John Fleck

[robbiez666]

I'd agree if we had some wing-backs available that were effective in the final third!

As it is, we don't.
So I'd rather stick to the two 10s creating.

I see your point, but I don't think we can. We need to sure up the defence as a priority. Even if it gives us less going forward. I think RND and Baldock are poor with the final ball but if they're pushed up regularly we will get some joy.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I see your point, but I don't think we can. We need to sure up the defence as a priority. Even if it gives us less going forward. I think RND and Baldock are poor with the final ball but if they're pushed up regularly we will get some joy.

RND's isn't too bad with his delivery, but he's needed at LCB.

Such a shame about Bogle. With Clark & JLT close to returning we could've had two decent wide threats.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

With Sander out we’re desperate for some height in midfield so, unless we give Flecky some step ladders ……

 

[wavy-blade]

Cant wait to see Flecky back in the red and white , one of my fav players

 

[robbiez666]

RND's isn't too bad with his delivery, but he's needed at LCB.

Such a shame about Bogle. With Clark & JLT close to returning we could've had two decent wide threats.

I think Baldock is ok when he's pushed right up and gets behind the defence. Even if his final ball isn't good, many of our goals come from him laying it off or corners won from him.

 

[bonobo]

If Fleck was fit enough to start against Coventry, which I suspect he is not. I would like to see him start and Doyle take on Berges role at inside right. It would make us more solid in the middle and If I remember, Guardiola felt Doyle's best position was playing further forward.

 

[Nedski]

Thank you for you service John, but that'll do now. It's not fair on either of us anymore. We've both had a lot of fun over the years but it's just not working and we should shake hands, hug, whatever, and go our separate ways. Please.

 

[Mouth of the South]

Thank you for you service John, but that'll do now. It's not fair on either of us anymore. We've both had a lot of fun over the years but it's just not working and we should shake hands, hug, whatever, and go our separate ways. Please.

Ridiculous comment - today was his first start following a broken leg ffs!

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

At this point JimmyJohn would be better in 5 aside,he was so far off whats required from a midfielder,quickly getting up and down the pitch,blame goes with Hecky for picking him,praise goes to Hecky for noticing that and subbing him.

 

[Antonb]

I thought he was fine considering his first start against some good players . We need all the help we can get!

 

[FinBlade]

Fleck got ball in penalty area and while watching how soft his first touch was I found myself thinking that our Million Dollar Berge would had lost the ball. I prefer men with soft touch.

 

[Nedski]

Ridiculous comment - today was his first start following a broken leg ffs!

He's been awful for 2.5 years. His performances over the last 2.5 years were typified a few minutes in to the second half when he tried to jink around a Norwich player. The Norwich player barely attempted a tackle but won the ball and Norwich countered and nearly scored. Fleck made absolutely no attempt to win the ball back at any point, I doubt he'd even turned around by the time they were in our half

 

[Davalon]

Doyle should start in front of him every time

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

He was puffing like a steam train trying to get back 2nd half. He lasted about 5 more minutes before he got hooked.

I appreciate it's his first game back though.

Doyle plays like Fleck did in 2017 (minus the dribbling runs). It's got to be Doyle all day long from here on in.

 

[Toronto Blade fan]

It seems like Fleck has been playing with a broken leg for the past two seasons. Love what you have done for the club, but should not be starting for us.

 

[jono_t2000]

Don't think Fleck had a terrible first half considering his fitness levels tbh

 

[Rudders]

Looks a stone overweight and needs a preseason. His tracking back was laughable today.

 

[Russ]

I think he needs a couple of weeks rest. Save him for the Rotherham game. He should run rings round them.

We need someone more athletic. Not enough height and strength in our midfield. We need a tough tackling midfielder who can win a few headers too.

 

[Bladesman]

He is coming back from a leg break. So I can't judge him right now.

Every player in this squad seems to have some sort of injury.

 

[Keen Blade]

Thank you for you service John, but that'll do now. It's not fair on either of us anymore. We've both had a lot of fun over the years but it's just not working and we should shake hands, hug, whatever, and go our separate ways. Please.

Sorry mate , you don't get to dump me - my contract here is just too good

 

[Keen Blade]

We once had a manager who said our team needed pace , power & athleticism.
Our starting midfield today needed some.
You can't play another slowcoach next to Norwood , it just won't work.
Norwood needs a couple of athletes to do the running , with or without the ball.
I would certainly have Doyle + probably Ndiaye there in Berge absence.
Preferring McAtee to Ndiaye makes me doubt Hecky's competence
Replacing Doyle with tubby Fleck makes me doubt Hecky's eyesight.

 

[Weasel]

Fleck has been well off the pace for about 2 years now. He's not the same player that he once was and being honest I don't see him ever getting back to where he was with us. All players have a shelf life in professional football and some reach their best before date before others. If Fleck was a banana he'd now be brown and squidgy. I think the lads been great for us over the years but we should only be using him sparingly now and letting him go in the summer.

 

[Snowflake]

Doyle should start in front of him every time

...but what do we do if Doyle is injured or suspended and Fleck is not match fit ? He has to play some matches to be ready and to keep Doyle fresh.
I don’t see any other left sided midfield player available at present.

 

[just ted]

Doyle should start in front of him every time

Should but can’t . This is the issue.

 

[Harry's Game]

Doyle‘s two biggest weakness‘ are that His left foot Is basically for standing on and his lack of discipline when in defensive situations.

Fleck nowhere near match fit yet but I thought personally he did okay not helped by having to do two players work because with McAtee we had virtually 10 men in that first half

 

[Roygbiv]

He was ok yesterday. Glad to have him back

 

[HarryHaslam]

Should but can’t . This is the issue.

Why?

 

[A_Bladesman]

It's like mirrored behaviour....

 

[just ted]

Why?

Doyle clearly can’t play 90mins twice a week consistently yet. I really like him but are going to need cover when he’s rested

 

[HarryHaslam]

Doyle clearly can’t play 90mins twice a week consistently yet. I really like him but are going to need cover when he’s rested

I disagree but that’s just my opinion, he went to Cardiff at the end of January last season with 21 games remaining, he started 19 games and was sub twice. So he clearly is a very fit young man having gone there without playing all season and fitted straight in with no problems with fitness.

So far he started 9 games for us and been hooked in 8 of them, so really he doesn’t have many miles on the clock and should be able to play as many games as there is, he did it for Cardiff. There has been times he has been the best player on the pitch for us and looking fine fitness wise and he’s hooked. At some point our fans have to stop blaming everything on fitness and injuries and say it how it is, it’s tactical changes by the manager, the manager is entitled to make these changes whether we agree with them or not. By disagreeing does not mean you want him sacked btw. You can think he’s dropped a right bollock with that tactical sub or starting line up and still think he’s the right man for the job.

We must now be the only team in world football where the manager no longer looks at the opposition and thinks I need a big man, or I need a more mobile player around their number 5, I need someone in midfield just for this game for more possession based play etc etc etc, it will be remembered as an old art form managers once practiced at Bramall Lane. It has since died out and was replaced with players being tired and not upto fitness.