[Albion] will Baldock ever play for the club again ?

[Stat Brother]

Yes, of course, we all missed seeing it, didn't we? Gross changed the game for us yesterday, didn't he?

(Yes, Gross is a good player, one of our best. That doesn't negate the potential desirability of Baldock coming on and offering some sort of Plan B with his speed, rather than just an un-inspiring like-for-like substitution).

That's the bit I just can't get my head around.

If it's not working for Murray it sure as hell isn't going to work for t'other, and is a waste of a 10 minute substitution.
Might as well just 'bung on a quick lad' or go really leftfield and give CG some minutes while telling Dunk not to bother coming back.

 

[The_Viper]

He's gone in January, the only reason he is on the bench is to add a million or two to his price tag. Horrible decision IMO.

 

[1066familyman]

He's gone in January, the only reason he is on the bench is to add a million or two to his price tag. Horrible decision IMO.

Source?

And if true, why do you think it's a horrible decision? Do you think he's good enough to be a regular at this level?

 

[GT49er]

Source?

And if true, why do you think it's a horrible decision? Do you think he's good enough to be a regular at this level?

How would we know? He hasn't kicked a ball in the PL yet.

 

[Stat Brother]

I still maintain, probably wrongly, there was something 'odd' about his new contract.

Whether it was because he's 'homegrown', or just that the club knew it would be impossible to buy 2 strikers (1 would have been nice) in the Summer, so it's as if the contract just landed in his lap.

Even at face value, before the rumour and innuendo, this season has been a real shame for Baldock fingers crossed he's close to being the player he wants to be.

 

[1066familyman]

How would we know? He hasn't kicked a ball in the PL yet.

Fair point.

 

[Birdie Boy]

Baldock should have come on against Spurs, Burnley and Chelsea. 3 games we didn't win, 3 games he could have got under his belt and you never know what might have happened.
Definitely seems like he is on the bench to show he is in the shop window but would potential owners buy someone that is sitting on a bench doing nothing our someone they can see running around showing their worth?

Shame, I would like to see him get a run out.

 

[chaileyjem]

I still maintain, probably wrongly, there was something 'odd' about his new contract.

Whether it was because he's 'homegrown', or just that the club knew it would be impossible to buy 2 strikers (1 would have been nice) in the Summer, so it's as if the contract just landed in his lap.

Then they would have had to have been remarkably prescient given that he signed his new contract 10 weeks before the window shut.

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

I would play him up front as a trial , in the cup match against the SLCC.

TNBA

TTF

 

[chaileyjem]

Definitely seems like he is on the bench to show he is in the shop window .

how does this actually work in practice ?
In this scenario TB has had a word with CH and insisted he appears on the bench a few times so he's in the "shop window".
You think Chris picks his team like this ? Its ludicrous.

How about this ? CH has a very competitive squad of 18 or 25 with nearly all players fit now , he's careful and cautious getting Sam back to fitness from injury given his problems and he hasn't had an ideal opportunity (given that he plays 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 not 4-4-2 which he's more suited to, this season to give him a proper run out and of course has Kayal/Gross and others ahead of him. And he has had to drop Brown or Knockaert from the squad entirely to make room for SB just on the bench. Thus his chances have so far been limited and thats er it. Its not odd. Its not that unusual especially for Hughton.
He's not for sale, there's not some other "issue", he's not fallen out with CH, he's not still injured, he's not ....fill in the blanks.
Nah... far too crazy !!

 

[Birdie Boy]

how does this actually work in practice ?
In this scenario TB has had a word with CH and insisted he appears on the bench a few times so he's in the "shop window".
You think Chris picks his team like this ? Its ludicrous.

Well, he clearly isn't picking him to change the game when we are losing. There is only one reason Murray came on for Hemed yesterday and that was to keep the score down.

Can you tell me why he has picked his team like that?

 

[Weststander]

He'll only be gone if we sign a couple of quality strikers.

Otherwise it would be short-sighted to sell SB to raise a few £m and cut the wage bill for a few short months, when he has the potential to be a match winner.

 

[ac gull]

Probably reasonable to assume we may have expected far more injuries than we have had

Second half of season could see more being rested and rotated to avoid injury and give SB a game or two

 

[chaileyjem]

Well, he clearly isn't picking him to change the game when we are losing. There is only one reason Murray came on for Hemed yesterday and that was to keep the score down.

Can you tell me why he has picked his team like that?

You're the one who seems to know why he's picking players (to put them in the "shop window" ) so i'm afraid no.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Rumours would indicate a number of issues so maybe being on the bench is all part of his long-term re-integration into the first team pool......

 

[Hampster Gull]

Will play in 9ne of the next two matches, two within three days

 

[Seagulls1984]

Yes in the championship next season!

 

[chaileyjem]

Rumours would indicate a number of issues so maybe being on the bench is all part of his long-term re-integration into the first team pool......

Rumours ?
Maybe there aren't any issues and he's just returning slowly from a long term injury into a strong squad with every player (bar Sidwell) being fit. And thats it. It never can be though can it !!

 

[djentist]

I'd be surprised if we saw him in the league this season, possibly in the FA Cup but don't think he has an immediate future here particularly if we do sign a striker. Long term wise, depends on whether we remain a PL club or not

 

[GT49er]

Rumours ?
Maybe there aren't any issues and he's just returning slowly from a long term injury into a strong squad with every player (bar Sidwell) being fit. And thats it. It never can be though can it !!

Rumours, yes. Fanciful and otherwise.

But ... ... ... ... if he's fit enough to be on he bench to come on if somebody is injured, he is fit enough to come on for 10-15 minutes io start working his way back to full match fitness. or are you saying this is not so?