Rafa and Crouch

[sonsofthedesert]

£7-8m? Laughable mate, and we both know it. It's another Cisse scenario. We bought him when his stock was at his highest, for double his actual worth and we'll get about a third of it back.

Still cannot fathom why Rafa bought him.

Work ethic, gets about the pitch and defends from the front. Sadly this means that he is ess likely to score.

[AFII]

Work ethic, gets about the pitch and defends from the front. Sadly this means that he is ess likely to score.

but it also leave Torres with a lot of space. If Crouch for example play with Torres then El Nino won't get the same number of one on one with a defender, he would need to get past two or three players instead of one.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Work ethic, gets about the pitch and defends from the front. Sadly this means that he is ess likely to score.

Crouch already did all of this though.

And to be fair so did Morientes.

Surely the role of a forward is threaten the opposition first, either with goals or assits, then the team work stuff second.

I mean Ian Rush, Bearsdley, Kenny, God and the midget didn't get in the team based on their defending from the front, even though they all did do it.

Hopefully Rafa is as ruthless with Kuyt as he was with Morientes.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

but it also leave Torres with a lot of space. If Crouch for example play with Torres then El Nino won't get the same number of one on one with a defender, he would need to get past two or three players instead of one.

Absolute rubbish.

Reading away in the league cup 2 months ago.

One of the few times Torres and Crouch have started up front together.

Torres scores a hat-trick.

What say you?

[AFII]

Absolute rubbish.

Reading away in the league cup 2 months ago.

One of the few times Torres and Crouch have started up front together.

Torres scores a hat-trick.

What say you?

and Torres got kicked around very much in that game because the defenders could concentrate on him and not Crouch.

The defense can afford to leave Crouch with some space because he isn't that quick so they can stay closer to the second striker instead, in this case Torres.

Kuyt isn't that quick either but he works so hard that he will drag around the defense all over the place. That leaves a lot of space for Torres to work with.

Kuyt compensates his lack of speed with his fantastic work ethic and that means that the defense must concentrate on him even if he isn't that quick.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

and Torres got kicked around very much in that game because the defenders could concentrate on him and not Crouch.

The defense can afford to leave Crouch with some space because he isn't that quick so they can stay closer to the second striker instead, in this case Torres.

Kuyt isn't that quick either but he works so hard that he will drag around the defense all over the place. That leaves a lot of space for Torres to work with.

Kuyt compensates his lack of speed with his fantastic work ethic and that means that the defense must concentrate on him even if he isn't that quick.

Really? They concentrate on Kuyt do they?

The guy has only scored once in open play this season.

If anything it's Torres who makes space for Kuyt, not the other way around, and Dirky boy just isn't quick or skillful enough to exploit it.

So what if Torres took at kicking in that game, it's they way things are in our league; physical. He scored a hat-trick and we won.

I'm sure on another thread the minutes and assists to goals ratio show how much further ahead Crouch is of either Kuyt or Voronin.

[AFII]

Really? They concentrate on Kuyt do they?

The guy has only scored once in open play this season.

If anything it's Torres who makes space for Kuyt, not the other way around, and Dirky boy just isn't quick or skillful enough to exploit it.

So what if Torres took at kicking in that game, it's they way things are in our league; physical. He scored a hat-trick and we won.

I'm sure on another thread the minutes and assists to goals ratio show how much further ahead Crouch is of either Kuyt or Voronin.

It's not which player that is the best one. It's about which player that suits Rafa's system best and which player that is best for the team.

Kuyt suits Rafa's system better than Crouch.

[carrsim]

£7-8m? Laughable mate, and we both know it. It's another Cisse scenario. We bought him when his stock was at his highest, for double his actual worth and we'll get about a third of it back.

Still cannot fathom why Rafa bought him.

mate, your views on this are well known. if he plays today please keep it out of the match thread.

right or wrong, slagging our players during the game gets right on my tits

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

mate, your views on this are well known. if he plays today please keep it out of the match thread.

right or wrong, slagging our players during the game gets right on my tits

He's not.

So can I hammer him in the match thread now?

[carrsim]

He's not.

So can I hammer him in the match thread now?

go for your life

[sonsofthedesert]

Was thinking after the game about any potential benefits to selling Kuyt and Crouch then using the money to get another top striker in. Could use Babel as the 4th striker when not played on the wing. Just an idea but could give us a chance of a top striker like Torres. I can def see Sissoko going in the summer to help justify/fund Mascherano.

[Red_Al_77]

Crouch isn't going anywhere. That much is clear.

[Jayesh87]

Crouch isn't going anywhere. That much is clear.

Hope your right buddy.

[Kopite_Colin]

I think Rafa has been talking him up lately to maximise his price.

[sonsofthedesert]

Crouch isn't going anywhere. That much is clear.

I agree with you but it was a question as to what you all thought. Sell Crouch and Kuyt and buy a top class striker and use Voronin and Babel as backup. Babel obv. normally playing on the wing but upfront when needed.