Which player is NA talking about?

[Roygbiv]

I'd like to have a small wager that there's a player delegation off to see Scott or Simon before the weekend. While another group cosies up to Not as good as the other Nigel, Nigel while the academy kids are sat bemused wondering what the hell is going on.

There was always that rumour when Weir was here that a player told him "We'll be here longer than you will be". It does seem obvious a fair few don't want to play for him. Usually that only means outcome but I doubt we can afford to pay Adkins off even if we wanted to

 

[Sean Thornton]

There was always that rumour when Weir was here that a player told him "We'll be here longer than you will be". It does seem obvious a fair few don't want to play for him. Usually that only means outcome but I doubt we can afford to pay Adkins off even if we wanted to

If he is culpable what a shite reason for not sacking him. Just shows how bad our position truly is.

 

[Tyler Durden]

He doesn't have a strong enough personality then. Its his job to manage. I see no foundations ,in fact I think we have lost another season and if we keep him wont challenge next year.

His predecessor had a strong enough personality, some would argue too strong at times. But the players under him still failed to deliver at league level for the most part. The back-to-back home defeats to Fleetwood and Crewe last season were the shape of things to come in terms of the attitude displayed on the field.

Now I'm not exactly a fan of Clough, as I've previously alluded to. But these utter arseholes we have for players probably let him down too. They simply don't deserve a career in football and I actually hope that they continue to fail long after they've been moved on.

 

[Beat Jedi]

Why would Coutts have an ego?

 

[Bladesman]

There was always that rumour when Weir was here that a player told him "We'll be here longer than you will be". It does seem obvious a fair few don't want to play for him. Usually that only means outcome but I doubt we can afford to pay Adkins off even if we wanted to

Adkins is actually in a rare position where he could say he will be here longer than some of them. Many don't have a contract beyond this season.

 

[Mendi]

Adkins OUT
ADKINS OUT

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Why would Coutts have an ego?

Look back through Coutts career. He was stripped of the Preston captaincy and dropped by Graham Westlake because of his attitude following a change of manager. He was also told to stay away from the club until he was prepared to commit 100%, He did play for Preston again that season but at the end of the season he was told not to report for pre-season training as he was no longer part of the club's plans. At the time of stripping him of the captaincy Westlake said,

"He's got to get himself focused - I don't care about talent, I want players who want to play for the team. Any professional player who's employed by a club needs to get his mind on that club, the fans are out there giving good money across to give the players a good living and that's what players need to be mindful of."

Previously when he was at Peterborough he was dropped by Marc Cooper amidst strong rumours of dressing room unrest and players trying to engineer a move to Preston. Cooper lasted only 13 weeks at Peterborough.

Tonight Adkins was angry for the first time during an interview and,unlike him, he named names publicly and fingered Coutts and Edgar for the goal.I have yet to see the game (have to wait until it comes upon BP tomorrow) but the radio commentary was critical of Coutts throughout so I would not be surprised if the ego referred to is Coutts.

My take is that there are clearly games when Coutts doesn't fancy it - I've said it before - he seems to hate cold and wet night games eg Blackpool. Other times he just goes missing. He is barely better than Baxter at marking and tackling, is nowhere near Baxter in creativity and passing, especially in the final third and is living off a pre-injury reputation and the very rare good performance. His commitment and appetite is also questionable. Interesting that his recent better perfomances came when Brayford came back.

I do find it amazing that some people rush to defend Coutts as though he is some model pro with a complete skill set. Baxter played 86 times for us (plus 28 sub appearances) and scored 28 goals for us, Coutts has managed lengthy injury spells and 40 appearances (plus 4 sub appearances) and no goals (and its arguable he wasn't fit for half of those games - remember the first season he played when people were wondering why he was always on Clough's teamsheet when he was totally ineffectual and knackered after 30 mins).

