11, given that the the management team didn't seem to have full control over the date for the Fenerbahce game so it probably wasn't really a perfect part of the pre-season plan.

Also, both Scougall and Baxter were out on Thursday because they were carrying knocks, so could well be in today to get match fitness.

 

[blader]

If you watch the quick pre-match interview Clough did on Thursday, he mentioned that he wasn't expected many who started on Thursday to start today as "two games in 36 hrs is too much" (there are three in Howard, Flynn and McGahey). So I'm not sure how much of a clue this is for next Saturday's starting 11, given that the the management team didn't seem to have full control over the date for the Fenerbahce game so it probably wasn't really a perfect part of the pre-season plan.

Also, both Scougall and Baxter were out on Thursday because they were carrying knocks, so could well be in today to get match fitness.

Could be right. I do believe this is the best team given our current squad IMO.

 

[Woodwardfan]

5 minutes after I post this, Clough plays what I imagine is his 'best' team and both are playing. Shit thread.

Worthy OP though and if/WHEN we get a new striker the issue will be highly relevant.

I've voted for Baxter who I think is our best player in the club creatively.

I like everything I see from Scougall with the ball, but he is not on the ball for long periods. I noticed this towards the end of last season and I hope and expect him to become more involved in the games this season.

 

[Thaddeus]

Could be right. I do believe this is the best team given our current squad IMO.

I suspect this is my ignorance but I'm still not convinced by Baxter. I've read plenty here to say that he's one, if not the most technically gifted player we have but he just seemed off the pace a lot last season and his creativity often didn't link up with the rest of the team. He reminds me a bit of Roger Neilson in that respect in that it's possible that he's too clever for a lot of the team, anticipating gaps and putting the ball in places where the intended target just doesn't follow.

In a similar way, although JCR was relatively fast and skilful, he did seem to take a lot of touches and faffing about, rather than driving the ball forward, which might just be that he was trying (and struggling) to break down a quality defence that won't be as much of an issue in League One, or could be that he's got a touch of the show boating about him. Having said that for a lot of the first half Davies seemed to be trying to push the ball through the middle or cross it himself so JCR seemed a bit isolated or perhaps just well marked.

Hopefully with a good pre-season and the right combination of players Baxter will shine but generally he just tends to frustrate me.

 

[RedandWhite]

I suspect this is my ignorance but I'm still not convinced by Baxter. I've read plenty here to say that he's one, if not the most technically gifted player we have but he just seemed off the pace a lot last season and his creativity often didn't link up with the rest of the team. He reminds me a bit of Roger Neilson in that respect in that it's possible that he's too clever for a lot of the team, anticipating gaps and putting the ball in places where the intended target just doesn't follow.

In a similar way, although JCR was relatively fast and skilful, he did seem to take a lot of touches and faffing about, rather than driving the ball forward, which might just be that he was trying (and struggling) to break down a quality defence that won't be as much of an issue in League One, or could be that he's got a touch of the show boating about him. Having said that for a lot of the first half Davies seemed to be trying to push the ball through the middle or cross it himself so JCR seemed a bit isolated or perhaps just well marked.

Hopefully with a good pre-season and the right combination of players Baxter will shine but generally he just tends to frustrate me.

Murphy over JCR everyday

 

[Woodwardfan]

I suspect this is my ignorance but I'm still not convinced by Baxter. I've read plenty here to say that he's one, if not the most technically gifted player we have but he just seemed off the pace a lot last season and his creativity often didn't link up with the rest of the team. He reminds me a bit of Roger Neilson in that respect in that it's possible that he's too clever for a lot of the team, anticipating gaps and putting the ball in places where the intended target just doesn't follow.

In a similar way, although JCR was relatively fast and skilful, he did seem to take a lot of touches and faffing about, rather than driving the ball forward, which might just be that he was trying (and struggling) to break down a quality defence that won't be as much of an issue in League One, or could be that he's got a touch of the show boating about him. Having said that for a lot of the first half Davies seemed to be trying to push the ball through the middle or cross it himself so JCR seemed a bit isolated or perhaps just well marked.

Hopefully with a good pre-season and the right combination of players Baxter will shine but generally he just tends to frustrate me.

It's not your ignorance, it's your opinion!!! ............. and I disagree with your opinion on this occasion!!, not strongly though!!

 

[Lowen]

Blessed with attacking midfielders without a striker to get the best out of them.

 

[cahill]

A bit of a false dichotomy (oooer) but I'd go for Baxter if I had to pick one, but I love 'em both.

 

[wizadry]

Could do with the option of both blader,just for those what want both.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Baxter all day long and twice on Satdies.

Really don't rate Scougall at all. I know I am in a minority of 1 !!!!!

UTB

 

[Worksopblade1]

Baxter all day long and twice on Satdies.

Really don't rate Scougall at all. I know I am in a minority of 1 !!!!!

