Fletcher the future at right mid?

[warmkjos]

Does SAF really intend to use Fletcher as our future right midfielder? Ronaldo was originally hailed as a future Giggs replacement, but ended up playing right mid replacing Becks. But maybe when Giggs is pushed out of the first team for good Ronaldo will play left mid and Fletcher right mid. It appears to me that this is what SAF is preparing for. Fletcher is getting more and more PT, and he is looking better, more confident. I am actually comfortable with him playing at RM now days because he is very aware of not getting burned, he runs back every time to help defend. When he is out there at right mid, nothing threatening to our goal really comes from his and Gary's side except some poor crosses. Meanwhile, the two of them get to the other side of the pitch and put in some decent crosses for us.

So is Fletch the future at right mid?

[StrikerCW]

I could see a rotational system in about 2 seasons with Ronaldo, Park, that youngster (name escapes me) and maybe Fletcher rotating out.

[Achtung]

A year or two ago, this very thread would have been met with cries of "Burn warmkjos! Burn him good!!!!" ;) Back in 2003-04, when he played more at RM, he was absolutely terrible. Of course things with Fletcher seem to have stabilized. Still, he does better towards the center of the pitch, and has a better defensive positioning sense than a RM needs. He forward passing and vision have improved as well. At the same time, he lacks the pace and ability to run at defenders or cross the ball that we like to see from wing players. It still makes it tough to see him as a long-term solution on the right.

[appoo]

he ain't a winger, ande it's unfair to ask him to make that his permanent position.

I do believe that one of these days he's going to be an excellent central attacking midfielder. He can dribble, he's got some excellent through balls, he enjoys getting into the pk box, and he's very good technically. It's just that he's finally got the confidence in himself to play withour fear and use hyis full abilities and be as agressive as he wants. One day, he'll replace Scholes

As for the wing? Let Ronaldo keep the right, sell Richardson and bring in some competition for Martin.

.

[johno]

he ain't a winger, ande it's unfair to ask him to make that his permanent position.

I do believe that one of these days he's going to be an excellent central attacking midfielder. He can dribble, he's got some excellent through balls, he enjoys getting into the pk box, and he's very good technically. It's just that he's finally got the confidence in himself to play withour fear and use hyis full abilities and be as agressive as he wants. One day, he'll replace Scholes

As for the wing? Let Ronaldo keep the right, sell Richardson and bring in some competition for Martin.

.


A lot of things in here that I don't agree with.

1. Its not unfair - you play where to coach thinks you're best and when you aren't blessed with great talent this is even more true.

2. Fletcher will never be an excellent anything (by our standards). He can be competent and consistent but he'll never be as good a passer as Scholes as good a dribbler as Giggs as good a shooter as Rooney etc.

3. Much of Ronaldo's best form has come on the left and we should certainly consider that when forming a plan for the future. When you look at Ronaldo's defensive frailties and perhaps Carrick and Scholes starting at CM its quite likely that having a RM who tracks back and works hard is going to be necessary.

4. Fletcher's greatest run of form prior to this current patch came with him playing alongside Keane + Scholes... Its not outlandish to think that if demands aren't made on him to do too much that he could thrive at the little things and contribute by being a role player.

[StrikerCW]

Having Fletcher at RM is more like having a third CM that does the hard work (ala Milano) who comes outside more often than not. I would think.

[appoo]

A lot of things in here that I don't agree with.

1. Its not unfair - you play where to coach thinks you're best and when you aren't blessed with great talent this is even more true.

it's unfair in that if he's not allowed to play his natural position, he'll never be allowed to playhis best.

2. Fletcher will never be an excellent anything (by our standards). He can be competent and consistent but he'll never be as good a passer as Scholes as good a dribbler as Giggs as good a shooter as Rooney etc.

I see a lot of American's say this stuff about Yanks. Fletch is just what, 22? Give him a chance. He's an excellent Passer IMO. He's not Pirlo...but who is? And I think he can reach the fabled "MUQ" level. He's got a lot going for him.

3. Much of Ronaldo's best form has come on the left and we should certainly consider that when forming a plan for the future. When you look at Ronaldo's defensive frailties and perhaps Carrick and Scholes starting at CM its quite likely that having a RM who tracks back and works hard is going to be necessary.

that's true. But that's at least party why Sir Alex bought Park.

4. Fletcher's greatest run of form prior to this current patch came with him playing alongside Keane + Scholes... Its not outlandish to think that if demands aren't made on him to do too much that he could thrive at the little things and contribute by being a role player.

again,, no real argument from me but I think he can be better than a role player, if given a chance. Give him a real defensive mid to work infront of him and take some of that defensive responsibiliy away and let's see what happens.

[StrikerCW]

All those things you say can be applied to Jones and Gibson (to a lesser extent), appoo.

[johno]

it's unfair in that if he's not allowed to play his natural position, he'll never be allowed to playhis best.

Ronaldo's natural position is the #10. He's got precisely 1 game for United in that position. He was made into a RW and played very well there and then made his debut for Portugal at LW where he proceded to become their best player.

I see a lot of American's say this stuff about Yanks. Fletch is just what, 22? Give him a chance. He's an excellent Passer IMO. He's not Pirlo...but who is? And I think he can reach the fabled "MUQ" level. He's got a lot going for him.

He is NOT an excellent passer! You mention Pirlo as if he's got anything on Scholes or Keano.

that's true. But that's at least party why Sir Alex bought Park.

