Edit: for the slower individuals amongst us, this thread is intended in the most light-hearted of fashions.
Peter perfect?
Peter Crouch continued his rich vein of form to score England's winner in the 1-0 victory over Macedonia in their Euro 2008 qualifying match on Wednesday.
The Liverpool striker has now scored 11 goals in 14 international appearances - the same tally as Wayne Rooney, although the Manchester United star has taken 33 games to reach that total.
And his form in front of goal has been welcomed by the majority of the BBC's 606 message board users who believe Crouch fully deserves his place in the starting line-up.
CROUCH CAN DO NO WRONG
Crouch is putting the ball into the back of the net. End of. As a striker, regardless of who you're playing, that's what you're supposed to do. Will he face tougher tests? Of course he will, but he can't do much more than he is.
Shoots
For England he is the number one choice - I doubt McClaren could even consider dropping Crouch for Rooney or Owen now.
LFC Returns
It strikes me as odd that people are still doubting Crouch's place in the team. He has been doing everything you could ask for: he links up play, holds the ball up, tackles, and scores.
Saintly lover
The guy fully deserves his place in the starting line up for the next match - you cannot argue with his strike rate, even if it is not against the strongest opponents. If no-one's noticed, we don't actually have to play any of the "big" teams in qualifying.
'Tis I, Leclerc
He's scoring which is all you can ask of him. But because he's big and awkward, he'll never completely get the credit he deserves.
LesWillis
Crouch is having an in-form spell and there will eventually come a time when he's out of form and out of favour. I ask you though: is it really a good idea to drop in form players? Isn't that called shooting yourself in the foot?
Spikewoman
Crouch is over-rated, but if he keeps scoring, he must keep his place. Owen and Rooney are hardly prolific and Crouch deserves his shirt.
Eric Draven
You can say he has only played against poor teams but I did not see any of our other "world class" players scoring in those games.
An Agger to the Heart
Strikers have two jobs: first and most importantly to score goals. You can't complain about his return here then. Secondly, they are supposed to create chances either for themselves or others, and again, Crouch does this.
Sintons fan club
As has been said a million times before, if he was 6ft and had this kind of scoring ratio we wouldn't be having this discussion.
All he can do is score goals when he is in the team, and he is doing that. He has scored the most goals in a calendar year at international level for England, ever. So what more can he do? His finish against Macedonia was superb and it won us the game.
El Four
If Wayne Rooney had scored 10 goals in his last nine games (against any international opposition), the media and England fans would say he has now proved he is the best player in the world.
TheHobo
Crouch will never get the respect he deserves simply because of his height and that's a great shame.
His goals haven't come against the strongest nations but they still have to be scored and, like McClaren said at the weekend, his work rate is awesome.
Some people will always hate him no matter what he does, so it's pleasing that he appears to be a level headed young man who only cares about the opinion of Rafa Benitez and Steve McClaren. Keep it up, Crouchie.
Billcy
CROUCH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
He is going through a purple patch and he wouldn't be first choice if Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were available.
Crespo18
Crouch is a flat track bully, to borrow an expression from cricket.
Yesjjjimg
He is mediocre at best, but going through a good spell. He encourages the long ball mentality as he is seen as a target man, which he is not.
Poor at heading for someone of his height, good touch on the ball, but extremely poor vision and often halts counter attacks.
Critical4eva
He's still not a good enough striker. He's too one-dimensional and will never trouble the very best defenders.
Ryan
Crouch is little more than a side-show, a bit of a novelty act, who will stay in the team until, (a) his limitations are exposed against better defenders and (b) the more gifted players that England have, are fit and available.
Once this happens he will probably have a permanent place on the bench, to be brought on when all else has failed
If I am wrong, and England's most potent threat consists of a Phil Neville long-throw, aimed at 'Big Peter's' head, then there doesn't seem to be much point in looking to the future with any confidence.
OldBurian
I think every major footballing country in the world would love a striker with Crouch's scoring record for England. Not one of them would want Crouch in their side.
