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What is the dealio with him?

I see he was part of the squad photos which very much indicates he will be part of the squad for the season but as far as I know he is still proving himself?

Have I missed something or have the club not announced he has been retained?

Tom has been offered a new contract.

NOO !!!!!! - unless it is a game by game contract.

This smacks of complete desperation - or is it the reason that Alex and the Boyce Bros have left ?!!

Every commentary I have listened to for the PSFs has criticised Cruise for his positional sense - is that going to significantly improve in the next 4 days?????!!!!!

Gloomy Gull wrote:NOO !!!!!! - unless it is a game by game contract.

This smacks of complete desperation - or is it the reason that Alex and the Boyce Bros have left ?!!

Every commentary I have listened to for the PSFs has criticised Cruise for his positional sense - is that going to significantly improve in the next 4 days?????!!!!!

Are we saying we may just have a left back issue?

We certainly are !!!

**remaining positive as possible**

He must be showing something in training that we have yet to see on the pitch. The guy has barely played yet has been offered contracts by three managers - Ling, Knill and now Hargreaves. There must be potential in there - let’s hope Hargreaves can uncover what we are yet to see.

This is pathetic!

No disrespect to the lad, its nothing personal and I hope he proves me wrong, but, is this really the best we could do. We should have been getting rid of as much of the deadwood from last season as possible, along with Nico and Tonge at fullback,Tom was poor.

Its bad enough we cant shift those under contract that have been crap but now we are offering new deals to those who should have been out the door as soon as the final ball was kicked last season.

If we are really that stuck for a left back we could borrow one part time from a South Devon League team because they surely couldnt do any worse.

Hopefully Hargreaves will go with Levi Ives as number 1 for the left back spot, but I doubt it as his age will be taken into account rather than his ability and the usual cautious approach will be the way forward.

What with this, other players not moving on and the directors debacle, all my optimism is rapidly fading away. :no:

It's a very good point about Ives. Perhaps that is why Cruise has only been given a short term deal at this stage rather than a whole year. If it were me, I'd give both Cruise and Ives game-time early in the season. If it's a bit too much too soon for Ives, at least we have some kind of Plan B. If Ives can step up and make the place his own, see you later Tom.

For what it's worth, in the first season for us Cruise did manage some encouraging performances (one I recall was Dagenham away, which was his first game for months but after a shaky start he was one of or better players that night). However, what cannot be ignored is the dire injury record and poor performances last season.

As for Ives, there are countless other 17 year olds worldwide who play first team football, why not with us. He seems to be from good stock with his international games, if we can manage him in the right way he could be a little money spinner!

this close to the start of the season, it's probably a classic case of the guy in situ being the one in the driving seat. To try to find a replacement with only a few days left would be very hard, and probably would cost more money.

Cruise is a weird one - he really should be easily good enough for League 2, given his background. I've not seen him play (obviously) so I can't say why he's not done as well as I thought he would but like I say, I'm sure he's been offered a contract mainly because he's already in the area. He's probably shown enough in training to demonstrate that he can at least be a body for us, too.

happytorq wrote:this close to the start of the season, it's probably a classic case of the guy in situ being the one in the driving seat. To try to find a replacement with only a few days left would be very hard, and probably would cost more money.

Cruise is a weird one - he really should be easily good enough for League 2, given his background. I've not seen him play (obviously) so I can't say why he's not done as well as I thought he would but like I say, I'm sure he's been offered a contract mainly because he's already in the area. He's probably shown enough in training to demonstrate that he can at least be a body for us, too.

Maybe we are waiting for a loanee and Tom will be backup?

kevgull wrote: Maybe we are waiting for a loanee and Tom will be backup?

Perhaps but seems unlikely given Ives (who is not an official 'pro' yet) has made the first team squad photo. I don't see him bringing in anyone else unless Cruise gets injured in which case he will likely be released come the end of his short term contract.

Is Cruise a better option than Nicholson?

Experience
Set piece throwins
Set piece free kicks
Set piece corners
Speed
Attacking crosses
Positional sense
Leadership
Injuries
Tackling
ect

Weighing up all the qualities and I would say Kiddy have a better option at left back this season than we currently have.

Sadly we will be targeted again this season by the nippy Right winger.

kevgull wrote:Is Cruise a better option than Nicholson?

Experience
Set piece throwins
Set piece free kicks
Set piece corners
Speed
Attacking crosses
Positional sense
Leadership
Injuries
Tackling
ect

Weighing up all the qualities and I would say Kiddy have a better option at left back this season than we currently have.

Sadly we will be targeted again this season by the nippy Right winger.

id be interested to see the stats for the highlighted parts for last season..............

as for speed.........F**king hell cruise must be slow......... =D

Yes Cruise is better than Nicholson. Cruise is excellent on the ball but seems incapable as regards positional sense.
That said we are playing at a lower standard and its probably worth the risk in my view (just about)