Given Cousins' departure and the injuries to Kashi and Diarra, I guess we had to get someone in, given the fact that kick-off is now only two weeks away. We've been told that Kashi is out for four months (i.e. half the season), which might well be conservative, whilst Diarra - fine player that he is - is now 35 and has suffered with injuries in recent years.
I don't suppose we have that many irons in the fire, although Slade and his management team will know that we urgently need some creativity in central midfield. If we end up relying just on Ricky Holmes to provide ammunition for the strikers, it will become very predictable and much easier for opponents to counter.
Agreed, just like last season, when the oppo had to stop JBG and then we were clueless.
Crofts may not be an exciting signing but some of our fans have to get real.
We need a decent squad and Crofts should be part of that, as a replacement for Kashi/Cousins.
It's who else we get in that's important.
As back up then fine but with Kashi out for months, Diarra for weeks maybe months, then Crofts at the moment is a shoe in to start.
Bit worrying if the injuries recur but let's give the guy a chance; decent record in divs 2 & 3 and no-one he's played for seems to have a bad word for him. We do need experience too - as long as "experienced" doesn't translate as "knackered". Welcome and good luck Andrew Crofts.
Given Cousins' departure and the injuries to Kashi and Diarra, I guess we had to get someone in, given the fact that kick-off is now only two weeks away. We've been told that Kashi is out for four months (i.e. half the season), which might well be conservative, whilst Diarra - fine player that he is - is now 35 and has suffered with injuries in recent years.
I don't suppose we have that many irons in the fire, although Slade and his management team will know that we urgently need some creativity in central midfield. If we end up relying just on Ricky Holmes to provide ammunition for the strikers, it will become very predictable and much easier for opponents to counter.
Agreed, just like last season, when the oppo had to stop JBG and then we were clueless.
Crofts may not be an exciting signing but some of our fans have to get real.
We need a decent squad and Crofts should be part of that, as a replacement for Kashi/Cousins.
It's who else we get in that's important.
As back up then fine but with Kashi out for months, Diarra for weeks maybe months, then Crofts at the moment is a shoe in to start.
Quite likely, but I'd rather Crofts than perhaps Muldoon or another Academy player that perhaps isn't quite ready. (with the greatest respect to Muldoon.)
Given Cousins' departure and the injuries to Kashi and Diarra, I guess we had to get someone in, given the fact that kick-off is now only two weeks away. We've been told that Kashi is out for four months (i.e. half the season), which might well be conservative, whilst Diarra - fine player that he is - is now 35 and has suffered with injuries in recent years.
I don't suppose we have that many irons in the fire, although Slade and his management team will know that we urgently need some creativity in central midfield. If we end up relying just on Ricky Holmes to provide ammunition for the strikers, it will become very predictable and much easier for opponents to counter.
Agreed, just like last season, when the oppo had to stop JBG and then we were clueless.
Crofts may not be an exciting signing but some of our fans have to get real.
We need a decent squad and Crofts should be part of that, as a replacement for Kashi/Cousins.
It's who else we get in that's important.
As back up then fine but with Kashi out for months, Diarra for weeks maybe months, then Crofts at the moment is a shoe in to start.
Quite likely, but I'd rather Crofts than perhaps Muldoon or another Academy player that perhaps isn't quite ready. (with the greatest respect to Muldoon.)
I would rather a top quality league 1 midfielder (like Hollands and Stephens were in our title year) than Crofts or anyone else.
Given Cousins' departure and the injuries to Kashi and Diarra, I guess we had to get someone in, given the fact that kick-off is now only two weeks away. We've been told that Kashi is out for four months (i.e. half the season), which might well be conservative, whilst Diarra - fine player that he is - is now 35 and has suffered with injuries in recent years.
I don't suppose we have that many irons in the fire, although Slade and his management team will know that we urgently need some creativity in central midfield. If we end up relying just on Ricky Holmes to provide ammunition for the strikers, it will become very predictable and much easier for opponents to counter.
Agreed, just like last season, when the oppo had to stop JBG and then we were clueless.
Crofts may not be an exciting signing but some of our fans have to get real.
We need a decent squad and Crofts should be part of that, as a replacement for Kashi/Cousins.
It's who else we get in that's important.
As back up then fine but with Kashi out for months, Diarra for weeks maybe months, then Crofts at the moment is a shoe in to start.
Quite likely, but I'd rather Crofts than perhaps Muldoon or another Academy player that perhaps isn't quite ready. (with the greatest respect to Muldoon.)
I would rather a top quality league 1 midfielder (like Hollands and Stephens were in our title year) than Crofts or anyone else.
Every player we ever sign gets slated on here and I'm sick of it only had a quick look on here and it's all doom and gloom Where's Colin I'm Going back to work
Every player we ever sign gets slated on here and I'm sick of it only had a quick look on here and it's all doom and gloom Where's Colin I'm Going back to work
Not really IMO. But, he provides cover for Diarra and Kashi, which we need. The question of course will be where he is in our pecking order. If he's behind Kashi, Diarra, JJ, and 1-2 more (ideally with a creative streak), then I think it's ok.
