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Post by Kamilo on Feb 3, 2015 3:34:17 GMT
Thank you Fletch for years of loyalty and dedication. All time favorite memory was the high arching header v Chelsea in 05'.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2015 4:57:46 GMT
See you Fletch, enjoy the final few years of your career.
The first couple of seasons I thought he was woeful. Nowhere near good enough to be in our first team. I'm sure 90% of supporters will claim they never doubted him and always supported him, and of course some did, but the majority of fans who claim that are bullshitting. The majority of fans back in the day did not rate Fletch, and he took a lot of grief.
I've no problem holding my hand up and admitting I was amongst them, and I was wrong. You dealt with the abuse, you grew as a player and for a couple of seasons you developed into one of the best box to box midfielders in the Premier League. Then we wondered what had happened as you regressed as a player, unbeknownst to us fans you were battling a serious illness. Something you beat with your usual tenacity and resilience.
You're a credit to the club and to footballers everywhere.
Hold your head up mate, you're a legend.
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Post by ZlattackRed on Feb 3, 2015 5:02:48 GMT
See you Fletch, enjoy the final few years of your career. The first couple of seasons I thought he was woeful. Nowhere near good enough to be in our first team. I'm sure 90% of supporters will claim they never doubted him and always supported him, and of course some did, but the majority of fans who claim that are bullshitting. The majority of fans back in the day did not rate Fletch, and he took a lot of grief. I've no problem holding my hand up and admitting I was amongst them, and I was wrong. You dealt with the abuse, you grew as a player and for a couple of seasons you developed into one of the best box to box midfielders in the Premier League. Then we wondered what had happened as you regressed as a player, unbeknownst to us fans you were battling a serious illness. Something you beat with your usual tenacity and resilience. You're a credit to the club and to footballers everywhere. Hold your head up mate, you're a legend. I am part of the remaining 10%. The sad part was I never realized how important he was until he started missing games due to illness. Thats when I realized the importance of people who do the dirty work and make it easier for the strikers and defenders to enjoy the accolades |
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Post by _ on Feb 3, 2015 6:14:06 GMT
Fletch 'put a bit of stick about' to quote FU of the original British and better version of House of cards. The first time I saw him play I wondered where this skinny kid got the balls to take on the heavy weights, His influence was amazing in 2008-9 and his unfortunate sending off in the CL Semi against Arsenal probably cost us the final. Up to 2011 he was a major factor in Fergie's teams and success.
When I heard the news about his UC I was shocked, knowing how devestating that is from family experience. I was amazed he managed to come to terms with it. It's not something that ever goes away, and retains its destructive influence for the rest of a sufferers life. I still thought he had something to offer to the end of the season and given a chance might have stolen some of Rooney's limeligjt in the midfield. Another piece of the old Fergie powerhouse has been dismantled leaving yet more holes to be filled and a bit more uncertainty about our future. I hope his move to WBA proves to a twilight on an illustrious career.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2015 9:01:10 GMT
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Post by Tatty on Feb 3, 2015 9:09:31 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played.
We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available.
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Post by ScholesEvilTwin on Feb 3, 2015 9:21:43 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played. We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available. Exactly. He was a solid player and good servant to the club, but lets not pretend he was the 2nd coming of Keane or Scholes. |
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Post by Bestie on Feb 3, 2015 9:59:40 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played. We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available. We would have. The second one, no. But Rome? Fletcher not being there took away some belief before we had even kicked a ball. I'm certain of it. |
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Post by Tatty on Feb 3, 2015 10:09:48 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played. We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available. We would have. The second one, no. But Rome? Fletcher not being there took away some belief before we had even kicked a ball. I'm certain of it. Nah, Men against boys in Rome. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2015 10:16:09 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played. We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available. Put it this way. He was the worst player we could lose in that game. He mastered breaking up the play in that season and the suspension was a joke. |
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Post by Bestie on Feb 3, 2015 10:20:49 GMT
We would have. The second one, no. But Rome? Fletcher not being there took away some belief before we had even kicked a ball. I'm certain of it. Nah, Men against boys in Rome. Disagree. As Aus said, Fletch gave us a completely different dynamic in midfield that season. Still, opinions. |
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Post by CaajScot on Feb 3, 2015 10:50:17 GMT
He never lost his ambition for still playing for Scotland after his illness and he needed playing time too do that. He has his chance now and I just hope anymore injuries or illness don't ruin that for him. I would have still loved him too be with us on a coaching role or what ever but it never happened. I wish him all the best. He still does a lot of work for charity so there is another side to Fletch than playing football. |
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Post by ratbag on Feb 3, 2015 11:15:17 GMT
In was one of the doubters in his early days...'Fergie's love child' and all that but he grew into the role and was a solid of not spectacular player for us...
All the best Fletch...have a great end to your career...
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Post by Stew on Feb 3, 2015 11:21:59 GMT
It's funny how his enduring legacy will be missing a game. Rather than what he did when he played. We still wouldn't have won that game even if he had been available. Put it this way. He was the worst player we could lose in that game. He mastered breaking up the play in that season and the suspension was a joke. Exactly. Whether we'd have won or not we'll never know obviously. It would have been far more of a game at least. Fletch would have been able to get among them rather that Giggs and Ando looking at them painting pretty pictures with the ball. |
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Post by washyourhands on Feb 3, 2015 11:45:45 GMT
My favorite memory of this committed and loyal player was a truly spectacular strike against Everton during 08-09, a volley from well outside the area. As Phil said, this was the season he really came to the fore after previously bitty ones which generally reflected an erratic time for the team as a whole, with SAF building another great side. Nobody was sure about his role- was he a replacement for Becks on the right or a central midfielder? One of the low points was watching him and O'Shea bungling around the midfield, trying to compete against some of the best players in the CL. When SAF brought in Carrick and then Hargreaves I was certain his time was up. But he matured into a brilliant box to box player, replacing Hargreaves and becoming increasingly influential in those two seasons from 08-10. His fight against a potentially life threatening condition is as remarkable as it is poignant. To play at the top level after that is the measure of the man- a wonderful ambassador for the values of our Club.
All the best Fletch- your time at OT had undoubtedly come to a close but I am sure you will be a success at WBA, you deserve it mate.
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