The 22-year-old ended a run of six games without scoring when he netted his eighth of the season in the 2-1 defeat against QPR.
But Freedman was quick to point out that the measure of Vaughan's contribution to the Eagles would not be based on the number of goals he scores.
"I don't judge my strikers on goals, I judge them on performances and the performances James puts in every week, hassling the other teams, have been outstanding," he told the News Shopper.
"He has been getting nine out of 10 from me regularly in terms of a rating and if he gets goals that's for his satisfaction.
"I thought he was outstanding against Cardiff, a top team in this division, and performances count for everything."
Source: PA
Source: PA