Henry's head

[einar]

The point is valid. The faster the ball comes to you, the easier it is to head it with pace.

Crouch is still crap in the air though, IMHO.

[Parm]

Crouch not only lacks power in his headers but precision as well. I lost count how many times he headed a good chance straight to the keeper this season.

indeed frustrating isnt it.

[einar]

So what we need is a big man who can head the ball.

A kid from Ajax?

[tomasjj]

He's not particularly good in the air, but the fact remains too many crosses are just looped in at him.

Still, he's our top goalscorer and around half of those have been headers. :shrug:

He should have had twice the amount that he has though, and that is the crux for me - the wasted opportunities.

[Red_Al_77]

He should have had twice the amount that he has though, and that is the crux for me - the wasted opportunities.

A greater worry would be if he didn't even make those opportunities. Shows what he has achieved that even with all those misses he's still top scorer.

[Shaggy]

But this is why he's unique - his height means he wins the majority balls...balls that your regular striker (i.e significantly shorter than 6'7) wouldn't necessarily get on the end of. I agree, he ought to capitalise on the advantage nature gave him more often but, courtesy of Graham Taylor, we know why he has this weakness in the air. Presumably he works on it all the time and, as there's so much room for improvement, I can't see why he won't improve - he's still relatively young (25?).

[Ron_Mexico]

Henry is no natural header of the ball too and is far from brilliant at that. How many goals do you see him scoring with his head. I think today he was on the end of a magnificent run and cross from Eboué. That makes all the difference in my humble opinion.

i didnt say henry was good, he nearly put that header over today, it was all about the cross from eboue i agree

im not buying this crosses arent good enough arguement. how many times have i seen crouch in an excellant position, cross right to his head, goal at his mercy, and the end product is a weak header straight at the keeper. the goals he has scored with his head were ones he couldnt possibly miss.

look at luis garcia, he is a short arse spaniard but his technique is a million times better and he has scored some cracking goals with his head

[tomasjj]

A greater worry would be if he didn't even make those opportunities. Shows what he has achieved that even with all those misses he's still top scorer.

That's a very generous perspective from you. I don't see it that way.

[Shaggy]

Maybe he should forget ever heading the ball and just throw himself at each one with an acrobatic overhead kick.

[Ron_Mexico]

Presumably he works on it all the time and, as there's so much room for improvement, I can't see why he won't improve - he's still relatively young (25?).

if he doesnt have the basics down by now he never will imo. its a shame, i bet no one worked with him on his technique when he was young becasue he was so tall he was unplayable

[tomasjj]

Maybe he should forget ever heading the ball and just throwing himself at each one with an acrobatic overheard kick.

[Shaggy]

if he doesnt have the basics down by now he never will imo. its a shame, i bet no one worked with him on his technique when he was young becasue he was so tall he was unplayable

Well, this is virtually what Graham Taylor said. He said he always had a huge height advantage from a young age and never had to work or even jump for his headers, and as a kid he'd only have to get on the end of a cross, get it on target and it was invariably a goal. At this level you need power and precision...find the corners or head it down...but Crouch never had to develop his neck muscles to generate that extra power due to his height advantage.

[Red_Al_77]

That's a very generous perspective from you. I don't see it that way.

I'm a fan of Crouch and his contribution to Liverpool. I was fortunate to be at the Wigan home when he scored his first goal for the club. The delight in the faces of the fans and the players that day was something special. His play that day was special. He may not be the greatest striker in the world but only one player can be. Crouch is a special game player ( a la American football ) and we should keep him amongst our four strikers.

[Ron_Mexico]

Well, this is virtually what Graham Taylor said. He said he always had a huge height advantage from a young age and never had to work or even jump for his headers, and as a kid he'd only have to get on the end of a cross, get it on target and it was invariably a goal. At this level you need power and precision...find the corners or head it down...but Crouch never had to develop his neck muscles to generate that extra power due to his height advantage.

that makes sense, so he needs to walk around for about 3 weeks bobbing around like a chicken to build them up

sorted

[tomasjj]

I'm a fan of Crouch and his contribution to Liverpool. I was fortunate to be at the Wigan home when he scored his first goal for the club. The delight in the faces of the fans and the players that day was something special. His play that day was special. He may not be the greatest striker in the world but only one player can be. Crouch is a special game player ( a la American football ) and we should keep him amongst our four strikers.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I think he is a very important asset.
It's just that I think he should be replaced, if we can get 8-10 million plus for him from Newcastle as has been touted about in the rags. If we can receive that much, I say sell. Nice lad and all, but too wasteful.
If no one came in for him, sure, I would keep him in the squad as an impact player, not a starter.