Football League World
·15 November 2024
Football League World
·15 November 2024
Demetri Mitchell and Gary Caldwell have both heaped praise on Tristan Crama and it's good news for Exeter City and Brentford.
Everything Tristan Crama does is beautiful.
Those booming headers, his pinpoint passes out from the back, how he carries the ball and, most importantly, those scruffy match-winning goals from corners.
The dominating centre back is spending the season on loan at Exeter City from Brentford, and he’s having a big impact in the south west.
Grecians boss Gary Caldwell described him as his ‘No.1 target’ over the summer, and it hasn’t taken long for it to become obvious why.
The dashing Frenchman was wooed everyone at St James Park and his match-winning goal against Charlton Athletic last weekend, and the exuberant post-match celebrations, would have undoubtedly converted any doubters if they remained.
The feeling is mutual at the Cliff Hill training ground too, as exemplified by serial X’er Demetri Mitchell, who perfectly expressed the mood on Saturday evening in his own unique style.
He posted: “Proper three points! Tristan on smoke today I can’t lie.”
He’s right. To quote Mugatu from Zoolander, Crama’s so hot right now.
Not only is his red-hot form excellent news for Exeter, but Brentford must be absolutely delighted with his progress after a lightly frustrating spell at Bristol Rovers last season.
‘Good but got injured and was prone to lapses in concentration and made a few errors’ was the general review from Pirates when Crama was confirmed as joining City over the summer.
Well, good has been an understatement, he’s remained fit so far, and there are no signs of tiredness or mind wondering from the 23-year-old.
Caldwell has got an awful lot of things right this season, and he’s been justified in his desire to sign Crama.
Following his match-winning display at the weekend, the former Scotland international joined Mitchell in praising the defender and tipped him to reach the very top of the English game.
"Tristan is outstanding," Caldwell said via DevonLive. “He has potential to be a top, top defender in the Premier League. Since he has come in he has grown every week and we are helping his development.
"I still think there is more to come but what he is doing defensively and goals from corners has been superb."
He has simply been a rock for City this season and his aerial prowess has been a big factor in why the Grecians have been able to grind out so many single-goal victories and repel wave after wave late on in games.
He doesn't have express pace, but for a man who stands at 6'4" tall, he's no slouch.
Playing in the middle of a back three suits him down to the ground, and he can just go about trying to win those first contacts and let the other two centre backs mop up the second balls if needed.
He's a front-foot defender who's good on the ball too, and he's not afraid to march out of defence if given the chance.
To imagine that he'll walk into Brentford's starting line up next season is a fantasy, but if he can prove himself in the Championship, then he could certainly be a useful option for Bees boss Thomas Frank off the bench if he needs to throw on another defender or replace an injured one.
That all remains to be seen, but for now we're just happy to have him on our side down in Exeter.