John Fleck

[robbiez666]

I wonder if there could be more of a plan to this than meets the eye.

I know this is giving a lot of credit by the way!

We sign 6 players and out ourselves in a good financial position by being sensible.

We avoid a mass influx of players with related costs by keeping those that know the club and the tactics etc.

In doing so, we buy time for the next batch of players to take up the mantle.

We could integrate Arblaster, Brooks and Peck. We could keep Osula around. We could push Boyes into the squad.

But perhaps the best thing for them is 12 solid months away picking up 40+ games somewhere.

Then when Stevens steps away, Boyes is ready to come straight in. When Fleck steps away, one of the above is ready made for his spot. When Sharp comes up to the end of the season perhaps Osula is ready to take his spot?

Perhaps this is just the handover year where the established players are there to call on to 'do a job' whilst their replacements bridge the gap with some valuable experience?

I would have as many young players as possible in Championship/league 1 loans next season. In a year's time, as things stand, we'll have 3 contracted senior players (Brewster and Anel). We literally have to sign a whole squad this summer, whether that's offering, extending, signing, buying or loaning.

With very limited funds it's going to be very difficult.

If we think half a dozen kids can step up, then offering a year to most out of contract players makes sense. I'd be highly dubious that can happen though.

The lack of investment in the team's medium and long-term future has put us in a tight spot.

We desperately need a new training ground which I assume we're not getting. That's the long-term future. Without it, whatever we have will be less effective.

 

[Nedski]

Eek

 

[Bladesman]

Eek

Really really really smart idea giving him another year.

 

[straight_outta_compton]

Feel really sorry for the guy. He's been such a fantastic player for the blades. He's never been right again (or fully fit) since the seizure (?). Tough decision, but even aside from the injury, definitely a mistake to offer a new contract. Hope he recovers soon. Afterwards, loan to champ or league 1 side to play regularly and regain match fitness?

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Wow, great stuff. Talk about finished....

 

[Revolution]

I feel very sorry for Fleck and am very angry at United for renewing the deal of a player with such a terrible recent injury history. Idiots. Could have used that money on someone who was actually likely to play.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Feel for him but he should never have been given an extension. He had fitness problems last season and is past his best.

 

[mattbianco1]

How have they only just realised its a leg break, and why is it only "suspected"?

FFS - has he been walking around on it for a week?

 

[Revolution]

How have they only just realised its a leg break, and why is it only "suspected"?

FFS - has he been walking around on it for a week?

And this less than 12 months after he played on having broken it.

 

[Nedski]

Billy is superfit, rarely injured, always gives 100%. Could still do a job. No contract.

Fleck is injured a lot, he's been awful for 3 years, rarely appears to put any effort in. Gets an extension.

Make it make sense.

 

[mattbianco1]

And this less than 12 months after he played on having broken it.

Lives up to his song doesn't he - 5 foot 6 and hard as fuck

 

[TJB.]

Injuries happen, I suppose. Doesn't make Hecky's job any easier. What shite luck.

 

[Davalon]

I'm no expert so loathe to go strong but we've had a number of injuries over recent years that to me don't appear to have been dealt with that well.

Started with JOC.

I may well be wide of the mark but these things do happen at clubs. Our scruffy neighbours had similar issues not so long ago.

 

[Keen Blade]

Fleck was never gonna be fit enough to play in the PL - at least this has ruled him out before the season starts so PH can discount him from his planning.
On the positive side we must surely now recruit a Lsided MF asap

 

[Whiston Blade]

 

[CPB]

He's deffo had a bad injury record past 3 seasons.

That said leg breaks you can't do anything about it's just bad luck.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Need 3 midfielders in now

 

[Bladedog]

It was hecky who wanted to keep em all.

 

[MJM]

The lads had absolutely rotten luck these last few seasons.

 

[Shawy24]

I feel very sorry for Fleck and am very angry at United for renewing the deal of a player with such a terrible recent injury history. Idiots. Could have used that money on someone who was actually likely to play.

We’ve got someone, but he’s out on loan. (Tin hat on again)

 

[Ron_Justice]

Do clubs have Insurances in place for when things like this happen? Never kicked a ball in anger (on his new contract) is there some form of sports person health insurance that covers things like Injuries?

In fairness, his wages will be nothing compared to his last contract and while it's not ideal that we're paying him to recuperate, probably never to play for us again, it could have been a lot worse.

Those saying this makes him getting a new contract a bad idea - Just luck of the draw. No accounting for injuries. Just shitty luck. I thought his career was over when he had the Siezure so to then suffer another massive injury, after recovering his fitness is horrible luck. Feel for the lad.

 

[Revolution]

Do clubs have Insurances in place for when things like this happen? Never kicked a ball in anger (on his new contract) is there some form of sports person health insurance that covers things like Injuries?

In fairness, his wages will be nothing compared to his last contract and while it's not ideal that we're paying him to recuperate, probably never to play for us again, it could have been a lot worse.

Those saying this makes him getting a new contract a bad idea - Just luck of the draw. No accounting for injuries. Just shitty luck. I thought his career was over when he had the Siezure so to then suffer another massive injury, after recovering his fitness is horrible luck. Feel for the lad.

It’s not luck of the draw. He is injury prone, and looks to be carrying too much weight. His mobility was down last season.

There is accounting for injuries. You can account for them by not signing players who are always injured.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

The decision to renew his contract was shocking at the time as many people on here said, he was fat and unfit last season, what on earth made people at the club think this would change?

 

[dazzlingblade]

Fleck Gets straight back in the midfield when fit, yes even the current iteration of Fleck.. Doyle and McAtee are too lightweight to play together in The Championship, rotate them in and out of game.

Aged well

 

[Ron_Justice]

It’s not luck of the draw. He is injury prone, and looks to be carrying too much weight. His mobility was down last season.

There is accounting for injuries. You can account for them by not signing players who are always injured.

A get soft tissue and joint issues, but bone breaks? How can that be foreseen?

 

[SUFC Guy]

Not very tastefull mate is it?

 

[Addison]

I'm no expert so loathe to go strong but we've had a number of injuries over recent years that to me don't appear to have been dealt with that well.

Started with JOC.

I may well be wide of the mark but these things do happen at clubs. Our scruffy neighbours had similar issues not so long ago.

When you have league1 post injury recovery facilities and no investment in this critical area this is what happens. The hydrotherapy chamber is in a portakabin!

Rumour last season was we had to send players out to private practice physios because we didn't have enough resources to deal with the number of injuries. One apparently stated he couldn't believe RND was still playing on his injured leg. A few weeks later he's out and we haven't seen him since.

No matter how much we spend on new players if you don't have the medical back up facilities to get players back on the pitch quickly you are asking for trouble and last seasons problem of large scale injuries looks like its starting all over again.

 

[metalblade]

Just rotten luck that he took a whack on exactly the same place as his recent break I can't see how this can see down to being injury prone or down to United's medical staff. Still something else for fans to moan about. Unfortunately for Flecky this might signal the end of his career, he will be lucky to come back from this.

 

[Rodley]

Been a great servant for us, feel gutted for him. Another midfielder needed please.

 

[LBA_Blade]

How have they only just realised its a leg break, and why is it only "suspected"?

FFS - has he been walking around on it for a week?

Apparently it was a whack to the same shin he broke last season. I am not a Dr of anything but if is a small fracture to the tibial it might have been non-weight bearing and as slow news days have been doing the rounds with other things a priority at the club, he might have only just had a scan. There are several types of breaks in fairness