Coutts

[Fiery Blade]

Can you quantify 'proper footballer'?

In my 25 years plus of watching the Blades I'd say midfield wise, Hodges, Cowen, McCall and Brown were proper midfielders. I wouldn't even put Coutts in the same category as Jones, Booker, Gannon or monty who let's not forget all played in 'successful' sides and performed consistently. Coutts will be firmly in the Ian Hamilton / Jonathan Hunt file, a poor player with no effort and playing in a poor division.

No one can complain he's not been given a chance as he was one of Cloughs favourites.

He has certainly not been given a chance by a section of 'supporters' especially at home when they were always on his back !
Perhaps it's not surprising that he turned in his better displays away from home ie Bristol City, Barnsley & Swindon
As for your list of midfielders - All of those players turned out for the Blades in the Premier League or Championship at worse - we are now in L1 (Division Three) so to compare standards is ludicrous - even Monty would have the semblance of a footballer in Division Three
Also, with midfielders it depends on how 'savvy' the rest of the team are around you - Coutts is surrounded by ordinary footballers that sometimes failed to read or anticipate through balls by Coutts !

 

[alcoblade]

He has certainly not been given a chance by a section of 'supporters' especially at home when they were always on his back !
Perhaps it's not surprising that he turned in his better displays away from home ie Bristol City, Barnsley & Swindon
As for your list of midfielders - All of those players turned out for the Blades in the Premier League or Championship at worse - we are now in L1 (Division Three) so to compare standards is ludicrous - even Monty would have the semblance of a footballer in Division Three
Also, with midfielders it depends on how 'savvy' the rest of the team are around you - Coutts is surrounded by ordinary footballers that sometimes failed to read or anticipate through balls by Coutts !

A few of the usual excuses there;

Not been given a chance
Good away (when nobody is watching)
And the old classic.....Too clever for those around him.

I'll accept "coming back from injury and playing when he shouldn't have been". The rest is just an excuse for being poor.

UTB

 

[Fiery Blade]

A few of the usual excuses there;

Not been given a chance
Good away (when nobody is watching)
And the old classic.....Too clever for those around him.

I'll accept "coming back from injury and playing when he shouldn't have been". The rest is just an excuse for being poor.

UTB

I never said he had not been given a chance by the manager but small minded sections of our 'support' were on his back from day one - probably because he was from Derby !
I think you will find there were a good number watching at Bristol, Barnsley and Swindon
Whether you like it or not he is streets ahead of some players at the Lane - did not Preston want him back before he chose United ?

 

[alcoblade]

I never said he had not been given a chance by the manager but small minded sections of our 'support' were on his back from day one - probably because he was from Derby !
I think you will find there were a good number watching at Bristol, Barnsley and Swindon
Whether you like it or not he is streets ahead of some players at the Lane - did not Preston want him back before he chose United ?

If he's streets ahead, then why wouldn't I like it?

There has been no evidence, as yet, that that's the case. He's played well in a few games, and poorly in many more.

I can accept that we should wait and see. But please don't try to tell me that last season's performances were, on the whole, anywhere near acceptable.

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

A few of the usual excuses there;

Not been given a chance
Good away (when nobody is watching)
And the old classic.....Too clever for those around him.

I'll accept "coming back from injury and playing when he shouldn't have been". The rest is just an excuse for being poor.

UTB

Interesting perception 'when no-one is watching'. The opposite of KMac, who according to the home fans was the new TC but put in some gash performances away (and I was watching).
And maybe that's one of the reasons Month polarises supporters too. When we're away and under the cosh, our travelling support would be seeing him run himself into the ground trying to stop the opposition scoring and respect him accordingly. At home, when we're trying to dominate a side who's sitting deep and he delivers another punt to a player only he can see and we lose possession again it can be highly frustrating.

 

[Pinchy]

Coutts is a proper footballer - Something Mr Carling Blade is probably not used to !
The original post really sets the tone !
New Season, New Manager same old negativity !!!

If I want guidance on quality, I won't be seeking it from anyone named Carling!

 

[Fiery Blade]

If he's streets ahead, then why wouldn't I like it?

There has been no evidence, as yet, that that's the case. He's played well in a few games, and poorly in many more.

I can accept that we should wait and see. But please don't try to tell me that last season's performances were, on the whole, anywhere near acceptable.

