Crouch on Wednesday

[Tee]

What was the actual tangible outcome of his performance though?

HE did not play ****e though, even if we lost. Seems he is a ****in easier target in these forums than Riise...

[Craig_H]

HE did not play ****e though, even if we lost. Seems he is a ****in easier target in these forums than Riise...

Never said he played ****e, but he didnt take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate it either.

He's not a 'target', he's just a superb footballer who has set himself an enormously high standard by virtue of some amazing, dominating performances over the years, but sadly he rarely meets those standards against Man Utd or Chelsea.

[RedsFan83]

well wednesday would be an ideal time for him to buck this trend and show his brilliant best. lord knows we need our captain to keep the boys concentrating in the cauldron that is the bridge.

[Tee]

Never said he played ****e, but he didnt take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate it either.

He's not a 'target', he's just a superb footballer who has set himself an enormously high standard by virtue of some amazing, dominating performances over the years, but sadly he rarely meets those standards against Man Utd or Chelsea.

Sadly the rest of our team never meets the sort of standard required to allow Stevie to flourish in those games. That is slowly changing with the likes of Torres, Mascher, Babel and Skyrtle.

Watch him go get them next season.

[Craig_H]

He he...flags dammit, they've got flags!!!

[Craig_H]

Sadly the rest of our team never meets the sort of standard required to allow Stevie to flourish in those games. That is slowly changing with the likes of Torres, Mascher, Babel and Skyrtle.

Watch him go get them next season.

Need it to happen THIS season!

[Tee]

Need it to happen THIS season!

True, and it might just happen in Moscow eh?!!

[RedsFan83]

via fulham, cos we all know that chelski isn't actually in chelsea

****ing pretenders

[RedsFan83]

how should we line up then to get the best out of stevie against this particular opponent?

[Marky]

how should we line up then to get the best out of stevie against this particular opponent?

Rafa has tried to accomodate Gerrard as best he could in our big games, unfortunately the skipper has gone missing in the vast majority of them, anyone who disagrees is clearly deluded.
Lets hope he plays a blinder next weds.

[Craig_H]

how should we line up then to get the best out of stevie against this particular opponent?

CM, in a 442 alongside Mascherano.

It's more to add something up front (Crouch) and give them something different to try and deal with.

[RedsFan83]

sounds good but id still like to see mascher given a bit more licence to go forward

[Craig_H]

i dont mean for this to sound like a ridiculous question, but would you still play him then if the chances are he will underperform?

Yes, because 'underperforming' by his own standards is still a decent performance and offers you more than anyone else.

[RedsFan83]

true, very true

[blacky]

I don't see the point in changing the formation yet. We created enough chances the other night to have won the game by 2 or 3 goals. I think we should start the game the same way but if say after 60 minutes it was still 0-0 then change it around and bring on Crouch. If Crouch starts it means SG will get shuffled out to the left again and he was apassenger there against arsenal. Look at what happened to Rooney last night? We need to play our best players in their most effective positions.