Khlav Kalash wrote:
Batch has more or less proved himself as a first teamer, and its only injury that has held him back. He showed signs towards the end of the season that he was getting back to something like his potential promised.
Tanginoa isnt the wrong side of 30 and still had lots to prove. He also offers something that no homegrown player could.
We have two strong centres with an competent back in Arundel (recovery permitting).
Stanley I see as a overseas signing with nothing to prove and being the wrong side of 30 will trundle along,not offering the value our limited spend requires.
Croft career hasn't got started, hes well down the list now so should be loaned out, but with doubts about the Championship starting with out fans it could be another wasted development year for him.
But that’s not a slap in the face that’s just how it is. No coach is going to wait for a talent to mature if someone eminently better comes along, it simply doesn’t work like that.
Let’s be honest here, Croft looked promising last year, he didn’t however look a certainty. He’s not a TJ, the jury is still very much out on this lad. I wouldn’t want to be depending on him this season, not yet.
Good news is that all the players in front of him are knocking on, including Stanley. Crofts time will come quicker than you think as those players start to drop away.
You also say trundle, which is odd, because Croft from what I’ve seen is not exactly quick for a youngster. If he were an electric centre I may agree with you but so far he’s done quite well without actually setting the house on fire. Sorry but much as I back our youngsters it’s not right to over egg them, if they are good enough they will eventually make it - see Crowther and Jowitt - it’s brutal I know but it’s how it’s always been.
Hope Croft makes it but I’m far more bothered that the team is the best we can put out and that finally we might actually win something