Baldock or Freeman

[Stanthemanfan]

Free-dock be perfect!
I'll get my coat...........

 

[sheffielder]

Freeman is a wingback
Baldock is a right back

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Why not Freeman as an option up front. It's something I've thought we could try for a while,not that it would influence CW's thinking in any way what I think..
His finishing certainly appears to be up to scratch, but I've no idea how his pace stands up against that of Clarke & Sharp...... maybe someone out there who takes a bit more notice of such things than me can shed some light ?
It worked for them lot with Warhurst a few years ago, albeit a different kind of centre forward, and he looked more threatening to me than Hirst did.
If we didn't have Freeman on the books to compare with I think most of us would be pretty happy with Baldock at full/wing back.

I agree and , like you , it's something I've been thinking for a while .

There have been numerous examples of players starting out as defenders and then becoming successful as strikers and one of the best ones being , as you rightly point out , Warhurst for the Grunters .

Freeman clearly has many of the attributes needed to make this transition and I can envisage him being more than useful in that role if either Billy or Leon were not available.

I'd certainly rather see him given the chance rather than some of the so called strikers that a few on here have got all hot and sweaty about and who , when you look at their track records over the last couple of years , seem to find putting the ball in the net ( isn't that what strikers are supposed to do ? ) about as easy as shitting uphill.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Freeman makes his senior debut for Wales this evening in Albania, on for the last 15.

 

[FTPE]

Baldock better fullback, Freeman better wingback.

We play with wingbacks, so Freeman.

Ah. Very good way of explaining it actually. It usually takes me 20min and 5 attempts to try and explain my reasoning.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Ah. Very good way of explaining it actually. It usually takes me 20min and 5 attempts to try and explain my reasoning.

He came on at right-back this evening, and very quickly reminded me that he’s not the most reliable there – got pulled out of position on two or three occasions in the 15 mins he was on, though could have been nerves. He’s a very good wingback – as a full-back he’s probably above average, but not much more. If we ever switch back to 4 in defence on a regular basis under Wilder, I think Freeman would be the first casualty of that.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

I've not been impressed with Freeman the last few games. He look heavier these days.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Think baldock deserves a run no reason why they can’t be rotated a bit

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Think baldock deserves a run no reason why they can’t be rotated a bit

Do our strikers deserve fewer opportunities to score?

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Do our strikers deserve fewer opportunities to score?

Baldocks played one game and scored one this season.
And he’s better than freeman

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Baldocks played one game and scored one this season.
And he’s better than freeman

With the system we play, we are a better side with Freeman in that position. Nothing against Baldock, but that’s the reality.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Freeman better going forward, Baldock better tracking back and defending. Baldock is also twice as fit so I would pick George, there is enough creativity to compensate.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

With the system we play, we are a better side with Freeman in that position. Nothing against Baldock, but that’s the reality.

I thought that when freeman started earlier on in the season but just because he might chip in with a goal doesn’t mean he should start cause baldocks way better all round as a player

 

[Bill Johnson]

Baldman or Freecock.
Pretty obvious really.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Freeman has let us down recently with his defending. I’d have dropped him by now and given Baldock the shirt. Neither are the tough tackling full back we need tbh. But let’s leave that until we’ve fixed the problems up front.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Freeman has let us down recently with his defending. I’d have dropped him by now and given Baldock the shirt. Neither are the tough tackling full back we need tbh. But let’s leave that until we’ve fixed the problems up front.

Disagree , Baldock is a top right back just hasn’t been able to get the shirt back of freeman , baldock was easily one of if not our best player when we fell away last year. If he had a bit more end product he’d easy be playing in the prem

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Disagree , Baldock is a top right back just hasn’t been able to get the shirt back of freeman , baldock was easily one of if not our best player when we fell away last year. If he had a bit more end product he’d easy be playing in the prem

I’m talking about defending, not attacking. My view is neither are good enough. Both are decent attacking - don’t disagree with that.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Freeman has let us down recently with his defending. I’d have dropped him by now and given Baldock the shirt. Neither are the tough tackling full back we need tbh. But let’s leave that until we’ve fixed the problems up front.

Just as well we don't play with full-backs, eh

 

[Houston_Blade]

I’m talking about defending, not attacking. My view is neither are good enough. Both are decent attacking - don’t disagree with that.

Freeman managed to stifle the attacking prowess of Adam "lucky shot" Reach the other week. He must be up there with Cafu now in the all time rankings.

 

[cahill]

Prefer Baldock, overall more effective. Happy with Freeman though

 

[cahill]

Freeman managed to stifle the attacking prowess of Adam "lucky shot" Reach the other week. He must be up there with Cafu now in the all time rankings.

« Reach » ? Was he playing ?

 

[Fulwood Blade]

The clue to this bounced thread is in the present voting.



There's a reason Freeman is now playing - it's the same reason Egan is playing instead of Stearman and it's the same reason Lundstram isn't playing.

It isn't rocket science either.

UTB

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Freeman scores more goals.

 

[S15Blade]

True competition should surely mean if you're not right at it you lose your place? Freeman hasn't been at his best for a while and imo has looked tired at times. So for me, I think Baldock should start on Sat.

 

[Brookblade]

Freeman scores more goals.

Both scored same 1 goal each. How many goals has each been at fault for ?. Freemans cost us goals against Derby and Forest and doesnt look fit to me, Baldock none. I think Freeman's concentration levels leave a lot to be desired. Get Baldock back in hes a better defender, quicker and fitter and the better all round player.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Freeman scores more goals.

(In league 1)

 

[Eric Cartman]

Freeman's fitness really does worry me. He seems to do the bare minimum just to get by, he's not in great shape.

If he was properly athletic he'd be my definite first choice but on that alone it's 50/50. I'd give Baldock a run, the wing back positions are very demanding.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

I think people are a little blinded by Freeman's league 1 performances.

Yes, he's a decent player and I'd say he has better movement in the final third.

However, Baldock was in our top 3 players last season, consistently performed even when the team was struggling and he's a better defender. The goal we conceded vs Forest was scandalous from a defensive perspective.

Maybe Freeman has had too much too soon after an injury and is in need of a breather. We shall see.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

There's different tools for different jobs....

 

[LoughboroBlade]

This talk of Baldock being a substantially better defender than Freeman – Baldock used to get plenty of criticism last season for poor defending. I think the difference between the two going forward is much wider than the difference between them defensively. Were we to revert to a flat back 4 I’d go with Baldock. But in the current formation we as a team look much better IMHO.