If Crofts injury is as bad as it sounds then surely Bridcutt is going nowhere...

[kevtherev]

We already have that player, and his name is Orlandi, he's coming back and IMO is our best creative midfielder. He's out of contract at the season I think, he is someone we need in our team.

Since when has Orlandi been a box to box, get stuck in, engine room type midfield player Not sure we have been watching the same player. Orlandi is a great player no doubt about it, but he is no replacement for Crofts.

 

[brightonmark1234]

i would put agustien in to replace him and put orlandi on the wing

 

[severnside gull]

Totally different areas of the pitch to Bridcutt.

Short term maybe Agustein away and Orlandi at home?
The other option is two up front and try to turn midfielder goals into striker goals.......

 

[BUTTERBALL]

Gutted he's out for season, hopefully CMS can help with support and advice.

 

[spongy]

Since when has Orlandi been a box to box, get stuck in, engine room type midfield player Not sure we have been watching the same player. Orlandi is a great player no doubt about it, but he is no replacement for Crofts.

He's not the architypal box to box midfielder no, but with him back and fit playing a slightly more advanced role coupled with our get the ball forward faster style Orlandi could well be key to unlocking defenses with his passing and attacking play.

Ince and Andrews see more of capable of covering the defensive part of Crofts game.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Since when has Orlandi been a box to box, get stuck in, engine room type midfield player Not sure we have been watching the same player. Orlandi is a great player no doubt about it, but he is no replacement for Crofts.

No, but who would Orlandi have replaced in the team? Ince, Andrews? Whoever it would have been , they can replace Crofts. Or, if we can be hopeful, Bridcutt

 

[brightonmark1234]

Gutted he's out for season, hopefully CMS can help with support and advice.

i disagree about cms

 

[severnside gull]

Totally different areas of the pitch to Bridcutt.

Short term maybe Agustein away and Orlandi at home?
The other option is two up front and try to turn midfielder goals into striker goals.......

 

[Finchley Seagull]

As said before, Bridcutt is not a direct replacement for Crofts but he is another central midfielder. I think it will speed up the process although not necessarily with him staying. It might make us more inclined to accept an offer for him so we can use the money to replace Crofts and bring in a winger and striker.

 

[Kevlar]

crofts has had a great season
runs up and down all game long
It will be harder to play only one defensive midfielder without him.
but with 2 players behind Orlandi or Augestien can be just as important.

 

[KZNSeagull]

crofts has had a great season
runs up and down all game long
It will be harder to play only one defensive midfielder without him.
but with 2 players behind Orlandi or Augestien can be just as important.

Or Jake. Or even Dave at a push, will Solly on the right

 

[Hungry Joe]

Or Jake. Or even Dave at a push, will Solly on the right

JFC is the most natural replacement in style.

 

[ewe2]

What a transfer window nightmare this is....Barnes gone,Crofts out,Bridcutt going,Buckley,either going or injured !The management will have their work cut out ,to have us stronger in February.

 

[kevtherev]

No, but who would Orlandi have replaced in the team? Ince, Andrews? Whoever it would have been , they can replace Crofts. Or, if we can be hopeful, Bridcutt

I would have thought it's either Orlandi or Lopez, based on the team atm...Orlandi is not a natural replacement for Crofts, Ince or Andrews. Totally different players. Take any of the three out and replace with Orlandi and the team is straight away more lightweight in the middle of the park. Which is a very important thing and often overlooked just how important the physical aspect is, in this division.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I would have thought it's either Orlandi or Lopez, based on the team atm...Orlandi is not a natural replacement for Crofts, Ince or Andrews. Totally different players. Take any of the three out and replace with Orlandi and the team is straight away more lightweight in the middle of the park. Which is a very important thing and often overlooked just how important the physical aspect is, in this division.

Maybe. But surely a fit Orlandi is in the first eleven?

 

[kevtherev]

Maybe. But surely a fit Orlandi is in the first eleven?

Not at the expense of being over run in midfield by the more physical sides.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

What a transfer window nightmare this is....Barnes gone,Crofts out,Bridcutt going,Buckley,either going or injured !The management will have their work cut out ,to have us stronger in February.

Yep, the competetive element of our squad has certainly taken a knock with Barnes gone, Crofts ruled out and Bridcutt uncertainty, hopefully we can keep hold of Bridcutt and he knuckles down at least.

 

[kevo]

We haven't really got another player like Crofts (who I see very much in that Nobby Horton/ Tony Grealish/ Danny Wilson kind of role - physical presence, box-to-box and a decent goalscoring contribution).

Bridcutt, Ince, Orlandi, Andrews and JFC all offer something a bit different to that. My immediate reaction was that maybe Augestien could be the one to replace him. We haven't seen an awful lot of him so far this season, time to step up to the plate?

 

[BensGrandad]

I think that if we can hang on to Bridcutt the obvious replacement is Andrews who has played that role for most of his career, granted he was younger and not sure wether conditions his legs will carry him though now.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

We haven't anybody in our squad that does what Crofts does. We will miss him more than most other players.

Agreed. It will involve some jiggling. Such a shame because he was one position that Oscar didn't even need to think about each week.