UTB

Far from it - I was as disappointed as anyone having seen the guy play before he joined the Blades as he failed to find the consistency and performance levels he is very capable of achieving !
My response is particularly aimed at Mr Carling Blades' OP - Paul Coutts is definitely not shite and is capable of being a key member of the side !

 

[Lane Ender]

If I want guidance on quality, I won't be seeking it from anyone named Carling!

Yes thats real poor quality alcohol

 

[BushBlade]

I must admit I thought Murphy was dreadful for a good while after he signed. The regularity with which he ran the ball out of play astonished me - are the pitches generally a yard longer in Scotland?

That said, I don't know what people think this mythical 'pre-season' is. It's apparently some sort of panacea that cures bad knees, all manner of muscular injuries, chronic bad form, weight issues and in some cases plain being dreadful.

No doubt some players will benefit but I doubt a little sun and sea will turn all of Higdon, Wallace, Coutts, Cuvelier and even our Tel from perma-crocks and no-hopers into a fighting force.

Stewart Robson spoke about this in depth on the radio last week. It can make a huge difference to players, both mentally and physically. Players often play through the season with injuries that require minor surgery, or muscle problems that can only be properly sorted with rest. That all gets done in the close season.
In the lower leagues, with around fifty games, there are times in the season when you barely train. It makes it very difficult to work on team shape in possession and the like which can make it harder for players to settle in.

A few weeks rest, the chance to get minor injuries treated and the opportunity for NA to impose his style of play and work on the things we know need attention, like set pieces, will make a difference.

It's not a magic wand but how many players have we seen in the past who've had a bad start at a club they've signed for and go on to be good players? Berbatov, Bale and Modric all had a poor start at Spurs. Why is it so difficult to believe a player can improve? Is it because we're Blades and we've been conditioned to think the worst? Di Maria was crap at Man U last season but is anyone suggesting that's the best he can do?

 

[Pinchy]

Paul Coutts has played the vast majority of his career in the Championship. He was always highly regarded (and, until his injury, a first-team regular) at his three clubs Peterborough (helped them escape League One too), Preston (where he was captain) and Derby.

He's a very good player for this level. It really is all about the injury. Same goes for James Wallace. If (and yes it's a big IF) we get these two fit and firing, we'll have the best midfield in the league.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

I'm sorry but pretty much most of the time I've seen Coutts play he has been garbage. He gave the ball away, had no goal threat, looked weak and slow.

I dont buy the idea he wasnt given a chance. He was a constant in the team when he was offering nothing.

Yes, lets see how he does under Adkins, but I'm not expecting the Third Division's Paul Scholes some fans think he is.

 

[Deadbat]

I have to be honest and say I can never remember Coutts for Derby or PNE.

I cannot remember him standing out in games v United or any others games I saw on TV. Indeed I barely remember him so he cant have stood out and I watch a lot of football!

My judgement of him on the games I saw was a player who was mostly very poor. I will qualify it and say I did not go to Barnsley or Bristol and evidently he was decent in these games. He had an ok first 45 mins v Preston (first game) and then he did ok at Oldham second half; followed by a more improved performance against Swindon in the second half.

I hope he gets fully fit and is firing and the player some feel he can become but on the evidence of what I saw sadly I saw a slow, unfit, immobile player who struggled to last 90 minutes. For all the faults mentioned I thought he was meant to be technically very good but his passing and control was really poor. Those sort of qualities should be very evident in such a poor league but I struggle to say one thing Coutts showed he could do consistently well.

Hope he proves me wrong and we bring this thread back at the end of the season and say 'Up yours Deadbat and others!' who did not see this so called key player but I have to call it as I see it and that is he looked a poor player on the evidence of last season.

 

[HoodedClaw]

I'm hopeful he'll be a big player for us this season.

Given a change in footballing philosophy (fingers crossed) and a midfield partner to build a relationship with, I think he's shown he has the potential to be good for us.

Don't think there's any coincidence his best performances were with Basham playing in midfield.

 

[Barney]

People thought Murphy was poor for a long spell when he came. That's because he was. Then he stopped being poor, and people didn't think he was poor anymore. It was just that simple. None of this "never giving him a chance afterwards" existed.

Coutts had lots of detractors last season for no other reason than for the most part, he was fucking shite. There is no need to shift the blame onto the long suffering fans.

