Paul Coutts

[finlaytheblade]

Totally agree. He’s my favourite player and in my view our best, but he looked off the pace to me. Almost looked to be running awkwardly too.

Some nice touches like but looked quite far from his best I thought.

The heat was really on when he came on he played his part and will have done him the world of good.
He started the incident when there player was sent off! By putting a challenge in which freed up the ball which then finished with sharp being felled by a high challenge. So could say he set in motion the last twenty minutes of mayhem in Blackburn's defence.

 

[bromtom]

You may well be right about seeing more of him finners but who is he going to replace? For tactical reasons yesterday it was Duffy which did work well but we have to remember that Dowell is also on the scene, not saying he is vying for Coutts position but he is a midfielder nevertheless , interesting to see what happens.

He'll be replacing Norwood in a couple of games because Ollie is not far off 10 yellows and he seems to get them fairly often.

Hopefully Couttsy has had 90 against Barnet and a few more cameos before he's needed though.

 

[Snowman]

I thought he was slightly off the pace initially and noticed that a few times their midfielders just glided past him. However when we had the ball he came into his own and for the first time since his comeback we saw the Coutts of old. I also also noticed that Fleck burst into life when he came on and the interplay between the two of them especially for the third was great to see. Maybe that’s why Fleck has been missing because he certainly went up a gear when Coutts came on.

This^^^^^ But I would use "well" instead of "slightly". Did look good going forward from his old position though. Just got to hope he fully recovers mentally and physically.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

There was snippets of play yesterday from Coutts where it was the old routine, short 5 yard passes, move get it back and play it, either quicken the pace or slowing it. He needs a run in the team to get up to speed, just like Baldock is getting back to his standards of last season now he's had a decent run in the team. I'd play Coutts every time over Norwood, we'll start seeing the best out of Fleck too i reckon.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Coutts will never be the old coutts unless he plays the deeper role. Tho hes still a very good midfielder wherever he plays

 

[Sheff de party]

The heat was really on when he came on he played his part and will have done him the world of good.
He started the incident when there player was sent off! By putting a challenge in which freed up the ball which then finished with sharp being felled by a high challenge. So could say he set in motion the last twenty minutes of mayhem in Blackburn's defence.

The heat was certainly on and he played his part. It’s just because it’s Coutts and he has set such high standards. He just looked to be running a little uncomfortably and struggling with the pace of everything.

If it was Lundstram I wouldn’t have said anything, but Coutts is capable of way way more. Early days though.

 

[Hamatik]

His problem is that Norwood has been playing really well. He does need some time on the pitch if he's ever going to get back to anywhere near the form he was in last season.

I would get him in the team somehow though, he was so good before he got injured that it's well worth carrying him for a game or two while he gets match fit.

 

[YES Blade]

He'll be replacing Norwood in a couple of games because Ollie is not far off 10 yellows and he seems to get them fairly often.

Hopefully Couttsy has had 90 against Barnet and a few more cameos before he's needed though.

Norwood has 6 bookings so he should be ok for a while.

 

[bromtom]

Norwood has 6 bookings so he should be ok for a while.

One a game though in the last three, 4 in the last 6 games and with the standard of reffing we've had haha...

Either way, I don't think he'll get to 37 games without getting 4 more yellows so Couttsy will have to step in in the next 10 you'd think.

 

[finlaytheblade]

The heat was certainly on and he played his part. It’s just because it’s Coutts and he has set such high standards. He just looked to be running a little uncomfortably and struggling with the pace of everything.

If it was Lundstram I wouldn’t have said anything, but Coutts is capable of way way more. Early days though.

His. Injury will have healed othwise he wouldn't be back playing at all.He's not fast runner his abilities are to keep it and use it.
Needs game time to get back to where he was.Yes it could mean he needs a pre - season to get fully there

 

[Steve Mackan]

The challenge he put in for their sending off and the triangle with Fleck and Billy for the 3rd goal were Coutts-esque Steve Mackan would have needed a change of pants at full time.

I did.

 

[Ricky]

He looked decent again today. He'll be fine. The only question mark could be pace, I have to see more to judge that.

Wilder missed a chance to play him in his old position with us very comfortable at 3-0. He should've replaced Norwood, who along with corners was probably Wigan's best chance of a goal, giving it away on the edge of the box 3 or 4 times. Coutts then came on and made the correct choice 3 or 4 times in a row in similar positions.

I'm also certain Coutts would've passed the ball to McGoldrick on the right than Sharp on the left, instead of going for the pass that would look better, because we're already 3-0 up....

 

[itsinyerblood]

The overall view seems to be that we saw a far improved Coutts today.

Coutts' inclusion is just what Wilder needs to create competition for places. On his day he's a more influential player than Norwood, although they both have differing qualities that make them key players for us. I think Coutts is key to the way Fleck plays, and you'd need an awful memory to forget just how good Coutts, Duffy, and Fleck were. They created the best Blade's midfield we'd had for a few decades, showing that they were as good at Championship level as they were at Division 1 level.

None of which is to dismiss Norwood, a superb passer of a ball, and capable of exquisite, defence splitting passes. I hope CW finds a way to integrate Coutts and Norwood into the same team, but for this to happen I think Norwood needs to play in a more forward role. What does matter is that we're now seeing Coutts show his true value, and this will be like buying a new, quality player and watch them become an essential part of a well oiled machine.

 

[Harry's Game]

If Coutts is back to even 80% of his best it could be as an important as any signing made in January.

I was not expecting much at all from him this season so it would be a huge bonus.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I thought he had his best game(half game) today, albeit the game was already won.

 

[TONY_TONY_AGANA]

Coutts was majestic when he came on. Bloody majestic I tell thee

 

[haich1889]

Coutts was majestic when he came on. Bloody majestic I tell thee

I noticed K Mac wasn't even on the bench today for Fulham. Imagine the midfield depth if we made a sneaky loan enquiry for the rest of the season???

 

[Revolution]

I'd like to see him start on Saturday. His only start (Forest I think) didn't go so well: average at best. He's looked increasingly good in these sub 30 minute cameos and a home cup game against a non league side would seem to be an ideal opportunity to try to get at least an hour out of him.

 

[S15Blade]

We need him! Asking Norwood and Fleck to play 90 mins every game could take it's toll at some point

 

[LondonBlade89]

Glad it sounds like Coutts is getting back closer to his normal self. I, like others, thought he looked well off the pace at WBA, so it shows that he just needs time and minutes. Should be a certain starter this weekend against Barney, IMO.