Best XI since Poyet took over?

[Mellotron]

I'd take Razak or Stephens ahead of crofts. Surely we are not judging players to be worthy of being in the best eleven because they work hard and cover ground. All modern midfielders have to do that. Technically he's not in the best eleven. Passing, shooting, control. I've been dissapointed with him since his return.

If you looked back through the last few years you'd see I haven't been the biggest fan of Crofts. He's certainly not one of our best 11 players technically, however I recognise that a team needs a balance of attributes and he brings certain things (tenacity, incredible engine, important goals at important times) that many of our other midfielders lack. As mentioned above, he was probably heading for player of the season until his injury.

 

[Rod Marsh]

He was outstanding in the games leading up to his injury! Fecking typical we lost him just as he was peaking again! I truly think we would have finished a few places higher if he hadn't got injured.

Outstanding...I thought he was solid. He's the one player that I just don't understand why he gets picked and why so many fans admire him. Particularly with the possession style football we play. I could see an argument for his inclusion if we played 4-4-2 and even then I'd pick Stephens. I see him as a more complete midfielder and he will improve. I'm open to be persuaded as to why Crofts should be in the best eleven since poyet took over but as yet no one has persuaded me.

 

[Marshy]

If i was picking 2 best Elevens, Crofts would not get in either side.

 

[Rod Marsh]

If i was picking 2 best Elevens, Crofts would not get in either side.

Finally. :0) agreement.

 

[Rod Marsh]

-------Kuszczak--------
Bruno Greer Upson Bridge
---Bridcutt---Crofts----
--------Vicente--------
Buckley-------- Bennett
---------Ulloa----------

Obviously Buckley, Vicente and Bennett all interchanging.

That's an excellent side. Just one player I differ on :0)

 

[Grombleton]

Outstanding...I thought he was solid. He's the one player that I just don't understand why he gets picked and why so many fans admire him. Particularly with the possession style football we play. I could see an argument for his inclusion if we played 4-4-2 and even then I'd pick Stephens. I see him as a more complete midfielder and he will improve. I'm open to be persuaded as to why Crofts should be in the best eleven since poyet took over but as yet no one has persuaded me.

The thing is, you answered the question yourself:

he brings certain things (tenacity, incredible engine, important goals at important times) that many of our other midfielders lack.

.

 

[theyellowdinosaur]

Outstanding...I thought he was solid. He's the one player that I just don't understand why he gets picked and why so many fans admire him. Particularly with the possession style football we play. I could see an argument for his inclusion if we played 4-4-2 and even then I'd pick Stephens. I see him as a more complete midfielder and he will improve. I'm open to be persuaded as to why Crofts should be in the best eleven since poyet took over but as yet no one has persuaded me.

I agree that Crofts isn't as good technically as some, however what he did provide was several goals at important times and without him then our creative players wouldn't have been as effective because he put enough work in that meant he had them covered. Another point is that whilst you obviously need creative players they count for nothing if they don't put the effort in e.g. Orlandi (who was one of the best technical players) contributed little especially in the play-offs. Not that the others did much better but he was the best example. If Crofts hadn't been injured I think he would've got player of the season.

 

[Marshy]

Koosh

Bruno
Bridge
Upson
Greer

Bridcutt
Stephens
Vicente
Buckley
Orlandi

Ulloa

 

[Luke93]

Kuszczak

Bruno ~ Greer (C) ~ Upson ~ Bridge

Bridcutt ~ Crofts

Bennett ~ Vicente ~ Buckley

Ulloa​

Bench: Ankergran, Calderon, Dunk, Orlandi, Lopez, Noone, Murray

THAT'S a team.

 

[Rod Marsh]

The thing is, you answered the question yourself:

.

Not my quote.

 

[London Irish]

Are YOU serious? Crofts is a very good player and we suffered last year without him.

Have to be honest I dont go along with the overrating of Crofts for last season. Yes he scored important goals but I want our midfielders to dominate with their possession skills. Crofts lacks that for me and that's why he lost his place when Poyet put a premium on keeping the ball

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Serious question. Do you genuinely think Henderson is the worst keeper we've had since 1999/2000? I can come up with a number of worst keepers starting off with Graeme Smith.

I agree. It became fashionable amongst some fans to slate Henderson.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I don't see it. But really in the best eleven we had under poyet??

Maybe not in the best eleven but you said 'my heart sinks when I see him in the starting eleven'. For me it's quite the opposite as every team needs a grafter and he also has a good eye for goal.

 

[Rod Marsh]

Have to be honest I dont go along with the overrating of Crofts for last season. Yes he scored important goals but I want our midfielders to dominate with their possession skills. Crofts lacks that for me and that's why he lost his place when Poyet put a premium on keeping the ball

Thank you. I'm not saying I don't appreciate the qualities that crofts has. I just don't understand why he warrants a place in the best eleven since poyet took over.

 

[Finchley Seagull]

I agree. It became fashionable amongst some fans to slate Henderson.

He wasn't Kuipers, which at the time was a sin for any Albion keeper. He wasn't brilliant but I think he was far from the worst keeper we've had this century.

 

[Marshy]

Fair enough. Who would you play there instead out of interest? I used him as i feel a more "flair" naturally attacking player, like Noone say, would leave the team too open defensively when we don't have the ball. I also feel Crofts provides a decent attacking threat and works hard defensively.

Stephens, a proper footballer with an all round game, that also gets through tireless amounts of work

Or Ince
Or JFC
Or Lopez
Or Razzak

I could keep going... I would rather have all of them in ahead of Crofts.

 

[Grombleton]

Not my quote.

Ah. good point, well made.

Anyway, that's the answer. Thank Melloton.

 

[Rod Marsh]

If it was me. On pure ability I would go with Razak. That performance v Ipswich typifies everything I'd want from a central midfielder. His range of passing, long and short is superb. Technically excellent. Strong. Quick. For me he does everything crofts does only considerably better.

I appreciate his time with us was fleeting. But the question was best 11 since poyet took over. He'd be my pick, then Stephens after.

 

[Codner's Wallop]

No chance of Buckley in my best XI. Some stand-out performances but some stinkers too. Far too inconsistent for inclusion here. I thought Crofts was poor in 2012/13. But post-injury he looked much sharper on the ball so on his most recent form, he's probably worth a place. Murray ahead of Ulloa for me....only just.

 

[Luke93]

Stephens, a proper footballer with an all round game, that also gets through tireless amounts of work

Or Ince
Or JFC
Or Lopez
Or Razzak

I could keep going... I would rather have all of them in ahead of Crofts.

An on form Crofts (which saw him play in the PL and international football) is better than all of them. His form during his first season (albeit at L1) and the last season (before he got injured) was sensational. His first season coming back though was poor, if you're judging him only on that, I guess leaving him out is fair.