Outgoing? Luke Freeman

[BushBlade]

With today's omission from the matchday squad, it looks like Luke Freeman is off. Hope this doesn't come back to bite us on the Bob Harris, should Fleck move on in this window. Anyroad, in Wilder we trust. Another southern CAM heads back down south.

Do you think Wilder would sell Freeman if he thought Fleck might be going? Do you not think that if Freeman does go, it will be on the last day of the window when CW is sure Fleck is staying?

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He's done here before he's even started.

What a fucking waste.

I really, really hope his time here isn't over. This signing has been the biggest mismatch in terms of my optimism/hopes and how it's actually played out so far. We can't afford to spend with the big guns, so he provides us with the optimum level of flair we could hope for, on our budget.

He's not had a run in the side, running at the opposition yet. I think he could be really dangerous.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He’s at the game with the match day squad.

Looks absolutely gutted and homesick to be fair.

 

[SwissBlade]

Looks absolutely gutted and homesick to be fair.

View attachment 69119

Yeah you can tell that because he’s got his hands in his pockets

 

[FTPE]

Missed him.
Him and/or McGoldrick.

 

[BobblesBlade]

I still think we should drop McBurnie and Lundstram and have Freeman and McGoldrick as the first picks

 

[gaffablade]

Make Luke Freeman part of a Kelvin Phillips deal

 

[Davalon]

Make Luke Freeman part of a Kevin Phillips deal

He's the same age as me ffs

 

[Champagneblade]

Wilder would have had hopes but not certainty that Fleck would take to the PL so much that Papers would be linked him to Arsenal by January.

We should keep Freeman in my view and we should ensure he starts all the cup games to keep him fresh.

If we did somehow end up losing Fleck we'd be wishing we'd kept Freeman, who despite being not as combative, is a good ball carrier and has depustised well when Fleck has been unavailable. He has more creativity than Osborn from what I've seen and the assist bad goal stats bear that out. I see no issue Wilder favouring Osborn for Arsenal and City where defensive reenforcements were far more likely than more flair options.

Now we have Robinson, there is less pressure on Osborn to be the defensive understudy for Stevens. So he could cover Fleck, which would be a reason to offload Freeman, BUT why can't Freeman compete with Norwood too?

I get why he doesn't compete with Lunny as he is on the right of three and provides balance. Until recently it's been Besic for Norwood but we're not so inflexible; Besic has now displaced Lunny on the right. So why can't Freeman displace Norwood? Norwood is by no means a DM, he's a playmaker. I also don't see how it matters if the one central is right or left footed does it? He's one of those players who can dwell on the ball and create openings.

I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that he and Fleck could play in the same team. On fact, against the right opposition, why not a three of Fleck-Freeman-Norwood?

 

[JimmyMuir94]

Nobody is going anywhere according to Chris after last night's game

 

[tomgclarke]

3 minutes onward here just sums it all up for me. Crazy listening for little Sheffield United.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I know it might depend on the player but I would certainly keep him about.

I feel if we can get over the line - we can then start to tweak and experiment a little in terms of the formation and he’d get his chance in an AM role. I’d want a replacement signed if he goes tbf.

 

[gaffablade]

He's the same age as me ffs

Not sure what age has to do with anything?

 

[bongleblade]

I honestly believe CWAK could revert to 5-2-1-2 once we are over 40 points, or if not next season.

Would love to see it being tried out on the back end of these 6 games against bottom half teams if we do reach safety by then. Norwich game could be a perfect time to try out a change in formation and include LF as CAM

 

[wavy-blade]

Forest to launch fresh bid for Premier League midfielder - report

Leeds United have also been linked with a move for the 27-year-old ahead of the transfer deadline

www.nottinghampost.com

 

[DerbyStar]

Could this not have gone on the Freeman thread?

 

[wavy-blade]

Could this not have gone on the Freeman thread?

Yes , in my defense you do have to page down for it , and i am tired .

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Forest still after him according to SSN:

Transfer Centre (Sky Sports)

Stay ahead with Sky Sports. Our Transfer Centre has the latest football transfer news, details on done deals, and speculation from the rumour mill.

www.skysports.com

12:58



FOREST STILL IN FREEMAN CHASE
Nottingham Forest remain hopeful of signing Sheffield United midfielder Luke Freeman on loan before Friday’s deadline.
The Blades have been reluctant to let him leave on loan this month, with Ravel Morrison a more likely departure due to a lack of game time.
But Freeman’s future remains unclear with United in talks to sign Genk midfielder Sander Berge.

 

[Champagneblade]

Whoever wrote that doesn't understand how Wilder builds his teams.

Berge and Freeman would never be competing for the same spot.

I just don't see this being a loan. It's either a 6-8m sale or he stays. I don't see the upside to a loan.

 

[Blade58]

Report now saying LF will be allowed to leave on loan provided CW gets a replacement in. Apparently CW has changed his mind

Leeds United target Freeman now set to quit Sheffield United

Football Insider has learned early-window Leeds United target Luke Freeman may now head out of Sheffield United after Chris Wilder U-turn

www.footballinsider247.com

 

[BLADES1988]

Im gonna file this one under not gonn happen. But then again i diddnt see us getting rid of Robbo and getting some alphabetti spaghetti named person in.

 

[Houso]

Probably your typical Football Insider guessework, but it's not unreasonable to think that Wilder had a smaller budget earlier in the month earmarked for a couple of positions and as such couldn't let Freeman go. Then Princey and his nephew tell him they've found an extra 20million down the back of the sofa. Wilder then realises he can let Freeman go (ditto Robinson for that matter).

 

[Rusty]

Rather keep him, need to start having quality in depth.

 

[JimmyMuir94]

Just been on SSN. Forest still confident of signing Freezy.

 

[Ricky]

Freeman going nowhere.

Bit in paper

 

[Tarqs]

Turned down numerous offers for him...

Staying put.

 

[BLADES1988]

12:12



FREEMAN STAYING AT SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sheffield United have knocked back efforts by as many as six clubs to sign Luke Freeman on loan this month.
Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Millwall, Swansea, Celtic and Rangers all wanted the midfielder but he will stay with the Blades.

 

[Welshblade]

I honestly believe CWAK could revert to 5-2-1-2 once we are over 40 points, or if not next season.

Would love to see it being tried out on the back end of these 6 games against bottom half teams if we do reach safety by then. Norwich game could be a perfect time to try out a change in formation and include LF as CAM

If we played him as CAM and Berge who would be the third mid? Fleck or Norwood?

 

[TommyC]

If we played him as CAM and Berge who would be the third mid? Fleck or Norwood?

I'd say Fleck, I'm not writing Norwood off at all because I think he was one of the big differences for us last season but if the above was the choice I reckon that Sander might be able to cover a bit more ground defensively and still offer the option of the 'ping' allowing us to throw caution to the wind a bit more ... but that's probably for next season once teams think they've finally worked us out

 

[bongleblade]

If we played him as CAM and Berge who would be the third mid? Fleck or Norwood?

Didn't see Berge happening when i wrote that tbh, looks like we will play flat 3 now, but I would imagine Norwood would be if it were to happen, Berge would provide the DM cover required to give Norwood more license and confidence to ping it to wb's and up top. I just cannot see us playing without his playmaking.

in 5-2-1-2 Fleck would be an extremely handy option from the bench and we could even rotate the midfield between Norwood and Fleck depending on the circumstances of that particular game. McG/LF rotate CAM, and then have Moussett and McB up top.

As i say though, I can't imagine we will be playing CAM for the foreseeable future, even with LF staying