Craig Henderson (Unattached FC)

another goal for Henderson with mjallby

http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/365171/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901

Extended highlights Mjallby v Malmo 2-2 starting with Craig's opening goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adv1TaJZVpU

Craig looking sharp in the penalty box to take chances...

Shame they couldn't hold on for the win: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2. Malmo FF are a much bigger club, wealthiest in Sweden (16 league titles, 14 Swedish Cups).

3-0 loss away to Atvidaberg on the weekend. Craig subbed after 63 mins.

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/05/23/sweden/allsvenskan/atvidabergs-fotbollsforening/mjallby-aif/1421052/

Craig played whole game in Mjallby's last outing, a 5-1 rout of Halmstad a week ago. Up to fifth on table now.

No league games in Sweden till 21 June.

Mjallby's recent games: http://int.soccerway.com/teams/sweden/mjallby-aif/

0-2 home loss to Kalmar - started and subbed at 72 mins.

4-2 away defeat to IFK Goteberg - started and subbed at 68 mins

0-0 away draw with AIK - started and subbed at 89 mins.

Mjallby sit 8th on the table.

what level is this league? 

Malmo FF were European Cup runners up in 1979 losing 0-1 to Nottingham Forest.

I have watched Craig play in two and a half games in the last month. Standard is way better than A-League IMO. All the players are similar....apart from being blond, they all have seem to have a very high level of technical ability. There are lots of one touch passes and good player movement. The games are played at good pace. Tactically Craigs team often plays out from the back but they also play direct football as well. It kind of reminds me of German football, but not so highly paced. The games sometimes get physical and you see a few strong tackles. The funny thing is some of the grounds appear to be not much bigger than Newtown No1....with probably around 5000 crowd.

As for Craig. He is not the star of the team but he is an important part of their setup. The games I have seen he mainly plays left midfield. He moves well and often gets into good scoring positions. IMO he is well worth a look at AW level. Shame he is not a DM because we do have lots of wide midfielders and strikers.

When I watched him a couple of months ago he was playing up front, but in the next game saw him behind the strikers...

I thought he was decent but not outstanding. too attacking to be in the AW squad as we've got enough cover. If he played a bit deeper then maybe, but again he isn't our saving grace that's for sure.... NIX maybe AW pass.....

Watched Craig play for Mallby again yesterday. Scored again playing upfront in what looked like a 442. Had a good game(subbed at half time injured). Looks a solid pro playing at a good level. He seems quite versatile....the games I have seen he has played wide left, CM and upfront. He surely must be in the mix for the AW squad. I would like to see him get a trial deeper in midfield which is a problem area for us. He looks two footed(natural left), passes well and certainly can put in the tackles....from the games I have seen.

Because at the moment we are looking at DMs like Vicilich(36 y.o) or McClinchey(does not work there) or Payne who is a convert from wide attack and is playing reserve grade in the UK or Howieson who is on the bench in League 1 or Killen(lets not go there) or converting Dura.

How about the 'Nix? Would he be on good coin over there? 

Yep pressure on one of Keat or Henderson to really step up and become a player to replace Brown and Elliot. 

Craig's recent games:

27/7/13 v Oster (a) 1-1 subbed at 66 min.

11/8/13 v Gefle (a)  1-2 loss subbed at 77 min.

Are playing Helsingborg at home tomorrow morning NZT (5 am?)

Hope he gets a run ala Fitzgerald next month in Saudi...if that is indeed true

Craig seems to be fit and in fine form - scored again this morning in Mjallby's 4-3 win over Helsingborg,  a considerably bigger club.

Craig played the full 90 and scored the fourth Mjallby goal to make it 4-1 on 82 mins. - Helsingborg then pulled two back in injury time.

Sounds like a great game. Details here: http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/19/sweden/allsvenskan/mjallby-aif/helsingborgs-idrottsforening/1446637/?ICID=PL_MS_09

Goals here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rjw8QPwKwU

Surely, Ricki has to take notice and give him a run?

Haven't heard his name mentioned for Saudi but have heard Jake Butler and Dan Keat going. Giving players on the verge a go I understand.

Rested for the 3-1 away Swedish Cup win against lowly Tenhult on the weekend:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/22/sweden/svenska-cupen/tenhults-if/mjallby-aif/1560806/

and subbed after 31 min. in 2-0 away loss to Brommapojkarna this morning:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/26/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforening--brommapojkarna/mjallby-aif/1446646/

played 90 minutes and got a goal 

Should be being looked at by AW. A shame if he misses out in a league higher than Keat (yes i know diff positions but still)

Subbed at 31 mins? Injured or embarresed?

