Andrew Crofts - now (2021) Brighton U23 manager (p9)
Comments
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We probably need two goalkeepers, particularly if one is on loan with the possibility of a recall.
OHara would be good but as someone else said, OHara, Dawson, Crofts and Jackson is a slow set of midfielders in their 30s.1 -
We won't sign 2 keepers. We'll sign a senior keeper and Phillips will be back up.
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We are sooooooo fucked.1
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Wasn't Dillon Phillips expecting to go on a season long loan back to Cheltenham Town, newly promoted back to League 2 ?Chris_from_Sidcup said:We won't sign 2 keepers. We'll sign a senior keeper and Phillips will be back up.
Very highly rated there, after an excellent season in their title winning 1st team.
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That is probably the best summary of the situationWheresmeticket? said:We are sooooooo fucked.
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Crofts has come to play football. He's not on bail for manslaughter.seth plum said:Part of yesterday's initial reaction to Crofts signing was influenced by the announcement of Henderson leaving on a free transfer. The Croft announcement hard on the heels of Henderson leaving may be coincidental, but it looked to me yesterday that the regime were embarrassed by the Henderson situation and were throwing out a crumb.
I have only seen a little of Croft when I have consciously paid attention to his game, and he may turn out to be OK. May be more of a Mark Bowen in his impact, than a Mark Gower.
I could be wrong about the events of yesterday, but we may well have something like the signing of Buxton to distract from the departure of Lookman for instance.
Croft starts with a clean slate (but Rojo has previous!).3 -
HaHa really ?roseandcrown said:O hara would be the sort of signing that would make me excited
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Quite frankly I don't think Bob gives a damncharltonbob said:
HaHa really ?roseandcrown said:O hara would be the sort of signing that would make me excited
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Dawson's more creative than Cousins, more of a footballer.covered end junior said:Even if we signed Dawson and O'Hara once again we're without a creative centre midfielder who's actually going to bring the ball up the pitch.
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Really pleased with Crofts the last 2 games I've seen. Hard worker who puts in a shift, a player which for the opposition is a nightmare to have, an in ya face player.5
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From the day he signed.Henry Irving said:IMHO Crofts is the replacement/cover for Kashi and Diarra.
He knows the game at this level, he's not too old and he was free.
We all want goalscorers and creative players but we also need the water carriers.
He was a decent player, all the other sales or lack of purchases aren't his fault, he does what he does.
Some of us know a good player ; - )7 -
Wasn't too happy on Saturday, but definite improvement last night ... positive signs.AdTheAddicK said:Really pleased with Crofts the last 2 games I've seen. Hard worker who puts in a shift, a player which for the opposition is a nightmare to have, an in ya face player.
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He's a rock and instead of chasing after the ball will just stand there and let the player run into himAdTheAddicK said:Really pleased with Crofts the last 2 games I've seen. Hard worker who puts in a shift, a player which for the opposition is a nightmare to have, an in ya face player.
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Works hard and a lot goes unnoticed. ...
Very solid..2 -
He's basically the opposite of Ba - nothing spectacular but he's composed, has a good first touch and pass, makes good decisions, but is hardly blusterous in midfield. Exactly the kind of player we need to get out of this league in my opinion.5
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Spot on.Oh_Yoni_Boy said:He's basically the opposite of Ba - nothing spectacular but he's composed, has a good first touch and pass, makes good decisions, but is hardly blusterous in midfield. Exactly the kind of player we need to get out of this league in my opinion.
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Albeit as long as he is supported/paired with players who do spectacular - or try it at least. Water carriers are vital, but so are hoses.*Oh_Yoni_Boy said:He's basically the opposite of Ba - nothing spectacular but he's composed, has a good first touch and pass, makes good decisions, but is hardly blusterous in midfield. Exactly the kind of player we need to get out of this league in my opinion.
*I am not entirely 100% convinced that this analogy works.0 -
Crofts rated very highly by our youngster Hanlan in the programme0
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Wouldn't sprinklers be a better choice?thenewbie said:
Albeit as long as he is supported/paired with players who do spectacular - or try it at least. Water carriers are vital, but so are hoses.*Oh_Yoni_Boy said:He's basically the opposite of Ba - nothing spectacular but he's composed, has a good first touch and pass, makes good decisions, but is hardly blusterous in midfield. Exactly the kind of player we need to get out of this league in my opinion.
