Paul Coutts.

[Woodwardfan]

Proper footballer. Positionally good, fine touch on the ball, knows exactly what he wants to do with it, plays within himself, rarely loses possession, competitive, looks to have leadership skills and the respect of his fellow players.

I so enjoy watching proper footballers and this lad creates space for himself in all situations. Opposition players tend to stand off him and that's a sign of respect for his presence and his skills. Even yesterday with Coventry looking to batter us in midfield, he was the one to find space and time. When playing with Brayford they seem to have a telepathy with lovely little balls teased into small spaces for each other to run on to.

Scottish U-21 international and well regarded by Derby fans.

He suffered a dislocated knee in September 2013 and that's the main reason we had the chance to sign him no doubt. There could lie the problem - he doesn't look fit, can't even walk freely very early on in games. None of us fans know whether this is how it will be forever or whether he will gradually get his full mobility over a period. Either way I reckon he will become a main man for us.

If he has a permanent condition of restricted mobility so be it. One of our best ever players, Paul McGrath, played like a Rolls Royce never out of low gear and he was just great to watch. The manager knows how good he is and it's all about playing him in the right position with the right partnerships in the team.

 

[Jehovah]

Interesting. I thought he was awful yesterday.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Interesting. I thought he was awful yesterday.

He was poor and according to Clough's interview he came off with a groin strain - hence the less than normal performance. Sat in South stand he looked a bit dejected at 2 nil down but probably due to the injury.

as for woodwardfan" above - yes he is, and hopefully more to come as he settles in a bit more.....like Basham and Mcnulty.

UTB

 

[Latters]

I think you're wrong in saying he rarely loses possession. His distribution has been poor at best since he arrived. A lot of the tackles he has been forced to make have been as a direct result of his inaccurate passing.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Me and Badbuy jr think there might be a bit of the Conor Coady about him.

 

[South London Blade]

Proper footballer. Positionally good, fine touch on the ball, knows exactly what he wants to do with it, plays within himself, rarely loses possession, competitive, looks to have leadership skills and the respect of his fellow players.

I so enjoy watching proper footballers and this lad creates space for himself in all situations. Opposition players tend to stand off him and that's a sign of respect for his presence and his skills. Even yesterday with Coventry looking to batter us in midfield, he was the one to find space and time. When playing with Brayford they seem to have a telepathy with lovely little balls teased into small spaces for each other to run on to.

Scottish U-21 international and well regarded by Derby fans.

He suffered a dislocated knee in September 2013 and that's the main reason we had the chance to sign him no doubt. There could lie the problem - he doesn't look fit, can't even walk freely very early on in games. None of us fans know whether this is how it will be forever or whether he will gradually get his full mobility over a period. Either way I reckon he will become a main man for us.

If he has a permanent condition of restricted mobility so be it. One of our best ever players, Paul McGrath, played like a Rolls Royce never out of low gear and he was just great to watch. The manager knows how good he is and it's all about playing him in the right position with the right partnerships in the team.

Got a panning from most yesterday. I didn't go so can't comment directly.

I think what you said is right and we will see a lot more from him as he gets fit, probably peaking next season as we charge up the championship

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Generally agree that he looks like a good player, but yesterday he was poor, and, as others have pointed out, he didn't look interested at 2-0 down.

It's been interesting to read how others don't rate him, in all the games he's played.

I really hope he establishes himself and we're not having this "He's great!" vs "He's dreadful!" debate in a year's time, like we are with Baxter.

But then I suppose maybe these are the sorts of players you attract when you're in Division 3, ie if he showed his class, fitness, and great attitude all the time he'd be playing at a higher level.

 

[Foxy]

Poor yesterday mainly due to being lethargic and looking knackered early doors.

Looks like he's technically gifted and has plenty to offer on his other showings though.

 

[Worksop II]

Early on he had to chase back, and looked pathetic in the effort ..........

Mentions of a groin injury may explain his lack of stride, which begs the question why he wasnt taken off earlier

He does look good enough for where we are at the moment ................

But are we gonna carry him and Wallace ?

 

[Fiery Blade]

I like Coutts, a proper player - yesterday he did look off the pace, perhaps he was carrying an injury, perhaps he is not yet up to speed fitness wise to play two games a week.

Wallace is a worry, again a good player but only fit for around 10% of the season - not good enough

We have had enough 'passengers' in our time - sometimes it's better to 'ditch' and move on !

