Paul Coutts haters look away now

[sitwell]

Assists & goals are a red herring in the case of Coutts, we have plenty of other players who could (should) be providing that. This season we have been regularly dominating midfield more than we have for quite a few years, and Coutts has been instrumental in that, keeping us on the front foot, keeping possession & keeping us moving forward. Very good & clever player who looks to have finally recovered from a career threatening injury. I imagine he is a bastard to play against, not easy to second guess, if he had pace he would be a PL player.

Ball retention is a massive part of modern day football ,and this is Coutts main strength ,whether its holding on to the ball ,passing or running with it ,he is very very good with a ball ,his weakness is getting it back.
This was Stephen Quinns biggest weakness and the reason he isn't in the Premier league ,brilliant player but so frustrating with his retention of the ball ,if you lose it at that level its very difficult to get it back.

 

[Nick Jansky]

If you watch Coutts closely, he controls the ball instantly no matter what direction or angle it comes from. That ability more than makes up for any lack of pace (although he definitely looks quicker this season), buys him a couple of yards.

 

[Bladepicker]

Maidenhead ,Hermitage , Rodley ,Deffo Bladepicker who backed me when I was fighting a lone battle one week when he had an off one

Remember it well Sitters. Wigan at home I think it was. Coutts had played well and been near motm in the last four games, but one game when our entire side was awful and he was the one who got slated.

I do think he seems fitter this season and more consistant but it is a myth to say he was awful before. As others have said, his first full pre season for 3 years might have helped a tad.

 

[raul]

Still behind José in both assist and goals.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

In the identical number of games for us his total is 0, so he owes us a couple. One at Fleetwood would be a good start....

Didn't he score at Barnsley last season (or was it the season before? They've all moulded into one nighmareish blur). Completely agree btw. The guy is evidently a classy operator in the middle of the park & is more than capable of being the engine of the side, but you simply can't expect him to suddenly develop a side to his game that he's never had.

I believe his upturn in form is a culmination of a few things. He's had a full pre season & has (so far) been injury free. The system suits him having an extra central midfielder & 2 proper wingers. We have a semi mobile front pairing who are willing to make runs. The 4 blokes behind him aren't a fucking bomb scare.

Wilder deserves a lot of praise for what he's managed to get going in a little over 4 weeks. His biggest success IMO is bringing the best out of Coutts.

Long may it continue!

UTB

 

[Ricky]

I mentioned better team mates, but I'll be more specific - team mates with a better MENTALITY, not only ability. I think that'll be a very big factor. We had a number who were happy to coast previously, they're no longer here, and the players who are seem to buy into the manager, want to work hard and be successful.

 

[Pinchy]

Long may it continue!

UTB

No....No....,NO.........Noooooooooo!!!!

 

[sitwell]

I mentioned better team mates, but I'll be more specific - team mates with a better MENTALITY, not only ability. I think that'll be a very big factor. We had a number who were happy to coast previously, they're no longer here, and the players who are seem to buy into the manager, want to work hard and be successful.

I agree with that ,I saw Fleck took some stick the other day ,but Fleck als works very hard ,sometimes its more what you do off the ball as what you do on it. Just hope Duffy and Sharp get their form going and we will be a very good side.

Still behind José in both assist and goals.

And bans.And being a cunt.

 

[Chali 2na]

I was a Coutts hater, I'm slowly warming to him though after his fine start so far.

I have not been completely converted though, and I'm not sure I ever will. (I desperately hope I'm proved wrong)

His strengths are obviously his talent on the ball (passing, touch, calmness) and vision. Even I, being one of his bigger detractors recognised that.

My gripe is that other than his composure on the ball, what else does he offer?

• His goal ratio is embarrassing for an outfield player. (To put that into perspective, he's managed less goals in English football than Nick Montgomery - I'm looking at you Pinchy )
• The amount of opportunities created and assists is a little disappointing for a player of his technical ability.
• While his ball control and dribbling ability is great, he is slow, so can't take men out the game with the ball at his feet.
• He's poor when we don't have the ball. If you're lucky, he'll manage a couple of tackles a game and he isn't capable of pressing the opposition for 90 minutes. (Meaning his CM partner has to compensate)

So ultimately, I have no doubts about his technical ability but is that enough to justify his place in the side? I would love to be convinced by the way: if someone has a compelling argument?

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He's match fit, for once. That'll have a lot to do with it.

 

[Bladepicker]

Still behind José in both assist and goals.

And you gave me 1/10 for trying to lure Tyler with shoutbox stickball!

