Luke Freeman

[brownie4583]

Luke Freeman must be pushing for a starting place after his performances in the opening 2 games.
I think he will start if John Fleck is out injured anyway but looks a quality player and good at set pieces and plays some nice passes going forward.
I’ve been very impressed with him.

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Hate to say it but maybe flecks injury wasn't the worst thing ever?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Be harsh to drop him or Lundstram after the Palace game.

 

[S64 Blade]

I think it'll be Freeman for Fleck on Saturday. McBurnie or Sharp in for Didsy.

 

[Pinchy]

Luke Freeman must be pushing for a starting place after his performances in the opening 2 games.
I think he will start if John Fleck is out injured anyway but looks a quality player and good at set pieces and plays some nice passes going forward.
I’ve been very impressed with him.

Not just that, he was a terrier, never giving the opposition a moment’s peace, rather like the big beard up front. These two have shown why they should be in the first team.

Luke Freeman should be selected on merit in any event. His two performances so far demand that. An object lesson in how you make the manager pick you rather than the lame ‘deserves a run’ we usually gerronere. If that’s in preference to Fleck, so be it. Evolution over sentimentality.

Disclaimer: I’m not a huge Fleck fan.

 

[BladeInIreland]

I think it'll be Freeman for Fleck on Saturday. McBurnie or Sharp in for Didsy.

Might be more likely Robinson will be given a rest if he’s pulling muscles at this stage.

 

[Pinchy]

Be harsh to drop him or Lundstram after the Palace game.

Wrong rather than harsh. They have commanded selection by performance. That’s how it should be. McBurnie too, in my view.

 

[Pinchy]

I think it'll be Freeman for Fleck on Saturday. McBurnie or Sharp in for Didsy.

Sorry, but why Sharp? Oli made his case convincingly. Let’s not shoehorn favourites in, eh? Billy has a vital role to play, it’s just a different one. We’ll see plenty of him, but he won’t be in the starting eleven very often. We’re moving on.

 

[Snake]

Not just that, he was a terrier, never giving the opposition a moment’s peace, rather like the big beard up front. These two have shown why they should be in the first team.

Luke Freeman should be selected on merit in any event. His two performances so far demand that. An object lesson in how you make the manager pick you rather than the lame ‘deserves a run’ we usually gerronere. If that’s in preference to Fleck, so be it. Evolution over sentimentality.

Disclaimer: I’m not a huge Fleck fan.

I am a Fleck fan. But I totally agree with you here. Freeman, I think, just gives us that little bit more. He looks fresh and imaginative. When Fleck got injured and Freeman came on, one part of me was like "fuck", but another part of me said ........ "hang on a minute here, this might not be a bad thing".

Gerimin!

 

[Deleted member 875]

I thought to myself when Fleck pulled up in the first half on Sunday, that it would be a blessing in disguise, and that getting Freeman on in his place would make us slightly more attacking and create a little bit more.

The great thing about Tuftyball is that it is always evolving. Lundstram began the season on merit and has shown little reason to be dropped, and has performed a similar role to what Fleck does very very well in the first two games. Ollie Norwood has been an absolute revelation since he came in last August and is one of the best midfielders we've ever had in my time watching. The holy trinity of Fleck, Coutts and Duffy we're brilliant and deserve great credit for what they achieved and will always be fondly remembered but with Coutts and Duffy no longer here, and Flecks role under the side it does show that nobody is untouchable, and that this side is constantly evolving. From the great side who ripped League One a new arsehole in 2016/17, I don't think many people noticed but there was only three starters from that team on Sunday. JOC, Fleck and Basham.

Another observation I've made is that we have only started one of our new summer signings so far this season and that is Robinson, and it is quickly becoming clear that the new signings have been challenged to learn our system and force their way in to the side rather than being given an automatic starting place and it is refreshing to see, and I expect to see more and more of them pushing as the season goes on, but for now I'd love to see a midfield three of Lundstram, Freeman and Norwood as it gives us a nice balance between a defensively minded and offensively minded midfield.

 

[RedandWhite]

Every one of his first touches was away from or past a man, he has pace and can shoot. We can counter so much faster. Looks so talented. People laughed when we sign from the Championship.

