“Fletch underlines what United are all about. He is a world-class player and I wouldn’t swap him for any other in the world." – Wayne Rooney
I am going to be frank and say i don't hold Fletcher in the same high esteem that some of our players seem to do. I don't believe he is a world class player by any stretch of the imagination, he has made the most of his limited ability and always gives 100%.
My favourite memories of Fletcher in the United shirt includes: the goal against Chelsea in Nov. 2005 which ended their unbeaten run, his double against City in the 4-3 thriller in 2009 and his scintillating performances in the champions league that year where he was agonisingly suspended for the final.
The news that Fletcher was included as part of our 22-man squad for the Champions league did not fill me with glee; i was happy that the lad is 'dealing with his condition' and he was back in the game ( you never fully recover from UC) but that was it.
There is no doubt that he is a 'big-game' player but overall , i feel he has never been a top-of-the-line player and if not for his injury, he would not be so reverred.
The Return of Fletcher
posted on 19/9/12
'Two good seasons in ten years' is a bit of an unfair slant.
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He is 28. Take away the last two years for illness, and you would still expect more than two good seasons.
Stop making excuses for the lad.
Fletch got a lot more chances from SAF after a bad performance (and there were many) than any other young player I can remember.
posted on 19/9/12
VC
He did have more than 2 good seasons.
2005/2006 - good
2006/2007 - good
2007/2008 - injured for a lot of it.
2008/2009 - very good
2009/2010 - very good
2010/2011 - good (maybe the downturn in form was linked to his illness).
He certainly never had a 'bad' season for us.
posted on 19/9/12
To be honest, I have never really rated Fletcher, he's a decent back up player and can run all day but nothing more tbh. Hope he recovers fully though but if people think he's the answer to our midfield, then that is quite worrying
posted on 19/9/12
come on Rob, he did mate.
for a team like united we should be looking at players to have very good, or at least decent seasons every year.
as someone mentioned before, Fergie gave fletcher more time than any other player i can remember when he wasnt performing.
de gea makes a mistake against fulham and is dropped.
Rafael has a poor game and is dropped.
players like fletcher, evra and more lately giggs seem to be excused from this.
for me too much loyalty is shown to some players, while others are harshly treated.
posted on 19/9/12
comment by funrob - Carrickschin (U9808)
posted 6 minutes ago
VC
He did have more than 2 good seasons.
2005/2006 - good
2006/2007 - good
2007/2008 - injured for a lot of it.
2008/2009 - very good
2009/2010 - very good
2010/2011 - good (maybe the downturn in form was linked to his illness).
....................
03-04 below average but still young.
04-05 below average but still young.
05-06 average. Some good games some very poor ones
06-07 As per 05-06
07-08 As you say, injured for most of it.
08-09 The first season he really had more good games than bad
09-10 His only really good season.
10-11 Kak due to illness
posted on 19/9/12
03-04 below average but still young.
04-05 below average but still young.
05-06 average. Some good games some very poor ones
06-07 As per 05-06
07-08 As you say, injured for most of it.
08-09 The first season he really had more good games than bad
09-10 His only really good season.
10-11 Kak due to illness
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Not often i agree with VC but he pretty much nails it for me tbf.
posted on 19/9/12
TRC
I must be wrong then
posted on 19/9/12
posted on 19/9/12
comment by Vidicschin (U3584
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Sometimes. We all are but on this, you are bang on!
posted on 19/9/12
"Fletch got a lot more chances from SAF after a bad performance (and there were many) than any other young player I can remember".
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This is entirely true imo.
"Perhaps Butt didn't get as much praise as Fletcher, but he didn't suffer the sometimes vitriolic abuse that Fletcher received when he was still feeling his way into the team."
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Fair point but Butt did not take 5 years to "feel his way" into the team! Frankly, I can recall no other player being given that much time to impress at a club like United (see point above).
Red Russian, I think we are effectively doing the same thing. You may be "over defending" Fletch for the abuse he used to receive (as many people do nowadays with carrick) while I may be overly critical due to the excessive praise I believe he now receives.
Believe it or not, I have genuinely seen a number of fans compare Fletch to Keano - especially during his one impressive season. Also, factor in those fans who continue to say that Fletch would have "made all the difference" against Barca and it is clear that some fans are excessive in their praise for the lad! Personally, I don't think we would have beaten Barca even if Keano was playing in those games, never mind Fletcher!!
PS I also endorse VC's assessment of Fletch's form over the years. Pretty much spot on imo.