Bristol Rovers have continued their summer recruitment by adding former Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin to their ranks.
Baldwin, who has also played for Peterborough, Salford City, started his career in the north east with Hartlepool. He made over 70 appearances for the Monkey Hangers before moving to London Road.
He made his name with Posh, racking up over 100 appearances for them and becoming captain in 2017/18. A year later he moved to Sunderland, but his time there wasn’t a huge success and he had a stint with Salford on loan last season.
He is the second capture of a busy few days for Ben Garner, who also secured former Chelsea man Josh Grant. Garner is clearly delighted to have landed Baldwin, telling the club’s official site: “We are delighted to have Jack on board with us. Jack has very good experience in League 1 but also retains the ambition to play at a higher level. He is a committed and intelligent defender who is also very good in possession.
“I like his character and he has good leadership qualities, having captained former teams at this level.”
Baldwin’s spell at the Stadium of Light divide opinion, with some fans vilifying him during his time on Wearside. There’s little doubt he was prone to errors, with Jack Ross dropping him for a time at the tail end of last season, as well as him finding games hard to come by under Phil Parkinson. Sunderland fans have flocked to Bristol Rovers’ social media page to offer their opinions on the 27-year-old, the best of which you’ll find below.
Was solid for both us and Peterborough just prone to the odd mistake
— Charlie Pelé Hodgson (@chodgson2002) July 20, 2020
Solid defender just scapegoated by our fans.
— David (@david6790247) July 20, 2020
Wasn’t expecting that but equally happy with it UTG
— Sam (@BRFCSamuel) July 20, 2020
You just have to keep his confidence up… he has a mistake in him which usually knocks that big time, best of luck to him though apart from against us…. he’s nailed on to score ??
— Nick (@nicholaswilso11) July 20, 2020
Yeah we all noticed it during the Sunderland documentary but he’s a cracking player and still only 26. Hopefully the change of scenery and fresh start will be what he needs to crack on and progress
— Daniel Sheppard (@DanielShepps) July 20, 2020
His only really let down is that he dives in too much, needs to hold position more instead of pushing up and diving in, apart from that he’s solid for league 1.
— David (@david6790247) July 20, 2020
Decent signing, loves a header! Put someone next to him who knows what they’re doing and he should be ok. Problem for him here was he was alongside Tom Flanagan – both of those need someone next to them to guide them. Good luck to him
— SAFC (@SunlunAFC) July 20, 2020
No the problem for him here was he loves a mistake
— Liam Brown (@browny996) July 20, 2020
That Coventry match was a horror show, but you’re always going to get defenders making mistakes at this level. I think he’s solid enough with someone next to him other than Flanagan
— SAFC (@SunlunAFC) July 20, 2020
Love to see the gas failing and getting ready for relegation early doors
— Lewys Prince (@lewysprince) July 20, 2020
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