Can someone teach Crouch to score goals with his head?

[red_in_oz]

Just seen last night's goal again on TV.

Every time I see Crouch going for a header in the box I think two things:

1. Why won't some one beef him up a bit? - especially his neck muscles

2. Why won't someone teach him how to score goals with his head?

He is good - but could be a lot better and give us a pure target man in the box to get quality crosses in.

Just seems like he doesn't know how to use his head as well as he uses his GTFABM.

[BobTheCharmer]

you saw last nights goal and you want him to learn to score with his head? didn't he do exactly that?

[KK07]

I often wondered why hasn't any manager tried to beef him up before now too(Coops don't ****ing twist that statement!! )

I mean if you look at Koller,he's of similar height yet he's not as stick thin as Crouchy.

Maybe he just cannot be fattened up or it's just taking time,but I'd like to see him be able to handle himself (Again,let it go Coops!) a bit better when it comes to the physical side of the game.

Oh and what the **** is "GTFABM"?

[red_in_oz]

you saw last nights goal and you want him to learn to score with his head? didn't he do exactly that?

I want to do that more often than not.

He just doesn't use his height advantage enough in the box. He could be a real nightmare for defenders with crosses coming over from the by-line and defenders turned.

He should give us that aerial threat so that even if he doesn't win the header then his presence.technique means the defence can't clear the ball and the crumbs drop to Gerrard on the edge of the box.

Or am I living in fantasy land again?

[red_in_oz]

Oh and what the **** is "GTFABM"?

GTFABM - Good Touch For A Big Man.

[KK07]

GTFABM - Good Touch For A Big Man.

Cheers Red

I don't thin you are living in dream land,I see where you are coming from.

But it may be something that he just can't make part of his game.
Like Robbie lacking pace or Luis giving the balls away.

We can try get players to improve on the sides that are lacking,but they are in the squad for what they can do,not what they can't.

But maybe he should try the old Robbie diet and see if he can put on some muscle!

[DeeGame]

We should put him on a super size me diet

[red_in_oz]

I supposewith us having Pennant & Gonzalez to supposedly get down the line and get crosses in, it would be nice to have a target man to bury them in the net.

Guess I'm just old fashioned!

And I take what you say about the players being there for what they can do.

Momo would be a good example. Not the best passer, not a good shot - but by golly he can tackle and break up opposition attacks early. We missed him last Saturday as Blackburn casually passed the ball over the place.

[KK07]

Thats just it mate,we'd all like players who can do it all,but very few around.

Except Stevie!

Missed Momo big time on Saturday,always do.

[Shaggy]

I don’t get it. He’s scoring more goals with his head than he ever has done, yet people still go on about it? Maccabi Haifa away, Chelsea in the Charity Shield, last night, T&T in the World Cup….and that list isn’t exhaustive. He’s started to score a lot more goals with his head in the last six months or so.

Sure, he could do better in the air occasionally but show me a striker who doesn’t fluff chances either with head or boot.

[KK07]

I agree Shaggy he has improved,I was talking about his overall strength more so then his heading.

But I think Red meant that he'd like to see him attack the ball more powerfully then he sometimes does.

[BobTheCharmer]

His neck muscles are in proportion with the rest of his lanky frame. He'll look even stranger with a thick neck.

Beefing him up will also make him even slower. He'll never be a Brian McBride in the air, get used to it just like he'll never be a Cisse in the pace department.

[red_in_oz]

I don’t get it. He’s scoring more goals with his head than he ever has done, yet people still go on about it? Maccabi Haifa away, Chelsea in the Charity Shield, last night, T&T in the World Cup….and that list isn’t exhaustive. He’s started to score a lot more goals with his head in the last six months or so.

Sure, he could do better in the air occasionally but show me a striker who doesn’t fluff chances either with head or boot.

Don't get me wrong if he stays as he is I won't be unhappy.

I'm probably just as KK007 says: always wishing for a player that can do it all. I just reackon if Crouch was beefier he could be even better with his head. He doesn't have that bullet header some players have.

I'm still glad we've got him.

[IJM]

I would be extremely surprised if his numerous managers haven't already tried to improve his heading by what ever means. It's an obvious skill that you'd want somebody that tall to learn.

Crouchy is obviously not that good at heading and he doesn't seem to be that good at jumping. Whether he will seek to further improve his skill in this area is open to debate. It ironic that with his height, it's his skill with his feet that is outstanding. His touch is good for anyone, let alone someone as tall as he. In fact, his extra long legs help him get at the ball when it's at someone elses feet.

[red_in_oz]

But I think Red meant that he'd like to see him attack the ball more powerfully then he sometimes does.

Exactly.

Sadly I have such a sh*t way of expressing myself I should not be allowed in forums!