John Fleck

[coolhandluke]

Let's celebrate them all, boys and girls. I'm a huge fan of all three of our footballing midfielders (being able to write that is a huge pleasure in itself). JOC, EEL and LAV are great too. So are all the other players with 3 letter names! Simon Moore is excellent.

I have a personal favourite - Paul Coutts. Elegant, intelligent, passes accurately over a wide range. Always has the ball under control and it seems to belong at his feet. Appears to stroll because he has the quickness of thought and feet to find time and space where lesser mortals can't. Witness the winners against Bury and Cobblers. If people want to prefer Fleck or Duffy I'm content. I think they are fantastic too. The important thing is the three combine in a way that puts them heads and shoulders above any midfield in this league and, no doubt, many in the league above. Samir seems a quality lad too. Hope he's back soon.

All that said, If I had to nominate a player of the year right now? Step forward the "back from the wilderness", lion-hearted, indefatigable, defending, attacking, goal-poacher, bearded wonder. Kieron you're a star. You are The Beard, no-one else. What a lad!

I'm in complete agreement with all of that ..... well , virtually all , Fleck edges Coutts at the moment . But you know what I find really exciting ? Injury aside , I think CW has pulled off the coup De grace with the signing of Carruthers . I have a sneaking feeling that he's going to be some player for us

 

[Treeton Blade]

He is the heartbeat of this team, superb today, MOM, just from Basham.

 

[Punk Blade]

For me Fleck stands out from the others as he's finally showing that a midfield player doesn't need to specialise in defending, creating, or being a goal scorer. He contributes in all areas of the pitch, and at times his tackling is equal to his passing. He is more noticed for his forward bursts, through balls and crosses, but after every home game I'm always declaring what outstanding defensive work he did.

 

[Pinchy]

Fleck off. Duffy is our best midfielder...until Samir settles in.

Coutts and Fleck aren't three bad though are they?

When was the last time we Blades were debating which of our 3 or 4 outstand ball playing cultured central midfielders is the best? I'd say we haven't, Anybody?

Sam Floouffy?

 

[fishpie]

Keep this thread going...It's been a long time since we've been able to discuss who is the slightly betterer of our centre mids..In Fleck, Duffy and Coutts we are blessed with 3 very good footballers...and I'm loving it.....and then there's Carruthers who isn't too shabby from the odd bits I've seen...UTB

 

[coolhandluke]

He is the heartbeat of this team, superb today, MOM, just from Basham.

Basham had a good game ? I'm glad to hear it .

The fact that CW dropped Wright for Basham at the heart of our defence speaks volumes .

 

[Tyler Durden]

So anyway, about John Fleck.....

 

[fishpie]

So anyway, about John Fleck.....

Yeh, he's alright as well

 

[wizadry]

Wiz, why play one off against the other, mate? We have the great pleasure of watching both of them! They are both Scots and there's no doubt they are a joy to watch together (and Duffy). I've no doubt at all that Couttsy (as I call him) and Flecky (as I don't) would praise each other to the rafters in equal measure. I bet they don't give a thought or a fuck as to which of them is better than the other. Neither do I really. I feel blessed to have them both in my team.

Thank Pele we can actually realistically discuss who is the best midfielder. A contrast to days not long ago when such a discussion would be risible and embarrassing. I'm a bit concerned about the antagonistic tone from some though. Just ❤ 'em all. They're all excellent. They all play for us!

It was a thread on Fleck and seen as though the post before the one you quote is one of your very own singling Coutts out as your favourite it's only fair I single another one of our midfielders out, a midfielder who I feel is not getting the credit he deserves, yet Coutts who has been playing well mind, keeps getting it in droves. Fleck is different gravy.

As I said in the Samir thread when he signed, I think he will become a terrific player for us, now and in years to come, he's going to make the debate even bigger as to who is the best midfielder in the coming months, it's a very healthy situation to be in.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I've just had a look on the Simon Moore thread and I'm disgusted that there are no testaments to the greatness of Paul Coutts as well.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Fuck Howard and Hammond (sorry to be blunt). Let's just celebrate the midfield we have, class all around.

I'm taking nothing as a given, regardless, this is the most fun I've had watching outer team for many a year!

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Fleck is the Dynamo,Coutts is the Current,Duffy is the Illumination.

 

[coolhandluke]

Fleck is the Dynamo,Coutts is the Current,Duffy is the Illumination.

Done is the illuminati ....

 

[Blade for Sale]

If a game came along where everyone played at their best

In this league, I pity the team that may come up against us in that match.

 

[Iceybabey]

Rate them all. However, i've liked Coutts and Freeman from the Clough days.