Assists wise Coutts has managed 2 since he came? Baxter has probably more assists (5 this season) than the entire midfield combined. Added to this, since his injury, Coutts has lost the pace he once had (one of the reasons Darren Ferguson signed him for Peterborough and Preston).

Don't get me wrong Baxter should not be at Sheffield United because of his off the field activities and I don't want to see him in a Blades shirt again. But neither should Paul Coutts be here if he doesn't want to commit 100% and play as part of a team and team plan, He should just go. His best years are behind him. If he does go I would not be surprised to see him end up at Doncaster with Ferguson.

btw - Baxter has completely disappeared from the OS players and stats pages so I am assuming he has gone for good.

 

[Revolution]

Coutts has not scored a goal since 1 April 2013.

He is playing in midfield - and not defensive midfield - and he has not scored a goal for 71 games. 71 games!

Once again, I am staggered that we have assembled such a collection of non scoring non assisting mediocrities. You can just about be certain that if Sharp doesn't score, we won't score. The midfield's offensive contribution is zero.

At the risk of repeating myself, giving him a 2 and a half year contract was negligent.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Coutts shouldn't play for the club again after his last three "performances".

 

[boo radley]

If it is Coutts, at least the other "show pony" wanted to play for the club.

 

[Sirius]

He can't sack him but he can drop him. Permanently.

Now we can all relax whilst Nigel puts the wheels in motion foe a serious promotion push next year. In the meantime, spades, forks and rakes should be purchased and a gardening class assembled for the useless bastards who have let us all down.

If possible pay the worst of the malcontents off and let us know who the shit stirers are

 

[2win!]

With these comments in his post-match presser

NA: "Anyone who has got an ego has got to put it to one side. We have a responsibility to this great club."

NA: "You can talk about tactics and formations. One player, quite clearly, wasn't going to adhere to that."

I'm guessing it's Coutts.

I'd say Collins

 

[Revolution]

I'd like to have a small wager that there's a player delegation off to see Scott or Simon before the weekend. While another group cosies up to Not as good as the other Nigel, Nigel while the academy kids are sat bemused wondering what the hell is going on.

I have no evidence for it but I have always assumed that this was how Wilson got fired.

 

[Jehovah]

But you can see Coutts is a quality player.........ffs. Regards the player who let him down. Did anyone else see Adkins pass J mac a piece of paper? He read it then put it down his sock. Whether it was instructions for him or for him to pass on I don't know. I assumed it was to tell Flo he needs to pass it to the players in the white shirts.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Done played all ove the place first half until Adkins swapped him with Adams. But if it'sDone why wasn't he subbed? I saw Collins laying into Done first half.

Done or Coutts I'd say.

 

[s4-blade]

I'm going for Neil Collins as none of the other names mentioned strike me as having egos.

 

[Slug]

Just listened to the interview and i am pretty certain he is referring to Collins playing too deep and ignoring the instructions to play a high line

 

[Bladeloyal]

Take your pick ,very poor by the manager if he had a problem with one player come our with his name then you don't get this all this its him or him .the problem last night was the tactics and deployment of players ,the players just didn't buy into how he wanted them to play and rightly so ,after the 7th tactical change they were just bemused If that's the best he can come up with pack your bags Adkins and your pad flicking coaches and leave my great club . Tonight was t he start of next seasons survival fight .
We are in deep shit make no mistake .and it breaks my heart to say it ,U.T.B. F.T.P.s

 

[super_pig]

Done played all ove the place first half until Adkins swapped him with Adams. But if it'sDone why wasn't he subbed? I saw Collins laying into Done first half.

Done or Coutts I'd say.

Collins has a go at everyone.. done lost his player in the first half.. mind you there were two to choose from at the time

 

[cooperblade]

Just listened to the interview and i am pretty certain he is referring to Collins playing too deep and ignoring the instructions to play a high line

That was the reason Clough gave for dropping Collins (he played too deep).