 

[cal the blade]

to me he looks far better in the middle than outwide

 

[Woodwardfan]

S24SU rating 8.5 yesterday. MOM. the lad's settling in. Proper footballer.

 

[pommpey]

S24SU rating 8.5 yesterday. MOM. the lad's settling in. Proper footballer.

Nah. Like I wrote up, needs a more advanced position to be effective. He was not really firing on all cylinders yesterday. My MoM was possibly McEveley (who was very much in the way of any ball forward for them or even bringing the ball up the pitch) or Freeman, who made a difference out wide in the second half.

pommpey

 

[Bergen Blade]

Nah. Like I wrote up, needs a more advanced position to be effective. He was not really firing on all cylinders yesterday. My MoM was possibly McEveley (who was very much in the way of any ball forward for them or even bringing the ball up the pitch) or Freeman, who made a difference out wide in the second half.

pommpey

I like watching McEveley. He's always trying to play constructive passes, even when closed down by aggressive opponents. I'm sure some people don't like centre halves playing like that, but I think it's great. When he signed I didn't expect him to be like this at all. At times he's so composed and looks to have so much ability that he looks wasted in his current position, or even division! Who noticed his back heel putting Coutts into the box yesterday? He should get credit for things like that, it's great to watch.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Nah. Like I wrote up, needs a more advanced position to be effective. He was not really firing on all cylinders yesterday. My MoM was possibly McEveley (who was very much in the way of any ball forward for them or even bringing the ball up the pitch) or Freeman, who made a difference out wide in the second half.

pommpey

Hey Pommpey, it's not all about you!! S24SU ratings no less.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I like watching McEveley. He's always trying to play constructive passes, even when closed down by aggressive opponents. I'm sure some people don't like centre halves playing like that, but I think it's great. When he signed I didn't expect him to be like this at all. At times he's so composed and looks to have so much ability that he looks wasted in his current position, or even division! Who noticed his back heel putting Coutts into the box yesterday? He should get credit for things like that, it's great to watch.

Well said, but I prefer centre halves to make fewer mistakes frankly.

 

[Roygbiv]

Nah. Like I wrote up, needs a more advanced position to be effective. He was not really firing on all cylinders yesterday. My MoM was possibly McEveley (who was very much in the way of any ball forward for them or even bringing the ball up the pitch) or Freeman, who made a difference out wide in the second half.

pommpey

Interesting that Freeman did well again. I didn't go yesterday and haven't seen any proper match reports from Blades but listening on the radio Freeman did sound involved in all our better stuff. I thought his signing was pointless but he is proving me wrong

 

[Woodwardfan]

Interesting that Freeman did well again. I didn't go yesterday and haven't seen any proper match reports from Blades but listening on the radio Freeman did sound involved in all our better stuff. I thought his signing was pointless but he is proving me wrong

Agree. The surprise is playing him in midfield in front of Reed, Ryce now departed and others. In his last spell he always looked good on the ball but prone to error in defence positionally and concentration-wise.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Coutts Feb 2015.

That's what I thought under Clough.

After a while I decided he had a permanent condition which restricted his contribution.

Now we know he wasn't trying for Adkins, SUFC or us fans. I still don't trust him, never will.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Proper footballer. Positionally good, fine touch on the ball, knows exactly what he wants to do with it, plays within himself, rarely loses possession, competitive, looks to have leadership skills and the respect of his fellow players.

I so enjoy watching proper footballers and this lad creates space for himself in all situations. Opposition players tend to stand off him and that's a sign of respect for his presence and his skills. Even yesterday with Coventry looking to batter us in midfield, he was the one to find space and time. When playing with Brayford they seem to have a telepathy with lovely little balls teased into small spaces for each other to run on to.

Scottish U-21 international and well regarded by Derby fans.

He suffered a dislocated knee in September 2013 and that's the main reason we had the chance to sign him no doubt. There could lie the problem - he doesn't look fit, can't even walk freely very early on in games. None of us fans know whether this is how it will be forever or whether he will gradually get his full mobility over a period. Either way I reckon he will become a main man for us.

If he has a permanent condition of restricted mobility so be it. One of our best ever players, Paul McGrath, played like a Rolls Royce never out of low gear and he was just great to watch. The manager knows how good he is and it's all about playing him in the right position with the right partnerships in the team.

He knows where everything is bar the goal........Just fucking shoot lad!

