“More respect” – Claim made on Stockport County promotion-winner after Port Vale move

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Every team will have a player that goes under the radar going about their business, while not really getting the plaudits that many of their teammates will be receiving.

It may be a midfielder who does all the heavy work while his engine room colleague blasts forward with the ball at his feet, or a full-back who never disappoints with his consistent 8/10 performances, both of whom are rarely praised in comparison to those up top who take the spotlight.

Stockport County will have had their own unsung heroes throughout their recent rise up the divisions, as the Hatters are now near the top of League One after two promotions in the last three years.

With that in mind, we asked Football League World’s County fan analyst James Cropper to select the most underrated player in the club in recent years, with the player having recently left Edgeley Park for pastures new.

Ryan Croasdale effect pays huge part in Stockport County rise from non-league

The Hatters’ dramatic rise in recent years might be attributed to a number of stars who have helped the club climb back up the football pyramid after spending far too long in the fourth division.

Whether you look at long-serving goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe, the mesmerising brilliance of Louie Barry, or the rock-solid performances of Fraser Horsfall at the back, Dave Challinor’s side has had stars all over the pitch recently, with some receiving more attention than others.

Having clambered up the divisions, big decisions needed to be made ahead of a first season in the third tier in 15 years, and one of those to depart the club was a player who Cropper believes deserves more credit than he has been given during his time as a County player.

When asked what player has been the most underrated in recent times, the Hatters fan pundit said: “I have got to go with a man that we sold recently to Port Vale and that is Ryan Croasdale.

“As a defensive midfielder, you are obviously not going to be the star of the team, really, but I think his performances really did warrant more respect from County fans.

“Many people were complaining that he was a bit lazy, but I never really saw that; he was ever-present, he never really complained, and he did his job to the best of his ability, which is all you can really ask from a player.

“I think Port Vale have got a really great player on their hands because in League Two, you are not going to get a much better defensive midfielder than him.”

Ryan Croasdale is repeating Stockport County effect at Port Vale

During his four years at Edgeley Park, Croasdale was one of County’s first names on the squad sheet, with almost 150 league appearances highlighting his importance to the club’s success.

After missing out on the play-offs in his first season after joining from AFC Fylde, the midfielder started all but two of his side’s games on the way to the National League title in 2021/22, with his all-action displays in the middle of the park making the difference for a side that swept aside everything that came before them.

Even with the promotion to the Football League, the midfielder never seemed out of place and held his own as County advanced to the fourth-tier play-off final before winning another title the following year.

While marauding forward was never his strong suit, his monitoring of the backline helped County become the division’s second-best defensive squad, conceding only 48 goals in 46 league games.

Playing that type of role is often a thankless task, and it is frequently overlooked by a fanbase that expects the world from every player who steps onto the pitch, but you only have to look at Croasdale’s influence at Port Vale this season to see how highly regarded he is, having quickly become a trusted member of the dressing room at Vale Park.

With Darren Moore producing a side that appears to be capable of pushing for an immediate return to the third tier, Croasdale’s experience at Edgeley Park over the last few years will serve him well over the course of the coming season, with the Valiants in a strong position at this point in the campaign.

It is unclear whether the fact that he recently turned 30 deterred County from committing to another deal, but having returned to the Football League after being on the books of Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday as a youngster, Croasdale is making the most of his second chance at League Football, with County reaping the benefits over the past few years.

Read more …https://sportupdates.co.uk/