Born Wina
Peter perfect?
Peter Crouch continued his rich vein of form to score England's winner in the 1-0 victory over Macedonia in their Euro 2008 qualifying match on Wednesday.
The Liverpool striker has now scored 11 goals in 14 international appearances - the same tally as Wayne Rooney, although the Manchester United star has taken 33 games to reach that total.
And his form in front of goal has been welcomed by the majority of the BBC's 606 message board users who believe Crouch fully deserves his place in the starting line-up.
CROUCH CAN DO NO WRONG
Crouch is putting the ball into the back of the net. End of. As a striker, regardless of who you're playing, that's what you're supposed to do. Will he face tougher tests? Of course he will, but he can't do much more than he is.
Shoots
For England he is the number one choice - I doubt McClaren could even consider dropping Crouch for Rooney or Owen now.
LFC Returns
It strikes me as odd that people are still doubting Crouch's place in the team. He has been doing everything you could ask for: he links up play, holds the ball up, tackles, and scores.
Saintly lover
The guy fully deserves his place in the starting line up for the next match - you cannot argue with his strike rate, even if it is not against the strongest opponents. If no-one's noticed, we don't actually have to play any of the "big" teams in qualifying.
'Tis I, Leclerc
He's scoring which is all you can ask of him. But because he's big and awkward, he'll never completely get the credit he deserves.
LesWillis
Crouch is having an in-form spell and there will eventually come a time when he's out of form and out of favour. I ask you though: is it really a good idea to drop in form players? Isn't that called shooting yourself in the foot?
Spikewoman
Crouch is over-rated, but if he keeps scoring, he must keep his place. Owen and Rooney are hardly prolific and Crouch deserves his shirt.
Eric Draven
You can say he has only played against poor teams but I did not see any of our other "world class" players scoring in those games.
An Agger to the Heart
Strikers have two jobs: first and most importantly to score goals. You can't complain about his return here then. Secondly, they are supposed to create chances either for themselves or others, and again, Crouch does this.
Sintons fan club
As has been said a million times before, if he was 6ft and had this kind of scoring ratio we wouldn't be having this discussion.
All he can do is score goals when he is in the team, and he is doing that. He has scored the most goals in a calendar year at international level for England, ever. So what more can he do? His finish against Macedonia was superb and it won us the game.
El Four
If Wayne Rooney had scored 10 goals in his last nine games (against any international opposition), the media and England fans would say he has now proved he is the best player in the world.
TheHobo
Crouch will never get the respect he deserves simply because of his height and that's a great shame.
His goals haven't come against the strongest nations but they still have to be scored and, like McClaren said at the weekend, his work rate is awesome.
Some people will always hate him no matter what he does, so it's pleasing that he appears to be a level headed young man who only cares about the opinion of Rafa Benitez and Steve McClaren. Keep it up, Crouchie.
Billcy
CROUCH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
He is going through a purple patch and he wouldn't be first choice if Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were available.
Crespo18
Crouch is a flat track bully, to borrow an expression from cricket.
Yesjjjimg
He is mediocre at best, but going through a good spell. He encourages the long ball mentality as he is seen as a target man, which he is not.
Poor at heading for someone of his height, good touch on the ball, but extremely poor vision and often halts counter attacks.
Critical4eva
He's still not a good enough striker. He's too one-dimensional and will never trouble the very best defenders.
Ryan
Crouch is little more than a side-show, a bit of a novelty act, who will stay in the team until, (a) his limitations are exposed against better defenders and (b) the more gifted players that England have, are fit and available.
Once this happens he will probably have a permanent place on the bench, to be brought on when all else has failed
If I am wrong, and England's most potent threat consists of a Phil Neville long-throw, aimed at 'Big Peter's' head, then there doesn't seem to be much point in looking to the future with any confidence.
OldBurian
I think every major footballing country in the world would love a striker with Crouch's scoring record for England. Not one of them would want Crouch in their side.
Born Wina
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