THAT pass from Coutts

[vorpal blade]

after the MKDons clip, a film about Paul Sykes, hardcase, romancer (I think), boxer, gaolbird came on. Flipping sad, the ever present imminent violence of the man just seemed to dominate the whole programme. He's dead now....did anyone else watch it?

 

[BladeInBC]

I got pelters for saying they'd have a big part to play

Wilder will out them as soon as possible they said, he'll see through them they said

#themagician

#thewhitecafu

Been wondering but didn't want to start a new thread; is the reason for the turnaround in these two fellas all about fitness do you think? Looking at other players like big Leon, no one thought much of him but then once his fitness is sorted out he's scoring for fun.

 

[Revolution]

Been wondering but didn't want to start a new thread; is the reason for the turnaround in these two fellas all about fitness do you think? Looking at other players like big Leon, no one thought much of him but then once his fitness is sorted out he's scoring for fun.

With Coutts, the turnaround is also due to him trying harder. He has stated in interviews that he deliberately played within himself in his first two seasons for fear of getting injured again.

 

[Grizzly blade]

With Coutts, the turnaround is also due to him trying harder. He has stated in interviews that he deliberately played within himself in his first two seasons for fear of getting injured again.

Exactly....and that in itself says to me that he was still injured. Yes the injury he had might be repaired but mentally he was still very much scarred.
And so he will have held back in training as
Well as games, worried about every ache and pain thus affecting fitness and his ability to be as effective as he's shown he can be.

But for whatever reason he's managed to put it behind him. Maybe the sports psychologist has played a part, maybe his conscience kicked in, maybe the new manager hit a nail on the head....maybe he realised if he didn't do it this season he would be struggling to find another club!!

Who knows....but I'm chuffed for him as he's played a major part in a very very good season. And knowing from the first time I saw him that he was a classy Rolls Royce player im also glad that the club managed to get the best from him in the end.

 

[Revolution]

Exactly....and that in itself says to me that he was still injured. Yes the injury he had might be repaired but mentally he was still very much scarred.
And so he will have held back in training as
Well as games, worried about every ache and pain thus affecting fitness and his ability to be as effective as he's shown he can be.

And yet he was paid as if he was not going to hold back. He was cheating us. Massive credit to him for finally giving 100%, in the final year of his contract of course.

I have to say, if I had to pick one of our central midfielders who would not cut the mustard next year, it would be Coutts, though that's based on little more than gut instinct. Mind you, there are a number of interesting decisions for Wilder to make re squad building and recruitment - this is just one of them.

 

[Dnblade]

Should have been in that L1 team alongside Fleck for me..Loved watching the 2 of them all season...Good to see the likes of Coutts and Freeman getting some well earned plaudits aswell.
Great pass though,quality.

 

[DronnieBlade]

And yet he was paid as if he was not going to hold back. He was cheating us. Massive credit to him for finally giving 100%, in the final year of his contract of course.

I have to say, if I had to pick one of our central midfielders who would not cut the mustard next year, it would be Coutts, though that's based on little more than gut instinct. Mind you, there are a number of interesting decisions for Wilder to make re squad building and recruitment - this is just one of them.

I think you, and others, are allowing your previous views ("He was cheating us") to cloud your judgement. Maybe.

Don't forget Coutts was a central figure in previous UTD teams that, being polite, weren't great. A top top players abilities can be drowned and lost when surrounded by dross. Good players need good players to showcase their talents.

Enter misters Fleck and Duffy. Combined with a fresh player, free of injury and a stronger personal work ethic. The difference is obvious and there for all to see.

On top of this, the way in which every player on the ball always has passing options available to them (again a strong evidencing of team work ethic) no doubt developed on the training ground.

I believe you do Coutts a disservice.

I'll admit to a bias here, but he has been the player of the season for me. In the face of extremely strong competition from several others. Which is some accolade.

Coutts. The author of many a teams pain this season There it is ........

UTB

 

[Revolution]

I think you, and others, are allowing your previous views ("He was cheating us") to cloud your judgement. Maybe.

