Back-up for Coutts & Fleck

[Keen Blade]

This might seem a strange post after Sunday but please bear with me.
Before the season began , my personal view of the Blade's target was survival.
We've exceeded expectations.
But I'm a cautious guy. It's now become 12th place.
However , when assessing our potential weaknesses , my view is that , should Coutts or Fleck be out for any length of time , their replacements , which I see as Carruthers & Lundstrum , are not really true replacements , however good they are at what they do.
Which wouldn't matter if the target dropped back to survival.
But if we want to make real progress , should we not have as a January priority , a true replacement for each of them ? Is that too much to ask ?
I am more concerned about this than the current list of crocked strikers.
I am sure we will just count up the fit ones in January and if it's not sufficient in CW's view , he'll strengthen.

 

[IOM Blade]

They are also both on 4 bookings. One more for each and it's a ban.

 

[tomtheblade]

They are also both on 4 bookings. One more for each and it's a ban.

If thats true then its inevitable that both will be missing games in the near future. Given both of their combative nature, it was always going to be thus at some stage.

Ideally it will be staggered so we're missing one then the other, rather than both at the same time.
If we can manage it that way im confident that between them lundstram, bash and carruthers can fill the gap enough, but its true it does highlight that we may need slightly more cover in this area.

 

[Groucho Blade]

Isn't Ben Whiteman back in January? He'll provide competition and cover, won't he?

 

[SwissBlade]

This might seem a strange post after Sunday but please bear with me.
Before the season began , my personal view of the Blade's target was survival.
We've exceeded expectations.
But I'm a cautious guy. It's now become 12th place.
However , when assessing our potential weaknesses , my view is that , should Coutts or Fleck be out for any length of time , their replacements , which I see as Carruthers & Lundstrum , are not really true replacements , however good they are at what they do.
Which wouldn't matter if the target dropped back to survival.
But if we want to make real progress , should we not have as a January priority , a true replacement for each of them ? Is that too much to ask ?
I am more concerned about this than the current list of crocked strikers.
I am sure we will just count up the fit ones in January and if it's not sufficient in CW's view , he'll strengthen.

Not a strange post, but its already been thought about

- Lundstram, Basham, Duffy, Carruthers, Brooks and Thomas all play through the middle in various formations.
- Even Ched can play as the attacking midfielder
- Not all players will slot into the roles of Coutts and Fleck, nor should they.
- Wilder doesn't fit square pegs in round holes, he plays a system to suit his players.

I am sure we will have games where at least one of Coutts or Fleck will be out, possibly both. We have contingency for plans A-Z. To play 46 games in a high energy midfield, even when the ball is working for us, is tough.

I'd also say that a Centre Mid will be on the shopping list for Jan.

 

[McGrath]

It's the chemistry between the two that's hardest to replace.

But remember 2 years ago Coutts was a peripheral figure at the Lane and Fleck was an inconsistent part of Coventrys midfield. Wilder and Knills coaching and management have contributed a lot to what you see on the pitch and there's no reason why the same can't be true with Lundstram and Carruthers who arguably signed with bigger reputations.

 

[tomtheblade]

Isn't Ben Whiteman back in January? He'll provide competition and cover, won't he?

Yeah, based on the rave reviews he's been getting, albeit at a lower level, i'm really excited to see him. If Brooks is anything to go by our development squad coaching staff definitely know what they're doing.

 

[Bladezz]

We are Sheffield united we don't have 16 top end championship players we have 11 . When some get injured yes out perfomance will drop slightly but hopefully the lights of Lundtsram / Carruthers will step up and raise there game.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

This is why we chased Leonard so hard from Southend.

The few times I have seen Lenny - he seems a dictator of the pace of a game and for me was the alternative to Coutt's as against Fleck.

As someone has mentioned, there is Whiteman - we won't know if he is good enough until tried.

Can Lundtram step up a gear?

I'd also say that a Centre Mid will be on the shopping list for Jan.

^^^^^^ almost definitely this in January - frightening how much that may cost - probably 2nd most expensive position after a striker.

