Darren Fletcher

one of the best aspects of this season for me is everyone finally hopping aboard the Fletch bandwagon. after 2/3 seasons of defending him in the face of usually way OTT criticism he finally seems to be getting the recognition he deserves. vindication is sweet :cool:
 
golden_blunder said:
If Anderson was on Essien then he didn't do a very good job because Essien was the best player on the pitch
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and if Anderson was on Essien, where on earth was he when Essien picked it up just before the goal?

Anderson was on Mikel, Fletcher and Carrick were covering Essien and Ballack. Carrick moved across to cover Paolo Ferreira, Fletch had to choose between covering the immediate threat of Essien or following Ballack. if the cross had been stopped or (this is no criticism of OH) if we had a more natural right-back on the field, it wouldn't be an issue.
 
PS18 said:
one of the best aspects of this season for me is everyone finally hopping aboard the Fletch bandwagon. after 2/3 seasons of defending him in the face of usually way OTT criticism he finally seems to be getting the recognition he deserves. vindication is sweet :cool:
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Good man
 
Fletcher is a fine player. I've always liked him, it was a shame some people made him a scapegoat a couple of years back. I hope he stays with us for a long time.
 
Great to see him back, but shame it wasn't a couple of weeks earlier, he definitely would have played a few of our recent matches. But he'll have role in the next few crucial games, and I thought he played well today.

Like some others here, I'm glad to see more people recognize his quality (which has greatly improved, admittedly). Like anyone else he still comes in for criticism, but we no longer seem to get that "Fletch only plays because he's a Scotsman" rubbish.
 
i missed the game due to it being on sky at the same time as motherwell v dundee united was on setanta.... if i had sky id have been flicking over .

Anyway saw the 'highlights' on MOTD and saw fletch was unlucky at the end.

good to see the Big Game Hunter back in action....shame about the result, and rooneys injury....but title is still in our hands. Keep the faith!
 
Fletch played well today, and has generally done so over the last 18 months or so. I've been very pleased for him. That said, let's not forget, he definetly hasn't always been a very good player, and in fact was closer to being a rubbish one to a good one a few years ago, and i think he's seemingly adapted his game lately and excelled, in the sense that he seemed to have ambitions of being a proper ball player who runs games, but has now resigned himself to being more of a harrier and a runner.

It's funny that he used to be called a 'poor man's Carrick' in the past, but since we've signed Hargreaves, it's been a case of 'we have Fletcher who does that though'.

He's invaluable, and of the perfect level for a squad player at a club like ours i think, just that people having a go now at people who used to criticise his performances a few years back when he incidentally was playing poor are making little point in my view.
 
PS18 said:
one of the best aspects of this season for me is everyone finally hopping aboard the Fletch bandwagon. after 2/3 seasons of defending him in the face of usually way OTT criticism he finally seems to be getting the recognition he deserves. vindication is sweet :cool:
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same here mate, on the newbie forum it was constant stupid posts about him which i was getting pissed off with . Been my favourite player for years now and he's improving all the time . I am glad he is now getting the respect he deserves and it will only inspire him and make him more confident ....especially if the fans sing his name , the fletcher song is class anyway :cool:
 
reelworld said:
fecking Fletcher hater.
I bet you love it when Ballack scored.
Wanker.
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Haha, another Fletcher fanatic.

If you bothered to read the post which you obviously didn't, you would have understood what was written.

Fletcher's performance was decent. Nothing like you over glorifying fans, but he did contribute, not immaculate, but certainly worthy of wearing the red shirt.

Oh.. by the way, you mean if you had hated Alan Smith, when he scored the second goal against Roma you cried? what a loser.

Grow up, if you are a true Manchester United fan, and a fan of Fletcher, take the criticisms on your cheek, instead of resorting to profanities.

Go wank yourself.... what a pitiful sulker who really will be a disgrace to be a Manchester United fan.
 
Romaleouf said:
Haha, another Fletcher fanatic.

If you bothered to read the post which you obviously didn't, you would have understood what was written.

Fletcher's performance was decent. Nothing like you over glorifying fans, but he did contribute, not immaculate, but certainly worthy of wearing the red shirt.

Oh.. by the way, you mean if you had hated Alan Smith, when he scored the second goal against Roma you cried? what a loser.

Grow up, if you are a true Manchester United fan, and a fan of Fletcher, take the criticisms on your cheek, instead of resorting to profanities.

