Coutts Last Night

[alcoblade]

.

If people take off the blinkers re Coutts they should recognise that he had a pivotal role in at least three of our goals last night and was winning possession back in midfield.

I'm with you on that. Decent enough last night. Excellent at Barnsley. But absolutely abysmal for almost the remainder of his spell with us.

He might make a decent player for us. But the dogged determination to be proved right (it is beyond credibility that he's become such a regular based on performance) shown by Clough, is another example of why we are extending the worst spell in the club's entire history.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

There's plenty of hate for Paul Coutts, here and in the ground, so I thought I'd try and see what Foulkes Jr Sr sees in him last night.

Well he was MoM for the first minute or so: won a strong header, and in a different passage of play controlled the play and set up an attack.

After that I got caught up in the game - and didn't really look at him, but where he really stood out was in our second goal. You don't see it on the highlights - all you get is him passing the ball out wide - but he retained the ball, moved with it, looked for options and openings and found exactly the right one. It was very classy, and I guess the kind of thing fans from other clubs saw in him.

Maybe this is him in microcosm: Wins the ball in MF, carries it, and plays others in.

FSJ pointed out, and I think it's true, that no matter what he doesn't hide. He's always making himself available. Not a shy or timid, afraid of making mistakes.

Related to the above, like Davies, he's a senior pro. Just from the way he carries himself.

On the downside he has an uncanny ability to misplace extremely simple passes.

And watching him labour to recover is painful.

So very good and very bad. For me the good outweighs the bad for now, but particularly wrt the fitness, is it enough to justify his staying on at the club and getting regular starts? Otoh we are a Division 3 club so every player we have is going to have good and bad about them.

I'd be giving him fitness targets (eg speed over 30 40 yards, and stamina) over the summer - and if he didn't make those then he might need to drop a level - in which case he might become a hero again at some fortunate Division 4 club.

(Incidentally if you ignore his positives - a lot of which takes place off the ball - then you'll have plenty to shout at. Confirmation bias and all that.)

Definitely one of his better games for us. I'd rate him 5/10 on the night.

 

[Deadbat]

I don't rate Coutts but he played well last night after an awful start (as al did). I felt overall he was much better than Basham. For all the hype of Basham has to play midfield, felt the Swindon lads looked quicker, more mobile and he did not get near them all night. Defence was shocking but were horrible exposed at times too.

 

[Bladepicker]

I'm biased with Coutts as living in Derby and my Mrs been Derby mad I see quite a bit of them and Coutts pre injury was very much like Kevin MacDonald.

Been disappointed he hasn't shown it much with us but I am no doubt with a pre season under his belt he will he a big player for us next year - he has already shown lots of improvement from when we first got him.

Couple of points though. Not sure how anyone can say he just made a simple pass for our second - he got the ball, held off two chalenges, turned to create his own space and played a nice ball out to Harris. Did it a couple of times last night (once brilliantly in the second half) and was his best game for us. Can't see how people were slagging him off - most people in my office who watched it had him as motm.

 

[Bladepicker]

I don't rate Coutts but he played well last night after an awful start (as al did). I felt overall he was much better than Basham. For all the hype of Basham has to play midfield, felt the Swindon lads looked quicker, more mobile and he did not get near them all night. Defence was shocking but were horrible exposed at times too.

Bash had a bad start as they all did but cane back into it. Not sure you can blame the midfield for the goals.

First goal was Alcocks poor header and then not closing down Gladwyn. Second was weak from Harris but awful again from the two centre halves. Third - take your pick! Fourth - Howard for me but centre halves should be able to defend a long punt when in position. Fifth - Alcock (I think) allowed him to cut inside which is criminal and then just didnt even challenge.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I'm biased with Coutts as living in Derby and my Mrs been Derby mad I see quite a bit of them and Coutts pre injury was very much like Kevin MacDonald.

Been disappointed he hasn't shown it much with us but I am no doubt with a pre season under his belt he will he a big player for us next year - he has already shown lots of improvement from when we first got him.

Couple of points though. Not sure how anyone can say he just made a simple pass for our second - he got the ball, held off two chalenges, turned to create his own space and played a nice ball out to Harris. Did it a couple of times last night (once brilliantly in the second half) and was his best game for us. Can't see how people were slagging him off - most people in my office who watched it had him as motm.

