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DOUGIE Freedman has backed Jermaine Beckford to rediscover his golden touch after sealing a £1million move to Wanderers.
Even though the Jamaica international has struggled for form in the last few seasons, Freedman reckons his new signing arrives at the Reebok looking to silence his doubters.
Whereas the 29-year-old was once the talking point of English football after smashing 85 goals in three seasons with Leeds United, less prolific spells at Everton and Leicester City have seen him fall into a slump.
But Freedman – who played alongside Beckford at Elland Road – believes Wanderers are the right club to reignite the striker’s passion.
“I know his character, I know he has this up-and-down thought process and if things are not quite going right, that can come across in his performances. But that’s right up my street to be honest with you,” he said.
“Jermaine has lost that fantastic goalscoring record he had before and he has got a point to prove. He doesn’t need to prove anything to me because I know he has the bit between his teeth.”
Beckford has spent two years with Leicester after being bought for £3million by Sven-Goran Eriksson but slumped under the Swede’s successor Nigel Pearson and spent months of last season on loan at Huddersfield.
He had got into double figures in an injury-plagued spell in the Premier League with Everton prior to his Leicester move, and Freedman reckons his eagerness to join Bolton on a two-year deal – reportedly on half of his salary at the King Power Stadium – shows a player hungry to revive his career.
“In the summer I told his this wonderful club is going somewhere,” he said. “If he wants to be part of it, come and talk to me. He was on holiday and literally straight after landing he was here to speak.
“He maybe needs to prove to himself he can still score goals.
“He went to Everton, there were ups and downs, and you’ll get that working in a big squad, but he scored 10 goals.
“Since then it’s been mixed – but he chose the wrong move going to Leicester. He’ll tell you that and we’ve all done it in our careers.
“I played with him at Leeds so I know exactly what he is all about. I just need to see that sparkle in his eye that he wants to prove something to himself and I think we’ll benefit from that.”
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Even though the Jamaica international has struggled for form in the last few seasons, Freedman reckons his new signing arrives at the Reebok looking to silence his doubters.
Whereas the 29-year-old was once the talking point of English football after smashing 85 goals in three seasons with Leeds United, less prolific spells at Everton and Leicester City have seen him fall into a slump.
But Freedman – who played alongside Beckford at Elland Road – believes Wanderers are the right club to reignite the striker’s passion.
“I know his character, I know he has this up-and-down thought process and if things are not quite going right, that can come across in his performances. But that’s right up my street to be honest with you,” he said.
“Jermaine has lost that fantastic goalscoring record he had before and he has got a point to prove. He doesn’t need to prove anything to me because I know he has the bit between his teeth.”
Beckford has spent two years with Leicester after being bought for £3million by Sven-Goran Eriksson but slumped under the Swede’s successor Nigel Pearson and spent months of last season on loan at Huddersfield.
He had got into double figures in an injury-plagued spell in the Premier League with Everton prior to his Leicester move, and Freedman reckons his eagerness to join Bolton on a two-year deal – reportedly on half of his salary at the King Power Stadium – shows a player hungry to revive his career.
“In the summer I told his this wonderful club is going somewhere,” he said. “If he wants to be part of it, come and talk to me. He was on holiday and literally straight after landing he was here to speak.
“He maybe needs to prove to himself he can still score goals.
“He went to Everton, there were ups and downs, and you’ll get that working in a big squad, but he scored 10 goals.
“Since then it’s been mixed – but he chose the wrong move going to Leicester. He’ll tell you that and we’ve all done it in our careers.
“I played with him at Leeds so I know exactly what he is all about. I just need to see that sparkle in his eye that he wants to prove something to himself and I think we’ll benefit from that.”
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Some people just can't handle good news.
, jokes not that shithole #bwfc #millwall