Go wank yourself.... what a pitiful sulker who really will be a disgrace to be a Manchester United fan.
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He tried to single-handedly out muscle Drogba consistantly, and managed it regularly. He broke up play and won possession countless times. Carried it well at times. He showed once again he has balls.

His stock has rightly risen, over the past year/year and a half.

The problem is that he is Darren Fletcher, and as such will be deemed no good when he makes any sort of high-profile blunder. And so it goes.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Erm.. feck off.
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Sigh... being fanatic and critical.... can no one criticise your beloved player?

Pogue Mahone said:
Anderson was at least 15 yards behind both Essien and Ballack. Fletcher was right on Essien's shoulder and only left him when he saw Ballack break past him, un-marked.

Maybe, as brophs says, he could have reacted quicker to Ballack's run but he was on his own against two Chelsea CMs, which was always gonna be a big ask.
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Yes, now you're talking. Because Anderson was too far forward. Fletcher, your great player, had the mind to move over to cover the left, and instead of playing the ball to the right, Drogba opted to cross, leaving no one to mark Ballack.

So, I disagree that his reaction was not quicker, because he had moved over to provide more cover on the left. Yes he left Ballack alone, but no he did intend to go over to make the difference.

No matter what the commentators said, it was no fault of his. So to say anything about Fletcher bashing or hate, a fact is still a fact.

Giving credit and over-glorifying are totally different. Fletcher had been most of his time on the right disappointing. However, in the central midfield, he has shown in flashes that he could be the player we see playing for Scotland, dominating, commanding and creating. Sadly, Fletcher fanatics can never take any negative comments and go on to idolise till death their hero.

In fact, when I saw the line-up, I thought we could see another Fletcher spectacular at Stamford Bridge, a pile driver which Cech could never stop!!!
 
charlenefan said:
Fletch was very impressive on his return today, it's a shame he got injured when he did because had he stayed fit we might of done better against Boro and Blackburn considering the energy he brings to the team.
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This is very very true.

Providing the extra man to close down the opponent on the ball is one of his main traits which Fletcher fanatics again fail to understand and go around glorifying every single touch.

Hairdryers assessment of the evolution of Fletcher is a good read. Coming out onto his own, providing another different option in central midfield. A far cry from his dark days on the right.
 
Ekeke said:
It would be an almost fair assessment if you didnt blow it with the last line. Hargreaves has faired no better as a holding midfielder. In fact everything you said has been proven time after time in Hargreaves' holding midfield performances.

Against Roma where he was deployed as an attacking player he was excellent. At right back he's done everything he'd had to do very well. But in that holding role, he's not been better than Fletcher was today.
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I believe that on the level of confidence, Fletcher needs to step up. That is all. No issue with his performance, ever since he move back to his natural role in the centre, as he has been playing for Scotland as well.

Granted, only in fits and studs, but the way he played against Arsenal really reminded me of Paul Ince at times, which is testimonial of how much he has improved.

The good thing about Fletcher is that he never seems to tire at all.
 
kundalini said:
Fletcher was marking Essien at that moment. We do not mark man for man. The goal came because we failed to shut down the cross. We had 3 players close to the player yet no-one got close enough to stop the cross coming in. You cannot afford to have 3 players taken out by one cross; it is a totally different story if our defence is all in position but these were defensive players around the player who hit the cross.
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Yes, again, on the pitch, it would go down to experience and choice.

Fletcher chose to provide the extra man, and if he had managed to crowd Drogba in failing to make the cross, it would be a different story altogether.

Drogba was skillful to dummy the pass and created space for his cross for Ballack, who actually came in late.

Hypothetically, if the scenario switched, it might be Fletcher who could have scored at the other end, and you can imagine Fletcher fanatics going mental here, might even dedicate a webpage or blog to him as well.
 
Romaleouf said:
Haha, another Fletcher fanatic.

If you bothered to read the post which you obviously didn't, you would have understood what was written.

Fletcher's performance was decent. Nothing like you over glorifying fans, but he did contribute, not immaculate, but certainly worthy of wearing the red shirt.

Oh.. by the way, you mean if you had hated Alan Smith, when he scored the second goal against Roma you cried? what a loser.

Grow up, if you are a true Manchester United fan, and a fan of Fletcher, take the criticisms on your cheek, instead of resorting to profanities.

Go wank yourself.... what a pitiful sulker who really will be a disgrace to be a Manchester United fan.
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It's the same shit EVERYTIME from you when it comes to Fletcher. Everytime he played well you always managed to snipe 'he's shite on the wing' even though he doesn't play there anymore. When he made a mistake you're more than happy to slagged him off.

