“I want to stamp down my place in this team,” Fletcher said. “But most importantly I want to keep winning things and feel as though I have played a part. Personal praise is nice but United being successful is what matters most and there is always a new challenge. I strive every day in training to be a regular in the team. You want to play in all the games. We have a number of quality midfielders but as long as you are playing well, the manager sticks with you. I have gone onto the pitch with the attitude that every game is a fresh challenge, no matter what I did in the last one. My attitude is firstly that United win and second I want to keep my place in the team. I know if my standards slip there are any number of top-class midfielders waiting to come in and take my place.”
Who’s ahead of Fletcher in the central midfield pecking order?
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I’d say he’s somewhere near the bottom but nonetheless a fantastic squad player. In the same vein that O’Shea and Park are – you need these players to fill in for injuries rather than having to put in inexperienced youngsters like the Arse have to. I’d put them:
Carrick
Scholes
Hargreaves
Anderson
Fletcher
Possebon
I don’t agree with the system of ranking these guys since SAF usually chooses his midfield groups for the big games according to what he wants them to nullify – that’s why Park gets into so many big games. Against the RentBoyz at Stamford Bridge, it was Park and Hargreaves who stuffed Bosingwa and Ca$hley Hole. For all his brave talk about attacking play, SAF almost always puts defence first – those clean sheets count for a lot.
He has improved a huge amount over the last season or two and I see him as more than just a squad player. As denton says SAF uses different midfielders against different types of opposition and Fletcher has been excellent in some games this season. He also scored the important goals this season against Newcastle, Portsmouth and Everton. A decent player to have around at United as his attitude is spot on and from day one he has fought for a place in the team and that dedication and hard work has paid off. He could have gone this summer for a decent transfer fee but is happy at United.
Terrific squad player to call upon. And it has been immensely pleasurable I think for United fans, or maybe just me, to see his much improved performances this year. After the insults and doubts, I enjoy seeing him blossoming and turning it on. Its just kinda cool so see that occasionally hard work and effort pays off, even at a club like United.
When Defense is a first priority, lets say in the San Siro, I think we should go with a 4-3-3 formation with a fluid top 3 of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, and a midfield 3 of Anderson, Fletch and Carrick. Let Carrick sit deep in his Pirlo role, and let Ando and Fletch run around like maniacs, taking turns getting forward and also helping out on tracking back to help out either Evra or Rafael.
Ginger of course! I’d pick Scholes over the Scott any time, any day. Sorry Fletch but you’ll be a regular when Scholes decides to retire I’m afraid! =)
This really shows what quality we have in medfield – Fletch is a quality lad!
sorry m8! terrific attitude but i dnt knw why anderson isnt playing in our midfield this season. He was terrific last year and i he is potentially our best midfielder! Anderson b4 fletch anyday!
Fletch has been very good for us this year.
One thing that worries me is the pressure might be getting to some of our ‘squad players’. The likes of Evans, Fletch, O’Shea, Park getting so many consecutive matches might be a bit too much pressure than they are able to handle. I hope for the second half of the season Sir will be throwing the likes of Anderson, Nani, Wellbeck, Tevez, Fabio more into the mix. We certainly are lacking variety in our build up play, and opponents are increasingly successful with their park the bus tactics because of this.
Don’t know about others, but I’m really looking forward to a mouth watering fantastic 4. With Berbs and Tev up Top, Ron on the left flank, Roon sits just behind the strikers. Our surprise right wing will be the snappy Rafael (love this kid to death) with Wesly returning from injury. Give Park, Giggs, Fletch, and the Neviller a well deserved fully paid extended vacation to Phataya.
Hmm, Scott, where would you rank him? lol.
Erm, I don’t think I’d rank our midfielders. Surely, Scholes, Carrick and Anderson make the top three but nevertheless come a big game, often we see Fletcher start – that’s the beauty of him, he turns up for the big games, the little games, any games – he just loves playing for United!
A* attitude and commitment
against the big clubs, or clubs with creative midfield he is great for closing down players and stopping the flow, same with hargreaves. he can play on the right wing and do this job too.
scholes still #1 though ;] followed by carrick when his long passing game is working
Fletcher is no doubt a squad player, we have had injuries to carrick scholes tired ando and hargreaves. So he has been lucky to have these run of games. I would rate the midfielders in overall effectiveness.
Scholes
Anderson
Carrick
Hargreaves
Fletcher
In overall ability
Scholes
Carrick
Anderson
Hargreaves
Fletcher
Pace
Anderson
Hargreaves
Carrick
Fletcher
Scholes.
Passing
scholes/carrick (for his slidethrough passing)
Hargreaves
Anderson
Fletcher
Positioning
Scholes
Carrick
Anderson
Hargreaves
Fletcher
Skill (technique)
Anderson
Scholes
Carrick
Hargreaves
Fletcher
Strength
Hargreaves
Anderson
Carrick
Scholes
Fletcher
Stamina
Fletcher/Hargreaves (cant choose)
Anderson
Carrick
Scholes
You see hes not so good now.
If Scholes was younger, he’d be the first choice. The others depend on who’s playing in attack and defence, and who the opponent is.
Fletcher has a fantastic attitude, work-rate and dedication to the team. He’s improved continually year on year and I hope he reaches the level required to be a permanent starter.
Anderson has a lot more potential but he drifts in and out of games and seems only interested in impressing during big games. Fletcher will fight tooth and nail against Milan or Derby equally.
As mentioned above; Ferg will pick the team based on the opposition so there’s room for them all, thankfully.
Anderson is just about an average player. It hurts me on my left ball to see his shots go in Row Z. And his passing is wayward too. I’d rather give Fletch the nod. He’s just too overrated i guess. Give me my Scholesy any day of the week.
Sully: Anderson is still very young but will flourish into an excellent midfielder. At times his passing is sublime. Just give the lad chance.
I like Fletcher’s attitude and work rate, but he’s not a class player. He’s improved a lot and a player who gives us what he does would cost a lot of money. But I’d still say Carrick and Scholes are definitely ahead of him, with Anderson fighting it out for 3rd spot.
Anderson is definitely NOT an average player. His passing, his running, balance, strenght, he will boss the midfield for us for years. The kid is only 20.
Not to forget, he shits on Fabregas!
I never tire of this clip:) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2uw0g8AVzQ
Chaosred….is spot on