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

^^^^^^ almost definitely this in January - frightening how much that may cost - probably 2nd most expensive position after a striker.

UTB

I think we'll look around league one and the Championship to find someone - early/ mid 20's, lost their way a bit...

 

[Blade56]

Back up for Coutts and Fleck?

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I think we'll look around league one and the Championship to find someone - early/ mid 20's, lost their way a bit...

wonder if CW & AK could tame Ravel Morrison? Big Sam tried and failed - Ideal for NW - he likes a challenge and lost souls, but doesn't seem interested.
An undoubted wasted talent...........

Perhaps we might go for Lenny - Southend after wanting to push this season seem less than average and might cash in in Jan - although it's a bit of a concern no one else has shown much interest.

You got anyone in mind?

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

wonder if CW & AK could tame Ravel Morrison? Big Sam tried and failed - Ideal for NW - he likes a challenge and lost souls, but doesn't seem interested.
An undoubted wasted talent...........

Perhaps we might go for Lenny - Southend after wanting to push this season seem less than average and might cash in in Jan - although it's a bit of a concern no one else has shown much interest.

You got anyone in mind?

UTB

Attitude has to be there for Wilder. Warnock is more of a man to get the best out of arseholes, but it's not really Wilders style of putting an arm around an arsehole.

Wilder seems to be more along the lines of "show me you're worth keeping, because if not you're gone. However, give me something to work with and we'll bring you into this team."

Look at the players he's shipped out and then Look at the faith he's had in freeman, Coutts, Clarke, Ched and now young Brooks

I'm quite sure that with Brooks there was some discontent about him going to Chesterfield, perhaps from Brooks himself, perhaps he liked being part of the United set up... and perhaps Wilder said that he could stay but he's got to show him he's ready and then he'll get his chance

He's taking that chance. That's the rewards for the hard work

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Problem is balancing bringing in the sufficient quality with the fact they will be on the bench most weeks.

 

[Slim Man]

Lundstram will be a very able deputy for a game or two.

 

[bigbirdblade]

They are also both on 4 bookings. One more for each and it's a ban.

When does that last til?

 

[knowsnowt]

You could easily say the same if billy and the Don were out. Didn't go too bad did it.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Problem is balancing bringing in the sufficient quality with the fact they will be on the bench most weeks.

Yes, to an extent, but CW will only bring in those who he thinks have the skill, and mindset, to seriously challenge not to be on the bench.

 

[Keen Blade]

Cheers guys , somewhat heartened by the responses

 

[Nick Jansky]

When does that last til?

New Years Eve, I think.

 

[Baw Heid]

If thats true then its inevitable that both will be missing games in the near future. Given both of their combative nature, it was always going to be thus at some stage.

Ideally it will be staggered so we're missing one then the other, rather than both at the same time.
If we can manage it that way im confident that between them lundstram, bash and carruthers can fill the gap enough, but its true it does highlight that we may need slightly more cover in this area.

I watched Lundstram's first game at under 23 and he played a holding roll in front of the back three. He looked the part. Be interesting to see if they push him on, I hope not as he looked the part where he was

 

[BushBlade]

Yes, to an extent, but CW will only bring in those who he thinks have the skill, and mindset, to seriously challenge not to be on the bench.

To do that they'd have to be better than Coutts and Fleck. And if they were, how long would Coutts or Fleck be prepared to sit on the bench?
It's highly unlikely that we're ever going to have 22 players of equal quality while we're in the championship, most PL clubs struggle to do that.

 

[alcoblade]

Lundstram will be a very able deputy for a game or two.

And maybe more? Lundstram is good cover for Coutts. It's Fleck where I think we lack cover.

 

[Ricky]

Whiteman is the answer.

In the meantime there's Lundstram, Carruthers and Basham.

 

[blademark]

Personally , assuming we are still challenging come January, I would like to see us push the boat out and try to sign Ryan Woods of Brentford. Will be expensive, but looks good enough to play in premier league.