 

[HVR]

Play a good game get picked the next regardless of opposition. Have a bad game get dropped. Wait until replacement player has a bad game, get picked. Stay in team until you have a bad game.
Pretty sure Wilder doesn't rotate his squad like that. Maybe if we were in the 1970s.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Lundstram got the plaudits and creatively he's been revalation in his new role but Freeman was worth the entry fee alone

I was gutted when I saw the line up for the last two games but I think it works better for us with Freeman and lundstram working those inside channels breaking forward and then getting back to make an 8 man defence when we don't have the ball
It's it as easy on the eye as the possession based game we played last season but we seem to be creating chances and not giving many away

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He's looking every bit the player I'd hoped he be, he's the one I've wanted us to sign the longest. I've been massively impressed but also because he's got a tenacity and a bite to his game that I didn't give him credit for. Not sure if he's always had that or it's something Wilder and Knill are installing in him, the need to track back and fight in a midfield 3.

When I saw a few arrive in a similar position (Robinson, Ravel etc) I worried that he might not even get the opportunity he deserved (Ricky Holmes, anyone?) but thank god, he looks properly raring to go. He could be huge for us.

 

[GrayBlade]

I think Freeman was acquired as a direct replacement for Duffy and the intention was to play him with Fleck and Norwood. From what I’ve gathered he’s not been previously known for getting a foot in and the odd crunching tackle like Fleck does, so once the new club adrenaline has worn off he could revert type, but either way I think we’ll definitely need Fleck’s bite in some games. It’s a great problem to have though, brought about by the rise and rise of the Lunmeister.

 

[beatific blade]

His willingness to 'run around' and put a defensive shift in to close down space was super 'Bladey'.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

I watched him against Leeds last season and he looked exactly the player we saw on Sunday
Qpr fans said he doesn't do this often enough but let's hope wilder and knill can get some consistency out of him

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

I am a Fleck fan. But I totally agree with you here. Freeman, I think, just gives us that little bit more. He looks fresh and imaginative. When Fleck got injured and Freeman came on, one part of me was like "fuck", but another part of me said ........ "hang on a minute here, this might not be a bad thing".

Gerimin!

Freeman is a totally different player to Fleck. We were crying out for his inclusion at the expense of Lundstram prior to the game, the injury to Fleck forced Wilders hand.

Now Lundstram and Freeman have the shirts to lose.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I thought to myself when Fleck pulled up in the first half on Sunday, that it would be a blessing in disguise, and that getting Freeman on in his place would make us slightly more attacking and create a little bit more.

As soon as Fleck pulled up I immediately thought it would be Osborn we’d be seeing, as he was I think the only other player that played Fleck’s position in the first team friendlies preseason. When Freeman stepped forward I then assumed we were restoring the natural formation and would move Lunny left of the two and Freeman forward.

Very pleased that Freeman fitted in so well – I commented Sunday that his adaptability for us to switch between two positions without needing us to make a substitution (a la Bash between CM & RCB) is going to be a huge asset.

 

[Iceybabey]

Wilder said he was a bargain.

Correct.

That is all.

 

[S64 Blade]

Sorry, but why Sharp? Oli made his case convincingly. Let’s not shoehorn favourites in, eh? Billy has a vital role to play, it’s just a different one. We’ll see plenty of him, but he won’t be in the starting eleven very often. We’re moving on.

So Sharp did not make his case scoring one of our two goals, so far this season, within 8 minutes on the pitch? Let's not forget McBurnie should have finished it before it even reached Billy.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Tactics at the moment suit Lunny. The extra tightness off the midfield doesn’t leave him as exposed as when we have a duff type linking play.
He has more freedom to get forward and concentrate on sticking to his job when defending his side of the pitch.
The times he’s looked in trouble was when he had ended up the last man or cover full back. He’s not that quick on the turn and can be caught flat footed.

So while we are playing the current flatter midfield 3 Lunny will do well hopefully, and the first two games will help his confidence!

Freeman was bought to take over Duffy if you ask me. But I was very impressed with his all round game. Fleck will be back I have no doubt, but that doesn’t mean Freeman won’t get in the side at the same time when tactics demand it.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I thought to myself when Fleck pulled up in the first half on Sunday, that it would be a blessing in disguise, and that getting Freeman on in his place would make us slightly more attacking and create a little bit more.

The great thing about Tuftyball is that it is always evolving. Lundstram began the season on merit and has shown little reason to be dropped, and has performed a similar role to what Fleck does very very well in the first two games. Ollie Norwood has been an absolute revelation since he came in last August and is one of the best midfielders we've ever had in my time watching. The holy trinity of Fleck, Coutts and Duffy we're brilliant and deserve great credit for what they achieved and will always be fondly remembered but with Coutts and Duffy no longer here, and Flecks role under the side it does show that nobody is untouchable, and that this side is constantly evolving. From the great side who ripped League One a new arsehole in 2016/17, I don't think many people noticed but there was only three starters from that team on Sunday. JOC, Fleck and Basham.

