Breaking News Freedman gone back to Palace!

[sussex by the sea]

Anyone actually sad to see him leave?

Yes ! I am surprised at the criticism he seems to have had. He helped rescue our poor start to the season last year and came back to help kick start it when we were well down the league after Christmas.

As for this season, he joins the list of strikers who have never been given a real chance while players such as Ibhere and Vernon jumped straight into the team (not that I particularly dislike Vernon, but the rationale for his signing - his experience - seemed somewhat flawed when we had Freedman sat on the bench). You rarely see the best of any striker if they continually come on for the odd quarter of an hour here or there.

Having seen so much predictable and repetitive play from our team this season, even if his legs had gone (which I dispute to a certain extent) his ability to move into space and play the type of pass which few other of our players are either able or can attempt to do, is to my mind a lost asset.

So, I am sorry to see him go and feel the squad is poorer for his departure.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Seems a good time for him to move into coaching and it's obviously good for us financially, he's been pretty useless this season. He did well in his first season and the likes of Barnard and Scott Spencer I believe have spoken highly of his influence in training. All the best to him at Palace, a good pro.

 

[Kris]

Yes ! I am surprised at the criticism he seems to have had. He helped rescue our poor start to the season last year and came back to help kick start it when we were well down the league after Christmas.

As for this season, he joins the list of strikers who have never been given a real chance while players such as Ibhere and Vernon jumped straight into the team (not that I particularly dislike Vernon, but the rationale for his signing - his experience - seemed somewhat flawed when we had Freedman sat on the bench). You rarely see the best of any striker if they continually come on for the odd quarter of an hour here or there.

Having seen so much predictable and repetitive play from our team this season, even if his legs had gone (which I dispute to a certain extent) his ability to move into space and play the type of pass which few other of our players are either able or can attempt to do, is to my mind a lost asset.

So, I am sorry to see him go and feel the squad is poorer for his departure.

Agree. I've never really understood the cynicism and animosity towards Freedman. It would be understandable if he'd joined us as a crock for a last pay cheque - like, for example, James Scowcroft at Orient - but only months before he signed he almost singlehandedly got Leeds to the League 1 play-off final and before his injury he was absolutely fantastic for us, so he was far from being past it.

As I've said before, people can be cynical about his injury record but he arguably sacrificed the rest of his playing career by returning ahead of schedule on several occasions in order to help Tilly out when we suffered striker crises.

I wish him all the best at Palace and I've a feeling we may miss him more than people realise. At times like these we need as many experienced heads in the dressing room as possible.

 

[Strykr]

cashback!

good luck to him, but in reality it was just a load of money on wages down the swanee,
everybody bigs up his "helping the other strikers" thing which is nice, but judging by our scoring rate it doesnt appear to have worked!

wont be missed, and as far as our survival chances go, i cant remember a time in our history when our future may be decided by whether we get lucky with loan players! it only took dorian and theo last year and we started playing like winners again, lets hope tilson can pull something out the bag

 

[OldBlueLady]

everybody bigs up his "helping the other strikers" thing which is nice, but judging by our scoring rate it doesnt appear to have worked!

I think that's because those who benefitted the most have moved on - Theo Robinson and Barney in particular.

 

[DTS]

While I agree Revs wasn't the most technically gifted of players, his work rate and general effort was second to none.

He was let down big time by the club.

I would argue he let himself down with his lack of goals. Anyone can get fit and run about a bit it takes a bit of something special to score goals and Rev aint got it.

 

[bilbyboy]

I think that's because those who benefitted the most have moved on - Theo Robinson and Barney in particular.

I wonder how many Southend players Dougie will poach!!! oh, of course we don't have that many players do we. What are the odds on Macca turning down Millwall in the summer and opting for following Dougie instead?

 

[Ricky Otto]

Yep, he was a great influence on and example to the younger strikers, plus he was an absolute gent. He'd also developed his game to compensate for his legs going somewhat and had looked pretty damn good last time out, as he did up at Carlisle. His footballing brain is second to none and he could identify weaknesses and work to exploit them which often benefitted others. Wish him all the best.

Bit of an expensive luxury if what i've heard about him being the second highest paid player at the club is true. I'd rather have a player that can get into the 1st 11 for £2k a week

 

[canveyshrimper]

I wonder how many Southend players Dougie will poach!!! oh, of course we don't have that many players do we. What are the odds on Macca turning down Millwall in the summer and opting for following Dougie instead?

Pretty remote I'd say if Palace don't find a buyer and come out of administration.

