Peter Crouch - outcast ?

[Riddler]

In our over hyped rotation system Big Peter Crouch doesnt seem to be doing much rotating recently ,is he being rested? injured ? or fallen out with Rafa ? I suppoe you can say the same for Fowler ,but I think he knew his chances may be limited. But Peter Crouch who is clealy a confidence player ,is probably wondering where his next game is coming from. (maybe wednesday). Any thoughts ?

[G_Man]

Plus he's a goal machine this season. He's been unfortunate in my opinion.

[NICKZS]

I trust Peter Crouch to maintain the correct mentality through this spell. He will be played, probably tomorrow I believe, and if he proves that he is doing enough to oust Kuyt/Bellamy then he will regain his place.

Crouch is the exact opposite of an outcast at LFC, he could certainly still be a very important member of the squad. But, at the moment, he ain't beating Kuyt to number 1 striker's spot

[Dhav]

What about robbie? Not even been in the squad for the alst 3 matches. Whats the deal there?

[red g]

Crouch is very effective and a great player, unfortunately for crouch, Kuyt is a better version of crouch.....I still think Fowler and crouch will get plenty of games but I think Kuyt is numero uno.

Crouch will be used more know for what i think he was always earmarked for tough away games and mixing it up with twenty minutes to go

[G_Man]

Robbie is staring at the tail-end of his career whereas Crouchie is fighting to establish himself at Liverpool and for England. I think it'll be more of an issue for Crouch that Fowler.

[redlancer]

Maybe we're seeing Crouch as he was initially bought.
To be brought at the hour mark.

and/or Rafa weighs up the oposition and plays forwards acordinagly.

Kuyt is prob Rafa's no 1, Bellers can produce that magic so is getting a run to get confidence.


Maybe with Bellers and Garcia on the pitch Rafa is getting kneck sores barking orders if Crouch is also present.

[lfc4ever]

Crouch will now be an impact player, iirc, he has been named in the squad for every game this season so far?

Robbie is backup to the 3 main strikers, will only get a game through injury to one of the others, and then as a sub coming on. And seeing what he did to re-sign for us, that will have been explained to him fully no doubt, and yet he still had no qualms about signing on the dotted line.

[Taffy]

Crouch is probably finding it difficult to break up the Kuyt/Bellamy partnership at the moment.

Rafa has used these two in recent games and it looks like an understanding is forming between them on the pitch. However, with the games coming thick and fast I suspect that Crouch will play a part soon - I'd think he'd start tomorrow night, or if not, against Bolton at the weekend for sure.

We're fortunate that we have such options up front these days so that we can afford to leave the England goal machine out at the moment.

Rafa likes to rotate though so he'll get enough games this season, and if a striker is on form for his club then it's common sense to play him, like he's doing at the moment with Kuyt.

Fowler is probably a different story though as he's not expecting to play all the time due to his situation with his career coming to an end soon, and with three international strikers ahead of him at the club I guess he understands that. He'll also get some games though, but the other three will always be ahead of him in my opinion (unless Robbie starts scoring for fun when he gets the opportunity).

Kuyt and Bellamy are the ones in the driving seat at the moment (and they seem to have found an understanding early on) but that will change during the season when Crouch/Fowler get some form.

[fowlen]

Not too sure of Crouch will start tomorrow, but I believe that he will definitely start against Bolton.

To an extent Crouch and Kuyt are a little similar - they both come looking for the ball and do plenty of work outside the box. Kuyt has to be first choice, but i reckon Crouchinho will start featuring again.

[Bob]

Crouch is very effective and a great player, unfortunately for crouch, Kuyt is a better version of crouch.....I still think Fowler and crouch will get plenty of games but I think Kuyt is numero uno.

Crouch will be used more know for what i think he was always earmarked for tough away games and mixing it up with twenty minutes to go

I predicted a while back that Crouch's match time would deteriorate rapidly with Kuyt's arrival for the reason you suggested.

He was always signed as an impact/away player. Now we will see that IMO!

[Guest]

Kuyt is undoubtedly the first choice. Crouchie will only get in when Rafa feels that Dirk needs a breather of some sort. At the moment, he's focusing on developping his partnership with Bellers.

[PTP]

I have a sneaky feeling we might sign another striker in Jan, esp if either Bellamy, Kuyt or Crouch pick up injuries or suspensions between now and then. As much as I love Fowler, for me he doesn't bring anything to the team other than experience and presence. As I have mentioned in a thread a while ago, most teams now have at least one big/strong/fit/quick defender and Robbie just can't compete against them.

I predict we'll bring in another strike(don't ask who, it's just a hunch) If kewell is fit by Xmas he will be on his way freeeing wages etc.
Robbie will stay on till the end of the season, won't play very much and then willl be told he won't get a contract extension. There is a chance he may be offered some sort of coaching role but more than likely he'll retire.

[fowlen]

Kuyt is without doubt first choice, and will be rested only occasionally I think.
I reckon he'll start most games.

As for Crouch his time will come, but he probably won't get as much match time as last season.

I also think Fowler's contribution is underestimated.
He is so experienced and is still a very clever player. Rafa will want all his other strikers to try and learn as much as possible off him.

[dirty_sanchez]

I have a sneaky feeling we might sign another striker in Jan, esp if either Bellamy, Kuyt or Crouch pick up injuries or suspensions between now and then. As much as I love Fowler, for me he doesn't bring anything to the team other than experience and presence. As I have mentioned in a thread a while ago, most teams now have at least one big/strong/fit/quick defender and Robbie just can't compete against them.

I predict we'll bring in another strike(don't ask who, it's just a hunch) If kewell is fit by Xmas he will be on his way freeeing wages etc.
Robbie will stay on till the end of the season, won't play very much and then willl be told he won't get a contract extension. There is a chance he may be offered some sort of coaching role but more than likely he'll retire.

I don't agree. Fowler's movement is out of this world. He showed us last season that he knows where the goal is too.