Outstanding Brayford: Signing Of The Season?

Is John Brayford the best signing of the season so far?

When he signed from Burton Albion on transfer deadline day September '08 there was little said. Anthony Elding caused excitement, Calvin Zola's fee baffled many and Clayton Donaldson's signing put a question mark over how many strikers we needed.

With Brayford's signing it was done and dusted in a day, few fans batting an eyelid with the start of Steve Holland's demise taking up most of our time. It's fair to say now though that Brayford is one of few plus points out of Holland's time as Crewe manager.

His defending's as sound as anything you'll find in this divison. He also scored his first goal in a Alex shirt at the end of last year in the 4-1 win at Hartlepool, a bit disappointing it was from one of his trademark runs and long shots everyone enjoys.

Outshining the above big money signings, our poll which asked the question was perhaps a bit biased towards Brayford. It's a struggle to see who else could come close; maybe Clayton Donaldson, who only recently started showing what he's capable of.

Calvin Zola's time has been overshadowed by that XXXL fee and injuries - like Athlete's Foot - whilst Anthony Elding claims the wooden spoon, showing nothing thus far but a loan spell at Lincoln. He wasn't even included in the poll due to his anonymity this season. Maybe Holland should have left him alone after the second rejection?

£130,000 signing Joel Grant only reminded us he was still here on Saturday. After a cracking start to the season on the wing he soon fizzled out but his XXXL fee is not to be questioned, maybe because he runs about a bit more.

The final name on the list of our significant permanent signings is Steve Collis. Is he good enough? No-one quite knows, he's not the class clown like some keepers we've had but he's conceded as many as most keepers have for us in recent years. His cock up in Thordarson's first home game probably hasn't helped him.

Two loanees joined after the poll went live. John Ruddy and Marlon Broomes could yet make a late entry, whilst other-loanee Dennis Lawrence is winning more and more admirers each week. He was a bit rubbish under Steve Holland but since Holland's departure we may well have found a little [old] gem.

So what was the view of the voting public?

Best signing of the season so far...

John Brayford (64%)
Calvin Zola (10%)
Clayton Donaldson (9%)
Joel Grant (7%)
Dennis Lawrence (5%)
Steve Collis (5%)

Is that right? Have your say on the message board... and vote on our new poll which is approximately here>>

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.