The Tall One

[BobTheCharmer]

As I said in a previous post, I think he been off the boil all season. I also said there is a possibility that Rafa noticed something in training leading to his omissions. Can you not entertain that possibility?
Do you seriously believe that how a player trains is irrelevant to his selection, even when Rafa and his backroom staff have contended otherwise?

But he's found his form and his confidence, so NOW he should play v Fulham.

of course I can entertain that notion.

But I don't believe this is the reason. I think this goes bavk to the CL final when for reasons unknown Rafa drops him to the bench and we lose the game.

[Maestro]

He didn't exactly work his socks off in the pre-season games. When the other players did that he just walked around the pitch and looked very uninterested.

For some reason I don't think Rafa liked that attitude at all.

I don't know about that - but again, we're only second guessing. All I'm saying is that his omission by Rafa doesn't necessarily have to be down to a personal thing between the two or a bust-up behind the scenes.

[AFII]

I don't know about that - but again, we're only second guessing. All I'm saying is that his omission by Rafa doesn't necessarily have to be down to a personal thing between the two or a bust-up behind the scenes.

[El Jefecito]

There were a few stories in early in the season as to how Crouch thought 'he had made it'. He said as much in his autography. I wouldn't be suprised if Rafa has been working the psychology angle to get Crouch's hunger back. You know the eye of the tiger.

Many of us came to the conclusion that his work rate had dropped off and with all the stats Rafa collects you can be sure he would know if that was the case.

Like I say Rafa is a professional, there is no way he would marginalize Crouch, on the basis of a grudge. He wants to win and if putting Crouch under pressure, is going to be best for the team in the long run, then that is what he will do.

To think otherwise is a bit niave.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I can't help feel it won't be enough to get him a game on saturday though.

He'll get dropped for Kuyt on Saturday. Guaranteed.

Maybe Rafa will surprize us.

Maybe last night the penny finally dropped.

Maybe.....

[dww]

I agree with the comments about his hunger looking back of late. He seemed to ease off after that period of blistering form last season (which peaked with the Arsenal hat trick). I have wanted to see him in the team more but if he wasn't motivated and he is now then I think long term we may benefit from the decision.

[badpiggy]

anyone remember a agame earlier on in the season - actually i think i might have been the home leg to toulouse - when crouch scored but missed acouple of sitters (headers) in the first half? the look on rafa's face made me think that he noticed the misses far more than the goal and that crouch's fate was sealed that night as being the right type of player but the wrong man

[rage]

crouch is better than kyut and voronin and on that basis he should be in the starting 11 more than he has been, and more than the other two. Whether he is good enough for a title winning team is actually a different point.

Rafa does hold grudges, there is no other explanation as too why crouch has not had as much playing time as the other two.

[shanklyn]

Rafa does hold grudges, there is no other explanation as too why crouch has not had as much playing time as the other two.

Sorry but that's rubbish, anything could have happened behind closed doors. How would we know about it

[cobain]

I don't know man ... I don't want to see him leave in January ... He's just too important to us. Kuyt on the other hand isn't

[rage]

Sorry but that's rubbish, anything could have happened behind closed doors. How would we know about it

ok then why has crouch had very few opportunities? ffs i'm not even a crouch fan but the criticisms on crouch not taking his chances hence not being picked were not applied to kuyt or voronin.

Something has took place behind closed doors that has meant crouch has not been given a similar opportunity as kuyt or voronin on the pitch. It clearly has had nothing to do with footballing ability, fitness or form as when he has come on he has done at worst no different than kuyt and voronin.

Oh and Rafa also looked pissed off last night when crouch got his second so i must be right

[shanklyn]

ok then why has crouch had very few opportunities? ffs i'm not even a crouch fan but the criticisms on crouch not taking his chances hence not being picked were not applied to kuyt or voronin.

Something has took place behind closed doors that has meant crouch has not been given a similar opportunity as kuyt or voronin on the pitch. It clearly has had nothing to do with footballing ability, fitness or form as when he has come on he has done at worst no different than kuyt and voronin.

Oh and Rafa also looked pissed off last night when crouch got his second so i must be right

So in other words, you are agreeing with me

[Marky]

I would absolutely devastated if Crouch was to be sold. Gutted, completely gutted.
Love the big man.

[El Jefecito]

He didn't exactly work his socks off in the pre-season games. When the other players did that he just walked around the pitch and looked very uninterested.

For some reason I don't think Rafa liked that attitude at all.

I just watched the game again and TBH, other than score the goals, he did not do much. Most of our attacking play was down the wings or thru the middle via the crow.

It's becoming clear though that posession football aside, Crouch is an excellent and intuitive finisher. Thats a very rare attribute.

I'd really like to see, how well he can link up with Torres. I'm not sure that is a natural pairing though, as though both are best to lead the line. Torres has said that w/Crouch he'd be expected to play deeper. Haven't seen Torres in that role, so don't know how well it would suit. Mind you I guess he played deeper for atletico, so maybe it will work.

If we can get those two ticking, we'll be awesome up front. We'll have it all, holding up the ball, pace, finishing, flick ons, precise passing, linking up with the midfield. Everything except Drogbaesque like aerial ability.

Would be the best partnership in the EPL I think.

[Skillz]

Congratulations Crouchie son.

His treatment is my main grievance I have with Rafa. I can stomach the at times negative tactics and rotation as long as its fair. But we are a better team with Crouch in it. We'd have a lot more wins had he been selected ahead of certain other individuals.

Stevie G loves playing off of him and since he's far and away our best player it makes sense to get the best from him.

I was willing Crouch to get a second and thanks to Benni he did just that.

I can't help feel it won't be enough to get him a game on saturday though.

Special mention to the other tall one, Sami, playing his 100th euro game, thought he was immense second half getting stuck in.

Don't want to be too negative but taking away Crouch's last 3 (maybe 4?) appearances he has been very ordinary and at no point did I feel he had done enough to earn a start. Having said that he has been good recently and when in this form can be very difficult for any teams.