EDIT: I see yours worked a treat, sitwell onto it like a Bisto kid

 

[Trigger Blade]

Didn't he score at Barnsley last season (or was it the season before? They've all moulded into one nighmareish blur).

Last season was Bash and the season before was Steve Davies looping header and a Jason Holt shot (also of the Caledonian persuasion, so you my be getting Coutts confused with him).

What Coutts did on that day was play a full 90 minutes and in injury time, chased down a lost cause to the opposition byline and won a corner. That's when he won me over.

In the away playoff at Swindon, he picked the ball up in the centre circle, made space for himself and knocked the ball out to the left wing and the cross came in for Basham's header. I mentioned that in a post and was mocked at the time, as though that kind of brilliance didn't count, as we lost the game.

I'm reluctant to align myself with Pinchy (and sitters for that matter ), but I've definitely defended Coutts on occasions and have liked him since his efforts at Oakwell.

 

[Ricky]

You've got to have the ball to create chances. We have far more of the ball with Coutts in the side than we do without him.

In a three man midfield, I don't think you can argue that he's not worth a place in the side, even if he isn't scoring goals or creating chances directly.

 

[PeteBlade]

Sitwell for sure. I'm sure the others will name themselves. Personally I've been consistently Pro-Paul from day one, realising that his early form was entirely fitness related. Then again I like proper footballers rather than scrambling ragamuffins who run about a lot but can't play. Silly me.

Barney attempted to take the piss last year numerous times when I suggested he was worth a new contract judged on the times id watched him play against the times he'd read about him player and decided he was no good.

 

[Harry's Game]

I wouldn't say moving him from central midfield to central midfield is the reason behind his turnaround...

I put it down to these things:

Manager with a clue
Sustained spell of fitness including a full pre season
Wake up call being transfer listed with no other club being willing to get close to his current wage
Last year of contract
Better team mates

So it's not that staggering, he's always had the ability after all.

I would add to that having confidence in his own fitness,

Until this season he has always looked to me like he was frightened that any tackle was going to result in another serious injury meaning he was playing at about 70%

He now starting to look. Something like the player who when first at Derby was attracting the attention of Premier clubs.

 

[Chali 2na]

You've got to have the ball to create chances. We have far more of the ball with Coutts in the side than we do without him.

In a three man midfield, I don't think you can argue that he's not worth a place in the side, even if he isn't scoring goals or creating chances directly.

The expense of a 3 man midfield is the loss of a forward, winger or defender though.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Last season was Bash and the season before was Steve Davies looping header and a Jason Holt shot (also of the Caledonian persuasion, so you my be getting Coutts confused with him).

What Coutts did on that day was play a full 90 minutes and in injury time, chased down a lost cause to the opposition byline and won a corner. That's when he won me over.

In the away playoff at Swindon, he picked the ball up in the centre circle, made space for himself and knocked the ball out to the left wing and the cross came in for Basham's header. I mentioned that in a post and was mocked at the time, as though that kind of brilliance didn't count, as we lost the game.

I'm reluctant to align myself with Pinchy (and sitters for that matter ), but I've definitely defended Coutts on occasions and have liked him since his efforts at Oakwell.

Yes it was Holt I was confusing him with!

 

[Barney]

Barney attempted to take the piss last year numerous times when I suggested he was worth a new contract judged on the times id watched him play against the times he'd read about him player and decided he was no good.

And then you crawled under your shell when he reverted back to his usual bobbar after the 2 decent performances that you used as a base on which to hail him the next best thing.

Now he's started playing well again for the first time since those 2 performances you've brought it up again!

I look forward to you crawling back under if he can't keep it up.

He's still got a long way to go before his good performances balance his bad btw.

 

[Jehovah]

After getting no goals or assists last season I'm delighted he has turned this around this season.

 

[Pinchy]

Barney attempted to take the piss last year numerous times when I suggested he was worth a new contract judged on the times id watched him play against the times he'd read about him player and decided he was no good.

Even Barney can't get everything right....

 

[sitwell]

The expense of a 3 man midfield is the loss of a forward, winger or defender though.

Always been a 4-4-2 man myself ,but Ive changed since Ive seen us play 3-5-2. It gives a lot more flexibility and you cant combat other team who play this system with a 4-4-2. It has disadvantages in that its easy for sides to attack you down the flanks ,which means your 2 wide men have to be alert and fit ,and you must have 3 good defenders. Oconnell and EEL are looking very good for me ,weak link is Duffy atm but he may get better. I think we have a to play a system which suits our best players so as players come and go we will have to adapt.

