New Signing...

[CIFC - Y.A]

The Club have signed Charlie Mapes from Crawley Town on loan until the end of the season. He is a 22 year old midfield player who previously played for Wycombe Wanderers. He goes straight into the squad for Saturday's game at Burton Albion.

 

Can't say I've heard much of him, doesn't sound too bad, do we really need a midfielder though?!

 

I thought we were struggling attacking and defensive-wise. Oh well, the club continue to baffle me this season.

[ken]

some information from the Norwich web site

 

Charlie Mapes, formerly of Tottenham, played for Norwich Youths in a 2-0 victory over England Schools Under 18s on 26th April 2000.

 

After spending 2000/01 with Cardiff City, Charlie had an unsuccessful trial with Yeovil in the summer of 2001. In October 2001, he joined Harrow Borough but also had a trial with Scottish side Ayr United.

 

At the beginning of 2002, Charlie swapped to Ryman League rivals Edgware Town but moved on to Wealdstone the following August. He joined Hertfordshire side Berkhamstead Town at the end of February 2003.

 

Charlie sought a return to league football in April 2003 when he trialled for Wycombe Wanderers in a reserve team clash with Colchester. The Chairboys won 5-0 but Mapes' goal was overshadowed by a hat-trick for fellow trialist Andy Bell of Blackburn. A fine performance in another reserve game persuaded Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez to make Mapes his first signing of the 2003 pre-season when he signed the hardworking central midfielder at the end of May 2003. Wycombe fans will hope that Mapes will emulate fan favourite Keith Ryan who also joined Wanderers from Berkhamstead.

 

Unfortunately for Mapes and his Wycombe teammates, they were relegated into Division Three in April 2004. Following which, Charlie was released by Wycombe on May 14th 2004. He signed for Conference side Crawley Town on 16th July 2004.

[ronin]

A bit more info here

 

Seems strange that Crawley are letting him go now when they are pushing for the play-offs.

[ken]

some other sites that mention him

Soccerbase

 

Norwich Web Site

 

Crawley Web Site

[A Non E Mouse]

Must admit my initial reaction when I read it on the official website was one of "oh someone to keep Steve Burton company on the bench" <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> or am I getting to cynical in my old age.

 

Numerous views on where and why we have been weak this season - personally I think its easier to blame the defence or our lack of goals but IMHO I think it's the midfield that is the key to "if" and "how" we succeed. So obtaining the services of a midfielder isn't a bad option.

 

One thing I seemed to gauge from the forum discussions with the Crawley fans is that their management are not afraid to let players go and the fact that they are still flying high sort of says to me that he may not be making an impact there at the moment. Hopefully he will be given a fair chance and will have something to prove.

 

Now - wheres my half empty pint glass <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />

[Matt H]

If he's on loan till the end of the season is there any chance we'll be extending Burton's loan likewise?

[ronin]

Looks like he`s another attacking midfielder. http://www.ctfc.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5990

[ken]

sounds like a good player that will cause our defense as many problems as he causes the oppositions

[CIFCislander]

seems to have played a fair amount of games at crawley this season so he must be a decent player (hopefully) so i would stick him in the starting line up for tommorrow along with burton up front with lee.

[A Non E Mouse]

Sounds as though he's going to be entertaining if nothing else.

 

Hope he doesn't bother going deep at all - unless its deep into the oppositions half.

 

Anyway, if he does get a run out he'll probably get picked to play in midfield along side Chenners - now don't anybody come on here saying there is no chance that will never happen! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[islandersfootball]

Hopefully he can do a job for us. I think we definetly need to bring in some Defenders in come the summer to improve for next season.

[THEROCK]

ive seen him play, a real tidy player..I think he will be very good for the team!!

[Guest]

Have we all read Jeffs comments in this evenings paper, all that screaming to get Burton on at Stortford and he was carrying a hamstring.

 

The queue to apologise should be bigger than the one for burgers.

[A Non E Mouse]

If he was carrying a hamstring why was he on the bench? surely Greggors should have been named in the squad if that was the case.

[Guest]

Greggors was carrying a piny.

[Big J R]

Quote:

MOB said:
Greggors was carrying a piny.

[color:"red"] What the f'cks a piny ?? [color:"black"]

[Guest]

Did you mean pony or pint? Anyway he eats and drinks just what he likes if he aint playing!

[Matt H]

Charlie sounds like a player brought in to fill the gap left by Gooden.

 

The question is, while signing all these Midfielders, are any of them capable of doing a job as good as if not better than Dobbo in the defensive role? We're an attacking minded team and it's fun to watch most of the time except when we can't play the way we want to.

 

However when we should adapt for a more defensive strategy and a Midfielder has to drop back to fill the 'hole' Do we have anyone in real contention to do it as naturally as Dobbo? Everyone seems to have forgotten about him while he's been out.

 

Burton seems to be the type to replace Gregory, Mapes could be another Noto and fill Gooden's boots. Should our next target be another Dobbo?

[YELLOW]

From what I've heard Mapes is quite a decent player but I do agree with Matt, we need a ball winner in the side and at the mo Dobbo is the only one in the squad capable of doing that.

[Guest]

I thought most were writing DOBBO off, no room at the inn and all that!

 

I have always liked him, but will he really come back in.