 

[Woodwardfan]

He knows where everything is bar the goal........Just fucking shoot lad!

Not sure he knows where the opposition penalty area is, never mind the goal!! Comfort zones and all that.

 

[Iceybabey]

Not sure he knows where the opposition penalty area is, never mind the goal!! Comfort zones and all that.

Yeah. His assist against Bury was waaaaaaaaaaay outside of the box.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Coutts Feb 2015.

That's what I thought under Clough.

After a while I decided he had a permanent condition which restricted his contribution.

Now we know he wasn't trying for Adkins, SUFC or us fans. I still don't trust him, never will.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Think you are a bit harsh on Coutts
Woody Clough signed him when he was far from fit but he new what he had to offer when fit ( he had a gamble On Wallace too but didn't come off). Took him a long time to find full fitness but Wilder has got him there now. adkins just couldn't get that bit extra from players and Coutts was one of those Wilder is a great motivator and has got Coutts playing really well,even to the point of shooting at goal amazingly,I thought he was a bit off it on Tues but he still kept possession well there is more to come from Mr Coutts
I and Wilder is the man to do it.
Coutts,fleck and Duffy best midfield in the division in my opinion, just need a few more goals from them

 

[Tyler Durden]

I don't share the collective forum-wide throb on for Golden Boy to be honest. He'd be fairly anonymous without John Fleck to carry him.
He's gone from being dogshit to merely alright, and now suddenly he's a revelation. Odd.

 

[boo radley]

I don't share the collective forum-wide throb on for Golden Boy to be honest. He'd be fairly anonymous without John Fleck to carry him.
He's gone from being dogshit to merely alright, and now suddenly he's a revelation. Odd.

He plays the same as last year to me. Difference being like you say Fleck and others are making him look better than what he is. He has the time with protection from team mates in a good team at this level. As pointed out earlier, he will not shoot or wants too much time to make a reasonable shot. The run he made for his assist against Bury is something we should expect far more and to highlight that run just shows how often he does not make such runs. He also gives up too easily defending and does not back his team mates up. Once the opposition attack has gone passed him he takes no responsibility.

 

[Bladepicker]

Coutts Feb 2015.

That's what I thought under Clough.

After a while I decided he had a permanent condition which restricted his contribution.

Now we know he wasn't trying for Adkins, SUFC or us fans. I still don't trust him, never will.

Load of bullshit. He said he was bored under Adkins as a lot of the players were due to his totally inept tactics he deployed. Scougall and to some degree even Sharp who is an Adkins golden boy have slagged off the regime last season.

Coutts is a proper footballer who is showing more mobility and fitness because it is his first actual pre season in 4 years since a major injury. Don't let facts get in the way of an anti Coutts tirade though.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Think you are a bit harsh on Coutts
Woody Clough signed him when he was far from fit but he new what he had to offer when fit ( he had a gamble On Wallace too but didn't come off). Took him a long time to find full fitness but Wilder has got him there now. adkins just couldn't get that bit extra from players and Coutts was one of those Wilder is a great motivator and has got Coutts playing really well,even to the point of shooting at goal amazingly,I thought he was a bit off it on Tues but he still kept possession well there is more to come from Mr Coutts
I and Wilder is the man to do it.
Coutts,fleck and Duffy best midfield in the division in my opinion, just need a few more goals from them

Yeah but all same. . . . Just have crack now and again.

 

[sitwell]

I don't share the collective forum-wide throb on for Golden Boy to be honest. He'd be fairly anonymous without John Fleck to carry him.
He's gone from being dogshit to merely alright, and now suddenly he's a revelation. Odd.

So what about the games when Fleck was benched? Maybe its the other way round ? Coutts didn't play until replacing a poor Fleck when Southend had beaten us by half time. Fleck came back in 4 games into the run at Scunthorpe. Its rubbish to say Fleck carries him ,they both enhance each others game but to say either 'carries' the other is lazy and pathetic. Now that is odd.

 

[alcoblade]

I don't share the collective forum-wide throb on for Golden Boy to be honest. He'd be fairly anonymous without John Fleck to carry him.
He's gone from being dogshit to merely alright, and now suddenly he's a revelation. Odd.

Are you sure you haven't extrapolated people's thoughts there?


I thought he was dogshit before. I think he's decent now, but far from a revelation. I am glad he's in the team, but can still get frustrated with the missing parts of his game.

On the whole, that's a fair reflection of just about every Blade I discuss this with.

UTB