Kieron Freeman

[boo radley]

I'll have both, thanks. On another thread I described KF as a "revelation and a star". He'd be the first to say, though, that he wouldn't match Paul Coutts' quality in midfield, just as Couttsy would undoubtedly bow to KF as a wing-back. They respect each other enormously and would be astonished at a completely artificial and rather odd discussion as to which of them were the "better player" when they complement each other so very well on the pitch.

This barmy, irrelevant issue has sprung up from nowhere. We would do well to allow it to return whence it came. Meantime, Paul Coutts can get on with elegantly pulling the strings in our admirable midfield and Kieran can continue his athletic and tireless forays up and down the right, pausing occasionally to score twice as many goals as our second striker. Now there's a position swap that might be worth discussing...

OK, let's call it a day on this one and hope that the hysteria about a player playing well settles to straightforward good praise instead of the over the top excitement that some We're ploughing out that we'd found some world beater.
As you say, in Tufty we trust and who ever he plays up front he believes them to be doing a good job with what is available especially if they are getting a constant run in the side.
If only we had that goalscoring midfielder.

 

[Pinchy]

OK, let's call it a day on this one and hope that the hysteria about a player playing well settles to straightforward good praise instead of the over the top excitement that some We're ploughing out that we'd found some world beater.
As you say, in Tufty we trust and who ever he plays up front he believes them to be doing a good job with what is available especially if they are getting a constant run in the side.
If only we had that goalscoring midfielder.

Duffy?

 

[boo radley]

Duffy?

Yep performing best of the mid 3 at the minute and great to see him running and being prepared to take people on and have a go. Love it.

 

[GallonofMagnet]

I don't think either Freeman or Coutts are doing a great deal different to last season. Freeman I've always liked and is just showing what he's always shown. Coutts I didn't berate anything like most did last season and, again, unlike most, don't think he's doing anything but 'a job'.

 

[Hodgesleftpeg]

Of course you are allowed to say it. It is totally wrong though.

As has been pointed out on many occasions, Coutts had many man of the match and other good performances in the last 2 years. He did have some poor games but so did everyone under that clown Adkins - yet Coutts seemed to get it in the neck more than others. As a 'quaterback' or link up type player he will look better in a winning team with good players around him as sitwell says, as they will be able to take advantage of his abilities. Mainly ball retention, spotting a quick pass to switch the play and an ability to receive, control, hold and recycle the ball when under pressure/marked.

His other main trouble had been fitness. However, as well as playing in a better team under a better manager, he has also had is first full pre season for nearly 4 years.

At Preston and Derby before his injury both sets of fans thought he was one of their best players, at a higher level than this. The evidence suggests his major injury was probably more to do with fitness concerns rather than him 'not giving a shit'.

I'm not totally wrong.. you are wrong to say I'm totally wrong..
I saw him pull out of tackles.. stroll around the pitch hardly breaking sweat and let opposition players run past him....that pissed me and a lot of other fans off..

different player this season...

 

[Bladepicker]

I'm not totally wrong.. you are wrong to say I'm totally wrong..
I saw him pull out of tackles.. stroll around the pitch hardly breaking sweat and let opposition players run past him....that pissed me and a lot of other fans off..

different player this season...

Do you think he was our best player in certain games in the last 2 years?

Do you agree that his fitness may have taken a knock becuse of his serious injury (given fitness wasn't an issue before) and he may be fitter because he's, well, fitter?

To say he stole a wage for that period is just, well, totally wrong. You also then seem to suggest he is only fitter and playing better because of his contract ending.

Sorry, but you are totally wrong. Most people would love to watch a player at the top of his game like Coutts week in week out, yet it seems many of his naysayers from last season still can't give him any praise without getting a dig in.

And you wonder why Pinchy takes the piss out of the crazy world of S2....

 

[Hodgesleftpeg]

Do you think he was our best player in certain games in the last 2 years?

Do you agree that his fitness may have taken a knock becuse of his serious injury (given fitness wasn't an issue before) and he may be fitter because he's, well, fitter?

To say he stole a wage for that period is just, well, totally wrong. You also then seem to suggest he is only fitter and playing better because of his contract ending.

Sorry, but you are totally wrong. Most people would love to watch a player at the top of his game like Coutts week in week out, yet it seems many of his naysayers from last season still can't give him any praise without getting a dig in.

And you wonder why Pinchy takes the piss out of the crazy world of S2....

Go on then as you are totally right he must have been our best player in some of the games in the last 2 years... didn't have much competition if that's the case though did he?

You haven't mentioned tabout him pulling out of tackles,, generally strolling around the pitch, letting opposition players run past him and doing sod all about it...
or am I totally wrong on that?

And no I don't wonder why pinchy takes the piss... I've no idea who he is? Should I?

I'm fairly new on here.. is he a mentor? Is he the Joe Carroll of S2?

 

[Bladepicker]

You haven't mentioned tabout him pulling out of tackles,, generally strolling around the pitch, letting opposition players run past him and doing sod all about it...
or am I totally wrong on that?

He did that a bit in his first two months or so. Not that much last season, though he did tire easily. I have acknowledged it and believe it was more down to his serious injury than any not caring or lack of effort.

He works harder this season because of two main reasons. He is much fitter and we are on top in games where he is playing in a style and formation that suits him.

Oh and welcome to the forum.

 

[JohnDenver]

And no I don't wonder why pinchy takes the piss... I've no idea who he is? Should I?