Exactly right on the second goal. Coutts was a mystery for a while but it's becoming increasingly clear what he brings. I hope he can regain (near) full fitness and mobility.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

the dogged determination to be proved right (it is beyond credibility that he's become such a regular based on performance) shown by Clough

I bet Cuvelier wishes he had played for Derby. Just saying.

 

[Balham]

Coutts is clearly a technically gifted footballer but equally he's clearly coming back from a serious injury and is lacking match sharpness. I'm surprised that he started pretty much every game when it was pretty obvious that his fitness wasn't good enough.

I didn't go to Swindon - first day in the new job - so watched from the comfort of my sofa. Coutts played well, particularly in possession, but his off the ball workrate has to improve - this is a fitness issue.

He, J Wallace and Cuvelier will all benefit enormously from a decent pre-season and if (the big if) we sign some centre halves then I'm more hopeful about next season.

 

[Rodley]

The thing with Coutts and Davies is that both have had major injuries and seem injury prone. For me there are younger, better players out there with less baggage.

 

[Jehovah]

During his spell with us, he has been abysmal. I dont care about "yeah but you can see he's a good player" " Hes carrying an injury". So what? Dont play him then. He has been abysmal and will be rated the same as any other regular, previously injured or not. Two good games out of 20 odd doesnt save his abysmal rating.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Fifth - Alcock (I think) allowed him to cut inside which is criminal and then just didnt even challenge.

Fifth was not all down to Alcock - McEvelely at fault to start with creating a 2 on 1 and didn't have the legs to get back. Alcock already had a yellow so harsh to say he should have taken a red by taking out their player. He tried to show the guy outside and hold him up for the defence to get back. Basham did get back but inexplicably didn't stay goal side of their player to cover. Defensive mess.

 

[submarine]

If memory serves me correctly, he got the ball, took a touch, and then passed it to an unmarked Harris. There was nothing skilful about it, in fact any player should have done it.

In terms of a pre-season, I don;t see how that's going to improve his pace. He's just too slow and we've lost the midfield battle in almost every game he's played in.

he was slow at Derby and his goal avg I

 

[him behind you]

During his time with us, he has been abysmal. I don't care about but you can see he's a good player" " Hes carrying an injury". So what? Dont play him then. He has been abysmal and will be rated the same as any other regular, previously injured or not. Two good games out of 20 odd doesnt save his abysmal rating.

Couldn't agree more Jehova. We've had loads of players over the years who have been really good with other teams but they could still press for a starting role in a blades rubish 11 (Ian Rush or Peter Withe anyone?). Don't care how good they've been, like Coutts, they remain crap for us . If he becomes a star player next season no one will be happier than me but at the moment I have no confidence.

 

[submarine]

Coutts might be returning from injury
and might have lost a bit of aggression needed in mid field , can't really blame him for his below par performances but who in their right mind would pick him in the starting eleven every game since he joined us only our Nigel would !! he had others on the bench , the ones that had the odd bad game , ones that were also returning from injuries but Nigel wouldnt see that , most of them binned for months , till end of the season and showed the door , dressing room talk is they are glad to see the back of Nigel but not SUFC , if Nigel is shown the door , these players won't answer his calls to help him out !!!

 

[Silent Blade]

To be fair, I'm not saying that Done isn't a better player than McNulty. I'm simply saying that Done didn't have a good game last night, and particularly in the first half I don't remember him being involved at all.

we saw in the latter stages of the 1st leg also in the 2nd leg, Done and Davies played well together

 

[AlBlade]

we saw in the latter stages of the 1st leg also in the 2nd leg, Done and Davies played well together

We also saw 13 times this season that McNulty knows where the back of the net is, but that's not the point I'm making. My point is that it seems that some players can have a bad game and it's not mentioned, yet as soon as McNulty has a bad game NC publicly slags him off.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

My point is that it seems that some players can have a bad game and it's not mentioned, yet as soon as McNulty has a bad game NC publicly slags him off.

Tbf this is noticeable. McNulty was even asked about it earlier in the season - and responded well, "I have to do my job," or words to that effect.

