27-02-2021, 10:36 AM
(27-02-2021, 10:06 AM)Sniffer Dog Wrote: We have been here before writing players off only for them to come good and prove everybody wrong.
Watson, Cafu and even Worrall and Yates immediately spring to mind.
I rarely write players off Sniff. Think I have a record of defending our players (although he is not our player) and even last season took pelters for saying Bong is not as bad as people think.
Here is my slightly more detailed reasoning/analysis:
If Freeman were a cheap freebie or youngster making his way in the game holding up that left hand side I would still be saying he needs to stop giving the ball away cheaply and is very very slow, but has a nice touch in very tight situations. He releases the fullback quite well too. Then there was that consolation goal vs Bristol City I think which was a belter. However the physicality of the game looks too much for him at present.
The fact that I have watched him at previous clubs (on TV mainly admittedly) and been consistently underwhelmed only worries me more. He can take a decent set piece, but hes generally not even on those as we have better. He has one season of decent stats, where he was the main set piece man.
Add to this he would command a significant transfer fee and wage and for me it's a massive no thank you.
The caveat to this is that I haven't watched him live for us. He may do a tonne of off the ball work that goes unnoticed by TV cameras. A bit like Watson with his constant reading of potential danger, even when it didn't transpire if you follow me.
Maybe he shuffles across midfield so that Cafu and/or Garner can help Christie out as his winger is given licence not to?
He must look very good in training, especially in tight possession drills so currently Hughton picks him. Whilst I trust and defer to Hughton, I do not see any merit in bringing him back next season.
Be interesting to hear if anyone sees it differently?