Freedman: 'Barney is on top of his game right now'
35-year-old Freedman told Blues Player: "Plenty has been said about the MK Dons game but we did let ourselves down and we need a reaction now. We need a response and have to show what it is we're all about. We have to show that that kind of performance was just a one off by playing much better against Southampton. They may be a good team but if we perform like we can then the result should go our way."
Dougie has played in over 580 games in a career that's approaching it's 16th year.
The Scotsman continued: "I'm a bit older than the rest of the lads and I hope my experience can help. I speak with the strikers and to the wingers as well about when we want the ball crossed and when it's best to cut it back. But it's not just about the games it's how you also look after yourself during the week between Monday and Friday to make sure you're ready for matches."
Finally on his playing partner, top scorer Lee Barnard, who looks like he will be fit for to-night: "Barney is on top of his game right now. He's looking after himself off the pitch and his training has also stepped up a notch. Hopefully we can keep on scoring and I can get a few as well."
The Freedman Files
| Club information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Current club | Southend United | |
| Number | 16 | |
| Youth career | ||
| 1992-1994 | Queens Park Rangers | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1994-1995 1995-1997 1997 1997-1998 1998-2000 2000-2008 2008 2008- | Barnet Crystal Palace → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) Wolverhampton Wanderers Nottingham Forest Crystal Palace → Leeds United (loan) Southend United | 47 (27) 93 (31) 2 (2) 27 (8) 70 (18) 237 (64) 11 (5) 23 (6) |
| National team2 | ||
2001-2002 | Scotland U21 Scotland | 8 (2) 2 (1) |
| Teams managed | ||
| 2007-2008 | Crystal Palace (reserve team manager) | |
| ||
(Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dougie_Freedman)