Y'know, I understand that sand powers should probably function in relatively similar ways, and I'm usually one who isn't bothered by elements that are similar from one manga to the other, but this reeked of the same strategy of the Crocodile fight. Water hardening sand? Check. Sandstorm? Check. Draining moisture from the body with his touch? Check. Holding Erza EXACTLY like Croc held Luffy after round two? Check. Not to mention his personality being one to want to put FT in their place as "below him"? Jeez. Add to that what we've seen from this guy already, and it's hard not to just see him as a Croc knock off… (A Crocoff?)
That being said, I liked how Erza needed someone else to help her win this. I thought that was actually a nice payoff. Otherwise, I feel like I just reread Alabasta in a single chapter.