*I am not entirely 100% convinced that this analogy works.1 -
Genuinely believe he is going to be a very good player for us this season. Cannot guarantee Diarra or Kashi being fit when they're back and he's comfortable on the ball and tackles well. Personally like him and would do very well with a box to box/creative midfielder next to him. Although we looked better with Jackson in middle with him yesterday which was positive at least.3
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Yes he played well last night & Jacko was decent as well. A massive turnaround from Cheltenham last week, where they were both truly awful. It shows what a lack of a decent pre season does.2
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Crofts, Foley, JJ, and Holmes played in just about all of pre-season, and looked incredibly pedestrian (with the exception of Holmes) throughout.Covered End said:Yes he played well last night & Jacko was decent as well. A massive turnaround from Cheltenham last week, where they were both truly awful. It shows what a lack of a decent pre season does.
I think Crofts should be better than how he played in preseason and the first couple games, and playing alongside Foley and in front of RoJo and Pearce (neither good on the ball) doesn't help, but does he have the range of passing and vision to create from midfield at this level? It's fine if not, but it means that he will be a holding/shielding midfielder who is better than average at bursting forward. At the end of the day we still need a midfielder who can either get up and back, or who has vision and range of passing to create, or ideally both.0 -
Noticed against Shrewsbury that he has a tendency to get pretty deep when we're defending, part of the reason they got a bunch of pop shots off from the edge of the box 2nd half. Not too concerning, but adds to argument that he needs more of a harrier next to him.1
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https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/23254/exclusive-charlton-athletic-midfielder-triggers-contract-extension/
SLP saying he's triggered a contract extension after playing a certain number of games.5 -
Good... We need experience in the side and even if its coming on from the bench he's certainly someone with bucket loads - Despite not having a great season I wouldn't say he's been awful and would be happy to see him staying.Scoham said:https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/23254/exclusive-charlton-athletic-midfielder-triggers-contract-extension/
SLP saying he's triggered a contract extension after playing a certain number of games.11 -
I'm lukewarm on him but he has experience and we will need squad depth next season with all the players we're losing. Plus, people like you FA, who watch the team more regularly, seem to feel he's improved/worthy of an extension.ForeverAddickted said:
Good... We need experience in the side and even if its coming on from the bench he's certainly someone with bucket loads - Despite not having a great season I wouldn't say he's been awful and would be happy to see him staying.Scoham said:https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/23254/exclusive-charlton-athletic-midfielder-triggers-contract-extension/
SLP saying he's triggered a contract extension after playing a certain number of games.
For most of his career he was not a natural holding midfielder, and OYB's post from August rings very true for much of the season. He tended to back off and go missing when he was asked to sit in front of the back four. He was awful/non-existant against Swindon, for example. But it sounds like under Robinson, and having two midfielders around him, he has grown into the role more. If he can get better at linking midfield and defense he could be a real asset.0 -
He's made the most appearances for us this season. He's not been a stand out player but he's been pretty solid and consistent. The sort of experienced head you want as midfield cover. Can come in and no do and no job when injuries/ form hits. Or add experience off the bench for the last 10 of a game etc.ForeverAddickted said:
Good... We need experience in the side and even if its coming on from the bench he's certainly someone with bucket loads - Despite not having a great season I wouldn't say he's been awful and would be happy to see him staying.Scoham said:https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/23254/exclusive-charlton-athletic-midfielder-triggers-contract-extension/
SLP saying he's triggered a contract extension after playing a certain number of games.6 -
Wonder if this is why Adam Chicksen has completely disappeared though?
Also on a one year deal, he seems to been left out of late?2 -
Ultimately, he has the following characteristics that have not been consistently present in some of our more "naturally talented" players in the last few years (e.g. Tony Watt/Bauer/Ba):
- He doesn't hide;
- He applies himself every game;
- He is relatively fit;
- Doesn't complain or throw wobblies.
He may not be *great*, but he certainly isn't the worst player I've seen in a Charlton shirt, and his experience counts for a lot as a squad player for next season.
He has my respect and I'm happy he's staying another year.6 -
Well promotion next season is assured now3
