George

[Chali 2na]

He's not really that good, a good engine and hard to beat but as Freeman showed in our system you don't particularly need to have those attributes (although massively helpful) to offer a great deal from the RWB spot.

He wouldn't of got back in the team if Freeman didn't have 4 bad games in a row. His crossing is utterly painful at this point and gets in so many positions where when we're playing the best teams you can't afford to waste.

Great teammate, attitude and engine but in terms of quality we're going to have to do better to maintain this incredible level of progress.

To describe him as "not really that good" makes you look daft.

Fair enough, his crossing could be improved on, but he's still a big threat going forward, and his partnership with Basham is a big factor in why were doing so well.

I know you have to be ruthless in football, and I never want us to stop improving but to replace Baldock at the first oppurtunity would show a complete lack of loyalty and faith in the squad, and the other players would notice.

 

[boo radley]

And some on here said Freeman was better!

Freeman WAS better.
Baldocks first MOTM yesterday.
He is finaly learning how to play as part of this team. He is also, again using the pace he showed in his first game against Bolton. That has been part of his problem, he has wanted to play within himself instead of expressing and showing more of his attributes. His crossing is still shocking but at last he is trying to cross more but still has a way to go to be better than Freeman when he was at his best.

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

George had been very good and taken his chance we'll since coming in for freeman

On the other side Stevens has been fantastic , really impressed with him game after game

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Baldock was really poor in the first half, rarely got forward, struggled against their number 10, most of his passes went straight to the opposition, and on a few occasions up the right when there was the chance for a break and Basham overlapped, he stopped running and passed it all the way back to Egan. Wilder's description of the first half was "We played too slow, we went backwards and sideways we didn't go forward enough and didn't play quick enough". That describes Baldock's first half perfectly. He was much better in the second half, but nowhere near man of the match, he wasn't even wing back of the match as Stevens was better.

 

[BushBlade]

To describe him as "not really that good" makes you look daft.

Fair enough, his crossing could be improved on, but he's still a big threat going forward, and his partnership with Basham is a big factor in why were doing so well.

I know you have to be ruthless in football, and I never want us to stop improving but to replace Baldock at the first oppurtunity would show a complete lack of loyalty and faith in the squad, and the other players would notice.

He did say ‘if we go up’. I tend to agree with that. He’ll have to be better if he’s going to be a PL player. I’m not convinced he can step up and if we did get promoted I’d expect to see us bring in a new RWB and new LWB as priorities. At the moment I’d keep Baldock and dump Freeman, even though I think Freeman is better on his day. His days are too infrequent.

 

[Chali 2na]

He did say ‘if we go up’. I tend to agree with that. He’ll have to be better if he’s going to be a PL player.

With the possible exception of O'Connell, I think that applies to everyone. For that reason, it seems very harsh to single out Baldock.

I’m not convinced he can step up and if we did get promoted I’d expect to see us bring in a new RWB and new LWB as priorities. At the moment I’d keep Baldock and dump Freeman, even though I think Freeman is better on his day. His days are too infrequent.

I would expect us to bring in 2 new full backs but I think that's more an issue of cover/competition than "upgrade".

I'd say Stevens and Baldock are our most improved players over the last 12 months - if they carry on improving they'll offer more next year.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

To describe him as "not really that good" makes you look daft.

Fair enough, his crossing could be improved on, but he's still a big threat going forward, and his partnership with Basham is a big factor in why were doing so well.

I know you have to be ruthless in football, and I never want us to stop improving but to replace Baldock at the first oppurtunity would show a complete lack of loyalty and faith in the squad, and the other players would notice.

I can describe him as not very good at football. Because he's not.

Great athlete unfortunately its the things you can't improve on at this stage in his career.

1 assist in 49 games is absolutely abysmal.

 

[Chali 2na]

I can describe him as not very good at football. Because he's not.

Great athlete unfortunately its the things you can't improve on at this stage in his career.

1 assist in 49 games is absolutely abysmal.

You make a good observation about his lack of assists, I didn't realise it was that poor.