Maybe whoever Adkins thought was ignoring instructions was just confused. We started 3-5-2 with Basham in defence and Edgar in midfield, then went (pretty early on) to a 4-2-3-1 with Edgar in defence and Basham in midfield. I think Adkins moves too many players about when he makes changes (to formation or with substitutions).

I'm struggling to believe that he thought our best chance of winning the game was to put Whiteman on - it felt like a 'making a point' subsititution (maybe backed up by what he said in his interview - which I haven't heard yet).

I hate it when people describe performances as "the worst ever" but I'm struggling to remember many as devoid of heart as the one last night. If you'd arrived at the match late, you would have had no idea that we were 1-0 down. It was like we were 3-0 up and just going through the motions.

The only thing we're shorter of than heart and desire is confidence. Not one player looks willing to try things, they get the ball and look for the easiest pass possible. I think that's why we're so sideways and backwards, it's not a tactical instruction, they're just absolutely shit-scared (of what, I have no idea).

 

[Ben_1982]

Can't believe people are defending ANYONE from last night, let alone Coutts. His passing is appalling, first touch even worse. I'd get shut of the lot including Brayford & Adams.

 

[Bladeloyal]

The starting tactics last night ,well what can you say centre half as holding midfield ,holding midfield player centre half .centre forward left wing back left sided forward partnering Billy ,right back as right wing back , a centre two with about as much bottle as a girls blouse ,sorry girls blouse .a captain that's as average as it gets and if he's a leader God help us .
Players then brought on two young lads tossed into a poxy atmosphere where the senior players had given up ,al in all management of some one who has completely lost it .Without structure a positive game plan and a pecking order the players buy into ,your lost as a manager

 

[sheepbridge]

If it is Collins you can just imagine the smirk on Clough's face.

I hope it was Done with a 'bugger this left wingback role, I'm playing up front' moment or maybe Edgar before kickoff with a "Bash, swap places, I want to play in midfield."

 

[sitwell]

Look back through Coutts career. He was stripped of the Preston captaincy and dropped by Graham Westlake because of his attitude following a change of manager. He was also told to stay away from the club until he was prepared to commit 100%, He did play for Preston again that season but at the end of the season he was told not to report for pre-season training as he was no longer part of the club's plans. At the time of stripping him of the captaincy Westlake said,

"He's got to get himself focused - I don't care about talent, I want players who want to play for the team. Any professional player who's employed by a club needs to get his mind on that club, the fans are out there giving good money across to give the players a good living and that's what players need to be mindful of."

Previously when he was at Peterborough he was dropped by Marc Cooper amidst strong rumours of dressing room unrest and players trying to engineer a move to Preston. Cooper lasted only 13 weeks at Peterborough.

Tonight Adkins was angry for the first time during an interview and,unlike him, he named names publicly and fingered Coutts and Edgar for the goal.I have yet to see the game (have to wait until it comes upon BP tomorrow) but the radio commentary was critical of Coutts throughout so I would not be surprised if the ego referred to is Coutts.

My take is that there are clearly games when Coutts doesn't fancy it - I've said it before - he seems to hate cold and wet night games eg Blackpool. Other times he just goes missing. He is barely better than Baxter at marking and tackling, is nowhere near Baxter in creativity and passing, especially in the final third and is living off a pre-injury reputation and the very rare good performance. His commitment and appetite is also questionable. Interesting that his recent better perfomances came when Brayford came back.

I do find it amazing that some people rush to defend Coutts as though he is some model pro with a complete skill set. Baxter played 86 times for us (plus 28 sub appearances) and scored 28 goals for us, Coutts has managed lengthy injury spells and 40 appearances (plus 4 sub appearances) and no goals (and its arguable he wasn't fit for half of those games - remember the first season he played when people were wondering why he was always on Clough's teamsheet when he was totally ineffectual and knackered after 30 mins).