UTB

Scoogs has been well off the pace in the pre season games I've seen (burton and Dundee been away and still am for others )

Expect Baxter to start next week but not Scoogs. Don't think we'll see settled team until 10 game mark.

NC kept changing team when he first arrived and feel he'll do the same searching for best mix. Think odd surprise player may alter things too.

 

[Thaddeus]

It's not your ignorance, it's your opinion!!! ............. and I disagree with your opinion on this occasion!!, not strongly though!!

I mean in the sense that Baxter could be doing subtle things that I don't notice and without him we'd lack something key. A bit like how I could never understand why Vinnie Jones cost so much. Teams are built on a blend of attributes and I don't always have the eye or knowledge to see the bigger picture.

At this point I'd pick Doyle over Baxter, but strangely I'm not about to start a poll on this.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I mean in the sense that Baxter could be doing subtle things that I don't notice and without him we'd lack something key. A bit like how I could never understand why Vinnie Jones cost so much. Teams are built on a blend of attributes and I don't always have the eye or knowledge to see the bigger picture.

At this point I'd pick Doyle over Baxter, but strangely I'm not about to start a poll on this.

I thought Jones was an average footballer who never put a serious tackle in for us. Even when he got booked in the first few seconds at Maine Road it was all bluster and show, not even a hard tackle as I recall. Jones made a career out of squeezing Gazza's balls and generally acting stupid for the "Crazy Gang" at Wimbledon. Once he left Wimbledon he was exposed for what he was but the media and fans fell in love with the image, more so at Leeds than in Sheffield.

Anyway that strays from the point. We do need someone who can kill the ball and know instantly where to put it, so important when wingers are making runs. Baxter can do that all day. Scougall is more of an impact player IMO, creating space for himself when he explodes into a surge on gathering the ball. Doyle is Doyle, full value for the simple role he does, every team needs one and some have two. In truth Clough is unlikely to play Scougall and Baxter in the same midfield, he'll go more for a Wallace or a McGinn or Basham to help out Doyle.

My first choice 5 in a 4-5-1 would be: Flynn, Baxter , Doyle/ Basham?, Scougall/ Reed and Murphy. Good going forward but weak defensively. Mind you there are 4 at the back.

 

[Glevum Blade]

Baxter for me. His vision and quick thinking plus his ability at dead ball situations swing it for me. I still think both players can be accommodated in the same team though.

While we are on the subject of the midfield though I would play Doyle every time. I just don't think some people recognise how important his contribution to the team is and thought we missed him badly when he was suspended last season. He gets on with his job and always puts a shift in even when things are not quite happening for him. Capable of a decent strike when given the chance to get forward as well. Just ask our centre backs how valuable he is.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

I thought Jones was an average footballer who never put a serious tackle in for us. Even when he got booked in the first few seconds at Maine Road it was all bluster and show, not even a hard tackle as I recall. Jones made a career out of squeezing Gazza's balls and generally acting stupid for the "Crazy Gang" at Wimbledon. Once he left Wimbledon he was exposed for what he was but the media and fans fell in love with the image, more so at Leeds than in Sheffield.

A lot more so in Leeds than Sheffield. I agree with the above and I think most Blades fans saw through Jones. And that's to our credit.

As for the Scougall/Baxter "debate," it's a false choice. There is room for both of them in the team - they are creative, comfortable on the ball and have the ability to make things happen.

 

[Silent Blade]

I thought Jones was an average footballer who never put a serious tackle in for us. Even when he got booked in the first few seconds at Maine Road it was all bluster and show, not even a hard tackle as I recall. Jones made a career out of squeezing Gazza's balls and generally acting stupid for the "Crazy Gang" at Wimbledon. Once he left Wimbledon he was exposed for what he was but the media and fans fell in love with the image, more so at Leeds than in Sheffield.

.

In Jones autobiography he claimed that he won the MOM award at SUFC every week. What a ridiculous lie! I cheered when I heard the news when he left us for Chelsea. Some months later there was a poster of him in the SUFC ticket office (probably one or two of the girls in the ticket office were still in love with him?) and that irritated me too

 

[blader]

Scougall has won the vote, but has the first 3 games changed anyone's opinion?

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Both. Or whoever is in form. Is that option 3?

 

[MBoreman]

I don't think it's an either or situation as In my eyes Scougall plays deeper than Baxter and could play in a midfield two. Despite this I still wouldn't start Scougall as I don't think he's in our top 3 central midfielders. For me Baxter and Doyle have to play with the third spot up for grabs. Right this second I'd go Basham and long term Wallace could certainly challenge for that spot if fit.

 

[Wards]

 

[Menjo]

Baxter every time.

 

[Taramasalata]

I reckon Scougs would dip the shoulder and take Baxter out with a swift battered haggis followed by a stomping with a pizza crunch....a bridie would be the final solution

 

[sitwell]

Scougall every time.