Samir Carruthers - time to step up

[EmleyMoorBlade]

Carruthers is undoubtedly more skilfull than lundstram but i think the key here is how you want to prioritise technical ability in midfield . I don't think Wilder will .

For me I think Carruthers biggest weakness is the fact that he's not disciplined enough for the Coutts role . Lundstram is as it's a position he made his own at Oxford . I believe playing Carruthers in Coutts role will alter the overall dynamics of our midfield set up and even though I rate Carruthers very highly I dont think its a risk worth taking .

It'll certainly be interesting to see how Wilder reacts to Coutts injury .

Totally agree with your comments, and I think the improved form and fitness from Duffy is what is keeping Carruthers and or Brooks out of the team.
Wilder has shown that he makes only the changes that are necessary we have a system that works and opposition teams struggle to cope with so Tuesday I think Lundstram will start in place of Coutts with the only other change if Baldock is fit.
Carruthers will still be important for us this year there is a long way to go yet

 

[jt64]

The guy is irreplaceable, even if you looked into Premier League options, nobody could come in and replace him straight away.

While I agree, I do wonder if we looked to the loan market whether we could get a better value replacement than a permanent would. If you paid half of someone's wages for five months you'd be surprised what quality of player you could get for a million, even factoring in a loan fee. Sounds like a lot for someone to plug a gap but if it's the difference between promoting and getting 100m in TV money then I think you have to take the punt

 

[1973_Blade]

Judging from Roy's 'View From' Donny fans think he's gone off the boil. If he's not impressing them in league 1 what makes you think he can replace Coutts in the championship?

So let’s write him off on the basis of some Donny fans opinions. Maybe the team has go off the boil, or they are not playing to his strengths? A while ago many would have said the same about Coutts before Wilder came in. My recollections of Whiteman playing us was that he had the eye for a ball, was forward thinking and had some presence and that is what we need. But what do I know!

 

[Ricky]

Carruthers is undoubtedly more skilfull than lundstram but i think the key here is how you want to prioritise technical ability in midfield . I don't think Wilder will .

For me I think Carruthers biggest weakness is the fact that he's not disciplined enough for the Coutts role . Lundstram is as it's a position he made his own at Oxford . I believe playing Carruthers in Coutts role will alter the overall dynamics of our midfield set up and even though I rate Carruthers very highly I dont think its a risk worth taking .

It'll certainly be interesting to see how Wilder reacts to Coutts injury .

In some ways Coutts was barely disciplined enough for the Coutts role until Wilder got hold of him. He didn't work hard enough or take enough defensive responsibility.

If Wilder and his staff can have the effect they've had on Coutts I don't see why they couldn't have a similar effect on a younger player in Carruthers. As I said, it's also a huge opportunity for him so he'd do everything he could to take it, including making a big effort to adjust parts of his game.

 

[B.Lade]

So let’s write him off on the basis of some Donny fans opinions. Maybe the team has go off the boil, or they are not playing to his strengths? A while ago many would have said the same about Coutts before Wilder came in. My recollections of Whiteman playing us was that he had the eye for a ball, was forward thinking and had some presence and that is what we need. But what do I know!

Calm down. I'm just questioning whether we should be relying on a youngster who is as yet unproven in the championship and (based on the evidence to hand) isn't setting the world alight in league 1. Not writing him off...

 

[Harry's Game]

Lundstrum has first shout at it.

I would not be against Fleck taking the Coutts roles and Brooks the Fleck, role
I think Duffy and Brooks together could do some serious damage going forward.

It's defensively that may be an issue, but faint heart and all that.

 

[HoodedClaw]

In some ways Coutts was barely disciplined enough for the Coutts role until Wilder got hold of him. He didn't work hard enough or take enough defensive responsibility.

If Wilder and his staff can have the effect they've had on Coutts I don't see why they couldn't have a similar effect on a younger player in Carruthers. As I said, it's also a huge opportunity for him so he'd do everything he could to take it, including making a big effort to adjust parts of his game.

Big difference for me with this is we were in League 1 at the time.

Carruthers' ball retention concerns me for the deep lying role, the potential increase in technical ability he may give us playing the deeper role doesn't outweigh his lack of ball retention skills.

As Roygbiv has mentioned, maybe move Fleck back to the deeper role, Carruthers would be a better fit playing in Flecks current role.