It's like a fecking broken record.
 
Wes said:
He tried to single-handedly out muscle Drogba consistantly, and managed it regularly. He broke up play and won possession countless times. Carried it well at times. He showed once again he has balls.

His stock has rightly risen, over the past year/year and a half.

The problem is that he is Darren Fletcher, and as such will be deemed no good when he makes any sort of high-profile blunder. And so it goes.
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You were probably watching another match.

Anyway, he did make a superb cruching tackle which took the wind out of the Chelsea player in the second half. Kudos to that.

The contribution of Fletcher is more like what Kanchelski14 has said, a squad player, able to contribute to the team when called upon.
 
reelworld said:
It's the same shit EVERYTIME from you when it comes to Fletcher. Everytime he played well you always managed to snipe 'he's shite on the wing' even though he doesn't play there anymore. When he made a mistake you're more than happy to slagged him off.

It's like a fecking broken record.
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Have it your way. Fletcher is a great player then. But you would also admit HE WAS TRULY SHIT ON THE WING, and that is a fact which no one could deny. True, he doesn't play there anymore, why, because he was totally ineffective there. That sort of battered his confidence, which he needs to regain, although slowly, but gradually, in a position he is comfortable with.

Read my posts on Fletcher. I have always advocated, "time will tell" and "more confidence in his natural position". "Improving Squad player" all in anticipation for better and better performances from him.

No intention to slag anyone, but over-glorification needs to face up to reality, and reality shows that there is more to improve, more confidence in his play to be gained, that's all.
 
Fletcher is turning into a very good player, not the creative type but very combative and can score the odd goal, he will be great against Barcelona, and is a great bench option
 
Romaleouf said:
Have it your way. Fletcher is a great player then. But you would also admit HE WAS TRULY SHIT ON THE WING, and that is a fact which no one could deny. True, he doesn't play there anymore, why, because he was totally ineffective there. That sort of battered his confidence, which he needs to regain, although slowly, but gradually, in a position he is comfortable with.

Read my posts on Fletcher. I have always advocated, "time will tell" and "more confidence in his natural position". "Improving Squad player" all in anticipation for better and better performances from him.

No intention to slag anyone, but over-glorification needs to face up to reality, and reality shows that there is more to improve, more confidence in his play to be gained, that's all.
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Where did I say Fletcher is a great player? Delusional.
I don't fecking care if he's shite on the wing, because he doesn't play there anymore.
You made your point about him a long time ago. I fecking get it, you don't like him. But every time the lad got some praise, you're yapping around how shite he was on the wing. fecking hell, it's like I'm complaining how shite Ronaldo as a keeper.
 
Romaleouf said:
Have it your way. Fletcher is a great player then. But you would also admit HE WAS TRULY SHIT ON THE WING, and that is a fact which no one could deny. True, he doesn't play there anymore, why, because he was totally ineffective there. That sort of battered his confidence, which he needs to regain, although slowly, but gradually, in a position he is comfortable with.

Read my posts on Fletcher. I have always advocated, "time will tell" and "more confidence in his natural position". "Improving Squad player" all in anticipation for better and better performances from him.

No intention to slag anyone, but over-glorification needs to face up to reality, and reality shows that there is more to improve, more confidence in his play to be gained, that's all.
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In my opinion, he's actually be a decent option "on the wing" in champions league matches where we need to close out the opposition. Of course, not as good as Hargreaves - who can cross a ball. Sadly, even though Fletcher does have good passing ability, his crosses are consistantly poor efforts. Hargreaves offers a lot more on the flank. Still, it would be effective playing one on each side of Carrick. Nobody would get through that.
 
kanchelskis14 said:
Fletch played well today, and has generally done so over the last 18 months or so. I've been very pleased for him. That said, let's not forget, he definetly hasn't always been a very good player, and in fact was closer to being a rubbish one to a good one a few years ago, and i think he's seemingly adapted his game lately and excelled, in the sense that he seemed to have ambitions of being a proper ball player who runs games, but has now resigned himself to being more of a harrier and a runner.

It's funny that he used to be called a 'poor man's Carrick' in the past, but since we've signed Hargreaves, it's been a case of 'we have Fletcher who does that though'.