Another player who should have been picked ahead of Bright.

He was injured.

This guy is jinxed when it comes to the All Whites - has been injury-free the last year, making 30 appearances for Mjallby (12 end of last season, 18 so far this season) and been in good form recently, scoring a few goals from midfield.

And now he gets injured when quite likely to be called up - confirmed on Mjallby official website in review of last weekend's match:

http://www.maif.se/

(After going there, click on  news article "IF BROMMAPOJKARNA - MJALLBY AIF 2-0 (1-0) 2013-08-26 
 and then use Google translate - won't translate properly otherwise)

"After 30 minutes, becomes Henderson had to leave the pitch due to a hypo, Anton Dahlström replaces."

Let's hope it's not a major injury and he's available for the next All Whites friendlies in October. 

It's a tough world professional sports - poor fellow! 

Hope he recovers before October another good young player for the ranks.

Yeah I've got the feeling he was supposed to be a member of the squad, but picked up an injury literally days before the team announcement.

Hard luck - always injured

Good news on Henderson's injury picked up in last weekend's match - not too serious and expected back soon.

In my opinion, he should be an automatic selection when fit (and he's been injury-free the last year) in any current All White squad considering the level he's playing at and his good form, and our weakness in that area.

On Mjallby's official Facebook (always good up-to-date info):  https://www.facebook.com/MjallbyAIF

(That's Craig, the #19 in the centre of the cover photo)

Craig fit again and back in the Mjallby squad for this morning's game v Syrianska after missing the last league game:

http://www.maif.se/?cmd=dispNews%2C3868

" but time heals all wounds and damage the front begins to brighten. Henderson is hale and hearty ...

...Even Craig Henderson and Daniel Nilsson is back. Henderson Got a hypo in the thigh in the match against BP and Dan Nilsson left late to cancel the match against Manchester City. All three are important pieces in this year's Mjallby set, and most probably pulls a lättnandets suck to have them back in the team."

I'm definitely "pulling a lättnandets suck" too, eh.

Full 90 for Hendo as he shrugs off recent injury and features in solid 2-1 away win v Syrianska.

Mjallby seventh on the table (16 team league) with seven rounds to go.

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/15/sweden/allsvenskan/syrianska-fc/mjallby-aif/1446661/

Mjallby v Elfsborg near end of first half now - Henderson again a starter - currently 1-1

Stats: http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/22/sweden/allsvenskan/mjallby-aif/idrottsforening-elfsborg/1446667/

Mjallby v Elfsborg yesterday finished 2-2 with Craig starting and playing 71 mins. Mjallby down to 10 men after 24 mins when a defender sent off but came back to draw in the second half with Henderson creating the equaliser. Elfsborg also had a player sent off late in the game.

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/22/sweden/allsvenskan/mjallby-aif/idrottsforening-elfsborg/1446667/

http://www.maif.se/

" 60 mins. - Henderson advanced towards the center from its left edge and then served with a shot to right winger, Pär Ericsson who connected and the team's second goal of the day. This later became the start of a dramatic second half..."

Craig on as a 78th minute sub in a 1-0 home defeat to Atvidaberg (scored within the first minute) on Thursday night:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/26/sweden/allsvenskan/mjallby-aif/atvidabergs-fotbollsforening/1446675/

Mjallby drop to tenth on the table - away to league leaders and perennial powerhouse Malmo in the Monday night game (6 am tomorrow morning NZT).

Watched the first half of this game today. Craig started and had an OK half. Malmo are a top team and Craigs side was under the pump right from the start. This is the 4th time I have watched Craigs team. The Swedish league has quite a high standard of football overall. Technical and fast moving. Craig played wide left. Was the teams most potent attacker. Set up their first chance after 10 minutes with a nice run and cross along the ground. Sent in another couple of accurate crosses and had his sides only real shot(which he sliced). He is a very compact skillfull player. He's not Messi but a good solid pro starting in a good European second tier League.

He really needs to be in the AW's squad IMO. No insult to the Paynes and Howieson's of this world but they are playing age group football for lesser UK clubs. Craig is a fully fledged pro. I would be very disappointed if he was not chosen for the October games at least. 

Thanks for your match comments Austin10 - sounds like he had a good game. Malmo snuck past 1-0 in  the end with an 84th min. goal. Craig played the full 90 - so looks like he's fit if selected for October.

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/30/sweden/allsvenskan/malmo-fotbollsforening/mjallby-aif/1446683/