CONFIRMED Paul Coutts - Signs for Fleetwood Town

[dazzlingblade]

not really seen his name brought up over the last 24 hours, but really think the guy is worthy of a mention, it's easy to give all the plaudits to the guys who have completed the job, the new signings etc but i feel so sorry for this lad, there is no doubt we wouldn't be where we are now, without the way he battled back from his first injury, forced the gaffer to change his mind and won over our hearts, he will understandably i'm sure be feeling a little on the sidelines, but he has been a huge part of where we now find ourselves, sadly i'm not sure he will be here next season, it looks like this last injury has really taken its toll, that said he has proved us all wrong before and i wouldn't back against him doing it again, wherever you are next season couttsy you will always be loved here

 

[sheffielder]

Wilder mentioned him in his interview today. I am sure he will give him another year. Another pre season under his belt and all that

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I’d give him 12 months extension on same pay. He owes us nothing, none of them do

 

[PaulHalfway]

Not for me, we need to plan and spend wisely next year, why pay someone circa £800k next season when he won’t play

 

[HydeParkBlade]

Not for me, we need to plan and spend wisely next year, why pay someone circa £800k next season when he won’t play

How do you know he won't play? If he gets back to last season's levels he's more than good enough.

 

[itsinyerblood]

not really seen his name brought up over the last 24 hours, but really think the guy is worthy of a mention, it's easy to give all the plaudits to the guys who have completed the job, the new signings etc but i feel so sorry for this lad, there is no doubt we wouldn't be where we are now, without the way he battled back from his first injury, forced the gaffer to change his mind and won over our hearts, he will understandably i'm sure be feeling a little on the sidelines, but he has been a huge part of where we now find ourselves, sadly i'm not sure he will be here next season, it looks like this last injury has really taken its toll, that said he has proved us all wrong before and i wouldn't back against him doing it again, wherever you are next season couttsy you will always be loved here

Hope you're right. Coincidentally Coutts hasn't been on the bench for the last couple of games, so read into that what you will. Wilder will know exactly what Coutts is still capable of, so finger's crossed. One thing Wilder won't allow to affect his judgement is sentiment. Having arrived in the Premiership Wilder will be focused entirely on progressing, so Coutts won't get a look in simply because of past glories. Coutts will need to convince CW that he's worth retaining and still has something to offer this club. That said, Coutts has been one of the finest players this club has had and on his day was a joy to watch, so to my mind we'll be lucky to see his like in the near future.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

I’d definitely keep him.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

I'd give him a pre season and let Wilder decide.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

There will have to be some tough, maybe emotional decisions over the summer but we have to prepare for Premiership football now. I can see Coutts, Lundstram, Cranie, Freeman etc. moving on in the summer which is a shame but also necessary to improve the squad for what is going to be a massive challenge.

 

[YES Blade]

How do you know he won't play? If he gets back to last season's levels he's more than good enough.

Because he can't get on the bench now while we are in the Championship, how is he going to get into a Premier League team after we have (hopefully) strengthen the squad?

 

[AdamSufc1997]

There will have to be some tough, maybe emotional decisions over the summer but we have to prepare for Premiership football now. I can see Coutts, Lundstram, Cranie, Freeman etc. moving on in the summer which is a shame but also necessary to improve the squad for what is going to be a massive challenge.

Agree Freeman great going forward just hasn't got the stamina to play full 90. I think Wilder will keep Lundstrum though believe it or not

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He'll be here next year, and we'll be lucky to have him. He could be a class act at that level.

 

[HydeParkBlade]

Because he can't get on the bench now while we are in the Championship, how is he going to get into a Premier League team after we have (hopefully) strengthen the squad?

Because he didn't reach last season's level, hence my post.

 

[PaulHalfway]

It’s football, it’s a business
Clear out the players who won’t be in the main squad, why pay out money and waste it
Invest in new, younger, quick players, the future
No sentiment in business, the next year of survival will be priority

 

[YES Blade]

Because he didn't reach last season's level, hence my post.

He'll be 31 at the start of next season, had a career with some serious injuries and never played at Premier League level before. We wouldn't sign a player on a free transfer with that record so why would we be sentimental and offer a player a contract based on 1 and a half decent seasons?

