Freddy must put in a shift

[Derbyshire Blue]

First time I'd seen the boys in ages and my first thought was that Freddy was carrying a few extra pounds, I hate admitting it but that's just how he looked to me. I thought his touch was still good and he kept the ball well against a tight York team who I thought closed down well. Yes a couple of passes went astray but I'm not expecting anyone with 100% pass completion rates in Div 4.

My heart rules my head with Fred, yes I still want him to be the saviour! But I'm left scratching my head how he can look unfit to so many of us, has he been training ok? Surely he's working extra to get leaner and sharper to justify a run of starts? Or has he just bulked out a bit?! Clutching at straws now?!

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Fred still has an eye for a pass and has a good touch but he seems to lack that drive and eagerness to put more effort in. His pace is totally gone and he is definately much bigger than he was a few years ago but thats life. Although he deffinately needs to get fitter and also be a bit more willing to make more runs and actually break a sweat. He always seems to be lacking in cofidence because I have seen quite a few half chances recently where the old Fred would have smashed a shot in but instead he's now looking to pass it sideways.

 

[Beverly Hills Cop Blue]

Not that long to wair rab. Can't see there being much difference. Back to Corr , What I hope he'd be honest about is if he genuinly felt his injury , fitness record was getting too much he'd take the honourable action and retire. I'm not advocating this is in the pipeline but should it happen no one can doubt he gave it an exeptonal shot. Last Night someone posted they wouldn't be surprised if Eastwood knocked it on the head soon and if this happened I don't think he'd have the same sympathy as Corr would have. Apoart from the ones with a rose tinted attachment to him. Again He has not helped himself for many years and is still living off that Man Utd goal and his first spell. AS i said last night someone listed many managers Fred has played under. All of them exept one were upset with him and that can't be a coincidence. The exception was Tilson. Tilson understood Fred to a point further than others as he understands the travelling community. Tilly has links with them.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

All he needs to do is lose a few pounds and he'll be fine. Maybe not the same, but will still be a good player at this level. He was an international about a year ago for Gods sake. He's just unfit. Chill people.

 

[Beverly Hills Cop Blue]

And why should Eastwood be turning his nose up at those managers when he hasn't always been self-professional himself.

 

[dannypav]

All he needs to do is lose a few pounds and he'll be fine. Maybe not the same, but will still be a good player at this level. He was an international about a year ago for Gods sake. He's just unfit. Chill people.

Yes , but why as we approach November................................

 

[dannypav]

Actually we all know how this will work going forward don't we.

1. Freddy scores a few goals and will again be the Messiah and Saviour of SUFC
OR
2. Freddy continues to play bit parts , looks overweight or disinterested and he will be the financial milstone arougn our necks. Overpaid hasbeen.

I predict no middle ground.

 

[wiggy]

I still think this discussion should be held after christmas. lets see where the club is in the table and what Freddy has or has not done to contribute by then.

If Freddy's name was Elliott Benyon then you couldn't wait to say how useless he is. Done well for us before, now a washed up fat bloke that makes Blair Sturrock look like a goalscorer.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

If Freddy's name was Elliott Benyon then you couldn't wait to say how useless he is. Done well for us before, now a washed up fat bloke that makes Blair Sturrock look like a goalscorer.

Have to say I agree with you for once.

 

[mrsblue]

If Fred had knuckled down in training at his previous clubs he would now be worth millions playing in front of large crowds in beautiful arenas maybe even playing in stadiums in europe and across the world and possibly going down in welsh folklore,Truth is he is playing basement football in front of a few thousand in drab grounds !

 

[Beefy]

I've not seen Eastwood this season. I did see him in the final warm up match against Spurs and he wasn't overweight then. Has he really put on the pounds in these last couple of months?

It seems to me that if he is overweight then the first people to let him know will be opposition fans on the wind up. Have opposition fans been doing this?

 

[BrettieAngell]

Doesn't look overweight to me not sure where that has come from tbh.

 

[Neil 24]

Fred looks fine, just been below average performance wise needs a goal or 2 to boost him

 

[Beefy]

Doesn't look overweight to me not sure where that has come from tbh.

It's just an easy allegation because other people have said it before. He's not the slender kid that he was last time he was here but he's far from fat.

Even if he is fat I think it's a side issue. Lee Trundle was fat but was also the best player I've ever seen in the lower leagues. Matt Le Tissier was fat but was still the best player I've seen in any league. But those two had a will to win and a love of playing football. The question is does Freddy Eastwood have a love of playing football? Does he want to be here, score goals and win football matches? If he does then he should be first name on the team sheet, IMO.

 

[rlb999]

If Freddy's name was Elliott Benyon then you couldn't wait to say how useless he is. Done well for us before, now a washed up fat bloke that makes Blair Sturrock look like a goalscorer.

Spot on that man.

 

[mrsblue]

Darren Bent is rhe same height as Fred ,Bent looks a very powerful bloke yet weighs at least 8 pounds less than Fred,Imagine if Bent had 4 bags of sugar(8 pounds)strapped to him his game would suffer.

 

[Boreham Blue]

Nothing stuck I think you will find. He lost the ball countless times.

We'll agree to disagree then.

 

[Blue_Wes]

People seem to forget that Freddy has picked up injuries since the summer, it's not easy to train and regain full fitness when injured, this in itself will impact how quickly he gets back to full fitness and trims down. If Freddy stays clear of injuries and gets a run in the side, then his fitness will improve. He hasn't had this, hence why it's taking him longer to peak. It would seem madness to drop him now, when he's free of injury and getting match time.

Also, with respect to Saturday, I often saw Freddy chasing defenders and midfielders down, I just think lack of fitness stopped him achieving winning the ball back. I don't think there's a lack of desire. In fact, desire seems to be the one thing I find it odd that people can criticise. it's amazing so many on here know Freddy's thoughts and ambition. You can judge his ability sure, but how can anyone truly say they know how committed and how much desire he has? it's impossible, yet people are very quick to judge.

In fact by most people's posts on here, you're not showing passion unless you're punching the floor in tantrum or having your photo taken with kids.

Let's give him time, we seem so quick to turn on players.

Another point, let's look at the options should we drop Eastwood, Assombalonga who has had his two worst/quietest games, Tomlin who whilst he runs a lot has provided very little end product this season, Benyon who has a torrid time dealing with Sturrock's style of play, Corr who is not fit enough to start or Njie who has no first team experience. Seems to me people need o consider the alternative before making knee jerk reactions.

 

[Beefy]

Can't rep you again Wes, but that's a top post mate. I completely agree.

 

[buffalowolf]

So people tell me whats Njie like ,is he a good prospect , also beefy you forgot to mention the young lad they just got on loan , he scored a couple against Burnham Ramblers,again people be patient toward Freddie ,im sure he will come good ,maybe he wont be the 20 odd goal savior but im sure his presence will open up gaps for others, and as for the manager ,i think Southend have a good one there, hes done so well since the mass exodus before he took over. GO THE BLUES !!