Paul Coutts

[Esablade]

I haven't read through the whole thread and I fully understand Mr Coutts can be marmitesque at times but...

I was down there today and as a long time lurker...
I feel obliged to say coutts was fantastic and looked a cut above.

He looks class on the ball and posses the technical ability to pull off what most league one players dream off.

I personally think he is a player that the higher up the football league system he goes the more accomplished he'd look, a player worth building around.

I don't know his statistics passing wise but today I can't recall too many he put off his target.

If he could hit the net it would be fantastic but today coutts looked like the driving creative force behind a team with massive potential.

Potential however that is raw and staying grounded let's see where we are after 10 games as a side.

UTB as ever and back to shadows I go!

 

[DHeppenstall]

Coutts played really well today and in that showing needs a player like John Gannon or for as. Much as i didn't rate him Bob booker next to him..someone who could tackle anything and give it 10 yards to coutts to set play going..at times he was seconds ahead of most of our team in his head but hopefully he will start to blend in better given game time.. only risk, come January, a championship team come in for him...

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

only risk, come January, a championship team come in for him...

That is fine with me, I prefer to have a player another club would want then some deadwood we can't get rid of.

 

[Weasel]

Thought that both Coutts and Bashsm had one of their better games today though neither was exceptional and both made silly errors at times (like most on the pitch tbf). They did get stuck in though and Coutts kept it ticking over nicely when he had the ball. That said he did go hiding at times and that is the frustrating thing with him as you can see he has ability. A praise from me today though to both Coutts and Bash and its not been often that ive felt inclined to say that over the last 2 years. Coutts could help himself if he added a bit more adventure to his play. There was a moment late 2nd half when Coutts did well and played it up to a Clarke i think who was on the edge of their box. Clarke had the defender behind him whilst it was crying out for Coutts to run into the box for what would have been a simple one two to play him in....unfortunately the attacking instinct isnt there though and he got a nosebleed just thinking about it. If he could make the odd run into oppos box he would add so much more to his game, even if he was to think about getting to the byline for a pull back for the front lads. He getting better though and thats a start. Well done lads.

 

[JJBlade]

I'd like to see him play well for us
It's about time somebody with a decent footballing brain shined at the club

Usually they are stifled with either shit tactics or a bad attitude

 

[Champagneblade]

I'm happy to give credit where due. Coutts has played well this season when given an opportunity. He treats possession of the football with the respect and diligence it deserves and when he's passing forwards and not just sideways and backwards he increases the danger level of the team.

I'm not raking up old ground here, but the problem we will face is that others either need to do the things he doesn't or he starts to add more to his game for this to be a fully fledged success.

Not enough goals from midfield is a fair criticism of United in recent years. If you give a free pass to Coutts on this one, then goals have to come from Basham, Fleck, Scougall or Duffy and only the latter has any real recent scoring form, notching an acceptable 8 for Burton last term. So immediately, you pass that buck to someone else.

He doesn't defend enough is another criticism. He was more visible in the last few games in this regard and as even Wilder said, don't slip back to being a passenger. If in the third tier to accommodate a player we are needing to acquire a defensively aware player that also notches their fair share of goals, then you are having to ask a lot.

My hope is that a run in the side and an arm around his shoulder from the manager brings out the best in him. If he loses his place, it will be because he hasn't done enough, not because the manager has it in for him. Fleck being on the bench has to be keeping him at his best. With the right backing I do hope his care of the football and his vision can extend to when we don't have the ball so he can increase his defensive awareness. Likewise, whilst I'm not expecting him to be on the scoresheet every week, that his increased confidence equates to increased forward passing that creates chances and goals and not just tidily retains the ball in the middle third.

He can help himself and the team a lot if he can develop in at least one of these two areas. If he does, then the arguments against him being in the team become null and void.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I agree with the point about us needing an aggressive, ball-winning, midfielder. That would free Coutts up to do the more creative stuff. The thing is, no one player can do it all. You need a mix in that midfield. We haven't got it right yet but I wasn't expecting us to.

I think you need a ball-winner, a creator and someone with pace in a winger type role. We only have one of those three at the moment, with Coutts being the main creator. Chapman could fulfil the winger role, but too early to tell yet. Duffy has been a bit disappointing so far.

 

[Darthblade]

To be fair to coutts his technique is top class ,watch him closely how he leaves opposing players round him .chris seems to be getting more out of him and he could be a big player for us this season .i take on board the negatives but let's give this lad a chance

Of the midfield players we have available in the current squad, I would suggest that on current form and fitness, Fleck, Coutts and Basham are the best three in what seems to be our best formation of 3 - 5 - 2.

