Quick question for the Crouch doubters...

[DannyMan2006]

If you're going to take off goals that Crouch has scored, at least take off the game as well. Jaysus. Anyway, IF IF IF, who cares? He did score those goals. It's not like his goalscoring record this season in the league was poor before today!

Sometimes Crouchy can be too much of a blunt implement for me, but when he's in the mood he can be such a handful. At the very least I think he makes an excellent backup striker.

Same as IF IF IF he played like today all the time he would be a guaranteed first choice striker, or at the very least was was more calm in his finishing. But he's not.

[Craig_H]

Same as IF IF IF he played like today all the time he would be a guaranteed first choice striker, or at the very least was was more calm in his finishing. But he's not.

It's feck all to do with just how he played today, it's about 16 goals from 24 starts.

There's no 'if' in that, he DOES have a goal ratio of 2 goals per 3 starts. Which is awesome.

That cannot be disputed.

[nbryan1764]

[QUOTE=Dhavlos;364829]FAir enough mate, he may be our most clinical finisher, but for a team at the top level he is still not clinical enough. We need to be far more clinical and take more of the chances we create, and I encompass Crouch and Kuyt within that criticism. Personally I'd like Crouch to stay, but to be more as a squad player than our first choice striker. I want someone real top class for that role, like an Etoo, and I think that's the type of striker we need to win the league.

We all know Kuyt is Rafa's favourite, and let's also remember it is his first season at Anfield so let's not judge him too hastily. The guy deserves a second season, as he has shown flashes of how good he potentially can be.

Personally, I'd be happy to let Bellers go, if we bring in someone who has similar attributes to him (ie is quick) and is a real top class finisher.[/Q]

Have the Mancs got a striker that is more clinical?

[Red_Polo]

It's feck all to do with just how he played today, it's about 16 goals from 24 starts.

There's no 'if' in that, he DOES have a goal ratio of 2 goals per 3 starts. Which is awesome.

That cannot be disputed.

Exactly.

[mancdetester]

He did well today. No doubt.

But he is not good enough to be a Liverpool player and he never will be be

man alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
have you seen some of this lads goals this season , ****in superb -volleys half volleys, overhead kicks bicycle kicks , tap ins ,headers, you name it this lad is the dogs danglies and hes only just got here!!!!
for ****s sake , leave him alone , he loves being at liverpool and he gives his all every match

[nbryan1764]

Remember the Blackburn game on Boxing Day? Top strikers do not miss chances like that, in spite of what Red_Al says. Except for may be Shevchenko in the CL Final.

Is Rooney a top striker? If he is then your argument is wrong...I just saw two chances that he missed on MOTD today, funnily enough against Blackburn

[mancdetester]

Is Rooney a top striker? If he is then your argument is wrong...I just saw two chances that he missed on MOTD today, funnily enough against Blackburn

i swear , if money wasnt a issue i wouldnt swap crouch for rooney, not a ****in chance

[DannyMan2006]

6 in 15 is slightly shy of 1 in 2.

1 in 2 is widely considered excellent.

As for the question, no i'm not unsure. Crouch is our most prolific goalscorer, he keeps possession better than our other strikers, he links the play brilliantly and he's a great team player.

Fowler is finished sadly.

From the LFC website. Looks good for Crouch fans......... Not sure if its starts or including all appearances. Guess we missed Garcia too......

GOALS SCORED PER GAME
Peter Crouch---- .42
Robbie Fowler--- .41
Dirk Kuyt------- .26
Craig Bellamy--- .26
Luis Garcia----- .22

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/stats/

[Craig_H]

From the LFC website. Looks good for Crouch fans......... Not sure if its starts or including all appearances. Guess we missed Garcia too......

GOALS SCORED PER GAME
Peter Crouch .42
Robbie Fowler .41
Dirk Kuyt .26
Craig Bellamy .26
Luis Garcia .22

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/stats/

It's all appearances. I've already given you the stat for starts.

16 goals in 24 starts.

Or .66, in your language

[Dhav]

[QUOTE=nbryan1764;364888]

FAir enough mate, he may be our most clinical finisher, but for a team at the top level he is still not clinical enough. We need to be far more clinical and take more of the chances we create, and I encompass Crouch and Kuyt within that criticism. Personally I'd like Crouch to stay, but to be more as a squad player than our first choice striker. I want someone real top class for that role, like an Etoo, and I think that's the type of striker we need to win the league.

We all know Kuyt is Rafa's favourite, and let's also remember it is his first season at Anfield so let's not judge him too hastily. The guy deserves a second season, as he has shown flashes of how good he potentially can be.

Personally, I'd be happy to let Bellers go, if we bring in someone who has similar attributes to him (ie is quick) and is a real top class finisher.[/Q]

Have the Mancs got a striker that is more clinical?

I know what you're saying, but it's not a fair comparison. They've got a winger who's scored 16 goals for them, they've scored 74 league goals, they get goals from players all over the pitch and score the type of goals on the counter that we have no hope of scoring. Given the way we play, and we only seem to play that one way, our strikers need to score a lot more of the chances that they get, and Crouch has been as wasteful as any of them.

[DannyMan2006]

Is Rooney a top striker? If he is then your argument is wrong...I just saw two chances that he missed on MOTD today, funnily enough against Blackburn

IMHO Rooney will become World Class, but is not yet. Crouch never will be, but is still a good player, I just feel we could do better. I hope Crouch gets a run of games now and shows me hes capable of better, though its not me he has to convince, its Rafa.

[Dhav]

Is Rooney a top striker? If he is then your argument is wrong...I just saw two chances that he missed on MOTD today, funnily enough against Blackburn

Rooney is not an out-and-out striker, he plays deeper, so it is completely different in my view.

[DannyMan2006]

Rooney is not an out-and-out striker, he plays deeper, so it is completely different in my view.

You could argue that Crouch isnt though.

[Craig_H]

You could and i would.

[nbryan1764]

[QUOTE=Dhavlos;364899]

I know what you're saying, but it's not a fair comparison. They've got a winger who's scored 16 goals for them, they've scored 74 league goals, they get goals from players all over the pitch and score the type of goals on the counter that we have no hope of scoring. Given the way we play, and we only seem to play that one way, our strikers need to score a lot more of the chances that they get, and Crouch has been as wasteful as any of them.

I agree with what you say about them getting goals from others but as far as Crouch is concerned, you cannot use that against him! The fact is he is as clinical as anyone they have upfront, if not more clinical, and it is around him that we need to raise their game. I just watched the game again on Sky+ and Andy Gray said after his headed goal that if he could do that more regularly then he would be moving to the next level. That is his failing at the moment I believe and not his finishing. All strikers miss chances, its when they stop getting chances you have a problem. For once I agree with Mr Gray. I think Crouch, with a bit more improvement, could well move to that next level.