Crouch: I'm staying

[Kahnee]

It sez 'ere

 

Peter Crouch has once again re-iterated his desire to remain a Liverpool player and wants to call a halt to all the speculation surrounding his future.

The Reds striker has struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafael Benitez's side so far this season but he insists he isn't looking to move on.

 

"Everyone talks about me talking to clubs. Maybe it's because I'm not playing every game," he said.

 

"But at a club like Liverpool you're not going to play every game.

 

"I've come to realise that this is the case at a club like this, whereas at somewhere else maybe you would play every game.

 

"But here we are competing for things and I certainly want to be a part of winning trophies."

 

The England international has been linked with a whole host of clubs since the start of the current campaign but is adamant he has no knowledge of interest and wants to put the record straight once and for all.

 

"I've not heard anything," he said. "No-one's approached the club and no- one's approached me.

 

"There's a lot of speculation and, like I've said, that probably comes down to the fact that I'm not playing every game. But hopefully if I get a good run of games towards the end of the season then those rumours will go away."

 

One player who rates Crouch in the highest esteem, is Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry, who could come face-to-face with his former Villa teammate if he recovers from a knock in time to face the Reds when the two sides meet on Monday night.

 

Barry is well aware of the threat Crouch can pose, but feels it isn't just his ability in the air that his side's defence have to wary of.

 

"He is definitely capable of causing any defence a problem because of his size but there's more to his game than that," said Barry.

 

"He is labelled a target man and someone to hit balls up to but that's unfair and inaccurate.

 

"People in the game and those who have played with him would argue that he's as good on the floor as he is in the air.

 

"He's got a lot more to his game than just his height - he's got great control as well.

 

"He was really well liked in the Villa dressing room and it was sad when he left because he got on well with everyone. He worked hard but he also liked a laugh as well.

 

"He was a well-respected man at Villa - and football in general. I still keep in touch with him."

 

Villa have not won at Anfield since a famous 3-1 victory back in September 2001 and Barry believes it won't just be Crouch they will have to be aware of, if they are to alter that statistic on Monday night.

 

"Liverpool have a line-up packed with world-class players. You don't really need to say anymore," he said.

 

"Steven Gerrard is an obvious danger-man to be aware of - he is best midfielder in the world in the role he plays so we've got to be on our guard against him."

[sutty]

I think he has a significant role to play here

 

However

 

He has to sign a new deal

And he has to be a non regular starter and be happy with the more limited role he plays - we need to bolster the squad with a top class front man and have Crouch as back up.

 

Of the none Tog strikers (PC, AV, DK) we have, he's the only one I'd keep

[Murphman]

Negotaiting a Bosman in 11 months, as if Owen wasn't a big enough f*ck up we're threatening to do it again.

 

Sack Parry. Really.

[Kahnee]

I think he has a significant role to play here

 

However

 

He has to sign a new deal

And he has to be a non regular starter and be happy with the more limited role he plays - we need to bolster the squad with a top class front man and have Crouch as back up.

 

Of the none Tog strikers (PC, AV, DK) we have, he's the only one I'd keep

 

Agree with all of that

[theredfella]

I think he has a significant role to play here

 

However

 

He has to sign a new deal

And he has to be a non regular starter and be happy with the more limited role he plays - we need to bolster the squad with a top class front man and have Crouch as back up.

 

Of the none Tog strikers (PC, AV, DK) we have, he's the only one I'd keep

 

Me too but I would bet good money that he won't be playing for us next season.

[Moose]

Hoooray!! No wait .. Booooooooooo!

[sutty]

Me too but I would bet good money that he won't be playing for us next season.

 

I think he won't sign, and that's the issue

[theredfella]

I think he won't sign, and that's the issue

 

The fact that he's clearly not wanted is bound to alert suitors in the summer and once they show that they're willing to accept bids then his days are numbered.

 

It's a shame because with a bit of pace and a stone of muscle, he could have been a great partner for Torres. I reckon that Benitez sees Babel as his long term partner, he seems determined to get him into the middle as often as he can. Saying that though, I'm not sure if the two are compatible.

 

Should make for an interesting summer if nothing else.

[Magic8Ball]

Crouch is certainly skillful, he gets unfairly penalised but my biggest gripe is that he's not mobile enough and not great as a target man or link man - I would say ( sorry guys) Anelka, Berbatov are better.

[Stevie H]

rafa: "that's what you think you complacent streak of piss".

[Mike]

good week to bury bad news

[David Hodgson]

I know for a 'fact' he's been talkin' to Man Citeh, the big f*cking lying lanky steako p*sh.