 

[submarine]

Nigel lacks one of the main things a good Manager needs , man management !! he wants to be like his late Dad , because that's all he knows , do we really have to have Nigel around next season , don't put us through all this for another year , he ain't got it , just ask Doyle , I know
who'd I believe , the truth will come out !!!!

 

[Trigger Blade]

Trigger happy, I'm afraid! Add your own....

Yes, not too bad thanks for asking, I've now largely recoverd from Monday night

Memory doesn't serve you correctly.

Even our friends on Radio Sheffield, who always slag him off, commended his skill in that build-up.

I've just looked at it again and it's better than I remembered. When he picks the ball up, Coutts has two Swindon players in front of him, nowhere to go and no pass on. At that point, Bob Harris is still just in our half. Coutts turns into midfield, one Swindon player drops off him, the other one tracks him, Coutts then turns back the other way and past his tracker, by which time Harris is in clear space. You could say he's unmarked, but Coutts created both the time for him to get forward as well as the space.

By the way, at the point Coutts knocks the ball out to Harris, Basham is still way outside the penalty area and busts a gut to get on the end of the cross. Let's hope that was the first of many.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Nigel lacks one of the main things a good Manager needs , man management !! he wants to be like his late Dad , because that's all he knows , do we really have to have Nigel around next season , don't put us through all this for another year , he ain't got it , just ask Doyle , I know
who'd I believe , the truth will come out !!!!

Your stream of anti-Clough messages only serve to reinforce your bias. You prefer Doyle's opinion? Based on what? What actual evidence do you possess other than an hysterical commentary that concludes that the truth will come out? Anything that relies on lame drama to enforce your opinion should be avoided at all costs.

I wouldn't mind if any of this served a purpose, but as your previous mischief has shown, you make statements without substance.

Down hatch submarine, time to go under!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I've just looked at it again and it's better than I remembered. When he picks the ball up, Coutts has two Swindon players in front of him, nowhere to go and no pass on. At that point, Bob Harris is still just in our half. Coutts turns into midfield, one Swindon player drops off him, the other one tracks him, Coutts then turns back the other way and past his tracker, by which time Harris is in clear space. You could say he's unmarked, but Coutts created both the time for him to get forward as well as the space.

By the way, at the point Coutts knocks the ball out to Harris, Basham is still way outside the penalty area and busts a gut to get on the end of the cross. Let's hope that was the first of many.

That's exactly the way I saw it at the time. He ran the game for that goal.

Add in fitness and take out mishit simple passes and he'd be a real star. Fingers crossed.

 

[him behind you]

That's exactly the way I saw it at the time. He ran the game for that goal.

Add in fitness and take out mishit simple passes and he'd be a real star. Fingers crossed.

And if only Nick Montgomery could have hit every shot like that one at Tranmere he could have been a real star.

I really hope I'm proved wrong about Coutts but the evidence of circa 20 games against the odd 2 minutes here and there on Monday doesn't suggest he will be.

 

[Pinchy]

Your stream of anti-Clough messages only serve to reinforce your bias. You prefer Doyle's opinion? Based on what? What actual evidence do you possess other than an hysterical commentary that concludes that the truth will come out? Anything that relies on lame drama to enforce your opinion should be avoided at all costs.

I wouldn't mind if any of this served a purpose, but as your previous mischief has shown, you make statements without substance.

Down hatch submarine, time to go under!

It's a Pig mate. It pops on here for a grunt now and then. As Dylan said "I wouldn't pay him any mind..."

 

[itsinyerblood]

It's a Pig mate. It pops on here for a grunt now and then. As Dylan said "I wouldn't pay him any mind..."

Yes Pinchers, I think it's guise was obvious from its first delivery.

It's as if the only pleasure the twit relies on is to post on here. Sadder than sad.

 

[Pinchy]

Nigel lacks one of the main things a good Manager needs , man management !! he wants to be like his late Dad , because that's all he knows , do we really have to have Nigel around next season , don't put us through all this for another year , he ain't got it , just ask Doyle , I know
who'd I believe , the truth will come out !!!!

That you're a pig? That truth surfaced long ago, Submarine.

