Freeman & Coutts

[tyneblade]

What's really refreshing in this situation is that I don't feel that I need an opinion; Wilder's is more than good enough.

I don't think I've had that kind of confidence in a manger since Howard Kendall .

 

[CarlingBlade]

They could then be receiving offers we cannot match, and then lose them for nowt. More so with Coutts perhaps than Freeman..

Id take the risk, both have been on the transfer list 5 months and no one came in for them, not sure why we're suddenly at risk of losing either after 7 decent games.

 

[Blade58]

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.

As sure as eggs are eggs, come January I can see no other than one Nigel Clough sniffing around for both of them

 

[sheffielder]

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

I do and genuinely don't believe either have done enough to warrant a new deal at this point. I don't know who anoints kings round here when they go from being absolutr toilet and shit on my shoe to ok.

I want and demand more.

 

[Lane Ender]

Coutts now seems to have recovered from a career threatening injury hes had a full pre season and now hes showing the doubters on here how he can play( a few of on here never doubted that).
Hes on good money at the moment Im sure contractually CW will attend to it hes off the the list so thats a start.
Freemans doing better in a changed formation Coutts is Championship class but dont get carried away with Freeman.

 

[Smirth]

Coutts will probably have teams interested in January if he carries on this form so I hope we get him tied down soon.

He's been the best player so far this season IMO. Such a pleasure to watch him play, especially with this new improved attitude and desire.

 

[Lane Ender]

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

We were all confused last season

 

[finlaytheblade]

Coutts will probably have teams interested in January if he carries on this form so I hope we get him tied down soon.

He's been the best player so far this season IMO. Such a pleasure to watch him play, especially with this new improved attitude and desire.

A lot of talk about Coutts poor attitude but maybe it's a lot to do with his fitness levels as he has had two seriouse injuries ,he's not a natural athlete but is a really good footballer ( T C wasn't a natural athlete but what a talent he was ) and it's took him a long time to get up to speed .His attitude at his previouse clubs wasn't in question, so I'm of the opinion he's just found his feet !! Anyone else think that has been the problem.
He has also become the father of twins and that will also focus him on his career. I think there's a lot more to come from Paul Coutts.

 

[Jehovah]

I feel like I'm in a parallel universe with this Coutts worship. One where he scores or even shoots.

 

[Iceybabey]

One thing we know about Wilder is that he won't allow anyone to rest on any laurels. It's as simple as that. Give them the new contracts. In Wilder we trust!

 

[Tyler Durden]

I do and genuinely don't believe either have done enough to warrant a new deal at this point. I don't know who anoints kings round here when they go from being absolutr toilet and shit on my shoe to ok.

I want and demand more.

Is the correct answer.

Unfortunately, The Court Of Sheffield United Mob Opinion has ruled that Paul Coutts is the flavour of the month and we just have to accept that, or suffer death by a thousand pitchforks.

The only way you'll find a critical opinion of Coutts is if he becomes our top scorer or something, then they'll be lining up to slate him......

 

[Revolution]

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

Yes (reinforced by Bladesplayer), and I respect your opinion - I've given you credit before re bringing me round on George Long, as you know - but here whilst the improvement is there I don't think it is anywhere near the level folk are claiming and certainly doesn't justify us chucking money at him.

 

[Bartyblade]

Any-one actually think that Wilder's decisions will be in any way affected by what's written on a Sheffield United Forum?

 

[Chief_Froley]

I feel like I'm in a parallel universe with this Coutts worship. One where he scores or even shoots.

 

[djbaldken]

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.

'fridge players' Is that because they had been previously frozen out????

 

[sitwell]

Yes (reinforced by Bladesplayer), and I respect your opinion - I've given you credit before re bringing me round on George Long, as you know - but here whilst the improvement is there I don't think it is anywhere near the level folk are claiming and certainly doesn't justify us chucking money at him.

Be we would only have to chuck money at a replacement ,probably a lot more for someone of his ability. It is up to the manager to get the best out of him ,and surely that is the best option as he is playing well and we are getting results. I think the best is yet to come from him.

 

[Ricky]

It is a possibility that now is the best time to get Coutts on a new contract, because if he maintains or improves current form he could well have other offers and I don't think he'd hesitate to take them. His wage demands could also be higher by then. I suppose it's a gamble, like it was with Che Adams - and that just about paid off.

 

[Bladesman]

Just don't give these two muppets daft 2 year deals with a clause that lets them decide to extend their contract.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Any-one actually think that Wilder's decisions will be in any way affected by what's written on a Sheffield United Forum?

