While he's still young he's starting to make a name for himself and played 90 mins for Oxford in goal recently.
The following article implies that NZF/Ricki has been in touch re availablity for next months games:
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/McCormick-s-line-face-Argyle-Oxford/story-18031069-detail/story.html
Under 20s yo
Yeah didn't stipulate at what level sorry.
An article about his professionnal debut
Do we really expect this guy to make the NZ U20s?
Marinovic or however you spell his name did from Germany, so why not this guy?
May only get in as the number 2 though behind Basalaj.
This article seems to suggest an u-20's call-up:
bbc.co.uk/sport:
30 January 2013 Last updated at
12:22 GMT
Oxford keeper Max Crocombe has revealed he felt no pre-match nerves before his debut in the 1-1 draw with Burton.
The 19-year-old replaced Wayne Brown in the team, with number one Ryan Clarke sidelined following shoulder surgery.
"I knew on Monday morning and I didn't really feel much - I think I felt a
bit too relaxed," he told BBC Radio Oxford.
“Thank you everyone, special night. Crowd
unbelievable. It's a start, must push on” Max
Crocombe on Twitter
"Everyone helped me through it. That's one thing that
didn't come through nervousness, the players made it so comfortable for me."
Crocombe signed his
first professional deal last year after impressing in the youth side and
started the season third choice behind Clarke and player-coach Brown.
The Auckland-born keeper, who could represent New Zealand Under-20s in their
World Cup qualifiers in March, had spells at MK Dons, Luton Town and Buckingham
Town before joining Oxford's youth system.
"You need to enjoy the cold, windy, rainy nights to play in goal otherwise
you'll have no chance," he continued.
"It's easy when you know the players and they're talking to you as well and
there was nothing to be nervous about really.
"How I play you've got to be vocal in goal, and the manager said that to me
before the game so I try to talk as much as I can, as long as you're not talking
too much rubbish."
Crocombe has cemented a place as number two keeper at Oxford through the end of the season after injury to first choice Clarke - he replaces player-keeping coach Brown as number two - so a real vote of confidence from both the gaffer and the veteran keeping coach..
Oxford have signed a temporary experienced first choice on loan in Luke McCormick, the former Plymouth keeper (on loan from the local jail !!!)
That's one of the most controversial signings in recent times in UK football because McCormick was released last June after 2 1/2 years imprisonment for drunk driving causing the deaths of two children...you'll find many postings about him on UK forums have been removed for reasons of defamation and obscenity.
Stories on Max from the local Oxford Mail:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/search/?search=max+crocombe
"U’s boss Chris Wilder admitted it was a gamble, but was pleased with Crocombe’s display, even if there is a chance a loan goalkeeper could be signed before the weekend.
He said: “I’ve got to make big decisions and the decision was the right one.
“There’s no doubt that if he keeps learning he will have a good career, it’s just the timing.
“He’s had a promising debut, but there will be bigger tasks ahead.
“I’ve spoken to the chairman and we might be looking to see what we can do in the loan window, because we can’t rely on Max to take us through the final 18 games of the season.” "
Max Crocombe clears the ball on his United debut as he helped them to a point against Burton.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Crocombe is a man mountain at 6' 4"
Awesome!
6'4" isn't that big for a keeper in the modern game. Probably about average tbh
6'4" isn't that big for a keeper in the modern game. Probably about average tbh
The average height of the 20 first-string (or first-choice) goalkeepers is 1.92m (6 feet, 3 inches). The tallest are Manchester United's Edwin Van Der Sar and Stoke City's Asmir Begovic, who are both 1.98m (6 feet, 6 inches). The shortest goalkeeper is West Bromwich Albion's Scott Carson, who is 1.83m (6 feet).
La Liga in Spain consists of 20 clubs. The average height of the first-choice goalkeepers is 1.87m (6 feet, 1 inch). The tallest goalkeeper is Racing Santander's Fabio Coltorti, who is 1.97m (6 feet, 5 inches). The shortest goalkeeper is Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, who is 1.82m (5 feet, 11 inches).
The Major League Soccer league in the U.S. consists of 16 clubs. The average height of the first-choice goalkeepers is 1.89m (6 feet, 2 inches). The tallest goalkeeper is Toronto FC's Jon Conway, who is 1.98m (6 feet, 6 inches). The shortest goalkeeper is San Jose Earthquakes' Jon Busch, who is 1.78m (5 feet, 10 inches).
full 90 for crocombe in a 1-0 away win
http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/345496/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901
Looking at the bbc site he was very busy as well making a number of saves. Do we know if the normal first choice was injured or dropped?
No number 1 on the bench. Guess he must be injured.