 

[submarine]

just because I detest Nigel and I have most of the season , I'm labelled a Pig !! if you dont like somebody that has an opinion different to yourselves , then just shut up , am I the only one that thinks that Nigel is not up to it !! dont think so !! just because some of you have a little gold badge for your posts you think your god and us minnows have to obey you , up yours , I'm a true BLADE that hasn't got a brown nose , as for Nigel I wish him the best , wherever he goes

 

[georgebernardshaw]

just because I detest Nigel and I have most of the season , I'm labelled a Pig !! if you dont like somebody that has an opinion different to yourselves , then just shut up , am I the only one that thinks that Nigel is not up to it !! dont think so !! just because some of you have a little gold badge for your posts you think your god and us minnows have to obey you , up yours , I'm a true BLADE that hasn't got a brown nose , as for Nigel I wish him the best , wherever he goes

TWAT ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pinchy]

if you dont like somebody that has an opinion different to yourselves , then just shut up

Democracy in action. I'm sure the right to shut up is enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, isn't it?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Precisely. It's all about the injury with Coutts. He's a proper footballer, highly rated everywhere he's been until his serious injury. The good news is the signs in the last couple of games are he's slowly but surely getting more mobile, involved and influential. He desperately needs a good pre-season. A full-fitness Coutts and Wallace, together with the admirable Basham, will give us an outstanding central midfield at this level. Don't give me Louis Reed though. He is a novice of considerable potential but certainly no "first name on the team shirt".

We need, and Nigel knows it as well as we do, TWO powerful, tall (Yes tall - the modern game is No Country for Joe Shaw!) and athletic centre-backs. We don't need Beckenbauer at this level - just someone capable of stopping us leaking goals and then passing it simply to a midfielder who can play.

Davies is infinitely better than McNulty but personally I would still welcome the arrival of COG.

Above all else, and this is for you Nigel - next season we have to set our excellent footballers free to play excellent football. If we'd had anything better than the appalling Sunday League excuse for a defence we had last night. The forward players on the other hand - awesome. 5 goals away from home - 56% possession - 21 shots, 10 on target. That has to be our benchmark for next season.

I would not retain Holt. I would reluctantly pass over Davies if we can get COG. Doyle, McEveley, K Wallace and Collins should be moved on. If Flynn, is to feature it must be at right-back. We need the pace and vibrancy of the Adams of last night (or better) in that position. Matt Done, another who needs a pre-season, must play alongside or just behind the centre-forward, not in some awkward, makeshift wide role - let proper wingers Murph and Che (or better) play there.

Baxter and Scoogs to stay but will have to up their games to justify a starting berth.

As for Nigel - I'm a fan. No knee-jerks, thank you. I know what he's trying to build and I'm with him, but we need significant and substantial progress by Christmas, both in points and performance. Although it's silly to say we must be in the top two at that stage, we must be shaping up by then as a team with real prospects of auto and not off the pace amongst the play-off also-rans.

Let's keep our nerve though. Good passing football coupled with power and athleticism gets you out of this league, like any other, as the top two have demonstrated yet again. There is no case for Upanatem Gerritintbox.

Tend to agree with you , and perhaps brings a bit of sanity to the whole thing . Only point i would differ on , is that Joe Shaw , Franco Baresi , would still be class players in 2015/16 ( now ) . You have got to agree of class and cream always rises to the top , and both would adapt to the modern game . We do require some big fellas though , which we all know , and the good news , - is that it seems Clough now knows too.

UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

For me, Coutts is now the new Basham.

Hardly anyone gave Basham a minutes peace early season - some of us saw a footballer and a few asked him to be given time - sadly a load did not.

Coutts is similar - there is a footballer, he needs a good pre-season. The kid had a serious kneecap injury and believe he played 1 league cup game for Derby before signing for us. Admittedly, he needs to improve in certain areas, but when he is partnered with Basham in centre midfield they look quite good together. Basham has not been in midfield a lot, but from memory Rochdale/Bristol/Barnsley/Swindon, all away games with Bash/Coutts in the middle.

Again, as with Basham - give Coutts a chance AFTER pre-season.

As long as Clough signs centre halves, then we will see Basham and Coutts as first choice, starting centre midfield next season - assuming Clough is still here.

UTB

Got to hold my hand up Fulwood . I did think Basham was wank . How wrong i was . Just goes to show how much i know about football . Have to agree regarding Coutts.

UTB