Basham & Coutts

[coaxingstar71]

I make no apology for probably duplicating what's been said many times but yesterday highlighted for me again the renaissance of these two players.

Who would have thought 18 months ago that we'd be purring over the performances of these two?

Basham - signed ostensibly as a hard working midfielder, he seemed to get lost during games, we saw glimpses of skill (the wonderful Cruyff turn v Southampton) but all too fleeting. Played as a makeshift centre back but remained unconvincing. Even before the New Year, I wouldn't have had him in the starting 11, but boy has he improved to the point that he must be one of the first names on the sheet with some exceptional performances, commanding in the air and strong in the tackle, brings it out of defence. He was brilliant again yesterday and looked very comfortable against Champ players. Really pleased for him as he seems to be a model professional too.

Coutts - was clearly way off any match fitness, seemed knackered all the time and for the first half season, I couldn't see anything that he offered to the team. Got better in his second season but very much divided opinion with many fans questioning his desire, particularly after he said he'd been 'bored' playing for Madkins. Towards the end of that season though I started seeing the player. I remember the home game v Barnsley, his touch and control were sublime, if he could just add some work-rate, he'd be a good player. Started under Wilder on the transfer list and on the bench, but came on in that dreadful game v Southend and noticeably improved the way we played instantly. Not looked back since and has benefited from the signing of Fleck who he clearly has a good understanding with. Looked completely at home yesterday.

Full marks to the backroom staff and management too, who are at least partly responsible for the rejuvenation of these two players.

 

[Rodley]

Bash will be a real club favourite. Bleeds red & white.

 

[BigBed]

I make no apology for probably duplicating what's been said many times but yesterday highlighted for me again the renaissance of these two players.

Who would have thought 18 months ago that we'd be purring over the performances of these two?

Basham - signed ostensibly as a hard working midfielder, he seemed to get lost during games, we saw glimpses of skill (the wonderful Cruyff turn v Southampton) but all too fleeting. Played as a makeshift centre back but remained unconvincing. Even before the New Year, I wouldn't have had him in the starting 11, but boy has he improved to the point that he must be one of the first names on the sheet with some exceptional performances, commanding in the air and strong in the tackle, brings it out of defence. He was brilliant again yesterday and looked very comfortable against Champ players. Really pleased for him as he seems to be a model professional too.

Coutts - was clearly way off any match fitness, seemed knackered all the time and for the first half season, I couldn't see anything that he offered to the team. Got better in his second season but very much divided opinion with many fans questioning his desire, particularly after he said he'd been 'bored' playing for Madkins. Towards the end of that season though I started seeing the player. I remember the home game v Barnsley, his touch and control were sublime, if he could just add some work-rate, he'd be a good player. Started under Wilder on the transfer list and on the bench, but came on in that dreadful game v Southend and noticeably improved the way we played instantly. Not looked back since and has benefited from the signing of Fleck who he clearly has a good understanding with. Looked completely at home yesterday.

Full marks to the backroom staff and management too, who are at least partly responsible for the rejuvenation of these two players.

Oooooo you LIKES WHORE you!!!!!!

Love Bash, never any negative news aimed at him, just seems a quiet genuine guy, n he tries so hard, defo one of the first names on that sheet week in week out, and seems to be getting better n better, hope this back 3 gel, could turn into something none of us expected!

 

[itsinyerblood]

I make no apology for probably duplicating what's been said many times but yesterday highlighted for me again the renaissance of these two players.

Who would have thought 18 months ago that we'd be purring over the performances of these two?

Basham - signed ostensibly as a hard working midfielder, he seemed to get lost during games, we saw glimpses of skill (the wonderful Cruyff turn v Southampton) but all too fleeting. Played as a makeshift centre back but remained unconvincing. Even before the New Year, I wouldn't have had him in the starting 11, but boy has he improved to the point that he must be one of the first names on the sheet with some exceptional performances, commanding in the air and strong in the tackle, brings it out of defence. He was brilliant again yesterday and looked very comfortable against Champ players. Really pleased for him as he seems to be a model professional too.

Coutts - was clearly way off any match fitness, seemed knackered all the time and for the first half season, I couldn't see anything that he offered to the team. Got better in his second season but very much divided opinion with many fans questioning his desire, particularly after he said he'd been 'bored' playing for Madkins. Towards the end of that season though I started seeing the player. I remember the home game v Barnsley, his touch and control were sublime, if he could just add some work-rate, he'd be a good player. Started under Wilder on the transfer list and on the bench, but came on in that dreadful game v Southend and noticeably improved the way we played instantly. Not looked back since and has benefited from the signing of Fleck who he clearly has a good understanding with. Looked completely at home yesterday.