Still not good enough for promotion though, imho.

UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

Coutts last season played like he wanted the manager to get the push. Much better and fitter this season, but he is a frustrating player. He's a tidy player and technically he has ability, but he doesn't have great vision for me. Too often the first player he looks for is alongside or behind him (not ahead) - sure he lays off a quick pass but he often gives it to a player in a worse position and his passes are generally to feet not into the space for the player to run on to, killing momentum. When he is in possession and there is space in front of him he doesn't seem to see it and rarely moves into it. He doesn't seem to possess a killer pass and he is shot shy.

I can't honestly say that there is anyone else to take his pace in the team at the moment but that isn't an affirmation that he is a matchwinner - more that we lack real quality in midfield. Dack is unfit but he still looked a class apart today.

Agreed ...... if we could have swapped Dack for Duffy before kick-off we would have won that game comfortably .......

UTB & FTP

 

[alcoblade]

His end product needs to improve, but he looks fitter than he has ever been. His final ball needs to improve and he should have slipped in Clarke. People keep saying we told you so, but he still needs to do more for me.
.

We can all hope Coutts finds his role in the team and improves on his weaknesses. Nothing he does can alter the fact that for almost 2 years he's been a passenger.

"I told you so" sort of lost any validity after 6 months of non performance. It can be reserved for new starters that were judged too quickly, not players who've not earned a fifth of their inflated salaries in 2 years.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

To be fair every time he ran in to form that prick Adkins fucked him about ,like many others.

Agreed. At least Clough recognised his poor performance, and just dropped him.

UTB

 

[Cyprus Blade]

He's comfortable in possession and can pick pass.

Part of his problem is he hasn't the vision in a match to see the incisive forward passes very often and when he does they don't come off (usually overhit than inaccurate - hence his tendency to pass to feet rather than into spaces for players to run on to). I watched him practising at HT in the Derby friendly and he was pinging long passes that never feature in his game in matches so I don't agree with the picking a pass bit I'm afraid.

Now you've gone the other way with Coutts, and the sun shines right out of his arse hole.

To be fair he has raved about Coutts since he arrived and has consistently talked him up despite 2 seasons of rank performances so its a bit churlish not to allow him his moment in the sun (well - second half v Oxford and 1st half v Gillingham - thought he went missing for a lot of the second half v Gillingham when they changed formation). Much improved from last year though - at least he looks like he wants to play now. Oh and let's not forget he got his first goal for us (his first since the 2012/13 season) albeit a penalty in the Crappycup tie v Leicester youth team.

Please, please, please don't mention the B***** word to him though - he has to triple his medication when he hears it and it takes him ages and ages and ages to stop ranting and calm down. Mind you - that lad could shoot and pick a pass though couldn't he? Knew how to score as well, sigh

 

[sitwell]

We can all hope Coutts finds his role in the team and improves on his weaknesses. Nothing he does can alter the fact that for almost 2 years he's been a passenger.

"I told you so" sort of lost any validity after 6 months of non performance. It can be reserved for new starters that were judged too quickly, not players who've not earned a fifth of their inflated salaries in 2 years.

UTB

Yes never give a player a chance to recover from a serious injury ,it seems to be really pissing some of you off that Coutts is showing what a good player he is. Bizarre ,do you want him to fail ?

 

[Revolution]

Yes never give a player a chance to recover from a serious injury ,it seems to be really pissing some of you off that Coutts is showing what a good player he is. Bizarre ,do you want him to fail ?

Coutts is showing currently that he can get above walking pace. No more, no less. He still passes like Leon Britton at best - ie where it doesn't threaten anyone.

It is an improvement but he is not the second coming of Michael Brown.

And spare me the serious injury stuff. He's been with us for 20 months.

And for the record, I want him to succeed. I want him to help lead us to promotion. Of course I do, so does everyone else who has the temerity to point out that he's been mediocre to poor since he was signed.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

As there was last season when I seemed to be in a very small club extolling the merits of a very good footballer .

I think most people see the merits of good footballers. It’s just whether it’s enough to compensate for poor athletes with questionable attitudes.


Credit where it’s due though. Coutts was good yesterday and is in decent form. He had a good spell around xmas last season too but lost his way again. Let’s hope he can keep it up this time.


I’d still like to see more from him in the final third though.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

outshone by the lowly rated Basham today

I thought both played well to be honest. We really controlled midfield which was nice to see.


