John Fleck

[Trafford]

Haven’t seen any comments on Wilder’s revelation that Fleck is out for 4 to 6 weeks? That massively reduces our options in midfield and was presumably known before the loan window closed, so doubly disappointing that we couldn’t get anybody in.

 

[Gimli]

Our left side has been absolutely decimated. Adding Moose to the list of injuries and you can see why we are struggling, particularly going forward.

Fleck was a massive part of what we did well last year and he is a massive loss - whether through injury or a drop in form

 

[Caseh]

That massively reduces our options in midfield and was presumably known before the loan window closed, so doubly disappointing that we couldn’t get anybody in.

Well in the interview he said Fleck was pencilled in to play yesterday, so I'm guessing we didn't know before the loan window finished.

 

[Trafford]

Well in the interview he said Fleck was pencilled in to play yesterday, so I'm guessing we didn't know before the loan window finished.

I took that to mean that they were planning to play him until he got injured?

 

[RedandWhite]

Makes the loan decision of Freeman even more stupid, I assumed back on the day we loaned him, we would sign another CM to replace but no, really strange move.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Well in the interview he said Fleck was pencilled in to play yesterday, so I'm guessing we didn't know before the loan window finished.

Probably had a scan which has shown up some soft tissue damage not just bruising which he got falling awkwardly playing for scorland

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Do we have a recall clause for Freeman?

 

[Bladesman]

Makes the loan decision of Freeman even more stupid, I assumed back on the day we loaned him, we would sign another CM to replace but no, really strange move.

Wilder will hopefully look back at some of these decisions.

He is the one claiming this was the best transfer window ever, so I assume he got everything he asked for from the board.

 

[BanderSerge]

Makes the loan decision of Freeman even more stupid, I assumed back on the day we loaned him, we would sign another CM to replace but no, really strange move.

Freeman on loan in the 2nd division suddenly turns into a latter day Tony currie! Only on S2

 

[bromtom]

Do we have a recall clause for Freeman?

They've got an option of buying him at the end of the loan, it'd be a bit weird to also have a recall clause in there too.

 

[Roygbiv]

The only silver lining is he will miss 3 games we probably would have lost with him in the team anyway and then an international break. Has to be aiming to be back for West Ham

 

[S40BLADE]

Freeman on loan in the 2nd division suddenly turns into a latter day Tony currie! Only on S2

I appreciate we all miss him but this is no time to be stealing pinchy's catchphrases.

 

[RedandWhite]

Freeman on loan in the 2nd division suddenly turns into a latter day Tony currie! Only on S2

He is an offensive minded midfielder, something we are crying out for. I don't think he will ever be a world beater here but right now his assets we don't have, due to injuries and others form.

 

[Swannyblade]

They've got an option of buying him at the end of the loan, it'd be a bit weird to also have a recall clause in there too.

Is that true? What if we get relegated? We'd be losing a proven Championship game-winner to a rival! Piss-poor

 

[Maidenhead]

Is that true? What if we get relegated? We'd be losing a proven Championship game-winner to a rival! Piss-poor

How many games has he won for us in his time here?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Freeman on loan in the 2nd division suddenly turns into a latter day Tony currie! Only on S2

He is the latest example of Paul Shaw syndrome, a player who seemed to gain a % of reverence the moment he went on loan at Rotherham.

A similar thing in 04/05 was Luke Beckett syndrome, where a player banging in the goals out on loan in the lower leagues is suddenly the answer to all the current first team striker needs. Recent examples of Luke Beckett syndrome include Diego De Girolamo in 14/15, Marc McNulty in 16/17, and Callum Robinson last season.

 

[Swannyblade]

How many games has he won for us in his time here?

If we get relegated, he's a proven Championship player who we'd be selling to our rivals...it's very short-term thinking.
Remember our transfer policy from last year?...Buy proven Championship players who may be able to make the step to the Prem, then should the worse happen we are in a good position to compete for promotion again.
The only reason Freeman didn't play is because we adopted the flat midfield three and moved away from the "Duffy role". That's bad recruitment, not Freeman's fault.

 

[BanderSerge]

He is an offensive minded midfielder, something we are crying out for. I don't think he will ever be a world beater here but right now his assets we don't have, due to injuries and others form.

His best position is number 10. He isn’t better than Mcgoldrick. Nor does he possess the work rate, or mobility to oust Lunny or Osborn from LM.

 

[Maidenhead]

If we get relegated, he's a proven Championship player who we'd be selling to our rivals...it's very short-term thinking.
Remember our transfer policy from last year?...Buy proven Championship players who may be able to make the step to the Prem, then should the worse happen we are in a good position to compete for promotion again.
The only reason Freeman didn't play is because we adopted the flat midfield three and moved away from the "Duffy role". That's bad recruitment, not Freeman's fault.

One thing I do know for sure is that if you start a new season planning for relegation then you will achieve it.

 

[madeinsheffield]

It might explain his dip in form

 

[coolasanidiot]

Last nights review of Luke

Luke Freeman: Had an effort blocked in the second half, but otherwise had a pretty quiet game as the Reds struggled to find their spark. Rating: 5/10

 

[FTPE]

Prime Fleck today that.
Oh how we've missed that little fella.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Prime Fleck today that.
Oh how we've missed that little fella.

gave the ball away a lot but slightly better and more positive.

 

[LondonBlade89]

He's getting there. Looked a lot more confident tonight from the off. More of that.

 

[FTPE]

gave the ball away a lot but slightly better and more positive.

Slightly? You have to be kidding me!
Every aspect of his play was faster, sharper, better and more confident.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Slightly? You have to be kidding me!
Every aspect of his play was faster, sharper, better and more confident.

given how shit he’s been the last 6mths this change was really not hard.

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

Much more like his old self today

 

[bonobo]

We got a lot of players around him tonite. McG was pulling out to that side and Lundstram coming across almost to the AMC. I think would have given him a lot more confidence on the ball. He always looks a tough nut, but perhaps there is more of a confidence player there than we think. His career was pretty up and down until he joined us.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Telt ya - he doesn’t play well until there’s frost on the ground

 

[Varkanoid]

Telt ya - he doesn’t play well until there’s frost on the ground

I didnt see Frost on the Newscastle team sheet when did Fleck put him on the ground ?