Freddie's Fight
FREDDIE LADAPO gave Argyle their first win of the Sky Bet League One season, with his second-half header enough to seal all three points against AFC Wimbledon in a 1-0 victory.
Freddie enjoys the occupational hazard of harsh treatment from defenders on a weekly basis, but he feels this team is now gelling nicely.
“I don’t mind any of that at all,” said Freddie. “As a centre forward, you have to be more clever and, for that goal, I was, because I didn’t have to fight through anyone to get the goal, and the most important thing is scoring.
“It was a very physical tussle. I’m quite strong but you play defenders and you’re thinking 'this is going to be a long afternoon'. You just have to keep fighting and, hopefully, something will drop.
“You come away with cuts and bruises every week. If I was to knock a defender, it’s automatically a foul but if a defender elbows or kicks me, he says: ‘oh carry on.’
“I don’t think I’ve been receiving as many fouls as I probably should have. I just have to keep trying and being cute with my game. When things fall for you, when you give some back or have an opportunity, you score or make a dribble, all of that is part and parcel of the game.”
Freddie admits that, while he is on the end of many chances during games, he is appreciative of those behind him, particularly Graham Carey and Reuben Lameiras.
He said: “I had a couple [of chances], like always. When you’re struggling for goals or when you’ve got chances and you’re really fighting for it, you just have to be in that position all the time.
“I work on converting them but when you think too hard or when you try and be too precise, you may scuff it or put it wide, or the ‘keeper makes a save. You just have to keep trying.
“G and Reuben were going short a couple of times to go and receive the ball to make something of it. I kept making the runs and he [Carey] just clipped it in there, and I saw myself free. I’m thinking 'this is wonderful'.
“I was so happy but that’s the quality that Reuben and G bring, they’re fantastic players; good technically, good dribbling; good everything. They can assist you from everywhere. Reuben should have got many assists on Tuesday and G got one again [on Saturday].”
Freddie also believes the man at the other end, goalkeeper Matt Macey, deserved a mention after a stunning save kept us on level terms in the second period. It further highlights the togetherness of the squad.
“Matt’s been excellent, you can see why he’s at Arsenal,” said Freddie. “Many saves I’ve seen him make this season and I’m thinking: ‘this is unbelievable’. To have a 'keeper like that benefits us in the long run.”