It's a pity your good observation is marred by describing him as "not very good at football" - he's 1st choice RWB at 3rd place in the championship, to say he's not very good a football is demonstrably wrong.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

You make a good observation about his lack of assists, I didn't realise it was that poor.

It's a pity your good observation is marred by describing him as "not very good at football" - he's 1st choice RWB at 3rd place in the championship, to say he's not very good a football is demonstrably wrong.

How so? We have good players and a couple are very good, Baldock isn't one of them.

 

[tomtheblade]

How so? We have good players and a couple are very good, Baldock isn't one of them.

Since coming in vs Leeds, Baldock has played in our last 11 league games, in which we've conceded 8.
In the previous 11 games where Freeman played we conceded 14 goals, nearly twice as many.

Since we haven't made other changes to our defensive lineup during this time it's fair to say his presence has made a substantial difference to our defensive efficacy.
What makes it more impressive is that in Baldocks run of games we've played Leeds, WBA, Norwich and Derby. Freemans run of 11 games was mostly vs lower placed sides, with the Derby away game the only one vs the top 6.

Regards your post, perhaps it's a misunderstanding of the phrase 'not very good'. In my experience this is usually taken to mean 'poor' 'mediocre', or 'average' - it's generally a negative connotation. If however you mean literally not 'very good'.. ie he is good, but just not to a large degree, then ok, but it's a bit misleading to put it this way imo.

Wing backs have dual responsibilities at the back and going forward. In my opinion, Baldock should definitely be classed as a 'very good' defender. As an attacking player i'd be more inclined to your assessment.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

I would still say that Freeman at his best is a better player than Baldock at his best, and Freeman was first choice for the initial months on merit. It took Baldock 2 or 3 games to get up to speed, but there’s no doubt it’s Baldock’s shirt for the foreseeable at the minute and today was one of the best games I think he’s played for us – he was very good indeed.

You mean Freeman in League 1 looked better than Baldock in the Championship....

Yeah, can't disagree.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

You mean Freeman in League 1 looked better than Baldock in the Championship....

Yeah, can't disagree.

Far fewer goals obviously, but his start to the season (against better players in this league) was in my view the best we’ve seen him. It’s after all what put him on Giggs’s radar for the Wales squad. He’s probably now disappeared off it...

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Far fewer goals obviously, but his start to the season (against better players in this league) was in my view the best we’ve seen him. It’s after all what put him on Giggs’s radar for the Wales squad. He’s probably now disappeared off it...

I'd say he was 50/50, probably due to the last 5/6 games he played where it looked like his fitness had literally gone off a cliff. He was blowing out of his arse after 20/30 mins against Barnet.

You'd still imagine he'd get a spot on the bench, but he appears to have completely vanished off the first team radar.

 

[Blade56]

If only he could cross, apart from that he is fantastic. Freeman has better delivery but for work rate and defensively Baldock is better (currently)

Getting a cross in form left or right for us is like posting a letter at times it takes that long. But georgeo's ball to Billy for the second goal was a brilliant pass.

 

[JKBlade]

0 end product unfortunately. Yes he has pace and ability to run all day, but contributes very little in attack.

0 assists all season in 14 games. (After 1 assist in the whole of last season)

Compared to:
Enda: 7 assists in 28 games this season
Freeman: 4 assists in 16 games this season

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Going on the Barnet game Freeman looked unfit and disinterested -the shirt is George's for now. He's playing his best football for us right now and he is a far better defender than Freeman who cost us defensively despite being the better going forward.

 

[guancheblade]

Imagine having to deal with those 2 for 90 minutes? Must be exhausting

Worse still, imagine being those two for 90 mins!

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

If only he could cross, apart from that he is fantastic. Freeman has better delivery but for work rate and defensively Baldock is better (currently)

He can cross just people expect david beckham crosses

 

[wizadry]

Freeman is better going forward and Baldock is better defensively, it’s crucial in their positions that if you only have one attribute out of the two it’s the one of Baldocks’, I do however think Baldock is improving a lot in the attacking department anyway to make him our clear number one in this position if he wasn’t number one already.