Agreed but I don't see why we shouldn't offer Fletcher a chance in that role as well, especially since he's got a good engine, he's a sensible passer and is a better tackler than Park.

again, no real argument from me but I think he can be better than a role player, if given a chance. Give him a real defensive mid to work infront of him and take some of that defensive responsibiliy away and let's see what happens.

We can't cater to Fletcher. He's above average at best. The players we can cater for are the Ruuds, Ronaldo's, Rooneys, Carricks, Rios and Giggs of the world. Not the Fletchers... Fletcher has some talent but he'll never be a consistent match winner for a side like United.

[appoo]

Pirlo has always been among my favorite players in the world :o

--

anyway, I guess it's all wait and see

[The Guv'nor]

He's a central midfielder. Probably best in a central 3 but he's starting to impose himself again.

[sdotsom]

I think he's going to make a great attacking midfielder in the future. However, in regards to wingers (post giggs), we'll have

Park, Ronaldo, Lee Martin, Richardson. Hopefully Richardson leaves, Ronaldo starts on the left, Lee Martin starts on the right (look it up, right was his original position), with Park subbing in for both. Furthermore, if Nani comes here that's one more out right, with Park playing both flanks.

I'd see Fletch as a central mid, period. If we want to play with a DM from here on out, then he may fit well alongside said player. However, that is what we spent 18 mill on Carrick for.

[JC7rox]

We can't cater to Fletcher. He's above average at best. The players we can cater for are the Ruuds, Ronaldo's, Rooneys, Carricks:eek: , Rios and Giggs of the world. Not the Fletchers... Fletcher has some talent but he'll never be a consistent match winner for a side like United.

Pretty good post, up until you got here. Up to now, what do we have in performances that ranks Carrick among the world class players and Fletcher a tier down? I'm not saying the Fletch is world class, but I don't see why the rung is so low for him, and Carrick, who is an unknown asset against class competition, is right up there. And tell me, johno, you can place him amongst those players with a straight face?

PLUS, in terms of all those players you mentioned, I don't see one where we've had to try to cater to them, except for this highly regarded talent known as Carrick. They're not the type of players you cater to. Give 'em a football and a field and they'll produce. You cater to players if and only when they need a special circumstance.

[benni...]

I dont know about you guys, but Right mid, and right wing are two totally different positions. Got that out the way.

He, IMO, from what I've seen since he came into the first team, is one of our better crosser's from open play. He always gets his cross over the first man. Thats something that he does consistantly well, despite being play out of position.

I dont think it would be his future long term position, but it is certainly a good option to have.

He does have some alright moves thoguh, and his speed has increased.

What I want to know, apart from the usual "be more decisive" or " less back passes" comments, what else does he have to work on to get a regular spot? Apart from goals ofcourse.

[littleman]

What I want to know, apart from the usual "be more decisive" or " less back passes" comments, what else does he have to work on to get a regular spot? Apart from goals ofcourse.

Smoke Chelsea again like he did last year, and he's a flegend.

[benni...]

What I dont get is, so many more of our players are suited to the 4-3-3 hybrid or whatever (atleast imo), why are so many against it? Fletcher would do even better if given a role along side Carrick, Dmid (Gibson, Hargreaves, Senna, etc) and one of Fletcher, Scholes, Jones, Maybe even Rossi, or Rooney.

[SirManchester]

To me Fletcher was always an attacking player. It's probably in Ferguson's best interest not to give him defensive duties because it's most likely not going to work out. He's one of those players who is at his best when he is given as much freedom to roam around as possible. This is where he will track back, and take different positions and responsibilities BUT NOT restricted to one role on the field.

[benni...]

Another question. How can we afford to have so many player who "is at his best when he is given as much freedom to roam around as possible"? We have Ronaldo, we have Rooney, we now have Fletcher.

[johno]

Pretty good post, up until you got here. Up to now, what do we have in performances that ranks Carrick among the world class players and Fletcher a tier down? I'm not saying the Fletch is world class, but I don't see why the rung is so low for him, and Carrick, who is an unknown asset against class competition, is right up there. And tell me, johno, you can place him amongst those players with a straight face?

PLUS, in terms of all those players you mentioned, I don't see one where we've had to try to cater to them, except for this highly regarded talent known as Carrick. They're not the type of players you cater to. Give 'em a football and a field and they'll produce. You cater to players if and only when they need a special circumstance.

Well, I've seen Carrick outside of a United uniform and he's a maverick with the ball - the only player on our team who can perhaps come close to Scholes when it comes to range of passing - but he does his thing from deeper. What we've seen of Carrick in a uniform is someone who's preseason was interupted who doesn't yet know his teammates and is getting used to playing in front of 70K every week. When he finds his feet you'll see, and that's all I'll say about Carrick and his class for now.

[Val1]

He, IMO, from what I've seen since he came into the first team, is one of our better crosser's from open play. He always gets his cross over the first man. Thats something that he does consistantly well, despite being play out of position.


I've watched Man Utd maybe a half dozen times this year and tail end of last year, and I'd agree with this 100%. Plus, his crosses, when most dangerous are from just at the edge of the coaches box to the far end of the penalty box, which I think is the most dangerous cross in soccer. But it has to arrive at the striker's feet, and certainly when you played us, he dropped two or three at Saha's feet. They were so good that they looked more like Kurt Warner bombs than a ball hit with a foot.