What is wrong with John Fleck?

[Bruce Wayne]

One of our shining stars of recent seasons is worryingly dropping right off the pace. He's giving the ball away far too often, worryingly often in the danger zone. He seems to have lost that drive/zest that made him a star for us and it maybe just me but he doesn't look anywhere near the fitness levels he was 12 months ago. Noticable Wilder has started taking him off in games, there is something wrong with the lad. Without a direct replacement for Fleck in the squad I think Wilder must sign one this window, it's a key position and right now we are exposed until Flecky gets his mojo back.

 

[LJBlade]

One of our shining stars of recent seasons is worryingly dropping right off the pace. He's giving the ball away far too often, worryingly often in the danger zone. He seems to have lost that drive/zest that made him a star for us and it maybe just me but he doesn't look anywhere near the fitness levels he was 12 months ago. Noticable Wilder has started taking him off in games, there is something wrong with the lad. Without a direct replacement for Fleck in the squad I think Wilder must sign one this window, it's a key position and right now we are exposed until Flecky gets his mojo back.

“Noticeable Wilder has started taking him off in games”. Can you explain this comment?

In the 27 game she’s played this season Fleck has been taken off 3 times, one was today and one was against Villa when we were winning 4-0

Personally I thought he was good today and I wouldn’t have taken him off

 

[FredZeppelin]

My favourite Blades player of the last few years, but you're right.
Just what role is he playing at the moment? Maybe if we knew that we could think of an alternative option. Loved his partnership with Coutts but that era has come to an end. He isn't playing in the number 10 role and he isn't sitting in. Just what is his role in this team?
With Norwood doing the 'distribution/sitting role and either Duffy or Dowell providing the creativity, just what is his instruction before going out to play?
UTB

 

[LJBlade]

My favourite Blades player of the last few years, but you're right.
Just what role is he playing at the moment? Maybe if we knew that we could think of an alternative option. Loved his partnership with Coutts but that era has come to an end. He isn't playing in the number 10 role and he isn't sitting in. Just what is his role in this team?
With Norwood doing the 'distribution/sitting role and either Duffy or Dowell providing the creativity, just what is his instruction before going out to play?
UTB

Were you questioning his role during the last 4 games that we’ve just won or is it just since we’ve lost tonight that you’ve realised you aren’t sure which role he plays?

 

[boo radley]

Knee jerk. Been good in the last four wins.
As said though in previous threads. Are we so fragile that our players have fixed positions?
If the management cannot find a " direct replacement" and we cannot adjust our play to support who fills a position then our players are not flexible enough. I do not believe that and I'm sure management don't either.

 

[Agreasychipbutty]

Appart from a few wild crosses I thought he's been fairly consistent.

 

[Ricky]

Last season he had moments almost every game where I'd think 'wow'. Those games have been in a minority this season. That's one easy way for me to tell he's not at his best, not doing the same things.

I think he may be below his peak fitness level, but he's also missing Coutts. Or if not Coutts, then the responsibility he had to get on the ball. Norwood has taken a lot of it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

“Noticeable Wilder has started taking him off in games”. Can you explain this comment?

In the 27 game she’s played this season Fleck has been taken off 3 times, one was today and one was against Villa when we were winning 4-0

Personally I thought he was good today and I wouldn’t have taken him off

Took him off recently, was it last week, don't know but it was recent. He aint the same player right now.

 

[bromtom]

They've changed the Irn Bru recipe.

 

[LJBlade]

Took him off recently, was it last week, don't know but it was recent. He aint the same player right now.

7 games ago against West Brom. When he took him off against Villa it was because he’d taken a knock so that’s actually twice in 27 games

 

[Bruce Wayne]

“Noticeable Wilder has started taking him off in games”. Can you explain this comment?

In the 27 game she’s played this season Fleck has been taken off 3 times, one was today and one was against Villa when we were winning 4-0

Personally I thought he was good today and I wouldn’t have taken him off

He put us in lumber 3 times by giving the ball away and getting caught in possession

 

[Davalon]

“Noticeable Wilder has started taking him off in games”. Can you explain this comment?

In the 27 game she’s played this season Fleck has been taken off 3 times, one was today and one was against Villa when we were winning 4-0

Personally I thought he was good today and I wouldn’t have taken him off

There's the issue then.

Gender confusion. Considering reassignment?

 

[LJBlade]

H eput us in lumber 3 times by giving the ball away and getting caught in possession

Football player in giving the ball away shock!!!

Name one player who doesn’t ever give it away?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

7 games ago against West Brom. When he took him off against Villa it was because he’d taken a knock so that’s actually twice in 27 games

So you are happy with JF? You don't see a major dip in form?

 

[LJBlade]

So you are happy with JF? You don't see a major dip in form?

He hasn’t been as good as last season. Have I disagreed with that anywhere? You don’t seem to be able to read

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Football player in giving the ball away shock!!!

Name one player who doesn’t ever give it away?

OK pal, there is no issue, Fleck is fine and as good as ever. You are always right.

