Tag Archives: Andrew Crofts

Jonny’s a Good’un

So we’ve finally had it made official, Howson’s finally confirmed. The rumoured £750k plus add ons is a bit of a bargain, but then Leeds weren’t exactly in a position to barter for a higher price. Out of contract at the end of the season, and the little problem going by the name of Ken Bates. Their loss is very much our gain.

Our midfield appears to have most corners covered now, we have the bruiser, the maestro, the snapping runner and the string-puller. And one, soon to be two, young’uns out learning their trade. But of course if Howson’s now ex, much rumoured team-mate was interested I’m sure we could make room for him.

This blog was started with the main aim of sarcastically rambling about the goings-on at Carra but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to fulfill that. Especially when we’re signing excellent young players to add to our good young squad. We’ll plough on nevertheless.

Presumably the only player who won’t be thrilled with the signing of Howson is the unrecognisable Andrew Crofts. He’s found himself on the periphery, enough time to grow some hair no less. An all-action midfielder coming through the doors is only going to knock him down a notch again.

Johnson appears to be Lambert’s go to guy, despite Crofts and Fox seeming to be a better fit. Fox and Howson sounds even better, mind. Johnson battling and presence seemingly makes up for his deficiencies elsewhere. And no doubt one of hits will go in sooner or later. The law of averages rule this universe, you know.

Talking of players being due one, Coventry away seems a long time ago now. There’s a bouncing ball with Fox’s name on it, surely. Then again, that’s exactly what Howson’s here for.


Split Loyalties?

The Chatham Welshman

International weekends. Who needs ‘em. From the looks of Twitter, more were watching Wales than England round our parts.

Club over country an’all that.

I was watching Spain v Chile because of some nasty Australian man. But anyway, the ‘Welsh’ of our squad was a stronger pull than the best English players in the land. Odd that, no?

Does this mean come Tuesday a one-nil win for Wales after Morison nets would be welcomed? Somehow I doubt it, but a 2-1 England win with Morison scoring? Now that would go down well.

If we had an English international, things would be different no doubt. Then again, we do have an English international. Actually, we have three in Crofts, Morison and RMart.

Say Croft and Morison both play Tuesday night; it must be an odd feeling. Both Londoners, they must have grown up watching England in (and not make it to) major tournaments, and now they’ll be playing in the same ground, on the same pitch as the team they would have dreamed of playing for as kids.

An odd scenario, and not one that has an obvious comparison.

It’s not like leaving your boyhood club, it’s bigger than that. Much bigger. But if you were never going to make it for your home country- and we aren’t, no matter what we tell ourselves- but another asked you to play, few would easily say no.

The chance is too big to turn down, and they’ve got their grandmothers to thank for being handed it.

As long as they come back without any niggles or strains, they can do their worst. Which may well end up being the best for us.


Eng-Er-L-Oh Who Cares.

In case you’ve missed it, it’s international break weekend up next, you would be forgiven for forgetting, too. Normally, the buzz and hype of a home international Euro qualifier would be all-consuming starting from now. But not even the reinstating of JT could thrust it into our consciousness.

Sir Alan Sugar summed this whole shambles up in 140 glorious characters this week, How to become England captain: Adultery, Flog Hospitality tickets, Harass Americans while drunk, alleged charges of assault, insult referees. Perfection. Capello could have been the one to finally realise the potential of our so called Golden Generation, alas he’s crumbled to player power like the National team managers of recent memory.

But at least he’s picked some players on the merit of form. Few would begrudge Matt Jarvis an England call-up. And at least there’s no Bothroyd this time around.

I, along with most fans of a Championship club above tenth, would rather this whole charade wasn’t happening. As the Premier League race is stuttering along, close, but not particularly exciting, anything can still happen in the Championship. Well, except Norwich getting relegated now, wherever you are in the table as a Norwich fan there’s always a sneaky sigh of relief when that fact hits home. The bottle-necked top-half is stretching, Play-off positions are still up for grabs and the automatic places are by no means claimed.

And then there’s still the QPR debacle. “Sorted by the end of the season” is the word from the FA, and the solidity of their backbone will determine the size of their punishment. My hunch, it will be a suspended penalty and a fine that will in no way dent their purse. Maybe they should give the penalty to clubs like Plymouth. (I am in no way calling them a charity, but for the good of the game clubs need to be saved.)
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