Longer term, I can see Duffy being the one to miss out if we persevere with that formation as I think Fleck will be one of the 3.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It's not just about who gets the stats it's a team game and coutts is a glue player that enables others to get the stats. Baxter was the opposite a gambler who played for himself and you can't take the other stuff and leave it out , the guy was a cunt who pissed all over our club many times .
You just don't like me being right

I agree about Baxter being a cunt who let our team down. But in footballing terms only, he and Coutts have more similarities than differences. Good technique and vision. Poor engines and attitudes (hopefully Coutts is seeing the light in this respect). Both had the potential to be top players but neither realised it.


Although I would liken Coutts’ style more to McDonald. Languid but composed. As you say, he keeps the midfield ticking at times by being able to switch the play and keep us moving with the ball. They also have similar weaknesses (poor in the air for big guys, weaker than they should be looking at their physiques, lack of tenacity/ stamina etc.). Even to the point that McDonald didn’t get that many goals and assists (more than Coutts mind).

 

[alcoblade]

Yes never give a player a chance to recover from a serious injury ,it seems to be really pissing some of you off that Coutts is showing what a good player he is. Bizarre ,do you want him to fail ?

No, I'm objectively stating that he's been shite for 18 months.Everyone agrees, including other clubs who didn't want him when available. It's your inability to spot that that is the issue. You clearly do have your favourites Sitters.

He has failed, it's not a case of wanting it. He can redeem himself in future, but however much you protest, the last 18 months happened and dictate that failure.

If he's good in future I'll say so, includung 2 performances this season where I did.

UTB

 

[sitwell]

I agree about Baxter being a cunt who let our team down. But in footballing terms only, he and Coutts have more similarities than differences. Good technique and vision. Poor engines and attitudes (hopefully Coutts is seeing the light in this respect). Both had the potential to be top players but neither realised it.


Although I would liken Coutts’ style more to McDonald. Languid but composed. As you say, he keeps the midfield ticking at times by being able to switch the play and keep us moving with the ball. They also have similar weaknesses (poor in the air for big guys, weaker than they should be looking at their physiques, lack of tenacity/ stamina etc.). Even to the point that McDonald didn’t get that many goals and assists (more than Coutts mind).

Difference being ,Coutts has been held back by a serious injury and is taking time both physically and mentally ,Baxter has self inflicted his own career downturn ,and lets see how long if ever he recovers it. I think Baxter was hugely over rated and was always either brilliant or shit dependant on if he got lucky with blind passes which either look great or 90% of the time give the ball away. Conversely I have always thought Coutts to be a very talented player ,struggling to overcome his injury as much in his mind as his knee ,hopefully he can now have faith in it and we will see a top player evolve. A good manager helps ,Adkins put a lot back during his nightmare stay at the club.

 

[alcoblade]

Difference being ,Coutts has been held back by a serious injury and is taking time both physically and mentally ,Baxter has self inflicted his own career downturn ,and lets see how long if ever he recovers it. I think Baxter was hugely over rated and was always either brilliant or shit dependant on if he got lucky with blind passes which either look great or 90% of the time give the ball away. Conversely I have always thought Coutts to be a very talented player ,struggling to overcome his injury as much in his mind as his knee ,hopefully he can now have faith in it and we will see a top player evolve. A good manager helps ,Adkins put a lot back during his nightmare stay at the club.

Far too convenient to blame it on Adkins. A squad full of players have been released and paid off, signed by Clough, and not a hint of blame is placed on him by you. And here, 20 months on and a fortune in salary with no return and we're still expected to apologise for his mental frailty?

These are great examples of you taking s position and sticking to it rigidly despite all evidence to the contrary. To turn that on others is a bit rich.

UTB

 

[Grizzly blade]

So another game goes by where it seems Coutts is NOT shite...NOT lazy and actually a good footballer both technically and in thought.

Hopefully he will continue like this, proving a lot of people wrong and showing that when he is used correctly, and when he is fully fit he is more than good enough for league one.

A lot of people, me included, stated that we needed another quality player in midfield. And a lot of people...again perhaps me included were disappointed we didn't fill the void we all felt was glaringly obvious.
However, at the moment Coutts has been that player and he has over consecutive games been easily in our top 3 players on the pitch.

I for one feel vindicated in suggesting he was good enough, and that if used right by Wilder we might finally have the player Clough brought in.

