Freeman & Coutts

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

looks like they have both been taken off the Transfer list and going to be offered new contracts

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Winner winner chicken dinner.
Revitalised and performing,contributing.
Saves looking for 2 more players.

 

[Stretch]

Let's hope they don't think 'job done' to themselves and slip back into mediocrity. Sorry, just being cynical, hope they keep improving as they are like new players at the moment.

 

[Kenilworth]

Winner winner chicken dinner.
Revitalised and performing,contributing.
Saves looking for 2 more players.

Different Gravy

 

[CarlingBlade]

still too soon for me, both need to maintain the hunger they have shown in the last 7 matches or so.

i hope the contracts are only 12 months, i don't want us over committing and (ex) fridge players slipping back into their old ways.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I wouldnt give them new contracts just yet, but I would take them off the transfer list - think they deserve that.

 

[Revolution]

With Coutts' injury history and poor performance over 90% of his time at the Lane I would not give him a new deal. We can do better.

I never thought Freeman was that bad, but again, is this the right time? Not sure it is.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Or, they continue to improve....and if we haven't offered them new contracts and got it signed up they can see what January brings by the way of other sides.
They could then be receiving offers we cannot match, and then lose them for nowt. More so with Coutts perhaps than Freeman.

Offering them new deals could be seen as a reward for their endeavour in turning things around. It could then spur them on to offer even more, rather than them think job done, money earned for 3 years I'm off sick!

Other players seeing this might look at it and think they fancy a bit of that too....and raise their game to earn a new deal. I think this is a good thing, they are being rewarded for hard work and effort.

We either trust Wilders asses,net of things, especially as he's done a good job with these two, or we don't. I'm saying we trust him.....as with all his predecessors he lives by his decisions.

 

[secretchief]

I presume they will be offered less if this is the case.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Taking them off the transfer list would be deserved based on how they've reversed Wilder's view on them, but it's a little too early to be thinking about new deals for them. If we reassess things in January that might be the best course – and if they've proved their worth consistently till then, that would be the time to offer something.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I wouldnt give them new contracts just yet, but I would take them off the transfer list - think they deserve that.

Transfer list is pointless for them now anyway. Can't be sold til January, and unlikely anyone would pay a worthwhile fee for them when they can go for free 6 months later.

 

[Ricky]

Give them new contracts now - risk their performances deteriorating.

Leave it too late - risk someone else reaching an agreement with Coutts.

Freeman can definitely wait, but I'd consider trying to get Coutts signed up around the beginning of December, then we'd have more than a month to assess his commitment and we'd have January to replace him if needs be. If that happens we wouldn't have to worry about moving him on because we'd only re-sign him on considerably lower wages, and more clubs would take him after his recent form.

It could be a money saving exercise like it was with Collins and Doyle - reduce their wages but extend the length of their contracts. But you've got to be careful with that. I wouldn't want to be committing to more than another year for Freeman, but that might not be enough for him to sign it from a financial point of view.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

One thing I do know is wilder will offer them what he thinks they are worth and if they don't like it they'll be gone

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

still too soon for me, both need to maintain the hunger they have shown in the last 7 matches or so.

i hope the contracts are only 12 months, i don't want us over committing and (ex) fridge players slipping back into their old ways.

Let's hope Wilder COOLS on the idea then and takes some time to reassess. This is an important period for the Blades, we wouldn't want to be playing players who are likely to FREEZE under pressure.

 

[Revolution]

Leave it too late - risk someone else reaching an agreement with Coutts.

That's not a risk. It's a benefit.

 

[derfblade]

Let's hope Wilder COOLS on the idea then and takes some time to reassess. This is an important period for the Blades, we wouldn't want to be playing players who are likely to FREEZE under pressure.

Nice to see them coming in from the COLD. Could be the ICE- ing on the cake for us.

 

[Ricky]

That's not a risk. It's a benefit.

Why, because he doesn't get many goals and assists?

 

[Revolution]

Why, because he doesn't get many goals and assists?

Partly. He can't tackle or run either and his passing is nothing that can't be replicated by a generic central midfielder. I certainly wouldn't give him more money to do this. His wages are already huge by League One standards, believe me.

But I know this is a world where this Emperor's New Clothes crap pioneered by the likes of Leon Britton is actually valued for reasons that escape me.

 

[Ricky]

Partly. He can't tackle or run either and his passing is nothing that can't be replicated by a generic central midfielder. I certainly wouldn't give him more money to do this. His wages are already huge by League One standards, believe me.

But I know this is a world where this Emperor's New Clothes crap pioneered by the likes of Leon Britton is actually valued for reasons that escape me.

It's no coincidence that we've improved since a fit and motivated Coutts came back into the side. Maintaining this motivation and application is the issue for me, not his quality, which is unquestionable - it's not the actual passing that's his main strength, it's the composure and ability to hold onto the ball, and how tidily and consistently he does it. Those qualities are valued because they often single handedly create much more time on the ball and possession for the whole team.

