Grecian Max
Very well known Exeweb poster
* I should note that I saw him play for Bath a fair few times so have seen him develop more as a player than I would usually do! Send more youth products this way MT
In my opinion, he's our best defender by a mile, can find a forward pass, has a very sweet left peg and is on a par with George Friend in terms of best defender from the Academy.The first thing that stood out to be about Hartridge was his ability to genuinely be able to distribute the ball well. Not just safe passes which often results in people going crazy in league 2, but a mixture of being able to go long and short and have an incisiveness about those.
He has attacking instincts that are unusual in a CB. It was probably partly that that caused some mistakes as he his more of a risk taker than your average fourth division centre back. His decision making has improved massively as well as overusing his arms to win the ball back too eagerly.
I compared him to Ferdinand in a lower league sense which was met with derision but I do see similarities albeit not anywhere near that level. Coupled with his extra work in the gym to become a bit of a unit now, Championsho beckons surely. The rapid progress reminds a bit of Friend who was a bit dodge, followed by ok, then far too good for our level at the time.
Will make us more money than Archie Collins. Tag this post .
and a decent long throw!In my opinion, he's our best defender by a mile, can find a forward pass, has a very sweet left peg and is on a par with George Friend in terms of best defender from the Academy.
If you don't include Ampadu as a defender, then that's possibly the case, although I'd argue he's not as good as Storey yet.In my opinion, he's our best defender by a mile, can find a forward pass, has a very sweet left peg and is on a par with George Friend in terms of best defender from the Academy.
On the 'middle ground' (and at the risk of turning this into an Archie Collins thread, there are also those who go on to play at higher level without earning City a fee, moving when they turn 24 - Sercombe JMT etc (I don't include Pym as he is now in the Championship). I think of Archie as someone likely to be in League One eventually either with us or someone else.Matt Taylor clearly agreed as Alex had to wait 20 months between his third and fourth league appearances. As to your overall point, there's a middle ground between not good enough and destined to play at a higher level. At the moment Alex is playing well and fully deserves to be in the team but, personally, I think it's too soon to say whether he will kick on and attract big money bids in the future.
Have been really impressed with him this seasonThe best thing about Hartridge is just imagining the player he will be, tremendous talent.