Fleck

[itsinyerblood]

Never say never, but this coming summer is crucial for the Blades. It'll show the level of ambition, so as much as I don't think Fleck will move, the quality of player we bring in will go a long way in convincing Fleck that we mean business where promotion is concerned.

There's not much to add to what's already been said about our midfield maestro. Technically he's excellent. Fleck's first touch is superb, it gives him those few essential moments in which to decide the best use of a pass. Yesterday he always seemed to have a little more time than those around him, thus it helps everyone to stay on the front foot. We're lacking a couple of forwards with pace and finishing ability, so given time, the understanding between midfield and forwards would blossom into something we currently lack. Of course losing Coutts was awful, and couldn't be underestimated in it's effect on how we reacted to his loss.....but back to Fleck, one of the very best midfield players we've ever had. More than good enough for this division and probably the Premiership too. Let's hope the Board aka McCabe and The Prince, can, for the greater good rather than their own personal interests, give Chris Wilder a level of funding that enables our manager to bring in the quality of player we're desperate for. I've no idea what our previous budgets have been under Wilder, but putting squabbles aside, give the guy £10-12 million - that's approx £5-6million each - surely even our barrel-scraping owners can extend to that in what will be a crucial season for us? Wilder's record at buying good to excellent players suggests that with a budget in excess of what he's used to we'll secure the signatures of players who'll make the difference for us.

 

[Fanny magnet]

The midfield or been the same has it since Coutts got Injured
Fleck and Duffy have both suffered,no disrespect to the other lads who've come in but that's the best most entertaining midfield I've ever seen at United going back to my first season.under porterfield in 81

 

[northsomersetblade]

I love his two footed neck high tackles

 

[wizadry]

Never say never, but this coming summer is crucial for the Blades. It'll show the level of ambition, so as much as I don't think Fleck will move, the quality of player we bring in will go a long way in convincing Fleck that we mean business where promotion is concerned.

There's not much to add to what's already been said about our midfield maestro. Technically he's excellent. Fleck's first touch is superb, it gives him those few essential moments in which to decide the best use of a pass. Yesterday he always seemed to have a little more time than those around him, thus it helps everyone to stay on the front foot. We're lacking a couple of forwards with pace and finishing ability, so given time, the understanding between midfield and forwards would blossom into something we currently lack. Of course losing Coutts was awful, and couldn't be underestimated in it's effect on how we reacted to his loss.....but back to Fleck, one of the very best midfield players we've ever had. More than good enough for this division and probably the Premiership too. Let's hope the Board aka McCabe and The Prince, can, for the greater good rather than their own personal interests, give Chris Wilder a level of funding that enables our manager to bring in the quality of player we're desperate for. I've no idea what our previous budgets have been under Wilder, but putting squabbles aside, give the guy £10-12 million - that's approx £5-6million each - surely even our barrel-scraping owners can extend to that in what will be a crucial season for us? Wilder's record at buying good to excellent players suggests that with a budget in excess of what he's used to we'll secure the signatures of players who'll make the difference for us.

Brilliant post iiyb.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

We’d be a very ordinary team without him.

 

[stringer]

but putting squabbles aside, give the guy £10-12 million - that's approx £5-6million each - surely even our barrel-scraping owners can extend to that in what will be a crucial season for us?

On top of all the millions they already spend keeping the club afloat?

 

[itsinyerblood]

On top of all the millions they already spend keeping the club afloat?

Daniel, I understand and empathise with all the arguments for a spendthrift approach. But it does no harm to ask, why get involved with a professional club. I know KM is hanging on for someone to appear with the deepest of pockets. Can't blame him for that, but he may be waiting a long, long time if that's the case. As for the Prince, I'm aware that he's subsidised many of our outgoings since he took part control of SUFC.

It's purely speculative wishful thinking on my part. We have two minor league millionaires running our club (at least that's the suggestion), yet we may, or may not, achieve promotion this season. If we remain a Championship club this term then what do we do next season? Passively accept the fact that we may get close but no further? If our destiny is to remain a Championship club it might be advisable for the owners to say as much, then our ambitious manager can reflect on his own future and whether this club and it's owners match his ambition. Nothing wrong in that I think.

 

[stringer]

But it does no harm to ask, why get involved with a professional club.

Certainly in McCabe’s case, thank fuck he did

 

[Piffle and Tosh]

How does Barry bannon get picked for Scotland ahead of him ?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Certainly in McCabe’s case, thank fuck he did

That sentiment is contained within the first sentence of my post. Of course McCabe's stewardship is preferable to someone who is clueless about the dynamics of running a club, but the question that shouldn't be avoided is what exactly do we wish for our club? I know that there's a potential loss for any owner, and if that's what this amounts to then better to inform the supporters, at least no one can then claim to be in the dark about club affairs. But the point of bringing the Prince on board was to give us that extra bit of clout, with a promise that when promotion to the Championship was achieved, he, The Prince, would invest in ways we hadn't previously seen. In short, to enable us to have a better than average chance of then achieving promotion to the Premiership. In which case last season's spend didn't blow the wind out of our sails, or in blunt terms, we chose not to compete financially.

Club ownership has risk as well as reward. The impression I get is that the Prince wants responsibility for spending the least whilst hoping/expecting to gain the most when promotion is finally achieved. Of course, it might be possible to achieve promotion without investing large amounts, but I think this represents a roll of the dice that probably won't deliver promotion for us.

 

[mosbolad]

FECK...........

 

[Keen Blade]

It's not just having a budget to buy players & pay their wages.
It's convincing them to join us by demonstrating ambition.

It's not just getting players in.
It's stopping the talent-drain out of the Club.
I give you Jags , the Kyles , Harry (virtually an England defence).
And Squinny , Murphy , DCL , Jug-Ears , that reserve goalie and probably others I can't bring to mind.

You can argue the merits of these sales till the cows come home.
But the trend says we are , as ever , a selling club.
Whose owners will always take a few bob to reduced their annual contribution.

So will this stop with Brooks & Fleck ?
We'll soon find out.

And if we still have aging strikers , see how our gates drop when the penny does.

 

[Roygbiv]

Scotland must have some fucking side for him not even to be in the squad!!

Disagree with the chap who claims he's better than Coutts, but that aside, I can't wait to see them back in tandem next season!!

It's beginning to become a bit ridiculous how he isn't in the Scotland squad.

 

[Ricky]

Another quality performance from a quality player.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Another quality performance from a quality player.

Right out of the book and on the first line too?