[Knox_Harrington]

He should go. Best for him, best for us.

[McBain]

Cant for the life of me see why either he would want to stay or Rafa would want to keep him given how little faith he seems to have.

 

We need the money and he should be playing far more.

[Falconhoof]

If he'd started more games in the league this season would we be significantly better off points wise. I reckon he'd have contributed enough to turn a few draws into wins and we'd be within touching distance.

As it is we should sell him or bury the idea that he's 4th choice and give him a run of games with Torres.

[Guest Kaizer]

If he'd started more games in the league this season would we be significantly better off points wise. I reckon he'd have contributed enough to turn a few draws into wins and we'd be within touching distance.

As it is we should sell him or bury the idea that he's 4th choice and give him a run of games with Torres.

 

I guess the option of us being worse for wear never struck your mind, I dont think he suits playing with Torres at all.

 

The less playing time Crouch gets the better it is, what happened last match when he played together with Torres?

 

Well Torres often found himself supporting Crouch and not the other way around, if anyone wants to take away parts of Torres game to accomodate Crouch its their opinion, I know where I stand on the matter.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Kaizer

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

I guess the option of us being worse for wear never struck your mind, I dont think he suits playing with Torres at all.

 

The less playing time Crouch gets the better it is, what happened last match when he played together with Torres?

 

Well Torres often found himself supporting Crouch and not the other way around, if anyone wants to take away parts of Torres game to accomodate Crouch its their opinion, I know where I stand on the matter.

 

Agree with you on this.

[Bo Benn]

Hopefully Rafa will start playing Torres and Babel at the top soon. Crouch will not get more playing time from that. I think he's on the best contract he could ever get elsewhere and his next move will surely be to a smaller club. So naturally he'll stick along a bit longer. Would be a shame to let him leave for free though.

[meepins]

Sorry Crouchy babeh, we need the monies.

[San Diego Red]

Love the lad's attitude. If only he were world class.

[Falconhoof]

I guess the option of us being worse for wear never struck your mind, I dont think he suits playing with Torres at all.

 

The less playing time Crouch gets the better it is, what happened last match when he played together with Torres?

 

Well Torres often found himself supporting Crouch and not the other way around, if anyone wants to take away parts of Torres game to accomodate Crouch its their opinion, I know where I stand on the matter.

 

The bit i've highlighted is one of the reasons you get so much stick on here. Its condescending. I'll leave it at that.

I'm aware of your opinion on this matter, you've said it several times before. You've championed Voronin over both Kuyt and Crouch.

Crouch has had far less time to prove his case on the pitch this season while Voronin and Kuyt keep getting picked and doing nothing up front for us. Crouch scores more often than either of them and its far too early to assume that Crouch and Torres couldn't compliment each other better than Voronin and Torres.

 

Looking at Crouch alone, he isn't quite up to scratch in some areas of his game and i'd have sold him last summer. Looking at the bigger picture, he's got to be a better option, particularly when we've struggled to turn so many drawn games into wins.

[Kahnee]

The bit i've highlighted is one of the reasons you get so much stick on here. Its condescending. I'll leave it at that.

I'm aware of your opinion on this matter, you've said it several times before. You've championed Voronin over both Kuyt and Crouch.

Crouch has had far less time to prove his case on the pitch this season while Voronin and Kuyt keep getting picked and doing nothing up front for us. Crouch scores more often than either of them and its far too early to assume that Crouch and Torres couldn't compliment each other better than Voronin and Torres.

 

Looking at Crouch alone, he isn't quite up to scratch in some areas of his game and i'd have sold him last summer. Looking at the bigger picture, he's got to be a better option, particularly when we've struggled to turn so many drawn games into wins.

 

Agree with all of your points there, football and non-football

[Rimbeux]

I guess the option of us being worse for wear never struck your mind, I dont think he suits playing with Torres at all.

 

The less playing time Crouch gets the better it is, what happened last match when he played together with Torres?

 

Well Torres often found himself supporting Crouch and not the other way around, if anyone wants to take away parts of Torres game to accomodate Crouch its their opinion, I know where I stand on the matter.

 

Think the same myself. When Crouch plays, he is the main man, can't/wont do owt else. All I've seen is Torres playing deeper and wider, staying out of the danger area, not getting on the end of the majority of chances whilst Crouch uses the space and chances to less effect. Torres is the goalscorer, the main man, one of the best in the world, and trying to wedge another alongside him is right out of the Gerrard-Lampard school of cake consumption.