Giving Fletcher A Break..

In recent weeks Darren Fletcher has come under huge scrutiny from many West Bromwich Albion fans for poor performances and the defeat at Anfield again saw fans wondering what it would take for Tony Pulis to drop his skipper.

I agree that Fletcher has been in a bit of rut lately, I thought he was out of sorts in a few games although it must be noted Albion have recently gone four games unbeaten, no easy feat at this level and I do believe some of the stick is unfairly thrown at him.

Arriving from Manchester United Fletcher came with a reputation, he was immediately handed the armband and I travelled to Turf Moor to see his debut where he ran the show, a game we drew 2-2 but the impact was visible and huge. This is the first time in his Albion career you feel his influence isn’t as big as it was but that’s not saying his influence isn’t there.

I love watching Fletcher, I think he is a wonderful technical and the critics are harsh because he’s dropped by his own high standards, I don’t believe the voices would be so loud for a Craig Gardner, who you maybe expect a few misplaced passes from. My other issue is he actually plays some lovely balls behind sides for team mates to stop running. I remember a few passes at Sunderland unlocked the defence, the only player attempting such passes, and groans came because they weren’t met but sometimes that’s the receivers fault not the passers! Anfield was a perfect example when he rolled a ball out wide for the run of Matt Phillips who stopped and stood in admiration of the pass. How can Fletcher be blamed for the lack of a run from Phillips?

The other side I love of Fletcher is the bit people don’t quite understand and why I would urge people to watch him OFF the ball. Too many critics talk about a poor pass, a dodgy touch, yet miss totally how he organises and sets the standards in this team.

You can see him pulling Claudio Yacob across, picking up midfielders, passing them on and lifting those around him. He’s a proper captain, one that isn’t afraid to make a mistake but shouldn’t get special treatment or cascaded for that.

I think the term “poor” is very harsh for Fletcher, calling him terrible and what not isn’t true, because really we all know he would be replaced by someone who wouldn’t be any better. Sam Field is coming through, you want him to learn off Fletcher though, play with him and learn. He’s also struggled to make the bench lately which suggests Pulis is nowhere near ready to throw him into the lions den just yet.

Form is temporary, class is permanent. I do believe that Fletcher will return to his best and be gaining plaudits again my biggest fear is Albion fans love to hate players. Chris Brunt has been in a similar position, he was jeered, booed and criticised weekly, it got to him and eventually it seemed like so many fans were pleased when he stuffed up because it proved them right and I really don’t want that to happen with Fletcher. I see Fletcher and Brunt in a similar bracket, both players that love to get on the ball, watch them when we have possession they’ll go to receive, they won’t hide behind a player, pretending to be free but knowing they’re marked they go and get it, try and create something. Naturally, that makes them an easy target for mistakes but I’d rather a chance taker that makes mistakes than a team of players that don’t want the ball in case a mistake is made. It’s so easy to hide when you’re not quite at your best yet Fletcher doesn’t and that should be commended.

A player low on confidence like Fletcher, and he is, doesn’t need his mistakes highlighted, his own fans on his back, he needs a bit of support and the opportunity to turn it around so I hope fans can see what he brings to this team and will support him and hopefully we’ll see him controlling games again very soon.