Don't forget Coutts was a central figure in previous UTD teams that, being polite, weren't great. A top top players abilities can be drowned and lost when surrounded by dross. Good players need good players to showcase their talents.

Enter misters Fleck and Duffy. Combined with a fresh player, free of injury and a stronger personal work ethic. The difference is obvious and there for all to see.

On top of this, the way in which every player on the ball always has passing options available to them (again a strong evidencing of team work ethic) no doubt developed on the training ground.

I believe you do Coutts a disservice.

I'll admit to a bias here, but he has been the player of the season for me. In the face of extremely strong competition from several others. Which is some accolade.

Coutts. The author of many a teams pain this season There it is ........

UTB

I am in no doubt he's proved me wrong and had a great season. Previous views are irrelevant to that assessment (and they aren't previous views. I remain of the view that Coutts should have done more to earn his salary before this season).

And yes, he's had the benefit of better players round him. But he also admitted not trying his hardest before. I find it hard to forgive that.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I am in no doubt he's proved me wrong and had a great season. Previous views are irrelevant to that assessment (and they aren't previous views. I remain of the view that Coutts should have done more to earn his salary before this season).

And yes, he's had the benefit of better players round him. But he also admitted not trying his hardest before. I find it hard to forgive that.

As do all of us I assume. It's just plain vanilla wrong when he is being paid an annual salary north of £300k (I am guessing).

Our differing views appear to be my being able to forgive and forget.

But he has been the author of much pain this season, on that much we can agree



UTB

 

[Grizzly blade]

And yet he was paid as if he was not going to hold back. He was cheating us. Massive credit to him for finally giving 100%, in the final year of his contract of course.

I have to say, if I had to pick one of our central midfielders who would not cut the mustard next year, it would be Coutts, though that's based on little more than gut instinct. Mind you, there are a number of interesting decisions for Wilder to make re squad building and recruitment - this is just one of them.

Does every person in the world go into work every day and give their all? Plenty of people in the world being paid while on sick, what makes this any different?
I think last season was so bad that some have overlooked the facts a little.
questions which has been done to death are - did Adkins play Coutts to his strengths? Did he use tactics designed to get the best from him? Did Adkins even know the ability Coutts had?
Coutts has admitted not giving it his all last season and not being good enough by his own standards, how many other failures admitted that too? He will feel he had his reasons and despite those given there may be others he doesn't want to divulge that may be more personal.

But facts are...he was never shit, questions over his attitude are baseless having turned himself around this season, and he WILL be a major player next season assuming we can get him to sign a new contract.

The "attitude" question mark over Freeman is the same too.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The beauty of Fleck and Coutts together is that Fleck HAS got everything. And the pair together have been the architects of the whole seasons success for me.
They know what the other is going to do and cover each other accordingly. Coutts may lack that little bit of desire at times in defensive situations, but I still believe that he will get better with this assuming he finishes the season fit, and returns for pre season having done the summer fitness plan he will be given.

I suspect these two will be the players next seasons side is built around. I am literally astonished my team has such a good midfield. Never in my time have we had that.

100% this sir.

UTB

 

[sitwell]

He was recovering from injury ,he had a manager who didn't know his arse from his elbow and played him on the right wing ,he had Baxter to aim for up front ,he had Dean fucking Hammond as a partner in the midfield ,nobody wanted the ball off him ,we were shit. I had major disagreements with many on here about Coutts last season as some dug up threads show ,he is a quality footballer easily the most talented we have had for years ,better than Macdonald and we should appreciate him. If you remember a lot said he was a James Wallace and an injury prone show pony ,who could never play 90 minutes.He very rarely misses a game proving that he was getting over a career threatening injury at a pace which he was comfortable with both mentally and physically ,which has proved to be very well handled ,apparently he is highly respected and liked in the dressing room ,hence being vice captain. His omission from the league team of the season is bonkers as Wilder said.

 

[Revolution]

But facts are...he was never shit, questions over his attitude are baseless having turned himself around this season, and he WILL be a major player next season assuming we can get him to sign a new contract.

None of those things are facts.

Coutts was terrible in many games in the two seasons preceding this one.
Questions about his attitude this season are baseless, agreed. What happens next, or if he is injured again, remains to be seen.
His impact next season remains to be seen.