I first saw something in Coutts in the game we beat Scunny 4-0 at home. After that he ended up with his head up his arse. Wilder has now placed his head back on his shoulders, as we can see. But I did wonder if I would ever see Coutts fulfil his potential. Again, credit to Wilder, we are seeing it.

Freeman was a fancy type player, good technically. Bit soft, however I still saw a player in him, just needed good coaching. Wilder and the coaching staff have got into him and have given him what he needed to improve. He's always been good at getting forward but now he's a tuffer player, not as fancy as before, just more efficient.

But the bottom line is, I like a lot of our players this season, this is good.

 

[fishpie]

Rate them all. However, i've liked Coutts and Freeman from the Clough days.

I first saw something in Coutts in the game we beat Scunny 4-0 at home. After that he ended up with his head up his arse. Wilder has now placed his head back on his shoulders, as we can see. But I did wonder if I would ever see Coutts fulfil his potential. Again, credit to Wilder, we are seeing it.

Freeman was a fancy type player, good technically. Bit soft, however I still saw a player in him, just needed good coaching. Wilder and the coaching staff have got into him and have given him what he needed to improve. He's always been good at getting forward but now he's a tuffer player, not as fancy as before, just more efficient.

But the bottom line is, I like a lot of our players this season, this is good.

That last bit..

 

[boo radley]

Wonder who's getting most in the MOTM stakes?

 

[Roygbiv]

free transfer, championship type player, look at Coventry now

Looked on their board a few days back. Still trying to tell each other Fleck isn't that good......

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

This guy is Championship and poss Prem quality.

 

[wizadry]

Looked on their board a few days back. Still trying to tell each other Fleck isn't that good......

Some of our fans maybe infested their forums.

 

[JordoBlade]

Imagine a middle 2 of Howard & Hammond!

No you're or8.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Fleck is the Dynamo,Coutts is the Current,Duffy is the Illumination.

And Carruthers will be the spark.

 

[Fanny magnet]

I prefer Duffy (more creative and attack minded) over Fleck (a great all rounder)
Duffy is our most talented player regards dribbling with the ball and opening up tight defences.
It's ironic that he had an off day today and we still won comfortably.

If we were in the play off final and I had to pick one player to be 100 % fit for the game it would-be him

 

[SteveBlade]

Every week there's a thread about one of Fleck, Duffy or Coutts being the best, most talented player in our team.

What a time having these three dominating midfield in every single game we play.

 

[wizadry]

It's ironic that he had an off day today and we still won comfortably.

Duffy had an off day so who stepped up to the plate, Mr Fleck, which further highlights my most important player point I made earlier in the thread.

 

[sitwell]

They all compliment each other and as a trio they are superb. Why cant people just accept that instead of a wall pissing contest. Hopefully carruthers will be able to step in and keep the trio vibrant and successful. Watching the championship I haven't seen a midfield as good as ours apart from Brighton. The thing is all have periods in a game where they are off it ,sometimes a whole game but then one of them will step up and produce some magic or have a blinder to cover it. The cover that they all offer also helps the defenders and wing backs get into ridiculous positions as highlighted in 3 of yesterdays goals. All 3 are class and important to each other.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Class act and one third of the best midfield we have had in yonks.

UTB

 

[Minty]

They all compliment each other and as a trio they are superb. Why cant people just accept that instead of a wall pissing contest. Hopefully carruthers will be able to step in and keep the trio vibrant and successful. Watching the championship I haven't seen a midfield as good as ours apart from Brighton. The thing is all have periods in a game where they are off it ,sometimes a whole game but then one of them will step up and produce some magic or have a blinder to cover it. The cover that they all offer also helps the defenders and wing backs get into ridiculous positions as highlighted in 3 of yesterdays goals. All 3 are class and important to each other.

Cheers Sitters - I had just written pretty much that but you beat me to it!

100% agree.

 

[Hodgyman]

What a terrible situation. All those good candidates for player of the season. Just wait until we add our new striker that Lord Wilder is looking for.

Going back to Fleck, would we have suffered so long in the wilderness if the fax machine hadn't broke when we first wanted to sign him ?

 

[Grappler]

No need to single out any player really, especially after scoring four away from home. What we have (especially after last year) is a TEAM, in fact it is more than a team at times, it is almost like a gang mentality, everyone working hard for everyone else and with one common cause, Sheffield United.

The stats and tables don't lie; we are (for now) top of the league, we have (for now) the second best goal difference in the league, behind Scunthorpe, (and we will overtake them in coming weeks) and we have (for now) the best striker in the league, Captain Billy Sharp. Our midfield three are arguably the best in the league (in my opinion) and our defence and keeper are not too shabby either.

Let's enjoy the ride.