Dario's last attempt

Last Updated : 21-Apr-2004 by
Since Brammer returned from his five month injury you can't move on the internet for the praise Dario has of Dave Brammer. With Brammer out of contract in the summer, Brammer, Dario and the fans know it's going to take a few persuasive discussions in the summer for Brammer to take a pay cut in order to continue his role as Crewe Alex captain.

At any time during now and the end of his contract, at the start of June, clubs are allowed to approach Brammer and offer him pre-contract terms but Dario is hoping Brammer won't go behind his back just yet and is making sure that Brammer knows that only one club will guarantee him near hero status.

Few Alex fans find it hard to criticise Brammer, even on off days. His influence on the pitch is second to none in this division and Dario knows it:

“Brams is our most influential player on the pitch and he is a fine skipper both on and off the pitch. We don’t do a count but I doubt if there is anybody in the club who has more touches of the ball than him during a game.

“He has been terrific throughout his injury and still very influential around the place. We have missed him and his leadership qualities. He is a man out there for us and you know that he will always want the ball.”

Were the words of Dario on Tuesday whilst speaking to the press and the official site, crewealex.net, and came only a couple of weeks after saying Brammer 'is one of us'. Today, Wednesday, saw similar praise mounted on Brammer with a rebirth of the Neil Lennon comments Dario uttered the day Brammer signed in 2001...
"Dave is a man out there and that is important because the top teams all have men and very few quiet introverted characters." Dario said

"Brams is always demanding the ball in all situations and in the regard I think he is my Neil Lennon.

"He will never panic and always plays his football whatever else is happening."

There have been many rumours about Brammer's past and future since he arrived at the club. He never wanted to join the club in the first right to one that he was to retire from injury at the end of the season but the fact remains Brammer gives 100% week in week out and plays like Crewe is in his blood.

He may well not sign a new contract, fans will hopefully respect that decision, but if he signs on a pay cut he should know that he will be treated as a god by many sections of the crowd at Gresty Road.

Dario's comments, for me, have thrown down the gauntlet for Brammer, does he feel the same way towards the club as the club do towards him?