In the past he was the ultimate bastard for people reading the manga, and he wasn't a Shichi contender for nothing. If he is so crappy as all the fans think today, why the hell the strawhats could never win against him? Still until this point of the history, more than 25 books after his defeat, the one and only able to match him is Luffy. Or do you really imagine Sanji or Zoro defeating him? Sorry, but I can imagine Zoro beating even Arlong or Kuro, but not Crocodile, Zoro could hold the fight with all his guts, like he did with Kuma, but we all know the end. And also, can you really picture in your mind Lucci, Eneru, Supernovas or even Moria beating him EASILY?…
Ok, maybe haki would be the ultimate overpower technique in the One Piece universe as 90% of the fans believe, but we never even see it clearly, have we? I mean, with a full explanation and in use against a logia. we only saw Kizaru's cheek bleeding and that's it...
And I never said he went into the New World, Edward used to protect the gyojin nation, and that isn't too far from Alabasta. Maybe he had a duel with him there, or some place else... Who said Edward can't go to the Grand Line in more than 20 years of sailing? In the new arc he is marching into Impel Down...
No man, I'm not a fanboy of Crocodile, I actually like Edward Newgate more, he is one of my favorite characters, the way he act and care about his big legion of sons is pure catching, but I still think Crocodile will never be considered a piece of nothingness, maybe even by the end of the series.
C'mon, we all know some of the strawhats hardly will be able to fight him in equal terms, like Chopper monster point for example, he could win against Buggy or Wapol, BUT NOT CROCODILE! In the day half of the crew could hold a fight against him I start to change my mind and admit he is crappy, but not now, thank you.