Baldock

[Trafford]

I have to say that Baldock has really surprised / impressed me by how well he has adapted to the Premier League but yesterday highlighted his 2 biggest development areas - ball watching and composure. The camera view from the West Ham end clearly showed that he didn’t respond to Snodgrass’ run until the ball was passed to him and he could have scored 2 if he had placed them instead of trying to blast the ball.

But, that said, he helped to create our goal and he’s great at getting into the advanced positions, so it’s simply a case of working on these areas in training rather than looking to make changes.

 

[Ricky]

If Stevens can improve as much as he has between the ages of 27-29 playing for us I'm confident Baldock can do the same - which will result in a very good player. Certainly seems to have the right attitude.

 

[Stretch]

He's been excellent so far. Wilder also namechecked him in a recent interview as the one who is always "out there on the training pitch" wanting to learn new things and improve his game.

Agree on the points made though, and I could not believe that 2nd "attempt" at goal yesterday, but in the heat of the moment these things happen. If he could score 5 or 6 goals for us though, on top of everything else he does I doubt we would keep hold of him for long.

 

[BladeInIreland]

Baldock has been unbelievable, can't give him enough credit. I was sure we needed to improve on him. Like you say, still room for improvement but given how hard he is working on improving I don't doubt he will be working on these weaknesses.

 

[Edinblade]

I had to laugh this morning, some complete idiot on Facebook asked if it was time to bring back Freeman. Thankfully he got a whole load of abuse from real fans. Baldock has been awesome this season. I’ve seen strikers miss far easier chances, than the ones missed yesterday.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I had to laugh this morning, some complete idiot on Facebook asked if it was time to bring back Freeman. Thankfully he got a whole load of abuse from real fans. Baldock has been awesome this season. I’ve seen strikers miss far easier chances, than the ones missed yesterday.

There’s no question now that Baldock’s in the position till injury or suspension, and I think he’s been excellent this season. But the final third remains the clear area he can improve on. His two chances yesterday he should have dealt with the other way round – first time effort with the first one, extra touch with the second. In fact given the angle and bodies in front of him, he’d have been better off with the first tapping it square for Lundstram, who was unmarked after heading there post-backheel. In fact I wish we picked out JL7 more frequently as he keeps taking up decent positions in the box – Fleck should have squared to him when turning onto his right vs Liverpool for example.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Has adapted well like the rest of the squad, but can improve in thise areas mentioned.

Freeman would have done better for sure with the 10 or so times Baldock has been put in on goal this season, you'd lose the defensive quality of Baldock though which is why the shirt is his.

 

[dc_blade]

He knows where he needs to improve.

 

[Ricky]

One slight worry for me is that Baldock's always had niggling injuries while he's been here. If we lose him it will weaken us a lot - same with Stevens on the other side. Same with loads of them to be honest.... It'll be good to get to January and continue improving the depth.

 

[cahill]

Baldock, vital cog.

 

[Mouth of the South]

One slight worry for me is that Baldock's always had niggling injuries while he's been here. If we lose him it will weaken us a lot - same with Stevens on the other side. Same with loads of them to be honest.... It'll be good to get to January and continue improving the depth.

I would have thought Basham would move to RWB with Jagielka going to RCB should Baldock pick up an injury at any stage. As good as Freeman is going forward and as fit as he looked in pre-season, i just feel his defending is so substandard he's unlikely he get a chance whilst there are other options available.

 

[Ricky]

I would have thought Basham would move to RWB with Jagielka going to RCB should Baldock pick up an injury at any stage. As good as Freeman is going forward and as fit as he looked in pre-season, i just feel his defending is so substandard he's unlikely he get a chance whilst there are other options available.

Besic would go there before Basham I think. But there really isn't any comparable option.

An athletic, flexible right sided defender would be good in January.

 

[Mouth of the South]

Besic would go there before Basham I think. But there really isn't any comparable option.

An athletic, flexible right sided defender would be good in January.

Yep agree, hopefully with cover/competition for JOC (unless that is Osborn, as it won't be Bryan) another athletic midfielder and, dare I say it, another option up top.

