U23s v Burnley at Bramall Lane Mon, 1pm

[8lade]

Really annoying about Freeman, it's always been a toss up between him and Baldock, preseason everybody who saw him was saying he's in great shape. Looks like 'not in the squad - not bothered'.
Morrison from the snippets I've seen looks good enough to be a mid table Championship starter, where the fans will always say 'he'll play higher' but he'll never be consistent enough. We can't have passengers in our style of play. He also reminds me of James Harper who was always telling everybody else what to do; this is the captain's job, sometimes the head of defence or the goalkeeper, never the silky skilled midfielder (not that Harper was ever that).
I hope they both buck up and optimise their careers.

 

[Woodwardfan]

K.Freeman had a good pre'season and was visibly leaner and fitter. Shame for him he is not involved in the squad on P.L. days.

 

[finlaytheblade]

K.Freeman had a good pre'season and was visibly leaner and fitter. Shame for him he is not involved in the squad on P.L. days.

He was and still should be Woody but Boldock has started the season well and merits the shirt .He has lifted his game and needs to keep doing so.
Far more energetic than Freeman although Freeman was a real goal threat in the first division.Cant see him displacing Boldock on present performances.
Freeman has to push Boldock but not happening at the moment.

 

[Woodwardfan]

He was and still should be Woody but Boldock has started the season well and merits the shirt .He has lifted his game and needs to keep doing so.
Far more energetic than Freeman although Freeman was a real goal threat in the first division.Cant see him displacing Boldock on present performances.
Freeman has to push Boldock but not happening at the moment.

As the season unfolds we will need to provide the 2 strikers with more support and create more for them. Freeman attacks better than he defends and Baldock defends better than he attacks.

 

[Akinbiyi]

As the season unfolds we will need to provide the 2 strikers with more support and create more for them. Freeman attacks better than he defends and Baldock defends better than he attacks.

Baldock is the better player and athlete overall. Freeman doesn’t come close and won’t start but for injury, suspension or a complete loss of form from Baldock.

 

[BushBlade]

Baldock is the better player and athlete overall. Freeman doesn’t come close and won’t start but for injury, suspension or a complete loss of form from Baldock.

I’d have disagreed with that two years ago but Baldock has kicked on and Freeman hasn’t. I think Baldock has improved a lot.

 

[Akinbiyi]

I’d have disagreed with that two years ago but Baldock has kicked on and Freeman hasn’t. I think Baldock has improved a lot.

I’ve always preferred Baldock. I remember there was a poll to choose between the 2 and it was HEAVY in Freeman’s favour.

Baldock’s pace and ability to pin left backs back is absolutely essential to us.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

Really annoying about Freeman, it's always been a toss up between him and Baldock, preseason everybody who saw him was saying he's in great shape. Looks like 'not in the squad - not bothered'.
Morrison from the snippets I've seen looks good enough to be a mid table Championship starter, where the fans will always say 'he'll play higher' but he'll never be consistent enough. We can't have passengers in our style of play. He also reminds me of James Harper who was always telling everybody else what to do; this is the captain's job, sometimes the head of defence or the goalkeeper, never the silky skilled midfielder (not that Harper was ever that).
I hope they both buck up and optimise their careers.

James Harper......shudder UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

Baldock is the better player and athlete overall. Freeman doesn’t come close and won’t start but for injury, suspension or a complete loss of form from Baldock.

Baldock for solidity. Freeman for forward movement, assists and particularly goals. Freeman arrives late in the box to surprise defences. Can cross a ball too.

Depends how season goes and what the manager's prorities are. Solidity rules at present.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Baldock for solidity. Freeman for forward movement, assists and particularly goals. Freeman arrives late in the box to surprise defences. Can cross a ball too.

Depends how season goes and what the manager's prorities are. Solidity rules at present.

Freeman couldn't defend against a Zaha, a Mane, a Robertson, a Bernard. For that reason he won't be playing but for the above.

I would also suggest goals is way wide of the mark. He scored plenty in L1 but in the Championship? 3 goals in 2 seasons. 30 starts. And the defences are much better.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Baldock will be suspended at some point because he seems to lose his rag, that's the only chance Freeman will get apart from the FA cup 3rd round game.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Freeman couldn't defend against a Zaha, a Mane, a Robertson, a Bernard. For that reason he won't be playing but for the above.

I would also suggest goals is way wide of the mark. He scored plenty in L1 but in the Championship? 3 goals in 2 seasons. 30 starts. And the defences are much better.

Very fair points of course re Freeman but I think 71 games, 13 goals and 9 assists is exceptional for a wing back.

Baldock's stats are poor but stats are only what they are.

As I said, its a matter of choice.

I do think the manager thinks Baldock has loads of improvement in him and the better attitude.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

I’ve always preferred Baldock. I remember there was a poll to choose between the 2 and it was HEAVY in Freeman’s favour.

Baldock’s pace and ability to pin left backs back is absolutely essential to us.