Another observation I've made is that we have only started one of our new summer signings so far this season and that is Robinson, and it is quickly becoming clear that the new signings have been challenged to learn our system and force their way in to the side rather than being given an automatic starting place and it is refreshing to see, and I expect to see more and more of them pushing as the season goes on, but for now I'd love to see a midfield three of Lundstram, Freeman and Norwood as it gives us a nice balance between a defensively minded and offensively minded midfield.

I think that with any team, where they are very tactical or unique that you can’t just throw players in and expect them to understand and perform in the system. You give them 10-15 minutes and then build on that on the training ground. Look at Liverpool. They spent about £100m on Fabinho and Kieta. The first took about 6 months to get consistently picked and the second is still struggling. Robertson was the same when he came from Hull.
CWAK know what they are doing. They generally buy the right players but some of them need time. Players fit the system here

 

[BushBlade]

I think Freeman was acquired as a direct replacement for Duffy and the intention was to play him with Fleck and Norwood. From what I’ve gathered he’s not been previously known for getting a foot in and the odd crunching tackle like Fleck does, so once the new club adrenaline has worn off he could revert type, but either way I think we’ll definitely need Fleck’s bite in some games. It’s a great problem to have though, brought about by the rise and rise of the Lunmeister.

I thought the same but it seems we’re going to play slightly differently this season, with a flatter three. I was impressed by Freeman off the ball (I already knew how good he was with it) and he may be more suited to the role than Fleck, although it’s too early to tell.

Did we tweak it at half time? It’s difficult to tell watching on TV but he seemed to pop up on the right hand side a bit, like he’d got more of a free role. That could be just the way we move around though.

 

[elgoog44]

I work with a fair few QPR fans, everyone of them has said Freeman would adapt and be great in the Prem, all really upset to see him go but happy it was to a team that would bring out the best in him.

I think he is a player we needed for a while someone who can do the simple and bring a little flair to the role, knowing when to push on and when to press and keep a high formation, that said I still think a midfield of Fleck, Norwood and Freeman would work but it might be that with Fleck out freeman will grow into and keep the Fleck role moving on.

I guess the next big question is who replaces Robinson? I don't think McBernie is the right man as Robinson brings so much pace and flair to the role would be better if it was maybe Ravel or Mousset although I will admit I don't know much about the style or offering Mousset brings, I am assuming pace and trickery?

For Me McBernie would be in the Didsy role and is worth a start with how he has been pushing on.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Thought he was excellent when he came on.

If he puts a few more performances like that in over the next few matches I can see Flecky struggling to get back in.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If Fleck is carrying a knock, it makes Wilders life a little easier when trying to get Freeman in the team. It was always going to happen eventually, but instead of dropping Fleck it now goes under guise of replacement through injury.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I work with a fair few QPR fans, everyone of them has said Freeman would adapt and be great in the Prem, all really upset to see him go but happy it was to a team that would bring out the best in him.

I think he is a player we needed for a while someone who can do the simple and bring a little flair to the role, knowing when to push on and when to press and keep a high formation, that said I still think a midfield of Fleck, Norwood and Freeman would work but it might be that with Fleck out freeman will grow into and keep the Fleck role moving on.

I guess the next big question is who replaces Robinson? I don't think McBernie is the right man as Robinson brings so much pace and flair to the role would be better if it was maybe Ravel or Mousset although I will admit I don't know much about the style or offering Mousset brings, I am assuming pace and trickery?

For Me McBernie would be in the Didsy role and is worth a start with how he has been pushing on.

I maybe on my own here, but I don’t think Callum is as quick as I thought he’d be. He got a bit of an ungainly run about him.

 

[elgoog44]

I maybe on my own here, but I don’t think Callum is as quick as I thought he’d be. He got a bit of an ungainly run about him.

I thought his pace had been a good addition, maybe Mousset is faster, or Rav?

will be interesting to see who plays in that role if he is out of the game.

 

[Pinchy]

So Sharp did not make his case scoring one of our two goals, so far this season, within 8 minutes on the pitch? Let's not forget McBurnie should have finished it before it even reached Billy.

That states Billy’s case for a vital role; not a starting one. I’m reflecting on the entirety of contributions and, importantly, I don’t give Billy a head start because of who he is. I think Billy is terrific and will be a great asset in the coming months.