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Dougie Freedman keen to find top form (From Echo)
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Dougie Freedman keen to find top form
5:30am Tuesday 1st December 2009
DOUGIE Freedman is desperate to rediscover his best form for Southend United.
The experienced striker has been disappointing in recent weeks and his place in the starting line-up is now under threat from new loan signing Jabo Ibehre.
They are battling it out to partner Lee Barnard for tonight’s clash with Norwich City at Roots Hall.
But Freedman is keen to take whatever kind of chance comes his way against the Canaries.
“My form hasn’t been the best of late and I know that,” said Freedman, 35.
“I’ve been through periods like this before though and I will keep on working as hard as I can in training and in the matches to come out of it which I’m sure I will do soon.”
Freedman has scored just once so far this season, in contrast to his fellow striker Barnard who has already bagged 14 goals.
He is attracting interest from elsewhere and Freedman, who has played in the Premier League and for Scotland during his own illustrious career, believes Barnard is capable of scoring goals at a higher level.
“I think he would do well above League One,” said Freedman.
“He has been in good company before when he was with Tottenham and he’s doing very well this season.
“His work on the training ground has improved and, as I keep on telling him, he just needs to keep on getting into the six yard box, because he will score goals.”
Barnard faces an uncertain future with the Shrimpers as his current contract expires at the end of the season but so too does Freedman’s.
The Scotsman admitted last summer that had he suffered one more injury during pre-season training then he would have opted to retire.
But he has yet to consider his options beyond the end of this term.
“I haven’t thought about that at all,” said Freedman.
“I’ve felt good fitness wise this year and all I’m concentrating on at the moment is the games we have coming up.”
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Dougie Freedman wants to rediscover his best form for Southend United
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