Outgoing? Baldock

[Keen Blade]

We have to raise the money for strikers , so this could be one way if doing it.
Let's face it , if Wolves come in for him the wages offered will be high and he'll want to go.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Done well for us but probably hit his ceiling and gives away too many fouls. His quality in the final third leaves a lot to be wanted and that was shown this past weekend when he had a shot at sharp pulling it back.

15m would be a fair deal for both.

 

[Booker4]

Positive first for me. I love Baldock and what he's achieved for us, came for next to nothing, £500,000 I think, and has done brilliantly both in the promotion season and last season. Rarely loses a battle with a winger, has pace to burn and is able to get up and down the pitch at will. Of lesser importance, he gets what it means to play for the Blades, he seems to be a popular lad in the squad also.

However! In our system, without wingers, we need wing backs that can both attack and defend. Baldock ticks the latter box, but going forward is not a winger at the end of the day, He gets in great positions to attack and usually passes square, passes back, or crosses - often from deep - and with all due respect, his crossing is generally not accurate enough. I've hardly ever seen him take a man on - its just not his game. As a right back, he's quality, but as a wing back, as good as he is, and I said this earlier this pre-season, I think we needed to sign another that is more attacking minded, maybe even if that means the player isn't as good defensively, because we've still got four other defenders back there. Of course, we signed Bogle, and I think he'll push Baldock hard this season, assuming he stays. But if Wolves come up with a bid of £15-20m then I'd be very tempted to say thanks George, we'll take the money, promote Bogle to the RWB spot, sign Chris Gunter as cover and put the rest to a striker, one that hopefully we can sign rather than on loan.

 

[BanderSerge]

Done well for us but probably hit his ceiling and gives away too many fouls. His quality in the final third leaves a lot to be wanted and that was shown this past weekend when he had a shot at sharp pulling it back.

15m would be a fair deal for both.

The way you’ve just described Baldock, we’ll be lucky to get £350,000!

 

[MalvernBlade]

Wilder really drives a hard bargain.

I thought he caught the bus?

 

[PittsburghBlade]

The way you’ve just described Baldock, we’ll be lucky to get £350,000!

Why?

 

[Birley Blade]

If Wolves offer £15M-£20M I’ll drive him down there myself. Probably one of the most replaceable first team regulars especially now we’ve brung Bogle in. That’d be a very fair price considering he gives away loads of fouls and his end product is pretty poor.

 

[BrisBlade]

Could we swap him for that lad Jimmy Nez they've got upfront? Looked OK the other night. Could be a handy backup for Billy until Moose's toe is OK.

 

[Ron_Justice]

Be a shame to see George go, but as others have said, we do have cover in Bogle and Slater, with Ampadu/Bash are able to do a job there too.

If the move generates funds to strengthen where we really need it - up front - then it's all part of the game. Gorgeous George will be this seasons Adams, Brooks, Calvert-Lewin, Ramsdale* etc.

*not saying we should buy Baldock back in 3 years for 10+times the price btw

 

[Gimli]

In amongst some reasonable posts here, there’s some downright disrespect shown towards George.

The lad played every minute of every premier league game last season in a defence that was one of the best in the premier league in our first season back.

‘I’d drive him there myself’ - I’m sure you’d be able to tell him how bad you think his crossing is on the journey down too.

We lose one game and suddenly every player is shit, sellable and easily replaceable on this forum.

Baldock has been one of our most consistent performers and I can’t quite get my head round suggestions that he is easily replaceable.

 

[Blade58]

Don’t think Baldock is good enough for Wolves.
His crossing isn’t good enough, and He isn’t a goal threat. Saying that, Doherty looked poor for spurs.

So don’t see them stumping up £10m plus for him folks. (And that’s the minimum we should expect for a premier league defender)

In my personal opinion, I agree that perhaps he doesn't look the perfect fit for Wolves. technically good, but lacks that sort of dynamic pace that they have when breaking.

Having said that, doesn't matter what we think, it's all about what Santo thinks

A big offer would see GB out the door imo, as much as I like GB.

CW has always maintained that he have to move one or two on in order to bring in players to take us to the next level. I wouldn't have thought GB was on his list of departures, but perhaps needs must?

 

[Houso]

I would be gutted to see any of the first 11 go. They've all proven that they're at home in the top flight and losing any would on the face of it be to our detriment.

BUT, I think Bogle is going to be every inch a Premier League player and will potentially be better than George.

If it means we can juggled funds to get Brewster, then it would soften the blow.

Those saying we have Slater as backup are off their noggins though. He played one pre season match where he was was pulled out of position a number of times. He's not in any way shape or form a feasible option.

Maybe Burke, but I kind of think we'd have to go out and get backup for Bogle.

 

[FriethBlade]

Baldock was one of our stand out players last season. No way is he going.

Oh and by the way George sack your agent mate if u r on 4k a week...although everyone except the moron who wrote the piece knows u aren't

 

[BrisBlade]

Given we spent so much effort finding back up / competition for wing backs this window, I'd be surprised to see us sell one now... Especially someone who played every minute of every game. He's now proven at PL level in one of the best defensive units in the land and has recently signed a new contract. Can't understand all those keen to ship him out.

 

[Vikkster]

If we sold George I would smash lot up.