As for Freeman, I have never had any issue with his attitude on the field. I never foresaw this level of performance from him but I felt he was a bit unlucky last season if anything.

 

[Grizzly blade]

None of those things are facts.

Coutts was terrible in many games in the two seasons preceding this one.
Questions about his attitude this season are baseless, agreed. What happens next, or if he is injured again, remains to be seen.
His impact next season remains to be seen.

As for Freeman, I have never had any issue with his attitude on the field. I never foresaw this level of performance from him but I felt he was a bit unlucky last season if anything.

Insults like him being shit, gutless, mercanary, injury prone to name a few were handed out with gay abandon.
None of them true, the facts are the opposite, as he has proven over a season.

To those watching carefully it was obvious how good he was. To people who know him, they said how good he was.
He had some poor games in a poor side, but also had some games where he was good. I had personally witnessed him and noted his ability, so he can't have been bad all the time. Reasons? Probably many but the simple abusive comments were off the mark.
Bash was equally poor for example but because he ran around more and at least chucked himself into tackles he was overlooked for abuse.

The impact of all this team next season remains to be seen, but if Coutts fails it won't be down to lack of ability as he has as much if not more than many players playing higher than league one. I doubt it will be down to poor application either.
As it is, I don't see him failing. He might not have the success and accolades of this season as it will undoubtedly be tougher and the way he plays is still reliant on the players around him. (Little things like making sure passes into him when he's tightly marked are perfect to allow him to do what he does).
But with Fleck alongside him and Wilder in charge it's going to be fine.

 

[I should coco]

I don't get this "he doesn't work hard enough off the ball" thing to be honest. Yeah, he might not dive into flying challenges like fleck but he definitely does his bit

Coutts this season has tracked back 60 yards many times and won the tackle, he works as hard as any and can caress the ball as good as most in any division.

I rate him and even last season could see what a lovely footballer he was in a poor side. Last season that he often just walked back and let his man run past him. This season has been a massive improvement and his tracking back is much better, although he does still have the odd 'down time' moment. Look at some of the goals we have conceded and spot him walking back.

I'm not remotely saying replace him, as he is is superb on the ball, always shows for the pass and rarely gives the ball away. These are things that can't easily be taught. I am sure CW and AK will continue to work on his defensive game and some small 'gains' may mean we get even more out of him.

A great player and full credit to him for knuckling down after being transfer listed. Plenty might have chucked the toys out of the pram, but Coutts is now showing why Clough took him first to Derby, then to us.

For me, Sharp is player of the season with Coutts second just ahead of KF, JOC and Fleck. He really has improved and given his ability will cope well in the Championship, gap or no gap.

 

[Alwood]

Saw this clip just after we signed Coutts. To have the ability to do this with your dominant foot is awsome, but with both feet shows the ability the lad has. Hopefully he will continue this into the Championship (and beyond!!)

 

[BushBlade]

after the MKDons clip, a film about Paul Sykes, hardcase, romancer (I think), boxer, gaolbird came on. Flipping sad, the ever present imminent violence of the man just seemed to dominate the whole programme. He's dead now....did anyone else watch it?

I watched it a couple of months ago, and also when it was on originally (I'm assuming it's the Calender documentary from the eighties). He was a tragic character but what's really sad is I believe both his kids are now banged up for serious crimes.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Saw this clip just after we signed Coutts. To have the ability to do this with your dominant foot is awsome, but with both feet shows the ability the lad has. Hopefully he will continue this into the Championship (and beyond!!)

I'd like to see him try that in a game. Might catch the goalie by surprise.

 

[vorpal blade]

aye, it was that programme & yes, both inside for separate murders

well done Paul Sykes, you certainly have been.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Saw this clip just after we signed Coutts. To have the ability to do this with your dominant foot is awsome, but with both feet shows the ability the lad has. Hopefully he will continue this into the Championship (and beyond!!)

Going off topic a bit but I remember seeing a clip of Gazza doing that, the difference being he was taking the corners from about 2 metres behind the by-line and still generating enough curl to score! Genius.