 

[BushBlade]

Why not bring Whiteman back? I feel he is in a similar style to Coutts and has an eye for the goal too.

As far as I'm aware, you can only recall a loan player in a transfer window under the new loan regulations.

 

[BushBlade]

Lundstrum has first shout at it.

I would not be against Fleck taking the Coutts roles and Brooks the Fleck, role
I think Duffy and Brooks together could do some serious damage going forward.

It's defensively that may be an issue, but faint heart and all that.

I think Wilder will first try Lundstram. If that isn't working he'll probably move Fleck to the Coutts role and bring in Carruthers to do Fleck's job. By that time, Baldock should be fit so if it's still not working he'll try Basham and Fleck.

We're fortunate that we're playing some of the poorer teams in the league and, if the rest of the team are at the top of their game, we should have enough even without Coutts's quality. Fulham has suddenly become a very big game; we need to show losing Coutts won't ruin our season.

 

[Slim Man]

Lundstram is a better option I think

 

[GrayBlade]

We won’t really know how well Lundstram or Carruthers will do for us until one or the other gets a settled run in the side. Playing for the u23’s, coming on as sub or playing the odd game is no substitute for regular football. Match fitness and confidence need to be built up.

It wouldn’t surprise me though if Baldock returns to see a Bash pushed forward. Not our best passer of the ball but he’d give us height, energy and presence.

 

[ChemEngBlade]

If we're to retain the midfield fluidity we've become accustomed to then he's the only option for now.

He's a very good technical footballer and often played in a deeper role for MK Dons, including in that game at Bramall Lane where he looked so good but had to go off injured.

If he can be disciplined enough and work hard enough then he can do a good job in that role for us.

He's not going to get a better chance than this to establish himself in the team. And given our rise and league position it's an even bigger opportunity for him than he probably ever anticipated. So I'm sure he'll give it absolutely 100%.

I remember watching our games back early last season on Blades Player, Wilder was always shouting at Coutts, noticeably more than any other player. He obviously got through to him. Maybe he could do the same with Carruthers.

Someone posted on here that they were talking to Coutts and one of the things he said was about Carruthers being a very talented player and that 'his time will come'.

Maybe that time is now. Cruel that it would be at Coutts' expense.

There's no way we could have Carruthers, Fleck & Duffy as a middle 3. There'd be no one over 5ft 8!
For me, I'd rather see Lundstram come in as a more like-for-like replacement.

Or even put Basham in the middle with maybe Heneghan tried at right back till Freeman or Baldock are back in.

 

[UnitedBlade]

As far as I'm aware, you can only recall a loan player in a transfer window under the new loan regulations.

It isn’t a season long loan, it’s only to January.

So, he’ll be coming back unless it’s extended. However, Whiteman has said he wants to stay because that means he’s playing.

Couttsy’s injury may change that but I doubt it.

 

[BushBlade]

It isn’t a season long loan, it’s only to January.

So, he’ll be coming back unless it’s extended. However, Whiteman has said he wants to stay because that means he’s playing.

Couttsy’s injury may change that but I doubt it.

Yes I know. I assumed the poster meant bring him back now. Which we can't do.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

It depends what wilder wants if he wants a presence probably lundstram or bash if he want passing and fluidity gotta be caruthers.

In january might be worth a punt on someone like charlie adam very similar to coutts big and good on the ball , not playing for stoke and no one in the prem will be after him

 

[kop_blade9]

Lundstram is a steady eddy at best.
We lose control of midfield when he plays.
Sometimes think he is a central defender moved into midfield. We need more if we are to progress. I think Lundstram will getvyhe nod to start with but if he keeps giving the ball away too much then maybe Caruthers will get his chance.
Maybe Duffy could sit back more as he has the skill for ball retention and passing and brooks could play the forward role.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Lundstram just gives the ball away too much

 

[A Storm of Blades]

There’s a player in Lundstram somewhere, he’s just looked a bit jittery in his few games played. Almost like he’s looking to force it. Psychologically, it must be difficult to absolutely know that the guy you are coming on for is the current lifeblood of our midfield engine. You have, in effect, 20 minutes to produce something spectacular to dislodge a key player. I remember reading Brian Clough used to tell certain players that they wouldn’t be dropped for a certain number of games when he felt they needed stability to perform. Maybe this is the time we see the real player. Just gutting it’s had to come under pretty tragic circumstances. Coutts is a class act and a tough one to follow but we’re all praying that someone is up to the task

 

[Ricky]

Carruthers showed plenty when he came on tonight. Good to see him get his first goal.

