Forwards

[jimmylibel]

Did anyone else think we'd have played better in the last 2 matches if we'd started Torres and Crouch in the opposing games?

 

I thought on Saturday we were crying out for a bit of pace and flair to get behind their back line while this evening we really needed a target to hit with the ball and someone to hold it up front, stopping them from getting possession back immediately.

[Knox_Harrington]

Totally.

[realtarragona]

Yep

 

Torres wasn't very good tonight but the service was abysmal. Long ball after long ball after long ball etc...

[jimmylibel]

Yep

 

Torres wasn't very good tonight but the service was abysmal. Long ball after long ball after long ball etc...

 

Yeah it's not the type of game we bought him for. I was actually astounded when Voronin was brought on and not Crouch though. Thought Crouchy had a poor enough game on Saturday but he was made for games like this evening.

[DonRafa]

Yeah it's not the type of game we bought him for. I was actually astounded when Voronin was brought on and not Crouch though. Thought Crouchy had a poor enough game on Saturday but he was made for games like this evening.

 

 

Hmmm, I'd usually agree with that bit, but with this whistle happy ref tonight, I think Crouchy would've been pulled up every time he challenged for the ball.

[Bootle Buck]

I thought Rafa bought Crouch to play in games like Pompey and tonight. I think he worries European defences as they don't know what to do with him. I personally am getting a little annoyed at the lack of time Crouchy is getting.

[Guest spk]

for me theres clearly a conflict. how can there be rumours of crouch being offered a five year contract and yet rafa rarely plays the guy and frankly doesnt give him enough pitch time to get the competitive edge he needs. so why try to snare him for whats effectively the best part of his professional career.

 

you have to feel for the guy. he was up against it for us and england with the fan abuse and has bagged some great goals and yet he'd probably get more match time in the reserves. it would be hardly surprising if he chose to move on frankly as recieving that kind of treatment over the past seasons is going to breed unrest. sometimes el boss' people management skills are certainly questionable.

Edited September 18, 2007 by spk

[Stevie H]

spot on jimmy.

[Leo No.8]

Said the same yesterday - Crouch should be a regular starter in the CL and if Torres was feeling the internationals he should have played at Portsmouth and rested last night.

 

I'd actually be interested to see how him and Torres get on together because I think there's a lot of potential there. However Rafa seems to favour using one of Voronin and Kuyt at all times.

[matty]

Talking of forwards, I'd be quite excited to see Babel start up front for a game or two, though I doubt it'll happen soon, injuries aside.

 

That kid has class.

[D.Boon]

I thought Babbel was alongside Kuyt our best player last night. Strong lad who can handle himself.

[Leo No.8]

Talking of forwards, I'd be quite excited to see Babel start up front for a game or two, though I doubt it'll happen soon, injuries aside.

 

That kid has class.

 

I agree both that he has class and in the desire to see what he could do for us playing up front. Despite being on the periphery of things quite a bit so far, there have been flashes of genuine brilliance in every game he's played which get you off your seat.

 

He's a really strong lad, and uses his power, skill and body movement to get past defenders rather than out and out pace which is why the comparisons to Barnes are brought up. He's not blindingly fast from a standing start but rapid when he gets going.

 

Him and Torres would be an interesting combination playing up front together, but as you say it's unlikely to happen unless Kewell gets himself fit...

Edited September 19, 2007 by Leo No.8

[yellow jumper]

think if the teams playing well and keeping the ball crouch is a good option. when we're not he just becomes the easy option and balls are fired into him with no quality. if the rest of the team's under pressure i don't think it's enough to assume crouch will just hold everything up and scare defenders, he's only really effective when there's good movement around him. last night he would have come on as a lone striker with midfield and defence both under pressure, don't see him as effective in those circumstances.

 

thought we played our best football in the last fifteen minutes with the movement of kuyt and voronin causing problems. so find it strange that anyone would criticize that substitution.

[Rimbeux]

for me theres clearly a conflict. how can there be rumours of crouch being offered a five year contract and yet rafa rarely plays the guy and frankly doesnt give him enough pitch time to get the competitive edge he needs. so why try to snare him for whats effectively the best part of his professional career.

 

you have to feel for the guy. he was up against it for us and england with the fan abuse and has bagged some great goals and yet he'd probably get more match time in the reserves. it would be hardly surprising if he chose to move on frankly as recieving that kind of treatment over the past seasons is going to breed unrest. sometimes el boss' people management skills are certainly questionable.

 

 

I've decided I dont feel for him as he's not helping himself and should remember his road to where he is now. The situation is one that he's allowed to get to him, much in the same manner as Rafa about fixtures tbh, but he's not looking at it at all objectively, he's fretting. analyse the situation and he's on equal footing with at least Kuyt and Voronin, but his attitude to being left out and the whole roatation concept is nowhere near the others. I dont think you can stick this on Rafa as he's rightly pointed out what he's done for the player, and all that coming back is I, I, I when it should about the squad and winning games.