He's invaluable, and of the perfect level for a squad player at a club like ours i think, just that people having a go now at people who used to criticise his performances a few years back when he incidentally was playing poor are making little point in my view.
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Some of the criticism of him here got very personal and very over the top .Frankly, and I'm not one for this sort of talk, but it was a disgrace. There's fair comment and there's making someone a scapegoat. The sort of shit he got from some United fans was absolutely shocking. Some people - and I remember who they were - were giving it the "Fergie's picking him because he's Scottish' shit, and those who did should be ashamed. Let's not dick around here k14, it's alright criticizing but don't go around making out like all the shit Fletch got wasn't below the belt.
 
Romaleouf said:
Fletcher was supposed to mark Ballack. If you bother to watch properly rather than again singing praises to your favourite Fletcher. From the whistle, Anderson was on Essien, Fletcher was onto Ballack.
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Interesting theory. I watched the MotD highlights again to see if you were right.

I saw no evidence that Anderson was man marking Essien. From the whistle to the goal, he is rarely even in the frame when Essien is attacking. Which makes the derision expressed in your post seem rather misplaced. Perhaps you enjoy insulting people? First time for everything here on the Caf.

Doubts? Watch for yourself. Downloadable here or here
 
Also to mention, Fletcher almost scored the goal to give us a point. Another header. Having a player well capable of getting us goals with his head, coming from midfield, is another asset to the side.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Deserves his own thread.

Defence aside, he was the only player who stood up to be counted in the first half.

Amazing the way a bloke who has got so much stick on here never fails to put in big performances in big games.

I think there's a lot more to come from this lad. He's developing into a top, top player.
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Agreed. I always knew he had it in him.
 
kanchelskis14 said:
.......... That said, let's not forget, he definetly hasn't always been a very good player, and in fact was closer to being a rubbish one to a good one a few years ago,..........
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This is totally wrong. Fletcher has always been a decent player and talent. No where near rubbish. The problem is people on here kept judging him by the standards of Rooney, Messi, Fabregas and Ronaldo when he was a developing youngtser. Which was unfair. None of them wanted to give him the time of day. Constantly questioning everything he did and & making over the top comments like "he has no identity on the pack"& " he is picked because he is Scottish"....as if it was a crime for him to be a young player pone to the odd mistakes that all inexperienced player have. So dont try to paint it as if they were remotely right or justified in their stance
 
Fletcher was perceived as poor on the right hand side when he was coming through because it was at a time when Beckham was seen as most people's favourite wide player (United fans, anyway.)

People expected him to come in and cross the ball like Beckham... When in fact, his crossing is one of his poorest abilities. When you are playing wide instead of central it also cuts down your passing options, so his vision and creativity were also comprimised. When Fletcher plays in the middle, he's a lot better because the position suits his strengths. As a wide player, even today, he's not really that good of an option if we want to attack. However, if we need to defend a lead, his tackling and work rate would be more than adequate on one of the flanks.
 
Romaleouf said:
Sigh... being fanatic and critical.... can no one criticise your beloved player?!
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You really are a tit aren't you?

I told you to feck off for your childish insult about Fletcher being my "favourite" :wenger: Funnily enough, I don't have "favourite" players. I'm not 12 years old, you see.

I won't bother addressing any other points you've made as it's been conclusively proved that you're talking out your arse. Must be kind of embarrasing actually, been a while since I've seen a thread with one utter spastic being made such a fool of, by so many other posters. Hate that.
 
I've always seen Fletcher's potential and I'm glad he's getting justified plaudits now. He did what he could yesterday but really he shouldn't have been starting after a long lay off. Both he and Giggs (shouldn't ever start unless it's against Derby at home) should have been subs. It was a daft team set up and all it's done is encourage Chelsea. Does Fergie really know what his best team is these days or what tactics he should be employing ?
 
Julian Denny said:
I've always seen Fletcher's potential and I'm glad he's getting justified plaudits now. He did what he could yesterday but really he shouldn't have been starting after a long lay off. Both he and Giggs (shouldn't ever start unless it's against Derby at home) should have been subs. It was a daft team set up and all it's done is encourage Chelsea. Does Fergie really know what his best team is these days or what tactics he should be employing ?
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Do you honestly think we'd be where we are now if he didn't?
 
PS18 said:
one of the best aspects of this season for me is everyone finally hopping aboard the Fletch bandwagon. after 2/3 seasons of defending him in the face of usually way OTT criticism he finally seems to be getting the recognition he deserves. vindication is sweet :cool:
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My sentiments to a tee...
 
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