Blade here, dropping in to see what people are saying about Fleck and thought I'd give my opinion. Best summary I can give: we took him on a free at the bottom of League One and he was one of the players that carried us up the tables to ninth in the Prem. At that time I would've sworn blind that McGinn at Villa was a poor man's John Fleck. Really thought he was that good. Very, very left-footed, but then nobody criticise right-footed players for only being right-footed. Absolute rock as a defensive midfielder, strong in the tackle, looked like he's made of granite when players twice his side would bounce off him. Could burst past players with the ball, good eye for a pass, good cross on him. Just a great all-round midfielder with no real weaknesses aside from height. I'll speak for a lot of Blades and say one of my favourite players in my lifetime. Again, for type of player, not current quality, think McGinn at Villa. Problem is...he's not really had a great game (certainly not a run of games) since the last time we got relegated. He had a collapse on the pitch with a seizure (don't think a medical reason was ever stated publicly), he's broken his leg twice, he's now 32, and had we not been desperately thin in the squad and low on funds I doubt we'd have extended his contract. Given it's a six month contract on a free transfer, I don't think anyone should be disappointed. If you can get anything like he's been capable of out of him then you'll be absolutely laughing at other Championship clubs not snapping him up, and hoping you've got an option to extend. It's a punt and if you look at it as a punt then it's a good one to take. It might be too much for him to get past the injuries and lost form.