Freedman not with Palace in Cornwall (From Croydon Guardian)

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Freedman not with Palace in Cornwall

10:40am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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By Graham Moody »

Dougie Freedman has not travelled with the rest of the Crystal Palace squad on their pre-season tour of Cornwall.

The veteran striker is facing crunch talks with manager Neil Warnock over his future, with the Yorkshireman openly admitting that the Scot is unlikely to feature in his first-team plans this season.

And despite having started the first three of Palace's pre-season friendlies, it was decided he should stay in London this week and prepare for his much-hyped testimonial match against Fulham next Tuesday.

Warnock said: "He is just concentrating on his testimonial for now. We will be discussing his future after that. We left him at home this week as he has got one or two things to do there."

What do you think? Should Warnock keep Freedman or is he past his best now? Let us know by using the comment feature below.

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clive treen, sidcup says...
11:27am Tue 22 Jul 08

i think dougie should be kept at palace if he wants to stay and play a part in coaching the youngsters we have..

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Jeff Monroe, London says...
12:59pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Get rid of him! He should have gone years ago.

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Tom Laws, South Norwood says...
1:53pm Tue 22 Jul 08

One of my favorite players over the last few years, a legend! I'd love him to stay at palace and move in coaching etc but also understand that he wants to play footbal, tricky..

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Don Meade, NYC says...
2:50pm Tue 22 Jul 08

How can Warnock discard Dougie, a proven goalscorer, when he's so short of strikers? And why rubbish his chances of playing for Palace on the eve of a testimonial game he richly deserves as one of the club's biggest heroes? Dougie deserves better.

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FJ, croydon says...
3:40pm Tue 22 Jul 08

We would be foolish to lose such a talented player. Even if the Doug could not complete 90 mins in the championship every week, he would have a major impact as a sub for the last 20/30 mins with his technical ability and footballing brain. We have to Keep him with a view to moving him into a coaching role later. He deserves at the very least another year with Palace after all that he has done for us. He has been totally unselfish during his time with Palace. You never know, we may need another 'Stockport' goal and he would be the one we would all turn too. Also, as a coach, the respect and experience that he would bring to our youth academy along with his superb attitude and dedication would reap benefits with our future youth prospects and would also show Palace to be what they have always been perceived to be, A family club who 1st and foremost look after their own.

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Ray, Phoenix, Arizona. says...
4:03pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Dougie Freedman has be a true example of what a professional footballer should be. Regrettably though, every player has his day and at almost 34, Dougie is well past his prime.

He has already been offered a place on the training staff, but still wants to play on at some level.

No team can rely on nostalgia and sentiment to get them promoted and Dougie cannot now be relied upon to complete a full 90 minute game in the championship.

With several young players waiting in the wing for their chance to shine, Neil Warnock has to be realistic and I believe he has been both honest and direct in telling Dougie that even if he does stay and fulfill the last year of his contract, his opportunities will be very limited.

Good luck to him, because he has been a true legend for all Palace fans and I rather hope that he will one day return as our manager.

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tyrone bogle, london says...
4:45pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I have watched palace for 12 years and what he has done for crystal palace in that time i dig us out of a hole a number of times dont any1 who has a bad word to say about him forget that.

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fergtastic, Croydon says...
5:01pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Ray, I agree with what you say, but with the rules changing allowing you to have 7 subs instead of 5, he would be an asset to any substitutes bench and there would still be room for the youngsters too. Give him another year Neil !! :o)

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