I want to say something about Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel

[red g]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.

He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

yes i think he can head the ball and seems to be able to place headers well, but power is not his strong point. seems far more comfortable chesting it.

[Shaggy]

Agreed. But it was funny seeing him slide ass first into the past last night

Ass first? Was it not shin first? Could’ve been horrendous…he really clattered into it.

[bobbyfallon]

What does that mean though? It’s bull****. Just because he’s “long” , why should he be good in the air?

He scored about 9 headers last season so he’s obviously not as ‘****’ as you think.

Dennis Wise is very short – does that mean he should’ve been great on the deck?

As for Crouch’s form – it’s not very good, no doubt – but anyone who’s ever played up front will tell you it is impossible to find form and momentum when you only play once a month. Kuyt, and to a lesser extent Voronin, have no such excuse.

It’s just like Fowler under Houllier – he couldn’t find any form cos he was hardly ever given a game...yet, surprise surprise, you won't find many 'Reds' being as sympathetic and understanding towards Crouch as they were with Fowler.

much as we will all deny it - size DOES matter

he has more ofter than not 3-5 inches on defenders, if he was any good he would outjump them 9/10 thus generating chances for someone to run onto or head the ball goalward. i honestly believe he wins closer to 3/10.

he is not getin games for some reason unknown to us. bad as i think he is i agree with you that kuyt and veronin shouldnt start ahead of him.

they are all just not at the level LFC players should be at

[Skillz]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.

He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

For some one who has probably had a massive height advantage all his life I reckon I am entitled to expect that he would time 1 in 5, no. He is poor IMO.

[The Erectile Banana]

For some one who has probably had a massive height advantage all his life I reckon I am entitled to expect that he would time 1 in 5, no. He is poor IMO.

His heading isn't that bad per se, he's just not good at attacking the ball.

What is really lacking from his game is an extra level of agression.

[bobbyfallon]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.
He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

hes not

[Joe Le Toff]

All this praise for Pennant…I thought he was okay at best. Everything about his game was just quite good, except for his crossing (one good cross apart) which was rubbish. I hate the way he crosses the ball. No aim, no zip…just floated or looped into vague areas.

Agreed, Pennants delivery is not consistent enough, nor is it of a high enough standard for him to be considered a top player, in his position it really is all about whipping the ball in the box with accuracy and pace and finding your man and he doesnt do that anywhere near often enough for me.

Ive always viewed him as a stop-gap until we get someone in with genuine class who can hurt the opposition.

[Rich]

One of Crouch's problems is Referee's blowing for fouls when he's jumping.

He'd win far more headers if he were allowed to contest the ball, however he isn't... for some reason.

[Shaggy]

much as we will all deny it - size DOES matter

he has more ofter than not 3-5 inches on defenders, if he was any good he would outjump them 9/10 thus generating chances for someone to run onto or head the ball goalward. i honestly believe he wins closer to 3/10.

But “jumping” and actually heading a ball are two totally different things.

[Neil Young]

But “jumping” and actually heading a ball are two totally different things.

I didn't know you were a professional football coach.

[Shaggy]

I didn't know you were a professional football coach.

Well you do now!

[The Erectile Banana]

But “jumping” and actually heading a ball are two totally different things.

Yes.

In fact I often take a jump around when there are no footballs in the immediate vicinity.

Great fun.

[Joe Le Toff]

His heading isn't that bad per se, he's just not good at attacking the ball.

What is really lacking from his game is an extra level of agression.

Correct in all of the above, i would add a lack of body strength into that as well, he gets knocked off the ball when competing in the air far too easily for me.

[bobbyfallon]

But “jumping” and actually heading a ball are two totally different things.

when he does jump to head a ball its that badly timed that he gets no power or in most cases nowhere near it,

ok i will add he is poor at jumping also to my criticism of crouch.

jumping and heading go hand in hand in my opinion. ??????????

[dww]

hes not

I imagine we will just have to agree to disagree on this.