Is that cover on the pitch or cover in the treatment room?
Very similar response on here to when we signed Yann Kermorgant. Albeit, Yann was a bit of an unknown quantity, but proof that there are good, slightly older players out there.
Given Cousins' departure and the injuries to Kashi and Diarra, I guess we had to get someone in, given the fact that kick-off is now only two weeks away. We've been told that Kashi is out for four months (i.e. half the season), which might well be conservative, whilst Diarra - fine player that he is - is now 35 and has suffered with injuries in recent years.
I don't suppose we have that many irons in the fire, although Slade and his management team will know that we urgently need some creativity in central midfield. If we end up relying just on Ricky Holmes to provide ammunition for the strikers, it will become very predictable and much easier for opponents to counter.
Agreed, just like last season, when the oppo had to stop JBG and then we were clueless.
Crofts may not be an exciting signing but some of our fans have to get real.
We need a decent squad and Crofts should be part of that, as a replacement for Kashi/Cousins.
It's who else we get in that's important.
As back up then fine but with Kashi out for months, Diarra for weeks maybe months, then Crofts at the moment is a shoe in to start.
Quite likely, but I'd rather Crofts than perhaps Muldoon or another Academy player that perhaps isn't quite ready. (with the greatest respect to Muldoon.)
I would rather a top quality league 1 midfielder (like Hollands and Stephens were in our title year) than Crofts or anyone else.
To be fair wasn't that what he was when he won the league with Norwich? He's then been in the Championship since while Hollands dropped down to League Two.
For me he's not one I have feeling either way. Could be a useful squad player like Hughes was, but may surprise us by impressing and playing more than expected.
He's at least played a big enough part in two successful teams in Norwich and Brighton at this level and above. Should be an improvement on gambles like Ba or u21s like Muldoon who might never break through.
I really think he'll be a useful squad man. Could even be a player of the season candidate if he stays fit. But it's the other holes in the squad that concerns me. If we buy a Ajose AND a Crofts, great. But if the thinking from here on in is 'let's tighten the purse strings now Rus. Just freebies and non desirables'....we're fucked.
Think people are actually forgetting sometimes that we are in League One, meaning we aren't going to be signing players people may actually like or have in mind.
Crofts has played 30 times for Wales, played in the Premier League and has played for some respected teams. He may not be the signing that really excites people, but he'll be solid enough in what is a pretty poor league, lets be honest.
Think people are actually forgetting sometimes that we are in League One, meaning we aren't going to be signing players people may actually like or have in mind.
Crofts has played 30 times for Wales, played in the Premier League and has played for some respected teams. He may not be the signing that really excites people, but he'll be solid enough in what is a pretty poor league, lets be honest.
Give him a chance, I think he'll do alright.
He's bloomin' won this Division as well
Thats the sort of experience weve been missing these last few years and is why we are in League One!!
What we don't know is how many players have turned down coming to a basket-case of a club, as we are at the moment. It's only the foreign players who seem oblivious to last seasons protests. The British players will know all about the unrest.
Players are in it for money. If a player can get the same money at a more stable club, he will go there. Maybe Slade is struggling to persuade players to come to Charlton and has to go with the likes of Croft to ensure a squad to start the season. I don't suppose there were many clubs queueing up for Novak either. Ajose and Holmes are probably on better money than before, which is the name of the game.
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Where's Colin
I'm Going back to work
For me he's not one I have feeling either way. Could be a useful squad player like Hughes was, but may surprise us by impressing and playing more than expected.
He's at least played a big enough part in two successful teams in Norwich and Brighton at this level and above. Should be an improvement on gambles like Ba or u21s like Muldoon who might never break through.
If we buy a Ajose AND a Crofts, great.
But if the thinking from here on in is 'let's tighten the purse strings now Rus. Just freebies and non desirables'....we're fucked.
IMO he is no better than what we already have, is going to be a squad man at best. If Diarra and Kashi get fit he is not going to play.
Not the signing of a team with top six aspirations.
Or has everyone forgotten how weak we were when we got plagued with injuries last season?
At the moment its all IF IF IF... I reckon Kashi wont be back till February once he's back to full fitness which means we need someone to replace him
My fear is he's seen as a more reliable option than Kashi or Diarra and one or both will be moved on.
Crofts has played 30 times for Wales, played in the Premier League and has played for some respected teams. He may not be the signing that really excites people, but he'll be solid enough in what is a pretty poor league, lets be honest.
Give him a chance, I think he'll do alright.
Thats the sort of experience weve been missing these last few years and is why we are in League One!!
Good luck to Crofts.
Hope I'm wrong.
Players are in it for money. If a player can get the same money at a more stable club, he will go there. Maybe Slade is struggling to persuade players to come to Charlton and has to go with the likes of Croft to ensure a squad to start the season. I don't suppose there were many clubs queueing up for Novak either. Ajose and Holmes are probably on better money than before, which is the name of the game.