 

[LJBlade]

OK pal, there is no issue, Fleck is fine and as good as ever. You are always right.

Again. Read my posts before responding. I don’t think I’ve disagreed with your assessment that Fleck hasn’t been as good recently but let me know if I’ve said otherwise. Pal

 

[Sheffsteel]

Appart from a few wild crosses I thought he's been fairly consistent.

I think Fleck has been consistently 7 out of 10 every game this season, generally plays quite well.

However in league 1 he had the odd 9 out of 10 game performance, taking men on driving forward trying to shoot.
but I haven’t seen him command a game or grab it by the scruff of the neck for ages, in this division he seems to play more sideways passes and play safe, rarely tries a shot. Still a good player though.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Again. Read my posts before responding. I don’t think I’ve disagreed with your assessment that Fleck hasn’t been as good recently but let me know if I’ve said otherwise. Pal

LJBlade you are seriously stalking me. I could post it's sunny outside and you would say it's raining, I could say it's morning and you would say it's night. You are really pssing me off pal.

 

[LJBlade]

LJBlade you are seriously stalking me. I could post it's sunny outside and you would sya it's raining, I could say it's morning and you would say it's night. You are really pssing me off pal.

Great.

Just because I’m pulling you up for something you’ve said it doesn’t mean I’m stalking you. It means you’re talking shit and I couldn’t care less if I’m pissing you off. Personally I feel pissed off that I keep having to read your nonsense.

I never disagreed with your main assessment of Fleck, I disagreed with your assessment that Wilder subbing Fleck proves he’s not been playing well because, as I’ve pointed out, he hasn’t been subbing him. You then chosen to ramble on about something and change the subject.

I did disagree with your argument that he played badly tonight, just because he gave the ball away a few times. Personally I thought he was ok tonight. However, if you want to get upset about my differing opinion then you feel free.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Great.

Just because I’m pulling you up for something you’ve said it doesn’t mean I’m stalking you. It means you’re talking shit and I couldn’t care less if I’m pissing you off. Personally I feel pissed off that I keep having to read your nonsense.

I never disagreed with your main assessment of Fleck, I disagreed with your assessment that Wilder subbing Fleck proves he’s not been playing well because, as I’ve pointed out, he hasn’t been subbing him. You then chosen to ramble on about something and change the subject.

I did disagree with your argument that he played badly tonight, just because he gave the ball away a few times. Personally I thought he was ok tonight. However, if you want to get upset about my differing opinion then you feel free.

Every time I post you are on my tail, you are a stalker.

 

[highgreenintokyo]

I actually think he’s been getting better the last few months, after being below his usual standards for most of the rest of the season. Seems more willing to carry the ball than he has been, and has put some good balls in. He did give it away a few times today again, a bit sloppily, but especially in the second half, we were all doing that.

In terms of competition, I think Dowell has shown today that he would be able to play Duffy’s role or Fleck’s. Quite excited about him, to be honest.

 

[Joshp]

I think he may be below his peak fitness level, but he's also missing Coutts. Or if not Coutts, then the responsibility he had to get on the ball.

I agree with this sentiment, the relationship Duffy, Fleck and Coutts had on the pitch was almost telepathic... it's like they knew how each other would move and be at all times without looking.

 

[Bladesman]

Off it today but so was Norwood too in the second half.

Up til today he looked like he was getting back in form.

 

[FredZeppelin]

Were you questioning his role during the last 4 games that we’ve just won or is it just since we’ve lost tonight that you’ve realised you aren’t sure which role he plays?

I've been questioning his role (not publicly) for a while now. I suppose when you're winning it's easier to just accept it and move on but a loss prompts more questioning.

Please don't think I'm having a dig at him. Nothing could be further from the truth as I'm still a huge fan. I actually feel a bit sorry for him if I'm honest. He looks lost in our system.

Games like tonights' just emphasise it for me.

Would you disagree?

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

Fleck isn’t sure of his role now, the decline of Duffy’ legs to get around the pitch hasn’t helped our midfield.

 

[1973Blade]

All players have their off periods, I am sure he will soon be back to his barnstorming brilliant best again.

 

[LJBlade]

I've been questioning his role (not publicly) for a while now. I suppose when you're winning it's easier to just accept it and move on but a loss prompts more questioning.

Please don't think I'm having a dig at him. Nothing could be further from the truth as I'm still a huge fan. I actually feel a bit sorry for him if I'm honest. He looks lost in our system.

Games like tonights' just emphasise it for me.

Would you disagree?

UTB

I would disagree that he looks lost. I think that’s very harsh. Tonight certainly wasn’t an example of it, he looked no more ‘lost’ than Duffy in that 2nd half, for example.

 

[LJBlade]

Every time I post you are on my tail, you are a stalker.

Newsflash, I don’t only reply to your posts, I reply to many others. I think the fact that you’re noticing my replies is sweet though.

 

[SwissBlade]

Every time I post you are on my tail, you are a stalker.

Stop being wrong then