Full marks to the backroom staff and management too, who are at least partly responsible for the rejuvenation of these two players.

Well said that man, couldn't agree more, two players who have the range of skills and attitude that make this a team we all love to watch.

Yesterday was a good example of a team settling into their stride, no doubt Wilder and Knill will have taken note and begun to advise the players what they must do to nullify half decent opposition, of which Brentford were. Clearly a good side, but for all their range of skills the end product was few and far between, and when the chance came to score they were like a blind man trying to put a key in a lock, so we move forward, learning that we can compete. I think we will face a few problems, but nothing that Wilder and Co won't be able to find a solution to. Most reassuringly, once our players hit their stride we'll look far better than the opening game.

 

[Ricky]

Coutts looks fitter and stronger than he's ever been since signing for us.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Well said that man, couldn't agree more, two players who have the range of skills and attitude that make this a team we all love to watch.

Yesterday was a good example of a team settling into their stride, no doubt Wilder and Knill will have taken note and begun to advise the players what they must do to nullify half decent opposition, of which Brentford were. Clearly a good side, but for all their range of skills the end product was few and far between, and when the chance came to score they were like a blind man trying to put a key in a lock, so we move forward, learning that we can compete. I think we will face a few problems, but nothing that Wilder and Co won't be able to find a solution to. Most reassuringly, once our players hit their stride we'll look far better than the opening game.

I actually think some of the players gave them a bit too much respect. When we had the ball and took the game to them in the first half, we looked as good as, if not better than them with the ball, it was only when we started dropping deeper in the second half that they looked better than us. Not complaining though, we beat a good side and we can play better. I know we'll be saying this most weeks, but next week at Boro IS a really big test.

 

[Roygbiv]

Loved Bashams reaction when Brentford missed there sitter. Jumped up and down like we had scored

 

[snootyfenooty]

Loved Bashams reaction when Brentford missed there sitter. Jumped up and down like we had scored

He's just turned 29, enough time left to get us into the Prem and maybe play for 1 year in it. Legend in the making, get those mugs lined up in the club shop!

 

[Stretch]

To be fair I think we saw what Bash was capable of long before Coutts. He got off to an awful start of course. I can't remember who we played when Clough subbed him and he marched straight down the tunnel shouting at himself but that was the turning point. From then on he looked a different proposition and went onto get joint player of the season. He's just got better and better ever since.

Character, bottle, guts and determination, with a bit of skill thrown in. Everything us Blades want in a player.

 

[boo radley]

Bash was MOTM yesterday and many of us wanted him as Captain before Billy came.
In my eyes he should be our vice because he is miles ahead of the other superstar in the making in his decision s on the pitch (who when where how) and his passion for this club if not equal, is second only to the locals.

 

[Kenilworth]

I thought Bash was immense again yesterday. A big part of what helped Freeman get forward to great effect last season. Playing the right side of a central 3 at the back is his ideal position and accentuates all his best attributes.

Coutts was completely at home in that environment. Silky, composed, effective.

Fleck was way off the pace to begin with and gave the ball away a few times. He got more into it in the second half and should improve as he gets to the pace of it all.

Leon, IMO was MoM.
What a shift he put in.
Assist
Scored (dubious flag)
Harried
Tracked back
Hassled
Looked strong and fit
Controlled and shielded the ball.
He was outstanding yesterday.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Agreed. Bash was immense yesterday - showed great experience and a cool head under pressure.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I thought Bash was immense again yesterday. A big part of what helped Freeman get forward to great effect last season. Playing the right side of a central 3 at the back is his ideal position and accentuates all his best attributes.

Coutts was completely at home in that environment. Silky, composed, effective.

Fleck was way off the pace to begin with and gave the ball away a few times. He got more into it in the second half and should improve as he gets to the pace of it all.

Leon, IMO was MoM.
What a shift he put in.
Assist
Scored (dubious flag)
Harried
Tracked back
Hassled
Looked strong and fit
Controlled and shielded the ball.
He was outstanding yesterday.

As has been said elsewhere Ken, great 'dummy' from Clarke to fool everyone and then send in the silkiest of crosses for a virtually unmarked Sharp to power it past their keeper. Clean sheet in the first game, lovely atmosphere, thousands of Blades went home as happy as Larry, and now that we've got that game out of the way the first team can see what they have to do to do themselves justice. Not a brilliant performance but we did enough, and like everyone else on this forum it feels great to have waved goodbye to Division 1 and return to the Championship. Never mind what those delusional Brentford fans think, they returned home having being held up on their day trip without any points, here's hoping we can do the same to all the other teams who visit us this season.