 

[Barney]

After getting no goals or assists last season I'm delighted he has turned this around this season.

Ssssssshhhhh!

 

[PeteBlade]

And then you crawled under your shell when he reverted back to his usual bobbar after the 2 decent performances that you used as a base on which to hail him the next best thing.

Now he's started playing well again for the first time since those 2 performances you've brought it up again!

I look forward to you crawling back under if he can't keep it up.

He's still got a long way to go before his good performances balance his bad btw.

Wow, touched a nerve clearly!

Let me know when you've seen him play.

 

[Chali 2na]

Always been a 4-4-2 man myself ,but Ive changed since Ive seen us play 3-5-2. It gives a lot more flexibility and you cant combat other team who play this system with a 4-4-2. It has disadvantages in that its easy for sides to attack you down the flanks ,which means your 2 wide men have to be alert and fit ,and you must have 3 good defenders. Oconnell and EEL are looking very good for me ,weak link is Duffy atm but he may get better. I think we have a to play a system which suits our best players so as players come and go we will have to adapt.

I agree with most of the above.

However, you acknowledge that a 3-5-2 relies on great wing backs. While Freeman is playing well, he can be defensively suspect and we have no cover if he gets injured. At left back we have Lafferty who I would describe as 'decent' and Hussey (who I'd prefer not to describe, at risk of being named a slasher.)

In a formation that relies so heavily on wing backs, are we really using "a system which suits our best players"?

So far, the results are coming and Wilder knows more about suitable formations than me. I don't think it's unfair to question though, whether 3-5-2 is a long term solution, and if not; where would Coutts fit in?

 

[Barney]

Wow, touched a nerve clearly!

Let me know when you've seen him play.

Let us all know the next time you're about to tip a player for world glory on the basis of 2 performances, and then we can safely prepare to ignore it.

 

[Balham]

Sitwell for sure. I'm sure the others will name themselves. Personally I've been consistently Pro-Paul from day one, realising that his early form was entirely fitness related. Then again I like proper footballers rather than scrambling ragamuffins who run about a lot but can't play. Silly me.

Me for one. Although I did also have high hopes for Louis Reed at the start of 2015/16...

Coutts is clearly a technically gifted footballer but equally he's clearly coming back from a serious injury and is lacking match sharpness. I'm surprised that he started pretty much every game when it was pretty obvious that his fitness wasn't good enough.

I didn't go to Swindon - first day in the new job - so watched from the comfort of my sofa. Coutts played well, particularly in possession, but his off the ball workrate has to improve - this is a fitness issue.

He, J Wallace and Cuvelier will all benefit enormously from a decent pre-season and if (the big if) we sign some centre halves then I'm more hopeful about next season.

Coutts - there were signs of the classy operator revered by Preston fans last season but obvious fitness issues prevented him playing consistently well. Fitness is the major concern - if he's recovered from his knee injury he'll be one of the best midfielders in the division: and who better to make that happen than a manager with a physiotherapy background?
Defensive 7
Attacking 8
Workrate 7

 

[Ricky]

No formation gives you everything, sacrifices have to be made with every one. Three central midfielders is generally the most popular in football today, as it's seen to give the best flexibility and all round balance. I think 3-5-2 with suitable players is the formation where you have to sacrifice the least. It seems to be becoming quite popular too. We have suitable enough players to play it effectively, but as is often the case, it's the wing back areas where we could improve. I think just one athletic, attack minded left wing back would make a big difference to us.

 

[Maidenhead]

I agree with most of the above.

However, you acknowledge that a 3-5-2 relies on great wing backs. While Freeman is playing well, he can be defensively suspect and we have no cover if he gets injured. At left back we have Lafferty who I would describe as 'decent' and Hussey (who I'd prefer not to describe, at risk of being named a slasher.)

In a formation that relies so heavily on wing backs, are we really using "a system which suits our best players"?

So far, the results are coming and Wilder knows more about suitable formations than me. I don't think it's unfair to question though, whether 3-5-2 is a long term solution, and if not; where would Coutts fit in?

What we need is players to suit our preferred system, not a system to suit our preferred players.

 

[PeteBlade]

Let us all know the next time you're about to tip a player for world glory on the basis of 2 performances, and then we can safely prepare to ignore it.

'We'?

I'm more concerned with the folks who watch us play.

 

[Barney]

'We'?

I'm more concerned with the folks who watch us play.

A bit slow to the party then...