Vanarama’s Deal In Focus: Tom Crawford
Few National League clubs have consistently recruited as impressively as Altrincham – and the Robins are at it again, Tom Bodell writes.
Chris Conn-Clarke's summer switch to EFL League One talent-spotters Peterborough United serves as the latest example of the club's shrewd business in the transfer market; polishing up a diamond discovered at Fleetwood Town before selling him on.
The challenge facing Phil Parkinson – heading into his eighth full season at the club – will be to offset the loss of the Ulsterman’s 23 Vanarama National League goals during a productive 2023/24 campaign. Those strikes accounted for 27 per cent of Alty’s goals as they secured a play-off place.
Attackers Regan Linney (14) and Alex Newby (13) both hit double figures but no one in midfield bagged more than once for the fourth-place side last term. Step forward, Tom Crawford.
The 25-year-old midfielder left Hartlepool United this summer after netting five times from midfield in 39 National League outings last term.
What is immediately obvious about that return is Crawford’s penchant for shooting from distance. Three of those goals came from outside the box and one was only just inside the penalty area.
Among all central midfielders in the National League, Crawford ranked seventh for shots attempted per 90 minutes with 1.52. In other words, he was a volume shooter who will not need much encouragement from Alty fans to let fly.
That said, the 2023/24 campaign was the best of his career in front of goal. Crawford should not be considered a natural goal-scorer from midfield.
Altrincham boss Parkinson was pleased to complete his third signing of the off-season and, speaking to the club’s website, said: "Tom is a player I have greatly admired for a number of seasons, so when the opportunity arose to sign him, I did not hesitate. He will complement and enhance our midfield.
"He was a top performer last season, topping all the statistics charts, so we have got a top player on our hands, one I can't wait to see turning out in the red and white.
"He will be a pleasure to watch, a true professional, and I'm sure the Alty faithful will agree with me that we've got a top player joining us."
As well as finishing as Pools’ third-highest scorer last term, Crawford ranked second at the club in several attacking metrics, including shots attempted, attempted, and completed dribbles.
While nobody in the National League could match the number of dribbles Conn-Clarke attempted (301) or completed (150) last season, in Crawford, the Robins have signed someone who is difficult to shake off the ball.
The Stoke City academy graduate ranked eighth in his position group for attempted dribbles per 90 last term (2.64) and the same for successful take-ons (1.52).
However, he is not a player who neglects his defensive responsibilities. Returning to his time in the North East again, Crawford led the way at Victoria Park last term for successful defensive actions, defensive duels won and ball recoveries in the opposing half.
As we can see from the above graphic, which illustrates all his defensive actions from the 2024/25 season, he is a tireless worker out of possession, covering large areas to disrupt play and regain possession for his side.
Despite that, he is more box-to-box midfielder than out-and-out ball winner – evidenced by his collection of 12 cautions for Hartlepool last season!
Crawford’s heat map for the previous season goes some way to underlining that fact. Something that will excite Altrincham fans is the regularity with which he gets into the penalty area.
In his final season with Pools, the former Notts County midfielder ranked sixth for touches in the box with 1.29 per 90 minutes. That figure was up on each of the last two seasons in League Two (0.97 and 1.02 respectively).
A popular figure at Victoria Park thanks to his part in Dave Challinor’s promotion-winning side of 2021, Altrincham fans will hope their new man can deliver a repeat.
Where next?
Match centre
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