Home
DOUGIE Freedman admits mistakes were made in Stuart Holden’s last bout of rehabilitation – but holds out hope he will work with the American midfielder again.
It is nearly seven months since Holden’s last comeback attempt ended in agony as he collapsed 23 minutes into a development squad game against Everton.
A second operation on his right knee followed and the 29-year-old is now making good progress with medical staff in the US in an effort to play again before the end of the year.
His contract with Wanderers ended in the summer and while the club have declared publically that an offer remains on the table for him to return, some speculate he may choose to continue his career elsewhere.
Freedman admits there has been little contact with the fan-favourite, whose time with Wanderers has been heartbreakingly curtailed by a succession of injuries.
But the Wanderers boss thinks the distance will be better for the player in the long run after experiencing difficulties in the months leading up to his last return.
“I felt last time it was difficult for both sets of medical staff, and Stuart who was caught in the middle of it, who was completely responsible for doing his rehab,” he said.
“We’re taking the view this time – with Stuart’s blessing – that the people over in America do it completely. They will be responsible from the beginning to the end of his rehab, there are no in-betweens.
“When they feel, and he feels, he’s ready for contact then he’ll come over here. And that’s where I will pick up from the coaching side.
“I felt the problem last time, as a coach, was that there were two different messages going into Stuart’s head.”
Holden was on track to return at the start of last season before damaging his cruciate ligament playing for the US in the Gold Cup last summer.
He vowed to make every effort to get into Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for this summer’s World Cup finals but Freedman admitted the pressure to return may have forced him to play earlier than he should have done.
“I made the mistake last time, I wouldn’t say badgering him, but asking when he was ready, we could do with this or that, can you play a reserve game?” he said.
“He’s such an enthusiastic guy he was probably giving me the answers I wanted to hear.
“This time round I refuse to put any pressure on him at all.
“I hope, I really hope I work with him again. He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic fella, no matter what he’ll always be welcomed and that applies to longer terms as well. He is exactly the kind of player I like – he’s enthusiastic, he’s energetic, he wants to be here.”
Freedman is keen to see Holden in a Wanderers shirt again and reiterated the offer of a contract when he feels ready for competitive football again.
“The deal is still here,” he said. “It’s a basic one, based on appearances, and when he starts playing it goes up.
“For Stuart’s mind, take away the football club, the fans, me, this is a player’s career here. We need to leave him alone and not ask too many questions.
“When he feels completely ready for contact then we can start talking about what we can do for him.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/bolton_wanderers/11499704.Bolton_Wanderers_midfielder_Stuart_Holden_will_be_allowed_to_return_in_his_own_time
It is nearly seven months since Holden’s last comeback attempt ended in agony as he collapsed 23 minutes into a development squad game against Everton.
A second operation on his right knee followed and the 29-year-old is now making good progress with medical staff in the US in an effort to play again before the end of the year.
His contract with Wanderers ended in the summer and while the club have declared publically that an offer remains on the table for him to return, some speculate he may choose to continue his career elsewhere.
Freedman admits there has been little contact with the fan-favourite, whose time with Wanderers has been heartbreakingly curtailed by a succession of injuries.
But the Wanderers boss thinks the distance will be better for the player in the long run after experiencing difficulties in the months leading up to his last return.
“I felt last time it was difficult for both sets of medical staff, and Stuart who was caught in the middle of it, who was completely responsible for doing his rehab,” he said.
“We’re taking the view this time – with Stuart’s blessing – that the people over in America do it completely. They will be responsible from the beginning to the end of his rehab, there are no in-betweens.
“When they feel, and he feels, he’s ready for contact then he’ll come over here. And that’s where I will pick up from the coaching side.
“I felt the problem last time, as a coach, was that there were two different messages going into Stuart’s head.”
Holden was on track to return at the start of last season before damaging his cruciate ligament playing for the US in the Gold Cup last summer.
He vowed to make every effort to get into Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for this summer’s World Cup finals but Freedman admitted the pressure to return may have forced him to play earlier than he should have done.
“I made the mistake last time, I wouldn’t say badgering him, but asking when he was ready, we could do with this or that, can you play a reserve game?” he said.
“He’s such an enthusiastic guy he was probably giving me the answers I wanted to hear.
“This time round I refuse to put any pressure on him at all.
“I hope, I really hope I work with him again. He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic fella, no matter what he’ll always be welcomed and that applies to longer terms as well. He is exactly the kind of player I like – he’s enthusiastic, he’s energetic, he wants to be here.”
Freedman is keen to see Holden in a Wanderers shirt again and reiterated the offer of a contract when he feels ready for competitive football again.
“The deal is still here,” he said. “It’s a basic one, based on appearances, and when he starts playing it goes up.
“For Stuart’s mind, take away the football club, the fans, me, this is a player’s career here. We need to leave him alone and not ask too many questions.
“When he feels completely ready for contact then we can start talking about what we can do for him.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/bolton_wanderers/11499704.Bolton_Wanderers_midfielder_Stuart_Holden_will_be_allowed_to_return_in_his_own_time
