Crouch

[Jim D]

Just watched the first half against Arsenal and Crouch has been outstanding, winning the majority of the ball played to him, bringing other players into play and to cap it off a clinical finish. I am very surprised how well he is playing considering he has been resigned to the bench the past dozen games.

 

So the question is, where do we see Crouch now as a part of Rafa's plans. I can't but help feel that Rafa would be making a huge mistake to let him go in the summer. He could still suit our formation, he has shown today that he can lead the line like Torres does but in a different but equally effective way.

 

Crouch gives us another option in our game plan, if Plan A fails (Torres upfront) and sometimes it will, Crouch can give us a Plan B and add an extra/different dimension in our attacking play. Or is it that Crouch as good as he can be, just isn't consistent enough in his performances and finishing in front of goal?

 

If Crouch does go, then I hope Rafa replaces him with a forward who has more ability than Crouch because if he doesn't do that why bother selling Crouch in the first place? If that doesn't happen then we can only speculate that maybe just maybe their relationship off the pitch did not go well as reported.

[New York Red]

He's an enigma allright. When he doesn't play I forget how good he is and then he comes back in and does well.

[Guest JV]

I would like him to stay but he will be off sadly.

[Cacofonix the Bard]

He's an enigma allright. When he doesn't play I forget how good he is and then he comes back in and does well.

I'd forgotten how good he was too.

 

His touch and control have come in leaps and bounds since he's joined us.

 

Outstanding performance.

[Guest Prongsy]

When Crouch is played like that, he's excellent. When he's asked to do anything else, he's s***.

[Guest Sabre]

Problem for him is that Torres is just such a good player and Rafa doesn't think they can both play together. Torres is also quite physically fit which means he doesn't need much resting. I think Crouchy needs regular games too to be consistent but I don't think his future lies with us.

[Jim D]

Just finished watching the game and to be brutally honest if Crouch does leave he shouldn't be the first one out of the door.

 

Pennant - Total lack of game intelligence, gave away a stupid free kick which lead to the goal, he was becoming a liability long before.

 

Voronin - Two chances to snatch the game, fluffed them both, average, needs to go

 

Benayoun - This was an opportunity today for Benny to show his capabilities but he was totally selfish, one dimensional.

 

Riise - Time and time again, gets into a promising position to cause some damage and again fails to deliver. His shot towards the end was pathetic.

[surf]

Man City or Portsmouth, maybe Villa.

[Jim D]

Rafa just been on saying Crouch has been offered a new contract, so the ball is in his court. Its his decision whether he stays or not. So obviously Rafa sees him as a part of his plans.

Edited April 5, 2008 by Jim D

[Bootle Buck]

Crouch should have been used in many more games than he has. You would think the knock ons alone to Torres would create all kinds of problems. Crouchy has one of the best first touches in our squad. Compared the the likes of Kuyt and Voronin he is silky smooth. Rafa needs to keep him and find a way to play him.

[Mike]

obviously going. he said as much then.

 

have to agree with whats been said earlier tho and pennant voronin benayoun and riise should all be first in front of the firing squad, and in that order.

 

a real firing squad as well.

[Rimbeux]

It's really up to Crouch and it's very simple.

 

 

If he can accept being plan B, then he can be a very important option for us. You get the feeling he cant accept that though, so will probably look to move on.

[alias75]

Crouch's problem is in the current formation hes clearly number 2 behind Torres and he can only really fill that lone striker role in that formation. Its whether hes happy not playing regularly? Its a little misleading at the moment because we haven't needed to rotate as much since we've played this formation but at the start of a new season theres plenty of games to play he'd get his share.

 

At the moment hes only really going to get his chance in a game when we're behind or drawing with 20-30 min left, we haven't really been in that position much lately where we've needed to throw attacking players on.

 

But im sure there'll be games next season where we play 2 up front as well so as Rafa says its his decision whether or not to sign the new contract, although im sure a bit of offering the contract is to get more money for him if hes sold. (like Sissoko)

[Guest RedLegend]

I'd like him to stay but I think he'll be punted. He doesn't get many games so I can understand why he'd want to move on.

[psl]

Rafa clearly said that he wants to keep Crouch and that sometimes we will play with two up top.

 

Depends if Crouch is happy to stay knowing that Torres is the undisputed number one.

[shanks59]

His first half today upped his worth (Citeh, Villa, Newcastle, Pompey and others will be drooling)

 

Crouch is a good option, but he won't sign a new contract, he'll be gone in the summer

 

I'd prefer to use him as a makeweight in a deal for the likes of Micah Richards/Ashley Young, unfortunately can't see Villa/Citeh going for it

 

Pennance, Benayoun and Voronin again illustrated they lack the quality required and/or endeavour for us to move forwards

[Ben 23]

I think it's very hard to disagree with him being the second best striker at the club. Which is why we shouldn't get rid before we seen a better replacement. I guarantee he goes before Voronin though

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

he's certainly not going to go to a bigger club, so it's a difficult one for him.

 

I hope he stays. He was great today

[Guest Si]

Well contract is on the table so its up to him.

 

Making noise about wanting to start more games is pointless, sign or leave. He can fight for his place, and trophies here or he can play week in week out at somewhere like Spurs and win f*** all.

[jimmylibel]

He was really good today and certainly put the hard yards in too.

 

I think the reason he hasn't figured more this season isn't because Rafa doesn't rate him but because he hasn't done the work that Rafa expects from him the few times he has figured. He put more yards in today than I can remember since Arsenal at home last season and most of his games in his first season with us.

[beejay]

He was really good today and certainly put the hard yards in too.

 

I think the reason he hasn't figured more this season isn't because Rafa doesn't rate him but because he hasn't done the work that Rafa expects from him the few times he has figured. He put more yards in today than I can remember since Arsenal at home last season and most of his games in his first season with us.

 

100% right. When given the chance this season he has strolled through games, little effort, just couldn't be *rsed.

 

He was very good 1st half, less so 2nd but he is definitely on his way. We need a shake-up in the striker department this summer - only Torres is good enough with Kuyt decent back-up in his current position.

[Coyler]

Just watching his post-match interview on LFCtv. Used to like him.

[Huyton_Red]

Crouch was fantastic today, completely domianted the arsenal defence

 

Brilliant he was, they hate playing against him. I would serioulsy consider playing him tuesday and using torres as one of the wide players or going back to 4-4-2

 

he was that good

[Coyler]

Huyton, my dear boy, I was just thinking the very same thing.

[johngibo YPC]

Just watching his post-match interview on LFCtv. Used to like him.

 

yeah, clearly wants to go doesn't he