Me n’all , tell me when and i’ll be ready

 

[Mouth of the South]

My initial reaction was no way but the more I think about it, the more I could see how it could turn out to be a positive for the club. There's a decent chance that Bogle will be able to step-up, there is already cover in the squad, the proceeds could be put towards 1-2 strikers and even a RCM

Just one thing - no more suggestions of Chris Gunter please. He was an average Champ level player who is at the end of his career. Christ alive!

 

[Vikkster]

In amongst some reasonable posts here, there’s some downright disrespect shown towards George.

The lad played every minute of every premier league game last season in a defence that was one of the best in the premier league in our first season back.

‘I’d drive him there myself’ - I’m sure you’d be able to tell him how bad you think his crossing is on the journey down too.

We lose one game and suddenly every player is shit, sellable and easily replaceable on this forum.

Baldock has been one of our most consistent performers and I can’t quite get my head round suggestions that he is easily replaceable.

Exactly .

 

[CW7]

I'd be absolutely gutted if he was to leave.
However, if he actually is on 4k a week (unlikely), then I can't blame him for wanting more. He has a family to think about!
He has been a great servant to our club, and should be remembered fondly for the great work he has done.

 

[SufcBilly]

Just because he played every minute last season doesn’t make him a star player, it points more towards the fact we had no decent alternative, which we didn’t.

 

[S64 Blade]

If we were offered £20m+ I'd sell him.

He did well last year and worked hard, but as others have said, lacks that end product that we need. He constantly gives away cheap fouls too, which often aren't necessary and can in turn, put us under undue pressure.

 

[Wards]

I'd had him in the top 3 performers last year behind JOC and Bash. Would be ridiculous to finally get a decent back up/long term replacement then sell the first choice.

I don't remember a single wide man making a mug out of him last year. We all know his final ball could be better but you aren't getting a more solid and dependable wing back than Baldock.

 

[SilkyBlade]

I'd had him in the top 3 performers last year behind JOC and Bash. Would be ridiculous to finally get a decent back up/long term replacement then sell the first choice.

I don't remember a single wide man making a mug out of him last year. We all know his final ball could be better but you aren't getting a more solid and dependable wing back than Baldock.

Couldn’t agree more...plus whilst Bogle nice on the ball going forwards he is nowhere near first team re defensive duties. Caught out of position a number of times against Burnley.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Would be foolish to sell him imo, he’s done brilliantly and it would just leave us needing to replace him with competition for an unproved (as yet) bogle.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I would be sad to see him go but if it helps us strengthen other areas then I can live with that.
Just one note of caution those suggesting Bogle with Slater as back up.
Slater played one game and Chris then bought Bogle for back up. No disrespect to Slater but I think he needs a loan to the Championship if possible.
Bogle didn't exactly look spectacular last night(I know its only 1 game but still very risky going with him as your 1st choice) if anything he looked OK going forward but a bit dodgy in defence, I think it would be foolish to throw him straight in.
So if we did sell Baldock we would need to spend some of the money on a replacement. I can not think of anyone in this country who would cost less than what we would get for George which kind of then Defeats the object of selling him.

 

[Gimli]

Just because he played every minute last season doesn’t make him a star player, it points more towards the fact we had no decent alternative, which we didn’t.

True, we didn’t have a good alternative.

However, let’s ask George to empty his pockets from last season and you’ll find pretty much every left mid/left winger in there...

Let’s not forget, as much as our formation does rely on forward runs from the wing backs (and the centre backs) that a defenders primary function is to defend - Baldock is the boss in this sense, and I really think people want to be careful what they wish for by looking at a more attacking player and thinking he’d be an upgrade just because he can pick a good cross or beat a man.

 

[Dublinblade]

I'm surprised with a lot of the comments here. People need to stop and think for a minute, if we got offered 15m (probably less) for him who are we bringing in as good as him and within our wage structure ?

The whole point of bring in Bogle was to add competition, suggesting Bash & Burke will cover is all well and good but neither are competition they are plug in options, which completely defeats the purpose of bringing in competition in the first place.

So if we were to sell, we would need to buy to replace him, I dont see a logical option for that.

Next summer, yeah fair enough when we can plan for another RWB and we see if Bogle looks like he has stepped up, but right now it would be ridiculous to even contemplate selling him.

Id have expected more support for GB than hes been getting on here, people bitching and moaning about players not wanting to play for us like Antoniee Robinson but in the same breath showing zero loyalty to an ever-present in our top 10 finish premier league team. Cop on a bit will you.

 

[bertieblade]

Can see the only way this will happen is if we see Empadu as a RWB
Do not want Baldrick to leave unless it is for a price that wilder considers too good to turn down I.e over £12 million and that that money is put into the pot and used for a striker and right sided midfield player.
do feel confident that it would be spent though unlike the days of McCabe

 

[OrderOfStGeorge]

Doherty is the Baldock comparison, not cash. £10-£12 Mill is about right I think.

Just because Wolves chose to sell for peanuts does not mean we should.

We should demand at least 25m because if we are going to progress we need to give ourselves a fighting chance of replacing him with a quality replacement.

 

[SteveBlade]

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

In the fans forum, Prince talked about new signings. He also made a big point that part of that process wasn't just getting new people in, it was about keeping the current strength we already had.
He seems to only say what he can back up. So, I would guess the current cornerstones of the team will be staying, unless the player forces the issue.