Crouch

[JPK]

I can see the point Pat's making but I have to say I really don't agree with it. In Crouch's first season with us we played some very crisp passing football and he might not have been scoring as regularly as he has since, but he was absolutely pivotal to the way we played.

If you look at the way Arsenal played with Bergkamp, it was obvious he didn't have the pace to play the direct pass and run type stuff they excelled at, but not everyone has to play the same way. Bergkamp acted as a pivot for the runners around him. I think Crouch and Kuyt can both perform a similar role.

Obviously Bergkamp had different qualities to these two, but the point is that lacking in pace whilst playing for a very direct team needn't leave you redundant as a forward. Crouch and Kuyt both have a physical presence that they can use to hold the ball while the runners break. It needn't slow us down - they can release the ball just as soon as the more dynamic players around them break free, before supplementing the attack themselves.

Kind of hear what you are saying RP,but Bergkamp and Crouch in the same sentence!!Bergkamp was a genius with the ball.He was the best No.10 to play in the premiership and could do anything with the ball.My main point is that if we want a target man,then he should have more strings to his bow.
A better example would be Crespo so.Tall,strong and a lethal header.Super movement and clinical in front of goal.That is the type I would like to see with us.

[RedProf]

I can see the point Pat's making but I have to say I really don't agree with it. In Crouch's first season with us we played some very crisp passing football and he might not have been scoring as regularly as he has since, but he was absolutely pivotal to the way we played.

I would argue that Crouch was essential to us in the 1st season with us. Without him our whole gameplan crumbled and we looked a different team when he didnt play. Ball retention was ****e and frequently it all broke down in the last 1/3rd.

I think Crouch, when in form, is a great player and I'm glad we have him. I suspect at the moment he's a bit off form and thus won't feature so heavily at the start of the season, but as we know, its a long season and we will call upon him at critical times, that I'm sure of.

However, I would say that when he's having a poor game, he does it in style. When things just arent working for him, he does look ineffective. However, these are outweighed by the good games he has imo. If only he can maintain those standards he set himself when we played Arsenal in Mrch, then he could be an increible player for us.

[JPK]

I would argue that Crouch was essential to us in the 1st season with us. Without him our whole gameplan crumbled and we looked a different team when he didnt play. Ball retention was ****e and frequently it all broke down in the last 1/3rd.

I think Crouch, when in form, is a great player and I'm glad we have him. I suspect at the moment he's a bit off form and thus won't feature so heavily at the start of the season, but as we know, its a long season and we will call upon him at critical times, that I'm sure of.

However, I would say that when he's having a poor game, he does it in style. When things just arent working for him, he does look ineffective. However, these are outweighed by the good games he has imo. If only he can maintain those standards he set himself when we played Arsenal in Mrch, then he could be an increible player for us.

I do agree with most of that.But when he has a poor game and when he misses big chances,then it costs us and we lose points.You could not say the same about Reina,Finnan,Carra,Agger,Xabi,Stevie and I have no doubt Monster and Torres will join the group too.They set the high standards and are serious top class performers week in week out.

[Havors]

He's looked poor in pre-season. Always two paces of the play.

I cant believe Rafa hasnt tried Torres and Voronin together. Start them on Sunday I say.

[bigfooty]

Kuyt and Bellamy played well together as Kuyt is cute and Bellamy had the pace to link up well with him.

This is a popular misconception. True, they did have some good performances together, but in the matches they started as a pairing we had a record of 9 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses. That is not good. Not good at all.

Crouch and Kuyt on the other hand had a record of 13 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses.

[RedReet]

Crouch has improved every year under Rafa and if he continues that trend then there is no way we should contemplate selling him. The greatest problem with Crouch is he naturally encourages other players to hoof the long ball to him, which is hardly his fault. With better players this year, hopefully this shouldn’t be as much of a problem. 9 goals in 19 starts isn’t a bad return considering we didn’t have the best of seasons. Crouch is a very good player and a few lacklustre pre-season performances doesn’t change that.

[Gazzla]

I think Crouch is by far the best player to go with if we want to play 1 up top.

I have to admit he's looked a little off his game though in pre-season, especially the match he started out in Hong Kong and yesterday.

I agree, he hasn't looked the best in preseason and looks a little short of confidence. Still a very valuable squad member and I'm sure he will come good once the season gets underway.