Forgotten front man wants return to side
Baldock determined to make his mark again
Sam Baldock believes that patience will be the key to earning a place in the Dons starting line up.
The 20-year-old striker has found himself down the pecking order with Jermaine Easter and Aaron Wilbraham building a promising partnership up front.
And when the front man was away in Egpyt representing England in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, Easter was banging in the goals for fun, while Alby remains a firm favourite with the manager for his work rate and aerial threat.
But the youngster, who was almost an ever-present last season, is willing to bide his time.
"They have been doing well so I can't really complain." said Baldock.
"I think Jermaine has scored 10 goals now and Alby has been playing well and scored the other week. I knew that I was going to have to be patient when I came back.
"Every time I get on the pitch or even on the training field I try my hardest to deliver and just hoping to be given a bit of game time.
"There is more competition this season all around the pitch. I don't think anyone can rest on their laurels as we've got such a big squad that everyone is keeping each other on our toes which is good."
But despite the England call hampering his start to the season with the side, Baldock was glad for the experience, even if he didn't get to experience much Egyptian culture.
"It was a really good experience for me. It was unexpected and I didn't get much in the way of opportunities out there as I thought I deserved or as I would have hoped. But every time I came on I looked to impress and play well.
"It was a really big tournament out there even though it wasn't broadcast that much in the UK.
"I was mainly just stuck in a hotel room, but I learned to get on with the other lads from the Premiership clubs my age and with people from different backgrounds."
His time with Brian Eastick's squad saw Baldock train with a number of the Premier League's hottest English talents. But he said he honestly believes there was no difference in ability between him and those playing in the top division.
He was more enthused about the quality of the England set up though.
"It was impressive in terms of the facility we got our hands on considering that we were in a different country. Pretty much everything you wanted you got in terms of training kit and stuff so it was nice to come home with a few freebies."
England crashed out in the opening stages of the competition that gave the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero their first opening on the big stage.
One of the sides England lost to was Ghana who went on to eventually win the cup, beating Brazil in the final. And Baldock wasn't surprised.
"They were really good, all physically very strong and quick so I'm not shocked they won.
"There was a guy for them called Andre Ayew, the captain, he was good and scored a screamer against us."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
