Is Tommy Fraser the new Oatway?

[Barrel of Fun]

He hasn't been deemed good enough all season in a struggling team

He made more appearances last season and we didn't do too badly.

yet now better players have gone back to their clubs people are willing to accept him. He has no exceptional attribute (unless you're counting hard work). But then as you've just said, you or I would put 100% in. Doesn't mean we wouldn't be an embarrassment though.

He isn't that type of player, surely? He is one of those players that will not dazzle you with sublime skill, but will always put the opposition under pressure with his presence. Heaven knows we have given enough goals away by hanging back and being totally anonymous.

I just do not see why he is an embarrassment. He is not shocking. He is currently an average young player who is 7 or 8 years off his peak. If he was of the Oatway standard at the ripe old age of 21, then he probably would not be playing for us.

The thing that annoys me is that people are ultra supportive of youth team players despite them continually showing NOTHING to suggest they might make it, yet will routinely slag off players like Doug Loft. I'm not saying Loft's a class act, but for me he's shown more than Fraser and yet comparing the way in which each is valued by the fans is like comparing chalk and cheese. Grossly unfair.

I do think some people are willing to give the Brightonians a fairer deal and that is natural, but I do find it odd that there is so much vitriol directed at Loft. He has been quite good, ever since he was subbed off after 20 mins, but never really been given the chance.

 

[BensGrandad]

Fraser gives the team some fight and some tenacity and will not shirk from a tackle he will do an excellent job at breaking up the oppositions play and man marking a player to stop him playing. Loft offers absolutely nothing to the team and hopefully with the signing of Jason Jarrett we shall not have to see him even on the bench.

 

[mona]

Agree with you about Loft though. I guarantee, absolutely GUARANTEE, that if he was from Brighton the fans would rate him highly. But because he's from shitty old Hastings Town everyone has to deride him. Joke.

Oh no! There you go talking sense again. I think he made a difference in the short time he was on against Cheltenham.
Loft played quite well against Man City but nobody seems to remember.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

BoF, I used the word "embarrassment" in relation to us, not Fraser!

Speak for yourself That shot I let through my hands during the REMF PP tourney was due to my inebriated state from the night before.

I wouldn't say Fraser is embarrassing, I wouldn't even say he sticks out as a BAD player. He's just average. Very very average, and I think he'll need to learn to excel in a particular skill if he's going to make it. You can go to a game and not realise he's playing, and that won't cut it for long as a central midfielder. Clearly the skill to improve isn't going to be scoring goals or carving teams apart, but where he should be making more improvement is with passing. If he did his current job but was a great passer I'd be a fan. At the moment he can't be classed as an awful player because he never tries anything ambitious, hence he never disgraces himself. Learn how to pass and he'd possibly turn from also-ran to league one class.

He does seem fairly average at the moment, but has time on his side and we are an average team. I just feel that he does not deserve the 'abuse' he gets on here.

Agree with you about Loft though. I guarantee, absolutely GUARANTEE, that if he was from Brighton the fans would rate him highly. But because he's from shitty old Hastings Town everyone has to deride him. Joke.

I think he derivred from Chelsea originally? I guess people are a bit annoyed that he has been on the pay roll for so long without having played too many games Not really his fault!

 

[BensGrandad]

With El Abd on the pitch yesterday we were a JOKE. A complete embarrassment.

With Loft on the pitch we moved the ball well and scored twice.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

I didnt think that the debate was about El Abd but why should that stop you having a dig at him. As most people can see it is a case of Fraser or El Abd not both and I believe that at the moment Fraser offers more than either El Abd or Loft. The added advantage with El Abd is that he would be a good sub because he can be brought on in a number of different positions and do a reasonable job.

 

[BensGrandad]

I think he derivred from Chelsea originally? !

Chelsea Youth and then went to Gilligham and was rejected so went to Hastings from whom we signed him.

 

[BensGrandad]

Does Loft really look that out of place? YES

Is he ever given a chance to show what he can do, despite the fact we stick with proven failures in his place? Can only assume he shows something in training or as I was told is in the squad because he drives Dean White to training every day

Do the facts of yesterday indicate that Loft (and Cox, who I thought was a step up from McLeod) can produce the goods in league one? Together NO

 

[Spider]

I can't believe giving Loft a game is any worse choice than playing El-Abd and Fraser. I've always assumed the reason he's never really featured is because he's a bit lightweight and lets the game drift past him, but even if that were the case (and from what I've seen recently it doesn't seem to be) at least we'll still have either El-Abd or Fraser to cover for him. Unfortunately for Loft with Jarrett now in I can't see him getting much more of a chance - hopefully he can make a few more sub appearances though.

 

[Spider]

I was just about to use the word 'lightweight.' That's probably the biggest problem. But even if that stops him from starting games I would like to see a lot more of him from the bench, as in my opinion he's someone who is capable of producing something in an open game in the last 10 minutes.

Numerous away performances have proved this.

It seems the most likely reason why he doesn't feature. I always think of the Nottingham Forest away game though, where he came on and basically had to knuckle down with the rest of the team to defend the 0-0. He didn't look like much of a liability then, I can't believe he's that bad!

 

[BensGrandad]

I must admit I didnt go yesterday so perhaps he reserves his best games for when I am not there.

Good to see that FDM back on the bench that now gives competiton for the jersey and does not allow for complacency to creep in.

 

[BensGrandad]

You're a harsh critic, BG

Poor chap comes on, plays his part in turning a bloody awful performance into us scoring two goals, and still you won't budge!

.

Listening to SCR and to Forster's interview after the game I thought that it was Fraser who turned the game with a delighful ball for Forster to head the first goal after that Cheltenham wilted and it was just a matter of whether we had enough time to score another goal.

 

[BensGrandad]

And you call me biased you will not concede that Fraser could do something remotely good will you.