 

[Tin Bath]

So the start of Season 09/10 our squad of strikers was
Lee Barnard
James Walker
Alex Revell
Dougie Freedman
Francis Laurent

Well only one of that original 5 remains, amazing really. What we have now are 2 youngsters Patterson and Spencer (handful of senior league appearences between) Vernon on loan and Laurent. If we want to stay up then we need to get some experience in from now till the end of the season, of course everyone will say get Freddy back but he's on more money than what Dougie was I expect and I am not sure a Premiership youngster is the answer in a relegation battle

 

[Mick]

So the start of Season 09/10 our squad of strikers was
Lee Barnard
James Walker
Alex Revell
Dougie Freedman
Francis Laurent

Well only one of that original 5 remains, amazing really. What we have now are 2 youngsters Patterson and Spencer (handful of senior league appearences between) Vernon on loan and Laurent. If we want to stay up then we need to get some experience in from now till the end of the season, of course everyone will say get Freddy back but he's on more money than what Dougie was I expect and I am not sure a Premiership youngster is the answer in a relegation battle

Of course everyone will NOT say "get Freddy back". He has played in 30 Coventry matches this season, started in 6 out of 8 of their last League matches and come on as sub in the other 2.

 

[TravellingBlue]

So the start of Season 09/10 our squad of strikers was
Lee Barnard
James Walker
Alex Revell
Dougie Freedman
Francis Laurent

Well only one of that original 5 remains, amazing really. What we have now are 2 youngsters Patterson and Spencer (handful of senior league appearences between) Vernon on loan and Laurent. If we want to stay up then we need to get some experience in from now till the end of the season, of course everyone will say get Freddy back but he's on more money than what Dougie was I expect and I am not sure a Premiership youngster is the answer in a relegation battle

Vernon is the experience. And his displays in the last two or three games have shown that he is a quality player. Paterson looks the business and I think as long as both remain injury free, we will see goals. Freddy would be a massive boost to the club and the fans, but this will never happen, so we must have faith in what we have.

I for one have watched Freedman over many years, a real professional and on the couple of occasions I have been fortunate to be in his company a very articulate and agreeable individual. All the very best for the future.

 

[united we stand]

Yes ! I am surprised at the criticism he seems to have had. He helped rescue our poor start to the season last year and came back to help kick start it when we were well down the league after Christmas.

As for this season, he joins the list of strikers who have never been given a real chance while players such as Ibhere and Vernon jumped straight into the team (not that I particularly dislike Vernon, but the rationale for his signing - his experience - seemed somewhat flawed when we had Freedman sat on the bench). You rarely see the best of any striker if they continually come on for the odd quarter of an hour here or there.

Having seen so much predictable and repetitive play from our team this season, even if his legs had gone (which I dispute to a certain extent) his ability to move into space and play the type of pass which few other of our players are either able or can attempt to do, is to my mind a lost asset.

So, I am sorry to see him go and feel the squad is poorer for his departure.

agree with the above

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/theblues/5037966.Freedman__Palace_return_too_good_to_turn_down/

Nice interview with Doogie, fair play to him.

 

[South Bank Hank]

I wonder how many Southend players Dougie will poach!!! oh, of course we don't have that many players do we. What are the odds on Macca turning down Millwall in the summer and opting for following Dougie instead?

I think you've answered your own question to some degree. Should Dougie believe any of our current crop to be capable of playing at Championship level, then he won't be in the management business for long. We're so hardly blessed with talent at the moment that poaching is the very least of our problems.

 

[EastStandBlue]

If Freedman thinks McCormack is Championship quality I will fellate him live on national television.


I actually think there might be more to this, Freedman leaving certainly frees up enough room to bring someone in, whether that is a striker or a left winger remains to be seen.

 

[Mick]

If Freedman thinks McCormack is Championship quality I will fellate him live on national television.


I actually think there might be more to this, Freedman leaving certainly frees up enough room to bring someone in, whether that is a striker or a left winger remains to be seen.

Not sure I follow this. If we haven't got the money to pay the players anyway, one less is hardly going to leave us with loads going spare!

 

[McNasty]

I actually think there might be more to this, Freedman leaving certainly frees up enough room to bring someone in, whether that is a striker or a left winger remains to be seen.

or, with the reduction in out-goings, make us look less insolvent.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I suppose it worked both ways with Doogie. His experience was helpful to some of our younger players, whilst on the other hand we helped him with his his CV. In applying for the Palace job, he could say that he had experience working in a club with financial difficulties!

 

[Jam_Man]

So the start of Season 09/10 our squad of strikers was
Lee Barnard
James Walker
Alex Revell
Dougie Freedman
Francis Laurent

Well only one of that original 5 remains, amazing really. What we have now are 2 youngsters Patterson and Spencer (handful of senior league appearences between) Vernon on loan and Laurent. If we want to stay up then we need to get some experience in from now till the end of the season, of course everyone will say get Freddy back but he's on more money than what Dougie was I expect and I am not sure a Premiership youngster is the answer in a relegation battle

What we had was Lee Barnard, 3 strikers who couldnt score and a winger.

Now we have two promising youngsters, Vernon who has had more impact on the games ive seen than Walker/Revs/Walker did, and Laurent.

We obviously miss Barnard but I think with the rest of the crop we are actually better off now.

This was a season to far for Freedman and we havent lost anything by him leaving and gained enough money to pay two of our other players....