Assists wise Coutts has managed 2 since he came? Baxter has probably more assists (5 this season) than the entire midfield combined. Added to this, since his injury, Coutts has lost the pace he once had (one of the reasons Darren Ferguson signed him for Peterborough and Preston).

Don't get me wrong Baxter should not be at Sheffield United because of his off the field activities and I don't want to see him in a Blades shirt again. But neither should Paul Coutts be here if he doesn't want to commit 100% and play as part of a team and team plan, He should just go. His best years are behind him. If he does go I would not be surprised to see him end up at Doncaster with Ferguson.

btw - Baxter has completely disappeared from the OS players and stats pages so I am assuming he has gone for good.

Watch the game and watch the contribution of Coutts compared to Cuvelier (who I cant believe has taken no stick) and Edgar also Sharp Done ,in fact everyone and tell me who tried to get hold of the ball most who passed it and who had a shot. I didn't see this not giving 100% although I do accept he is nesh for his size and that lets him down. Its a shame he cant charge about like a lunatic like Basham but he does have much more ability. I think Adkins was referring to Collins again ,who hardly got out of our box ,but Long should open his frigging mouth and push the defence up. Collins was also up to his old tricks of handing bollockings out when he fucked up. Adkins mistake for changing the back four to accommodate Collins and pushing Edgar into the midfield where he is useless. Rank bad management again.

 

[Bayingblade]

But you can see Coutts is a quality player.........ffs.

Sorry Jehovah but I can't. I've really tried to convince myself that there is a player in there, to the extent that I have spent time just following him and him alone around the pitch, disregarding what was happening elsewhere. I know it's all about opinions but I don't see what he brings to the team. He has no pace, doesn't score goals and is weak defensively. Yes, he can pass a ball but nine times out of ten it's back to the player who passed to him, usually a defender. I have lost count of the number of times he has received the ball in space and played a first time pass back to the player who gave him the ball when the situation was crying out for him to turn and look to move the ball forward. That, to my mind, is what he is there for, to link defence to attack. I could forgive his defensive weaknesses if he looked to do this but he doesn't.

Like I say, I have tried really hard to see this "quality player" some people talk about but I can't. What am I missing?

 

[vorpal blade]

If it is Collins you can just imagine the smirk on Clough's face.

Has anyone heard Clough's post-match interview?

 

[Baxter]

In the meantime, spades, forks and rakes should be purchased.....

I thought you were encouraging us all down the car park again at first Sirius!

 

[Rodders]

Watch the game and watch the contribution of Coutts compared to Cuvelier (who I cant believe has taken no stick) and Edgar also Sharp Done ,in fact everyone and tell me who tried to get hold of the ball most who passed it and who had a shot. I didn't see this not giving 100% although I do accept he is nesh for his size and that lets him down. Its a shame he cant charge about like a lunatic like Basham but he does have much more ability. I think Adkins was referring to Collins again ,who hardly got out of our box ,but Long should open his frigging mouth and push the defence up. Collins was also up to his old tricks of handing bollockings out when he fucked up. Adkins mistake for changing the back four to accommodate Collins and pushing Edgar into the midfield where he is useless. Rank bad management again.

I mentioned briefly in the shout box, and it's probably a little harsh given his injury history but wow Cuvelier was shit. Off the pace of the game from about 5 mins in. Tubby little fucker as well.

 

[hoylandblade]

Adkins should have palmed Coutts of to Portsmouth with his drinking buddy when he had the chance, never liked Coutts from first time I watched him.

 

[Wards]

I actually like Coutts when he's on the ball, and I'm all for players who can play a bit (hence why I liked Baxter a lot) but his application was insulting yesterday.

I'll spare Cuvelier, who admittedly was dire, but two games in four days for someone who's been out for the best part of a year seems ludicrous when we had Flynn and Scougall sat twiddling their thumbs.

McEveley was the one who I can absolve of any blame (who'd have thought that eh?!). Long did well first half with his saves. Edgar was ok-ish.

The rest absolutely shite.