Rafa got it wrong

Sir Tokyo Sexwale · February 7, 2006

It happens sometimes.

I don't think Crouch is a player to play up front on his own, he isn't physical enough. He's great at knock-downs, but his aerial prowess isn't great. He tends to get under the ball, so heads it with the top of his head & can get no direction nor power on it. Xabi's curling cross to the far post, he got ahead of the ball & so had no chance of getting his header on target. He's a player who's much better with his feet than head.

I think Crouch had a decent game, the normally unflappable terry wsa not having fun - look at his pained expressions & bitching at colleagues. Cech certainly didn't like playing against him. But we needed another striker to try to feed off anything Crouch could present. Having Moro on the bench & to an extent Luis Garcia wasn't what I'd have done - physical game & s*** pitch. They're more technical players. I'd have had Fowler on the bench at least.

We played quite well, and probably had the run of the game for 60-65 mins, but resorted to long shots - Carra's & Stevie's being the best efforts. While we were running things, Chelsea were hardly rocking on their heels.

I'd have gone more for JAR at LB & use another striker.

liverbird04 · February 7, 2006

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