If his no show was due to recovery from injury then he'll demonstrate that this season, and we'll ALL be happy. And he'll still have been shite last season.

UTB

Well said. Even though I do think he could have potential when he is injury free, all in all he was shit last season and I find it shocking how some are still even debating that. He couldn't pass 5 yard FFS.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Well said. Even though I do think he could have potential when he is injury free, all in all he was shit last season and I find it shocking how some are still even debating that. He couldn't pass 5 yard FFS.

Is it barnyblade or Barmy Blade - if you took some time out and watched the whole game instead of getting on his case then you would have seen some quality football - Yes, he was inconsistent, probably due to his very long absence from the game through injury, but, especially at Bristol, Barnsley and Swindon he looked a very good footballer.
As for 'footballers' that couldn't pass 5 yards - Monty was the king and created a cult following with many Blades !!!

 

[Barney]

Is it barnyblade or Barmy Blade - if you took some time out and watched the whole game instead of getting on his case then you would have seen some quality football - Yes, he was inconsistent, probably due to his very long absence from the game through injury, but, especially at Bristol, Barnsley and Swindon he looked a very good footballer.
As for 'footballers' that couldn't pass 5 yards - Monty was the king and created a cult following with many Blades !!!

Are you Pinchy in disguise? I was re-assured when I read the last sentence, it just confirms the invalidity of what came before it and the type of judgement level of a poster is replying here, perfect, means I don't need to put as much effort into my reply.

 

[bartman]

Well said. Even though I do think he could have potential when he is injury free, all in all he was shit last season and I find it shocking how some are still even debating that. He couldn't pass 5 yard FFS.

You really don't like people disagreeing with you do you ? I agree Coutts was poor in some games as we're all the players but his quality in other games showed. Some fans are too blinkered to accept it. At Swindon Basham Murphy and Flynn disappeared whilst Coutts fought a battle to get us back in the game and tried to dictate play whilst others bottled it

I am not sure he is the type of player Adkins will want but he is no where near as bad as some make out

 

[Fiery Blade]

Are you Pinchy in disguise? I was re-assured when I read the last sentence, it just confirms the invalidity of what came before it and the type of judgement level of a poster is replying here, perfect, means I don't need to put as much effort into my reply.

Sorry Barmyblade, I dared to actually criticise Montgomery - who in my opinion never was a footballer !
As bartman says 'You really don't like people disagreeing with you do you ?'

 

[Reedy1889]

I rate Coutts regardless of how he may have performed in his time here. My only worry now for him under Adkins is IF Adkins goes with a 4-4-2 where would Coutts fit in? I don't see him being able to form partnership in the middle with Basham and those two between them being able to dictate from the centre

 

[itsinyerblood]

You really don't like people disagreeing with you do you ? I agree Coutts was poor in some games as we're all the players but his quality in other games showed. Some fans are too blinkered to accept it. At Swindon Basham Murphy and Flynn disappeared whilst Coutts fought a battle to get us back in the game and tried to dictate play whilst others bottled it

I am not sure he is the type of player Adkins will want but he is no where near as bad as some make out

How right you are bartman, anything that has even a whiff of disagreement is met with something close to a disagreeable tone from barnyblade. How dare you, me, or anyone else think that having an opposite view should be encouraged? I commented on another thread, interestingly one created by the barmy one, and no sooner had I responded than I was met with something bordering on a neurotic's defensiveness. Fortunately other posters on said thread commented on barmy's silliness, so perhaps he's prone to some type of knee-jerk overreaction where differing views are concerned? A pity really, it means that any poster who has to defend him or herself simply because they've disagreed wastes time and energy on this sort of nonsense.

 

[BushBlade]

I rate Coutts regardless of how he may have performed in his time here. My only worry now for him under Adkins is IF Adkins goes with a 4-4-2 where would Coutts fit in? I don't see him being able to form partnership in the middle with Basham and those two between them being able to dictate from the centre

Whereas my only worry is that NA plays 442.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Paul Coutts has played the vast majority of his career in the Championship. He was always highly regarded (and, until his injury, a first-team regular) at his three clubs Peterborough (helped them escape League One too), Preston (where he was captain) and Derby.

He's a very good player for this level. It really is all about the injury. Same goes for James Wallace. If (and yes it's a big IF) we get these two fit and firing, we'll have the best midfield in the league.

If we are going to be a serious threat , and get out of this league , we cannot work on , if , , buts ,and maybes ,on any player , never mind who it is .