I'm fairly new on here.. is he a mentor? Is he the Joe Carroll of S2?

All you need to know is that he's got his eye on you....

 

[Harry's Game]

Coutts' performances have improved most under Wilder.

Freeman has always been a solid realiable attacking minded full back (who also knows how to defend.)

Just been unfairly pushed into the background by the strange Cloughite inspired obsession with Brayford.

 

[boo radley]

Do you think he was our best player in certain games in the last 2 years?

Do you agree that his fitness may have taken a knock becuse of his serious injury (given fitness wasn't an issue before) and he may be fitter because he's, well, fitter?

To say he stole a wage for that period is just, well, totally wrong. You also then seem to suggest he is only fitter and playing better because of his contract ending.

Sorry, but you are totally wrong. Most people would love to watch a player at the top of his game like Coutts week in week out, yet it seems many of his naysayers from last season still can't give him any praise without getting a dig in.

And you wonder why Pinchy takes the piss out of the crazy world of S2....

Is Pinchy your hero? Pinchy is god and he speaks the truth?
I wish you Good Faith.

 

[Hodgesleftpeg]

All you need to know is that he's got his eye on you....

Oh shit!!

 

[Bladepicker]

Is Pinchy your hero? Pinchy is god and he speaks the truth?
I wish you Good Faith.

Pinchy is good value.

Don't know why you'd think he was my hero, I just share a lot of his views on the 'beautiful' game.

I really don't get your constant criticism of Coutts Boo.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Yes Freeman is a much improved player and he's getting into goals scoring positions too. But... I really don't think he and Lafferty understand the role of a wing back.
They are the in effect the main supply line from flanks, I don't think either of them provide as many crosses as they should or get round the back of the opposition defence enough. Added to this I don't think they're good defensively. Maybe ok for this league, but in the Championship I could see them being our weak links.

 

[boo radley]

Pinchy is good value.

Don't know why you'd think he was my hero, I just share a lot of his views on the 'beautiful' game.

I really don't get your constant criticism of Coutts Boo.

I'm quite happy with the progress Coutts is making.
He is just no wonder boy. He is in this league for a reason and is along way off being the best midfielder in this league and is not even the best midfielder at the club.
He is now starting to shoot more and get forward more. Perhaps he is learning the lesson from kieran freeman and finally carrying out Tuftys instructions.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Yes Freeman is a much improved player and he's getting into goals scoring positions too. But... I really don't think he and Lafferty understand the role of a wing back.
They are the in effect the main supply line from flanks, I don't think either of them provide as many crosses as they should or get round the back of the opposition defence enough. Added to this I don't think they're good defensively. Maybe ok for this league, but in the Championship I could see them being our weak links.

Can't agree with that.
Yes they are the width of the team, and yes they are expected to get the crosses in. And they do regularly.
To say they don't do it enough is daft considering they have a more important job to do first and foremost...defend.

So until the team is controlling the midfield so we have the ball in their half, they cannot push on.
But needless to say, when we are in that position, they do get forward and join in the attack.

If you had questioned the quality and consistency of their crossing fair enough, but these are Championship level players, not champions league.
And both do the job of defending well enough in the current system where we are now getting a fair few clean sheets. Both will be playing next season, though out of the two I see Freeman being the first to be replaced.

 

[Bladepicker]

He is in this league for a reason and is along way off being the best midfielder in this league

You really think he is a 'long way off' being the best midfielder in league 1? Really??

I sometimes think I watch a different game to some others. There was a recent home game where you slagged Coutts off and people genuinely thought you were on the wind up because he was most people's man of the match.

Has he bought your Mrs some sexy undies or something?

 

[boo radley]

You really think he is a 'long way off' being the best midfielder in league 1? Really??

I sometimes think I watch a different game to some others. There was a recent home game where you slagged Coutts off and people genuinely thought you were on the wind up because he was most people's man of the match.

Has he bought your Mrs some sexy undies or something?

Do you think he is the best midfielder in our team?
What did I say that got folk wound up?
Wish he had.

 

[Bladepicker]

Do you think he is the best midfielder in our team?

I think he is the best footballer in the team and an integral part of a three man midfield which is amongst the best I have seen at Bramall Lane. Best midfielder? Hmm, I'd say possibly, but then both Duffy and Fleck are brilliant too at what they do. One thing is for sure, none of them would reach the levels they currently do without each other.

 

[boo radley]

I think he is the best footballer in the team and an integral part of a three man midfield which is amongst the best I have seen at Bramall Lane. Best midfielder? Hmm, I'd say possibly, but then both Duffy and Fleck are brilliant too at what they do. One thing is for sure, none of them would reach the levels they currently do without each other.

MOTM is a difficult one.
Coutts has had 3 and only 1 in the league which was against Southend when we got thrashed. That to me would suggest that the team as a whole was lacking that day (I was there but tend to forget defeats like that quickly).
Moore, Fleck, Duffy and Sharp have had plenty in the league.

 

[robbiez666]

I've been critical of Freeman in the past, but he seems to have knuckled down this season. I think it helps a lot as he's a much better RWB than RB. My two major issues with his at RB were concentration and marking/getting tight to his man. He was partially responsible for a lot of goals by allowing players time to put crosses in. Both issues are almost negated with him playing at wing back.

 

[Harry's Game]

How many goals is that now? four from wing back?

..you stay happy at Burton Mr. Beardy I'll take this lad any day of the week.

 

[zablade]

Has he scored more for us in total than Higdon and Sammon put together?