How many of us would of picked Flinty over Osborne at the beginning of the season? He was SoD's signing and came with a good reputation but looked terrible and took a lot off stick, before he went off with his season ending injury last year. But fair play to the lad he must be Cotterills dream obviously listens to him in training and has come on leaps and bounds since his injury. I know some on here still don't rate him, and believe we should have defenders in the mould of Terry or young Ferdinand mould. But we are still in the third division so reallity must take president. But I'm really pleased to see him playing, and in my opinion improving all the time.
Aden* I wouldnt say Flinty was terrible last season. He was under SOD but that bloke was just ****e and didnt know what he was doing. Flint improved dramatically when Cotts came in and he was looking solid until he got injured. This season though he's a man possessed, he'll win everything in the air and because of his lack of pace his positional awareness is his strongest attribute so he makes up for being a bit slow, and if he cant he knows Williams/Ayling/Little/Bryan will be there to cover. We have a very balanced team at the moment. Its all looking goooood
We really do need to learn some patience with new players. it's very rare a new player will walk in to a club and hit top gear straight away, Wade Elliot was destroyed after a couple of average games when he first arrived, its embarrassing reading it. Flint has been awesome this season and is an integral part of a solid defence, all defences will always need a first ball winning type centre half especially in a 3 at the back, Ayling and Williams can bring the ball out and play through the midfield, Flint can put his foot threw it and shout 'Ave it' and good on him.
The best players dont always make the best team. It's about finding a balance that works and getting performances
SoD attempted to make Flint something he wasn't, a ball playing defender. SC knows his strengths and uses them well and that's why we're seeing a difference
I take it these are people that don't attend games?? (Not knocking people who don't attend) I say that because anyone who has watched the team this season would see that Flint is playing like a man possessed... like a man who is on a personal mission to make sure we are promoted and that everyone around him is doing the same!
Flint is now an essential part of the team. I for one would be a bit concerned if / when he gets injured or suspended as we do not have an exact like for like in reserve. But then at the moment everyone seems to be indispensable!