Any departures will be interesting. Barring an injury crisis, are Freeman, Steerman, Bryan and Clarke likely to get a look-in this season, possibly apart from an FA Cup game?

 

[Yewsman]

George gets better and better but put him in a position where he can have a shot at goal and he goes to pieces!! He does the hard work by getting into great attacking positions but then fluffs it (usually). But he is still only 26 and there is no reason why his shooting cannot improve as much as the rest of his game in the next year or so with CWAK coaching. Let's hope so....

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I have to say that Baldock has really surprised / impressed me by how well he has adapted to the Premier League but yesterday highlighted his 2 biggest development areas - ball watching and composure. The camera view from the West Ham end clearly showed that he didn’t respond to Snodgrass’ run until the ball was passed to him and he could have scored 2 if he had placed them instead of trying to blast the ball.

But, that said, he helped to create our goal and he’s great at getting into the advanced positions, so it’s simply a case of working on these areas in training rather than looking to make changes.

cant we just sign Kyle Walker instead and drop Baldock when he plays like that? He missed two sitters as well, the second of which was as bad as Robinson’s free header on goal!

I think he’s been great in most games but that was poor from him yesterday.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

cant we just sign Kyle Walker instead and drop Baldock when he plays like that? He missed two sitters as well, the second of which was as bad as Robinson’s free header on goal!

I think he’s been great in most games but that was poor from him yesterday.

How long has walker got left on his deal out of interest?

 

[Cerberus Blade]

How long has walker got left on his deal out of interest?

I dunno actually, it’s a good question. I think we’ll sign him (hopefully before he’s past it). He obviously would like to come back at some point.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I dunno actually, it’s a good question. I think we’ll sign him (hopefully before he’s past it). He obviously would like to come back at some point.

Hasn't he said he'd like to come back? Obviously being in the PL would be a bigger pull for him. He doesn't need the money so I could see us going in for him.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Badlock

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I always thought he was an underrated character amongst the Blackadder cast.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Burdock

 

[Bobby Boo]

Baldilocks

 

[Akinbiyi]

Has adapted well like the rest of the squad, but can improve in thise areas mentioned.

Freeman would have done better for sure with the 10 or so times Baldock has been put in on goal this season, you'd lose the defensive quality of Baldock though which is why the shirt is his.

Freeman would be blowing after 15 minutes playing against some of the wingers Baldock has kept at bay this season. He’s not the fittest of blokes.

It’s not even a question, Freeman has never been further from making the team

 

[RMBlade]

How long has walker got left on his deal out of interest?

Didn’t he sign a 2 year extension (5 years total) in the summer?

Cancelo has started the last two premier league games. I would imagine they’d want at least £30-£40m for Walker at the minute.

 

[BigBed]

I have to say that Baldock has really surprised / impressed me by how well he has adapted to the Premier League but yesterday highlighted his 2 biggest development areas - ball watching and composure. The camera view from the West Ham end clearly showed that he didn’t respond to Snodgrass’ run until the ball was passed to him and he could have scored 2 if he had placed them instead of trying to blast the ball.

But, that said, he helped to create our goal and he’s great at getting into the advanced positions, so it’s simply a case of working on these areas in training rather than looking to make changes.

And he needs to spend abit of time training with Freeman, so he can learn to hit the onion bag every now and again. But he's been fantastic for us.

 

[BigBed]

Freeman would be blowing after 15 minutes playing against some of the wingers Baldock has kept at bay this season. He’s not the fittest of blokes.

It’s not even a question, Freeman has never been further from making the team

But, Freeman would've scored the majority of Baldocks shots.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

But, Freeman would've scored the majority of Baldocks shots.

Well it's a shame he is such an atrocious defender then

 

[Akinbiyi]

But, Freeman would've scored the majority of Baldocks shots.

I'll tell you what, let's just play a striker at RWB instead then

 

[NuddysGloves]

How long has walker got left on his deal out of interest?

Another 4 years on 150k a week and he's 29 at the moment.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Well it's a shame he is such an atrocious defender then

That’s not true.