After Palmer and Camara depart, how do Crawley Town replace fan favourites?

With Panutche Camara and Ollie Palmer moving on to pastures new, Crawley Town have just over a month to find suitable replacements in midfield and the frontline, before the scheduled start of the season on September 12.
Ollie Palmer's 13 League One goals last season put him fourth in the scoring stakes for the division / Picture: GettyOllie Palmer's 13 League One goals last season put him fourth in the scoring stakes for the division / Picture: Getty
Ollie Palmer's 13 League One goals last season put him fourth in the scoring stakes for the division / Picture: Getty

Camara signed his first senior professional contract with Crawley in June 2017, where he went on to make over 100 appearances for the Reds, while Palmer joined a year later, netting 30 times in two seasons with Crawley.

Palmer was the Reds’ top scorer last season with 13 goals in the league, which was the fourth best tally in League Two. His link-up with strike partner Ashley Nadesan was capable of unlocking the best defences in the league, so when Crawley’s main source of goals departs, they need to adapt.

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Of the options Crawley currently have, the most suitable replacements are Sam Ashford or Ricardo German - both are a different style of striker to the target-man role that Palmer excelled in, but both have also shown in non-league that they can be ruthless when presented with a sight of goal.

Panutche Camara's unique midfield style will be tricky to replace / Picture: GettyPanutche Camara's unique midfield style will be tricky to replace / Picture: Getty
Panutche Camara's unique midfield style will be tricky to replace / Picture: Getty

An idea of what to expect from a potential Nadesan-German front two would be Crawley’s last game before lockdown and the curtailment of the League Two season: a 3-0 victory over Oldham Athletic. Both Nadesan and German scored, as they ran the Latics’ defence ragged in the second-half.

Crawley will also have to fill the hole left in midfield by the parting of Camara. With a unique style of play, Camara was an energetic, skilful midfielder and was key to the Crawley side who overcame Stoke and Norwich in the Carabao Cup.

The vacant midfield spot could lead to some existing Crawley players being given more of a chance, such as Jack Powell, who featured for Crawley a few times in the second-half of the season after his loan spell with Aldershot Town.

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Crawley’s transfer business may also work out well with Camara leaving, with new signings Tyler Frost and Sam Matthews both being midfielders, as well as Dannie Bulman’s new contract as a ‘player/coach’ meaning we may also see less of him as a player next season.

Whatever Crawley do to compensate for the loss of two of their key players, the contributions of Palmer and Camara have created some remarkable moment’s in the Red Devils’ history, as well as some fond memories for the fans of Crawley.

New trio give Yems options.

Bulman staying at Town - and with new role.

Palmer says thanks for the memories.

Camara's heartfelt farewell message.

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