He's not the same type of player as Coutts but his different strengths can go some way to making up for his absence. More than once he got us in good positions by running with the ball in situations where others wouldn't, and also won free kicks.

I maintain that he's more likely than Lundstram to be part of any midfield that performs to a similar level as it did with Coutts.

 

[Lee Baxter]

Carruthers showed plenty when he came on tonight. Good to see him get his first goal.

He's not the same type of player as Coutts but his different strengths can go some way to making up for his absence. More than once he got us in good positions by running with the ball in situations where others wouldn't, and also won free kicks.

I maintain that he's more likely than Lundstram to be part of any midfield that performs to a similar level as it did with Coutts.

I'd agree with that. Lundstram still needs a little too much time on the ball before picking a pass and I feel like that contributes to us playing in front of teams more often and not having the urgency we usually have.

What do you reckon to relieving Fleck of some of his attacking responsibilities, having him provide the metronomic qualities that Coutts brings us and move Carruthers into what is normally Fleck's role? There's no doubt we'd lose some quality going forward without Fleck's ability to carry the ball/put quality balls into the box but I'd say of all our midfielders he's the most capable of replicating what Coutts brings to the side.

The big question mark would be how much Carruthers can bring in a starting capacity but it could be worth considering?

 

[Sirius]

People talking about Bash stepping up into midfield but what about CCV? Tall, strong and decent on the ball and fairly quick and a good range of passing. Think he played the ball through for Sharp’s second.

He most certainly played the fucking ball through for one of their easier goals

 

[Champagneblade]

The 4th goal probably summed him up at the moment.

A bit unfortunate with the deflection but like one of the Leicester goals in the cup, he was neither closing down nor getting in a tackle. He needs to be more decisive and show more urgency.

I can understand the support for Carruthers. You need some urgency and he provides this.

Maybe Lundstram will get that with more comfort in the role. But we can’t make allowances. I saw a comment saying he did well considering the opposition. It wasn’t a cup game against the league above - these are our opponents - you either compete at this level or you don’t.

We probably have to throw out the whole idea of ‘the Coutts role’ or ‘replacing Coutts’ at least until January and focus on what players can bring.

Does Lundstram bring more goals, can he be encouraged to shoot more than Coutts did? Can he being more physicality?

Can Carruthers get us on the attack quicker? Can he force the pace more?

Ideal game vs Brum. A striker bang in form. Let’s make sure we let them have it!

 

[Ricky]

I'd agree with that. Lundstram still needs a little too much time on the ball before picking a pass and I feel like that contributes to us playing in front of teams more often and not having the urgency we usually have.

What do you reckon to relieving Fleck of some of his attacking responsibilities, having him provide the metronomic qualities that Coutts brings us and move Carruthers into what is normally Fleck's role? There's no doubt we'd lose some quality going forward without Fleck's ability to carry the ball/put quality balls into the box but I'd say of all our midfielders he's the most capable of replicating what Coutts brings to the side.

The big question mark would be how much Carruthers can bring to the table in a starting capacity but it could be worth considering?

It's a suggestion that's cropped up a fair bit.

I wouldn't want to curtail Fleck's natural game - and the role he plays in this team completely facilitates that.

I agree he's the most capable of playing Coutts' role though.

It could be worth a try. But I suppose we'd be changing both midfield positions/roles rather than just one and that also puts me off.

Ideally we let Fleck carry on doing what he's doing alongside someone who can do as much of Coutts' role as possible. That's what we'll try first, with Lundstram. If he doesn't perform then we'll probably try Carruthers. If that doesn't work then maybe we'll switch their roles with Fleck playing deeper.

My preference is Carruthers in a 'part Coutts role' with us maybe tweaking things to accommodate his differences.

I think there'd be 3 key things he'd have to focus and work on...

Decisions with the ball - play it simple more often.
Positional discipline - don't stray forward too often.
Work rate - willingness to defend.

He'll realise what a massive opportunity it is and give everything to do what they ask of him. His biggest difficulty would be modifying his decisions with the ball - he's a natural dribbler but would need to play more quick short passes.