Cuvelier time?

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Deadly_D'Jaffo

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I was satisfied with the result last Saturday, but I would echo Deadbats's criticism that our midfield simply isn't creating much through the middle. With that in mind as well as an intense fixture list coming up, do you think it is time we introduced Cuvelier to the midfield? I know he hasn't had a great start to his career at Sheff Utd, but neither did Baxter and I thought on Saturday he was pipped to the MOM award by an industrious Ryan Flynn. So if like Baxter he has got his confidence back, why not start introducing him to the first team?

I think Cuvelier could be that poor mans equivalent of Eden Hazard that we're crying out for in the middle.

 

I've been looking forward to seeing him in the team to be honest as he's got talent from what I saw when he's played elsewhere.

That said, I'd little to moan about with Coady playing there at the moment. Thought he was generally very good 2nd half. Doyle was poor first half and improved after the break too but he's pretty much undroppable it seems. So 1 from 3 out of McGinn, Cuvelier and Coady? Still not sure Cuvelier has done enough to get in front of the other two at the moment.

Wouldn't be averse to seeing him wide away from home though.
 
Looks a good player, did he do all that in one game. I seem to remember Souness taking George Weah's 'cousin'on trial at Southampton based on a video. ;)

Joking apart, I'm sure you're right that we need creativity and whilst I can't comment on recent performances, I've got a few questions.

This time last season people were bemoaning the lack of goals and creativity. Many neglected the fact that we were keeping things tight and being professional, if not entertaining. We were getting wins and draws - points.

Before Cloughie came in we were leaking a lot and not scoring. Cloughie has made it very clear that he wants us to cut out the mistakes and stop conceding. In recent weeks it's worked, we've gained points and slowly climbed out of the relegation zone. It may not be pretty we may not be entertaining, but we've been getting points.

Cloughie stated after Saturday that he was happy with Flynn and Murphy putting crosses in. For me that means whilst were playing a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 that the creativity is generally going to come down the wings, the graft and simplicity through the middle.

Onto Cuvelier then...

Looks a very tidy player in the video, lots of skills and a bit like a brown/ tonge player - he's at home around the opposition box. Ideal.
But what's the rest of his game like?
Who does he replace?
Where can he slot in?

Cloughie has stated that Cuvelier must be ready to take his opportunities. He's been behind Doyle, Lappin, Coady and McGinn. I'm guessing he must be fairly close to getting his chance, but that chance might be on the wing or doing a job in midfield which is more defensive if the game needs it.
 
Not sure I would trust Cuvellier in a midfield 2, however I would like him to take up the Coady position playing on the right of 2 with Coady kept inside alongside Doyle.

I don't think McGinn is the answer either unfortunately and we should look to strengthen in January if we can
 
Not sure I would trust Cuvellier in a midfield 2, however I would like him to take up the Coady position playing on the right of 2 with Coady kept inside alongside Doyle.

I would like Cuvelier to be given a chance at LM with Matt Hill providing cover at LB. Cuvelier looks quite good using his left foot in that clip so might offer us a bit of balance and variety in our attacking.
 
I think most people realise, like him or loathe him, the natural player to get replaced would be Doyle. Now unfortunately, we all have accepted Doyle will not be dropped at any point this season. Therefore we need to have a more stable player e.g. McGinn or Coady who we can have more faith in sticking to NC's plans of keeping it tight at the moment. If we were 8th/9th at this stage, I'd e fairly certain Cuvelier would be in the team with the freedom to express himself. Sadly the situation is demanding a more cautious approach at the moment.
 
but he's pretty much undroppable it seems.

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From what I saw earlier on in the season I think he is in all reality not that good, and was a waste of resources. Now we have picked up and are on a short unbeaten run I don't really see the need to reintroduce him.
 
Everyone with a foreign name has to be good.

It's one of the first laws of football fannery.

A few examples:

Daniel Bogdanovic
Goran Slavkovski
Jean Calve
David sommeil
Vincent pericard

I'm sure there are a whole lot more too!
 
It's interesting that he's been a virtual ever-present on the bench under Clough (10 from a possible 11 games), yet has only come on once (in the 89th minute vs Crewe). He's clearly not been frozen out of it, but at every opportunity someone else has had a chance ahead of him. Flynn's come back in. Murphy's come back in. Lappin and White have been used in midfield. And Brandy, who Clough clearly wanted to teach a lesson by not bringing him right back in after his suspension, has now got game time ahead of him.

If he's not willing to play him, why is he on the bench? And given he's always on the bench, why has Clough given opportunities to everyone apart from him? It's a bizarre situation frankly. I've no idea if he's any good, but if he isn't then why not give the place on the bench to a youngster to involve them in the matchday squad? Seems a waste either way.
 
From what I saw earlier on in the season I think he is in all reality not that good, and was a waste of resources. Now we have picked up and are on a short unbeaten run I don't really see the need to reintroduce him.

At some point though we need to evolve from being a difficult team to beat into an adventerous winning team and players like Cuvelier will compliment that.
 

It's interesting that he's been a virtual ever-present on the bench under Clough (10 from a possible 11 games), yet has only come on once (in the 89th minute vs Crewe). He's clearly not been frozen out of it, but at every opportunity someone else has had a chance ahead of him. Flynn's come back in. Murphy's come back in. Lappin and White have been used in midfield. And Brandy, who Clough clearly wanted to teach a lesson by not bringing him right back in after his suspension, has now got game time ahead of him.

If he's not willing to play him, why is he on the bench? And given he's always on the bench, why has Clough given opportunities to everyone apart from him? It's a bizarre situation frankly. I've no idea if he's any good, but if he isn't then why not give the place on the bench to a youngster to involve them in the matchday squad? Seems a waste either way.


So many questions, so little time...
 
I'm sure he'll be given his chance to come on and shine soon enough.... maybe the next time we're 3-0 up at home with about 10 mins to go.
 
I remember us signing keeper Kristian Rogers after a Blade fan sent a video to NW of Rogers saves etc. He wasnt good enough when playing for our reserves. I remember Phil Starbuck looking a world beater playing for Huddersfield when watching highlights of local games on YTV and I as surprised when we signed him but soon realised why Hudders werent bothered about keeping him.
 
I'm a big fan of Cuvelier, he has a lot of potential. It all depends on how happy Clough is with our attacking/defensive balance and the kind of opposition we are are up against.

Cuvelier is quick, creative and has a good range of passing but he is a little lightweight.
 

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