Coutts has done well for us, but it's time to move on.

 

[dazzlingblade]

He'll be 31 at the start of next season, had a career with some serious injuries and never played at Premier League level before. We wouldn't sign a player on a free transfer with that record so why would we be sentimental and offer a player a contract based on 1 and a half decent seasons?

Coutts has done well for us, but it's time to move on.

you mean like David Mcgoldrick

 

[BladeInIreland]

There will have to be some tough, maybe emotional decisions over the summer but we have to prepare for Premiership football now. I can see Coutts, Lundstram, Cranie, Freeman etc. moving on in the summer which is a shame but also necessary to improve the squad for what is going to be a massive challenge.

Bang on, the only negative of our time under Wilder is we’re having to let go players we can’t fault for effort or performance.

 

[Kev Gee]

I will trust in what ever Wilder does with Coutts.

We can only have a squad of 25 though.....

 

[LS16Blade]

For the most part, all things such as fitness being equal, the players that flourish in the Premier League are the ones that are that bit sharper mentally.

Coutts is, in my opinion, still the most intelligent footballer in the squad.

He has 4 months including his first pre-season since 2017, to be physically ready. With the sort of players we will be coming up against next season, I want a peak-Coutts option at our disposal. Not since Kendall had Gordon Cowans here, have we had a player who could manage a game and dictate play as Coutts did for 18 months before the Burton match.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Really good to see him and Freeman enjoying the celebrations today despite probably not feeling too involved.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Agree Freeman great going forward just hasn't got the stamina to play full 90. I think Wilder will keep Lundstrum though believe it or not

I think he'll be in for Ripley, believe it or not.

 

[I should coco]

Coutts is, in my opinion, still the most intelligent footballer in the squad.

Trouble is that Adkins repeatedly demonstrated he can't play wide, so the only place for him is in the front of the back 3 dictating play. The Norwood role, but Ollie is more mobile and a better tackler.

Sadly he's not looked up to it in the bit parts he's played since Christmas so I think we have to ruthless. He's been a great player and was intrumental in the first promotion, but you can't just keep him on for that and because he might happen to be a decent bloke.

We need 20-22 good tight players who can all play a part. I'd include Crainie and Steerman in there (planty of prem experience) but not many others past our normal first 11.

Onwards and upwards.

 

[Dimyan93]

Really good to see him and Freeman enjoying the celebrations today despite probably not feeling too involved.

To be fair to Freeman he's been involved in 20 league games this season, that's slightly involved

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Because he can't get on the bench now while we are in the Championship, how is he going to get into a Premier League team after we have (hopefully) strengthen the squad?

We're going to need a top Chumpionship level team for back up next season as well as improving the team on the pitch. Coutts is 31 this year so you could maybe see him moving on from a personal point of view but fine for back up for me.

Tough Summer for Tufty and the recruitment, presumably the 'release' list will be out in a few weeks. On the down side, promotion will probably scupper a few of the 'kids' chances of progressing with us as well.

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

Not for me, we need to plan and spend wisely next year, why pay someone circa £800k next season when he won’t play

Give me £800,000 and I promise I won't play.
UTB

 

[PokerBlade]

At his age and with his injury record he needs to go out and play somewhere. There's clubs out there that would be lucky to have him. I'll always be grateful for a player that worked so hard to prove the fans and the manager wrong and built the platform for this success.

 

[super_pig]

Not for me, we need to plan and spend wisely next year, why pay someone circa £800k next season when he won’t play

there's more to it than actually playing mate.. there is a reason billy always used to give him the captains armband

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

He’s off to Hull

 

[Billyblade]

Judging by the state of him yesterday, he's gonna be lucky to have sobered up by August

 

[tincan]

There will have to be some tough, maybe emotional decisions over the summer but we have to prepare for Premiership football now. I can see Coutts, Lundstram, Cranie, Freeman etc. moving on in the summer which is a shame but also necessary to improve the squad for what is going to be a massive challenge.

Its risky to get rid of them - individually they maybe Journeymen but collectively they deliver a unity and purpose beyond their ability that made the team - who knows what a new challenge will do for them? Wilder's description is "Proper Footballers" so we need to treat them well..