Sunday he again showed great touch, good movement to be available to receive the ball, and a good range of passing to keep the ball moving. Also dispelled the myth that he didn't get stuck in or tackle, and that he is slow.
Well done lad!

So my next prediction after suggesting he might become integral to the team.....he will start adding the odd goal as confidence grows. Heard it hear first.
Will be very interesting to see how people react when we are receiving a few bids for his services in January!

 

[sitwell]

Far too convenient to blame it on Adkins. A squad full of players have been released and paid off, signed by Clough, and not a hint of blame is placed on him by you. And here, 20 months on and a fortune in salary with no return and we're still expected to apologise for his mental frailty?

These are great examples of you taking s position and sticking to it rigidly despite all evidence to the contrary. To turn that on others is a bit rich.

UTB

weird

 

[alcoblade]

So another game goes by where it seems Coutts is NOT shite...NOT lazy and actually a good footballer both technically and in thought.

Hopefully he will continue like this, proving a lot of people wrong and showing that when he is used correctly, and when he is fully fit he is more than good enough for league one.

A lot of people, me included, stated that we needed another quality player in midfield. And a lot of people...again perhaps me included were disappointed we didn't fill the void we all felt was glaringly obvious.
However, at the moment Coutts has been that player and he has over consecutive games been easily in our top 3 players on the pitch.

I for one feel vindicated in suggesting he was good enough, and that if used right by Wilder we might finally have the player Clough brought in.

Sunday he again showed great touch, good movement to be available to receive the ball, and a good range of passing to keep the ball moving. Also dispelled the myth that he didn't get stuck in or tackle, and that he is slow.
Well done lad!

So my next prediction after suggesting he might become integral to the team.....he will start adding the odd goal as confidence grows. Heard it hear first.
Will be very interesting to see how people react when we are receiving a few bids for his services in January!

I'm someone who's pointed out that he's been rubbish previously.

If he's good between now and Christmas I'll be disappointed if we sold him.

I don't get it when people want to hold on to their opinions despite evidence to the contrary.

I'm not sure what your point is? Will the previous 20 months not have existed?

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

weird

No answer then. Fair enough.

UTB

 

[sitwell]

No answer then. Fair enough.

UTB

Because its either just going over old ground or a load of shit. Ive taken massive stick for saying Coutts is a good player for long enough ,Ive also explained his injury problems and manger problems which are documented by others ,its all getting a bit boring.
I don't get your last point about sticking to a point , if I believe in it should I not ?
Ive taken stick before with Long ,Hill and Baxter against popular opinion, but why should I change my view if I believe it ?

 

[Barney]

Ive taken massive stick for saying Coutts is a good player for long enough ,.

Ever thought that this may be because he isn't, or hasn't been?

That said, there's a chance you could eventually be proven right, similar to how I was with Adkins ( )

 

[sitwell]

Ever thought that this may be because he isn't, or hasn't been?

That said, there's a chance you could eventually be proven right, similar to how I was with Adkins ( )

I was one of the first to join you, you just came across wrong ,as I do probably.

 

[sheffielder]

Because its either just going over old ground or a load of shit. Ive taken massive stick for saying Coutts is a good player for long enough ,Ive also explained his injury problems and manger problems which are documented by others ,its all getting a bit boring.
I don't get your last point about sticking to a point , if I believe in it should I not ?
Ive taken stick before with Long ,Hill and Baxter against popular opinion, but why should I change my view if I believe it ?

You haven't taken stick for Long, Hill and Baxter, You have given it our full wedge though. So don't be surprised when people give it about Coutts, who's excuses have at least moved on from not being able to have a full pre season.

 

[alcoblade]

Because its either just going over old ground or a load of shit. Ive taken massive stick for saying Coutts is a good player for long enough ,Ive also explained his injury problems and manger problems which are documented by others ,its all getting a bit boring.

Well, you started suggesting people were a holding a line in order to be proved right. I think it's fair enough that I point out that, from where I'm standing, you're very guilty of this yourself.

Pointing out that "he's a good player really" is a different issue, but doesn't alter the fact that he hasn't been for 20 months. He's probably got as many excuses as Baxter has, but after a while why should we forgive them, or care?

Any future debate should be about how good he becomes, and possibly what he fuck he's been playing at for the previous 20 months, if indeed he actually turns out to be any good for a sustained period.

UTB

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

For whatever reason(s) Coutts was an utter waste of fucking space until a week or so ago.

For whatever reason(s) it would be nice to see him employ his bountiful talent for the betterment of the team and drive us to promotion.
That is all.