 

[Silent Blade]

0 end product unfortunately. Yes he has pace and ability to run all day, but contributes very little in attack.

0 assists all season in 14 games. (After 1 assist in the whole of last season)

Compared to:
Enda: 7 assists in 28 games this season
Freeman: 4 assists in 16 games this season

Who was it that passed to Sharp before he squared it for McGoldrick to score our first goal last Saturday?

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Since coming in vs Leeds, Baldock has played in our last 11 league games, in which we've conceded 8.
In the previous 11 games where Freeman played we conceded 14 goals, nearly twice as many.

Since we haven't made other changes to our defensive lineup during this time it's fair to say his presence has made a substantial difference to our defensive efficacy.
What makes it more impressive is that in Baldocks run of games we've played Leeds, WBA, Norwich and Derby. Freemans run of 11 games was mostly vs lower placed sides, with the Derby away game the only one vs the top 6.

Regards your post, perhaps it's a misunderstanding of the phrase 'not very good'. In my experience this is usually taken to mean 'poor' 'mediocre', or 'average' - it's generally a negative connotation. If however you mean literally not 'very good'.. ie he is good, but just not to a large degree, then ok, but it's a bit misleading to put it this way imo.

Wing backs have dual responsibilities at the back and going forward. In my opinion, Baldock should definitely be classed as a 'very good' defender. As an attacking player i'd be more inclined to your assessment.

For the positions he finds himself in he wastes the ball so much. His defensive responsibilities are limited as we generally dominate teams and he's high enough up the pitch to rarely get ran at at any type of speed. He's very handsy in the box and fortunate not to of given away 2/3 penalties.

I see what you're saying about the games/goals conceded but an upturn in form hasn't been down to Baldock IMO it's coincided with Fleck playing much better along with Norwood limiting the 1 in 3/4 bad games that he was having.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Who was it that passed to Sharp before he squared it for McGoldrick to score our first goal last Saturday?

Henderson touched it at some point too. Give him an assist practically put it in the net.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

I understand Billy’s man of the match but Baldock empitimises the blades at the moment
He is not the greatest interns of talent but he clearly has a desire not to be beaten
Fits well to the Wilder philosophy - be positive and trust in your team
Two runs today from our right wing back took him through the centre and out onto the left
And he’s quick
By the way clearly Billy’s legs have gone

Disagree think he is quite talented

In baldock and enda we have two of the best right and left backs in the league

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

For the positions he finds himself in he wastes the ball so much. His defensive responsibilities are limited as we generally dominate teams and he's high enough up the pitch to rarely get ran at at any type of speed. He's very handsy in the box and fortunate not to of given away 2/3 penalties.

I see what you're saying about the games/goals conceded but an upturn in form hasn't been down to Baldock IMO it's coincided with Fleck playing much better along with Norwood limiting the 1 in 3/4 bad games that he was having.

Do you not watch the matches ?
Baldock was one of our best players the second half of the season last year and has been fantastic recently

People say he doesn’t have end product but not many full backs can otherwise they wouldn’t be full backs.

I’ve never seen a full back who can get up and down as much as baldock which for a full back is probably one of the most important qualities especially in a team like ours.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Do you not watch the matches ?
Baldock was one of our best players the second half of the season last year and has been fantastic recently

People say he doesn’t have end product but not many full backs can otherwise they wouldn’t be full backs.

I’ve never seen a full back who can get up and down as much as baldock which for a full back is probably one of the most important qualities especially in a team like ours.

Watch every game home and away. You're very old fashioned and deluded if you think full backs don't have end product in this day and age. A full back in our style of play has to be a creator and leader in both chances created and assists. Enda is, and so was Freeman before his energy levels looked low as a snakes belly.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Watch every game home and away. You're very old fashioned and deluded if you think full backs don't have end product in this day and age. A full back in our style of play has to be a creator and leader in both chances created and assists. Enda is, and so was Freeman before his energy levels looked low as a snakes belly.

No I’m saying he’s not gonna have the quality of ball of Norwood is he ?
He has good end product