Martin Cranie

250k for an average centre half who is free to talk to other clubs in just five months time? A bloke who couldn't get another club last summer despite being free and available? Not to forget we're Barnsley FC and have very little money, have just been relegated and are already close to the SCMP limits (so said our CEO).

As I said, nominal fee and a quarter of a million pounds back into the wage budget seems about right.

Of course, I'd love us to get between 250 and 650k for him. Just as I'd have liked to us to have got more than the 500 and 600k we got for Vaz Te and Butterfield respectively. But again, we're Barnsley FC.

Then again, the 300k we received for Golbourne last August miraculously turned into 750k according to Mansford so it all depends on which Ben rhetoric you believe.



As for the comments regards Cranie's abilities, and excusing his mistakes by blaming everybody but him, it's my opinion that he was one of our better performers last season (dint tek much) and has some terrific qualities. I don't believe they're centre half qualities though. He looks like a holding midfielder to me, great technique, a calmness to his approach and good in possession. It's his God awful positioning, poor decision making and tendency to go walkabout that bother me. Alongside Foster, Wiseman, M'Voto, Nyatanga, Hassell, Ramage or Kennedy, he's the one who has forever escaped criticism. And I'm sorry, but he just isn't that good that he deserves that kind of honour. Perfect example was the survival act at Huddersfield, where despite everything being amazing that afternoon, the BBS still had posters slating Wiseman for mistakes leading to both Town goals. The mistakes were Cranie's.
He's never been a right back either. Last day of last season, QPR took him apart. We looked a lot more solid with a lefty/righty combo at centre half, in Lewin and Big Jean. In my opinion obviously. And so I'm neither bothered if he stays or goes. But I'd be chuffed if we received silly money for him.


All the above is mere opinion. It might not be summat you agree with, but such is life. Plus, I'm always right. So think on.

 

Lerrim go, I say. Our most overrated player by far. We'll soon have shut of the Hillflicker losing mentality cadre. Tara!