Think this proves you don't need to be tall to be a good keeper.
True...
But the fact is statistically, there are a lot more big keepers than little ones.
However I imagine the most important thing first and foremost is agility. If you can't move, it doesn't matter how tall or small you are.
The problem occurs at the early age groups, everyone plumps in the talles lad so the keepers dont get chipped by that one kid in the other team who can get the ball off the ground.
Former AW goalkeeper John Morris was a lot less than 5' 11''
Taller keeper = bigger reach = more able to cover more of the goal. It's not just at youth level that height is a factor in a keeper's ability. Sure there's more to it than just height but it's like basketballers - the shorter you are the better you have to be at everything else. Certain physical characteristics just make you better suited to certain roles.
Taller keeper = bigger reach = more able to cover more of the goal.
In an opening period of few chances, nine-goal Lee Molyneux fired wide while Michael Liddle was denied by Oxford goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/345516/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901
Max Crocombe signs (up to) 4 year deal at pro english club Oxford United.
Their gaffer:
"They are both hard-working, both have a great attitude and they have kicked-on at the right time. They are a solid part of the first team picture now and although they know they still have a lot to learn, we will do all we can to nurture them and help them to continue to develop. The club is investing a lot of time and effort into Youth Development and Ty and Max are great examples to the other youngsters coming through."
http://www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00110613-five-youngsters-859939.aspx
Max Crocombe had a quiet night, but made an excellent parry to keep out Mike McKirnan's free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/usnews/10598440.Didcot_Town_0_Oxford_United_3/
Also available again is Max Crocombe. The goalkeeper had been sidelined with a shoulder injury but looks set to sit on the bench after on-loan shotstopper Shwan Jalal returned to parent club Bournemouth
Max has stepped things up and was due to train fully tomorrow anyway, so the timing fits in for both ourselves and Bournemouth," U's manager Chris Wilder told the club website
Playing for Oxford's development squad - essentially their reserves/u21 team?
Kept a clean sheet vs Portsmouth today
http://www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00151013-development-1115575.aspx
Playing for Oxford's development squad - essentially their reserves/u21 team?
Kept a clean sheet vs Portsmouth today
http://www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00151013-development-1115575.aspx
Playing for Oxford's development squad - essentially their reserves/u21 team?
Kept a clean sheet vs Portsmouth today
http://www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00151013-development-1115575.aspx
Seeing game time for the Development (Reserve) team but has cemented a place as the number two keeper for the first team and has been on the bench for the first team in all games since the first week of October:
http://www.oufc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/index.aspx
Went to the Plymouth - Argyle game where we won. Saw him warming the bench, was really hoping that Oxford's keeper got injured/sent off/subbed to be able to see him play... not to be but was a good game and Argyle had Oxford under the pump for virtually the full 90.
Having been to a large number of league two games, I really cant understand why the likes of Christie, James, Howieson, Payne, Lochead either don't try and pick up a (temporary) gig or get loaned here for first team experience. Interesting mix of player ability and in all fairness not too much different from the A-League.
Played the full 90 in a 2-1 away win in the League Cup - good to see him get some minutes.
Played in goal tonight in Oxford's League Cup second round game at Premier Division side West Bromwich Albion. Currently 1-1 in extra time.
Saved two penalties but they still lost the shootout.
Seems to be coming right after an unimpressive u-20 World Cup for NZ a couple of years ago.
Is he first choice keeper for Oxford currently on form or because the regular keeper is injured?
Good news for the All Whites if he continues progressing because we need another solid pro keeper as back-up for Moss.
Any other keepers we have at pro clubs are playing in the youth / reserve teams (Basalaj) or out on loan (Gleeson).
Nearly every NZ keeper at age grade level has a blinder at the world cup, but he definitely did the opposite. Based on that alone, I still feel like I'd rather Gleeson or Basalaj in the All Whites ahead of him. But it seems like only Glen Moss can surpass Tamati Williams at the moment, and then there's still Jacob Spoonely behind him.
Max is still second choice at Oxford although he has been given the nod in the two League Cup games this season. Number one keeper Ryan Clarke is injured and they have brought in England youth international George Long on loan from Sheffield United.
Not sure if Long was cup tied or had an agreement in his loan deal that prevented him from playing in cup competitions. Either way Max seems to be taking advantage of the opportunity.
Currently watching Oxford v Cambridge on Setanta. Max isn't in the Oxford match day squad.
Currently watching Oxford v Cambridge on Setanta. Max isn't in the Oxford match day squad.
Good thing too as they got smashed! He might start next game because of it!
Oxford started off quite well then completely fell apart!
Oxford started off quite well then completely fell apart!
What a fantastic result!