We'd only be re-signing him on lower wages, but we'd be committing to him for a longer time. Still more money overall than what he'll get for one more year on the current deal, but it's no major risk, because the new wage wouldn't be something beyond what anyone else would pay him, and being under contract we could even get a fee for him. The short term savings could give us more to play with in the transfer market too.

 

[Revolution]

It's no coincidence that we've improved since a fit and motivated Coutts came back into the side. Maintaining this motivation and application is the issue for me, not his quality, which is unquestionable - it's not the actual passing that's his main strength, it's the composure and ability to hold onto the ball, and how tidily and consistently he does it. Those qualities are valued because they often single handedly create much more time on the ball and possession for the whole team.

We'd only be re-signing him on lower wages, but we'd be committing to him for a longer time. Still more money overall than what he'll get for one more year on the current deal, but it's no major risk, because the new wage wouldn't be something beyond what anyone else would pay him, and being under contract we could even get a fee for him. The short term savings could give us more to play with in the transfer market too.

Sorry, I just don't see it. And I think it is a coincidence, FWIW. There are several other factors I would put higher.

 

[Ricky]

Sorry, I just don't see it. And I think it is a coincidence, FWIW. There are several other factors I would put higher.

There are other factors but from a ball retention, possession and creativity point of view United before and after Coutts' introduction are two different teams.

 

[sitwell]

Don't forget to factor agents into this ,don't know about Coutts but Freeman seems to have a wanker who hands out bad advice by the bucket full ,I think both should be given new contracts otherwise we will have to gamble again on 2 new players and blending them in , both are comfortable in this division and could play in the division above.

 

[sitwell]

That's not a risk. It's a benefit.

Do you go to the games ? Genuine question ,not being arsey.

 

[Boxer Blade]

I'm still not convinced by either of the full back positions, not overly concerned, just not certain. I suppose theres not a lot you can do at the moment though, a new contract? Coutts yes, Freeman I would accept until the end of the season, but when we go up we would def need better.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I suspect that the fact both are playing well enough to be snapped up on pre contract agreements by other clubs in Jan will be enough to force our hands

Both have been amongst our best performers this season and I would be happy to see them sign contracts. Hopefully, the managers faith will be repaid and they will continue to perform in a winning side.

 

[Champagneblade]

I may be reading too much into this, but I do think this is very clever to bring this up now.

1. It gives the players a pat on the back to note that their effort is recognized and that the new manager is reasonable.
2. It incentivizes the players to keep putting the effort in to get a new deal.
3. It creates a little publicity that these are players have started to perform. In doing so:
a. there is enough of the season left that the players can't hold United to ransom and cannot play them off against other clubs if new deals are discussed.
b. if their demands are excessive, then, given the heightened awareness of their improvement, it increases the chances of the club being able to offload them in January and that clubs who are aware of their improvement will be interested in them, unlike the previous summer.
c. should early indications be that they are too excessive in their demands, Wilder can seek alternatives with time on his side.
d. in recruiting Brown and also having Fleck in the squad it keeps their negotiating power in check as they know whilst they are valued, they are by no means indispensable in the squad.

It will be interesting how this pans out, but I think the club and manager are playing this one just right at the moment.

 

[Deaneandagana]

Interesting debate, let's consider the facts....

Freeman sent on loan to Pompey last season & struggled to break into a Div 2 team - made 7 appearances from February to seasons end.

Coutts, much debated individual who "appears" a capable footballer but lacks pace, physical strength & stamina, 248 league appearances for 4 clubs & 6 career goals.

On arriving at the club both are placed on the transfer list by new manager Wilder.

So what's changed, the financials that have restricted Wilder to strengthen & bring in additional players to give his squad additional depth?

Or these 2 players, their attitudes & performances?

Which is it to be?

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Interesting debate, let's consider the facts....

Freeman sent on loan to Pompey last season & struggled to break into a Div 2 team - made 7 appearances from February to seasons end.

Coutts, much debated individual who "appears" a capable footballer but lacks pace, physical strength & stamina, 248 league appearances for 4 clubs & 6 career goals.

On arriving at the club both are placed on the transfer list by new manager Wilder.

So what's changed, the financials that have restricted Wilder to strengthen & bring in additional players to give his squad additional depth?

Or these 2 players, their attitudes & performances?

Which is it to be?

Fair questions -

To me it seems a case of 2 talented individuals being given an ultimatum and seizing their chances under a new manager.

Think potentially both would have gone if there had been offers but wilder was true to his word and didn't freeze anyone out. They have stepped up when given the chance and taken it.

Personally, I think freeman was unlucky to find himself on loan last year - he wasn't bad at the start of the season then just found himself frozen out.

Coutts I think suffered in a side low on confidence, a lack of form and most especially fitness. He's never going to be all action for us but certainly has composure that no one else possesses

 

[blackydog]

With Coutts' injury history and poor performance over 90% of his time at the Lane I would not give him a new deal. We can do better.

I never thought Freeman was that bad, but again, is this the right time? Not sure it is.

We have to remember they were playing in a pretty poor and confused (under Adkins) team last season.

 

[Silent Blade]

Do you go to the games ? Genuine question ,not being arsey.

He studies the goalscorers charts a lot!