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

If we are going to be a serious threat , and get out of this league , we cannot work on , if , , buts ,and maybes ,on any player , never mind who it is .

UTB

Exactly, so you mean WHEN we get out of this league.

 

[sitwell]

I saw him in all home games and away at Orient, I can only describe those performances as poor, well below the standards I'd expect.

Can I ask what you think of Baxter ? Personally I think Orient away was the laziest performance have seen from a player in a United shirt in the past 10 years ,he did even less than when he counted himself out of the play offs.

 

[Pinchy]

If we are going to be a serious threat , and get out of this league , we cannot work on , if , , buts ,and maybes ,on any player , never mind who it is .

UTB

Certainly not when the season starts, but pre-season training and friendlies might firm up a few 'ifs' and 'maybes'. Of course Kennedy and Reed are carrying a few question marks and fall firmly within "never mind who it is.." on any fair analysis...

 

[CarlingBlade]

Can I ask what you think of Baxter ? Personally I think Orient away was the laziest performance have seen from a player in a United shirt in the past 10 years ,he did even less than when he counted himself out of the play offs.

Baxter is an obvious goal threat and more talent him his little toe than Coutts has in his whole body.

Baxter would be a top half championship player if he'd put the effort in, unfortunately he's gonna waste his talent and piss away his career.

Too much of a headcase and liability to command a regular first team place.

 

[CarlingBlade]

So so many forum members will have to eat humble pie over the next few months.

Coutts will be a fantastic player for us. A shrewd signing.

But I suppose now Doyle has gone all the anger from fans can now be directed at coutts and higdon

Still waiting to eat that humble pie, nom, nom, nom!

 

[CarlingBlade]

So are we all agreed that he's shite (as per my op?)

I've been saying for the past few weeks Coutts will be our best player next season, I may have to eat a lot of humble pie, but i doubt ut.

Roughly how many people do you believe you are talking for?

Thanks for speaking up for us, the rest of us who don't have a voice.

You're a true saviour of the supporters, pull down the statue of the pig in the car park. You deserve one for your selfless crusade to let the silent yet timid majorities voice be heard.

So you liked Monty but don't see anything in Coutts?

I can only assume from that comment you didn't see Coutts play in the last few games of the season or you wouldn't be talking such rubbish.

Coutts is a proper footballer - Something Mr Carling Blade is probably not used to !
The original post really sets the tone !
New Season, New Manager same old negativity !!!

He has certainly not been given a chance by a section of 'supporters' especially at home when they were always on his back !
Perhaps it's not surprising that he turned in his better displays away from home ie Bristol City, Barnsley & Swindon
As for your list of midfielders - All of those players turned out for the Blades in the Premier League or Championship at worse - we are now in L1 (Division Three) so to compare standards is ludicrous - even Monty would have the semblance of a footballer in Division Three
Also, with midfielders it depends on how 'savvy' the rest of the team are around you - Coutts is surrounded by ordinary footballers that sometimes failed to read or anticipate through balls by Coutts !

I never said he had not been given a chance by the manager but small minded sections of our 'support' were on his back from day one - probably because he was from Derby !
I think you will find there were a good number watching at Bristol, Barnsley and Swindon
Whether you like it or not he is streets ahead of some players at the Lane - did not Preston want him back before he chose United ?

If I want guidance on quality, I won't be seeking it from anyone named Carling!

Far from it - I was as disappointed as anyone having seen the guy play before he joined the Blades as he failed to find the consistency and performance levels he is very capable of achieving !
My response is particularly aimed at Mr Carling Blades' OP - Paul Coutts is definitely not shite and is capable of being a key member of the side !

Paul Coutts has played the vast majority of his career in the Championship. He was always highly regarded (and, until his injury, a first-team regular) at his three clubs Peterborough (helped them escape League One too), Preston (where he was captain) and Derby.

He's a very good player for this level. It really is all about the injury. Same goes for James Wallace. If (and yes it's a big IF) we get these two fit and firing, we'll have the best midfield in the league.

 

[alcoblade]

So are we all agreed that he's shite (as per my op?)

It's because we "aren't used to proper footballers". It seems the Port Vale players weren't either.

UTB

 

[mattbianco1]

Still waiting to eat that humble pie, nom, nom, nom!

So you don't think he's playing well then?