I doubt very much that is why anyone is posting their opinions.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Liking a player now seems to have transformed into a debate over which group, camp, or side of a line you choose to stand on.

Re. Coutts, whatever ailed him seems to have passed him by. Harping on about the past seems to cloud the view about how he's playing now. Maybe it irritates those to see Coutts offer qualities that passed them by. Yep, the guy flattered to deceive, that was then.....now, well now he's using the ball in ways that most other clubs would love to have such a player......and still some of us moan? Maybe the past offers more reasons to complain, so hey, go fill your boots with yesterday's news.

 

[Balham]

'fridge players' Is that because they had been previously frozen out????

We've not had a fridge player since Higdon got shipped out.

 

[sitwell]

We've not had a fridge player since Higdon got shipped out.

Martin Kuhl ?

 

[Grizzly blade]

You know what I'm going to say folks......first said Coutts would play a part this season....then that he will prove priceless....then that he will start scoring as confidence grows.....is this the start of a run of goals to double figures??

 

[loyalblade95]

so coutts has finally scored even though we lost 2-1 anyone who was there know what he did to score long shot tap in etc

 

[Foxy]

so coutts has finally scored even though we lost 2-1 anyone who was there know what he did to score long shot tap in etc

20ish yarder, through a crowded box. Decent enough strike.

 

[Grappler]

20ish yarder, through a crowded box. Decent enough strike.

Yep, fired from outside the box, low strike. Hope that gives him the confidence to have a go more often, we were very shot shy tonight...........

 

[Chali 2na]

I wonder how we'd feel about this if we knew Coutts' wages?
Other than Sharp, I'd guess he's our highest earner.

Anything more than a 1 year extension is excessive in my eyes. He'll be 29 at the end of the season and he can't afford to lose anymore pace.

Also, with us having aspirations of playing in the championship, having him on a long deal would be short-sighted, as I have my doubts whether he could still contribute at that level.

I still maintain that as well as he is doing this year, there must be players out there who have his ability but can also offer something in terms of going forward or defending, these are the players we should be looking at.

 

[secretchief]

I wonder how we'd feel about this if we knew Coutts' wages?
Other than Sharp, I'd guess he's our highest earner.

Anything more than a 1 year extension is excessive in my eyes. He'll be 29 at the end of the season and he can't afford to lose anymore pace.

Also, with us having aspirations of playing in the championship, having him on a long deal would be short-sighted, as I have my doubts whether he could still contribute at that level.

I still maintain that as well as he is doing this year, there must be players out there who have his ability but can also offer something in terms of going forward or defending, these are the players we should be looking at.

I think similarly to this, with a slight variation. You offer him just above half of what he's on now and spread it over two years, and then point out that half of what he is currently on is still twice as much as anyone else would/can pay. No-one would come in for him from the championship, so it's a pretty safe strategy.

At 29 he still has three years left in him. He's totally fucking immobile anyway so it's not as if deteriorating physical prowess is going to have any effect.

Having said this, I would just sack him off and get a more dynamic midfielder that scores goals.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Is the correct answer.

Unfortunately, The Court Of Sheffield United Mob Opinion has ruled that Paul Coutts is the flavour of the month and we just have to accept that, or suffer death by a thousand pitchforks.

The only way you'll find a critical opinion of Coutts is if he becomes our top scorer or something, then they'll be lining up to slate him......

Really? I’ve seen a decent range of opinion on both.


Coutts- plenty have said he’s improved but still doesn’t score and doesn’t defend so needs to do more.


Freeman- plenty have said he’s improved but is still suspect defensively and that the 352 helps mask those weaknesses.


There’s also been a range of opinion expressed on Sharp and Scougall.



As for extended contracts? I don’t know, depends on how much they’re on. Perhaps we could extend them on reduced terms like we did with Collins back in the day? Personally, I’d be inclined to see if they can keep the improved form up for a few months without misbehaving in any way.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Really? I’ve seen a decent range of opinion on both.


Coutts- plenty have said he’s improved but still doesn’t score and doesn’t defend so needs to do more.


Freeman- plenty have said he’s improved but is still suspect defensively and that the 352 helps mask those weaknesses.


There’s also been a range of opinion expressed on Sharp and Scougall.



As for extended contracts? I don’t know, depends on how much they’re on. Perhaps we could extend them on reduced terms like we did with Collins back in the day? Personally, I’d be inclined to see if they can keep the improved form up for a few months without misbehaving in any way.

I think they've all improved, including Coutts.
But from my perspective, the acknowledgement of Coutts' improvement has been hugely inflated, whilst other players who have done nothing to warrant any specific criticism have been slated continuously and unfairly in my view.