Cos people were still in awe of Freemans attacking record in league 1!
He was a liability defending in the Championship, but the 'he got double figures in league 1' brigade seemed to look past that.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Cos people were still in awe of Freemans attacking record in league 1!
He was a liability defending in the Championship, but the 'he got double figures in league 1' brigade seemed to look past that.

And then he got... drumroll please... 3 goals in 30 starts in the following 2 seasons.

What an attacking talent, we really ought to shoehorn him into the team wherever possible.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

And then he got... drumroll please... 3 goals in 30 starts in the following 2 seasons.

What an attacking talent, we really ought to shoehorn him into the team wherever possible.

In fairness it's still better than Baldock's return, however Baldock is twice the defender and has twice the energy.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Hey Blades. Its a group effort and the strengths of the squad can be used as and when. Every discussion does not need to be attritional.

These are all good points that have been made.

There's only one 'brigade' and we are all part of it!

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Besic has played right back before. If Baldock got injured during a game he's the likely replacement. Freeman needs to up his game if he wants to be second choice.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

reclaims thread

Harry Sheppeard normally plays Right Wing Back for the Under 23s

 

[dc_blade]

In fairness it's still better than Baldock's return, however Baldock is twice the defender and has twice the energy.

Baldock is a superb athlete and clearly takes his own fitness very seriously--can Freeman say the same?

He's better defensively, has a good understanding with Basham at RCB, and gets into great positions going forward. His obvious weakness is his crossing and shooting, but if had those I genuinely think he'd be a top six player.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Baldock is a superb athlete and clearly takes his own fitness very seriously--can Freeman say the same?

He's better defensively, has a good understanding with Basham at RCB, and gets into great positions going forward. His obvious weakness is his crossing and shooting, but if had those I genuinely think he'd be a top six player.

Amazing to think that only 3 seasons ago, our wing backs were playing in league 2.

 

[Pinchy]

The argument is redundant. Baldock by many a mile. I’ve always thought so but it’s plain and obvious now.

George and Lunny are the ‘surprise’ (to some) packages this season.

 

[I should coco]

George and Lunny are the ‘surprise’ (to some) packages this season.

Yes and Fleck is the surprise package for you, not that I expect you to admit it, given how much you've bored on about him being a Bladey favourite.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Apologies. I've only just got around to publishing my Blog report from the Under 23s. Although my "excuse" does give a useful insight into the travails of the Carrier Bag Firm. I was finishing the Blog yesterday, when one of the CBF realised their Tax Free Pension Lump Sum had just dropped into their Current Account. We had to immediately drop everything to shift the money around so that only £85k stayed in each account. Of course 85k from each account is the max the government will compensate when the banks fail ... again. Then, of course, we had to go & celebrate in Wetherspoons. The CBF rules allow us to "have puddings" in such circumstances. Busy day......

Anyway. Poor from the Young Blades. Very few positives. But, there's the usual who did what. And some Don trying to drink Moretti in the ground.
Read.....

https://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2019/10/underhit-to-someone-too-slow.html

 

[I should coco]

Apologies. I've only just got around to publishing my Blog report from the Under 23s

FFS, it's your job!

We are Pemier Leauge now, yet you Roygbiv , Beans and Deadbat are behaving like amateurs here. You all need to knuckle down and devote 110% of your time to these important jobs we've given you.

No rubbish excuses about jobs / wives / mortgages etc, just bloody get on with it!

 

[bromtom]

Baldock for solidity. Freeman for forward movement, assists and particularly goals. Freeman arrives late in the box to surprise defences. Can cross a ball too.

Depends how season goes and what the manager's prorities are. Solidity rules at present.

Freeman's forward movement lately is jog after the ball for a few seconds and then give up on it even though you could quite easily make it if you sprinted.

Long way from League One now.

Being brutally honest, I would play a different formation rather than Freeman if Baldock is unavailable.

If he's just not trying because it's a cup game or whatever, that's not how you get a place in a Premier League game anyway.

If the Prince gives us some dosh, Freeman will be replaced in the JTW.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

FFS, it's your job!

We are Pemier Leauge now, yet you Roygbiv , Beans and Deadbat are behaving like amateurs here. You all need to knuckle down and devote 110% of your time to these important jobs we've given you.

No rubbish excuses about jobs / wives / mortgages etc, just bloody get on with it!

That's an interesting view. Of course, it's very difficult for Roygbiv Beans & Deadbat Their content basically consists of one of them being interviewed by the other. Scheduling. Diaries. It ain't easy for them. The Carrier Bag Firm "franchised" model. Many writers. All on board with the unique irreverent verbatim swearing editorial policy make it a bit easier for the CBF Ball Sups to produce original content.

 

[Pinchy]

Yes and Fleck is the surprise package for you, not that I expect you to admit it, given how much you've bored on about him being a Bladey favourite.

I gave him a 9 for the Liverpool game. MOTM for me. Drive, urgency and purpose. Best he’s played for a very long time, during which he has delivered some very ineffective performances, featuring none of the above qualities. I hope he carries on in the same way. It would be good for our club, which is all that matters.

Apologies to Bladey Blades for the last sentence. I appreciate it is highly controversial.