Crouch

[kopdan]

is he going to leave?

I find it amazing that Peter found himself out of the team today.

After his comments in the press, its almost as if Rafa dropped him to prove a point.

One of many managerial gaffs.

[kurtangle01]

Kuyt and Crouch should have started todays match IMHO. they would have caused the druggy and that diving **** vidic some problems. i think it was a mistake to leave him out.

[Ron_Mexico]

I dont get it, last season Rafa stuck with Crouch when he wasnt scoring goals. This season he cant get a game when he's in the form of his life.

I was shocked to see him on the bench, away at old ****ford seems like an obvious game he should play. his hold up play and his form should have gotten him in the side.

maybe his latest benitez blood test came back positive for tiredness :whatever:

[kopdan]

yeah I read Crouch stayed up late to watch Jonathan Ross in secret.

[Kaip]

Kuyt and Crouch should have started todays match IMHO. they would have caused the druggy and that diving **** vidic some problems. i think it was a mistake to leave him out.

[Diego]

is he going to leave?

I find it amazing that Peter found himself out of the team today.

After his comments in the press, its almost as if Rafa dropped him to prove a point.

One of many managerial gaffs.

benitez decided to have only one striker, and we can argue if that was right or wrong desicion, but with only one striker on the field i would pic all of our strikers ahead of crouch, he can't cut it all by him self, he's to weak for all that rumble, if crouch playes he needs to have a partner upfront...

i think he's back up at most, to give us options anyway, his finishing has been extreamly bad despite his goals, and he seem to slow to read what alot of the surounding players are trying to create for him, i have a love hate relationship with him, sometimes i think heðs the **** but most times i think heðs over rated...

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I'd have the pair of them starting every week.

Crouch is ideal for away games in the League. Defenders hate playing against him.

Use Garcia in Europe and Bellamy in the league as alternatives now and again.

The last 2 times he's scored in midweek he's been dropped the following weekend. Would Demento or Mourinho do that?

[kopdan]

no they wouldnt

Have they won the league?

[Joe Le Toff]

When Rafa plays one up front with one 'in the hole' then IMO it will never be Crouch, this is one of the reasons why Kuyt was bought IMO.

God forbid we should ever consider playing them together like - fcuk me it might just work and form a cohesive partnership up front for the first time in god knows how long.

[kopdan]

I dont want him to play one up front though, ever.

We need to **** that off and start going for teams from the off.

If we do however go for that system, **** Garcia off and play Gerrard in the hole.

[Joe Le Toff]

I dont want him to play one up front though, ever.

We need to **** that off and start going for teams from the off.

If we do however go for that system, **** Garcia off and play Gerrard in the hole.

I'd like to see a fit and on-form Kewell playing there as he's tailor made for it IMO. More chance of plating the Queen than ever seeing Harry being fit or on-form at the same time unfortunately.

[kopdan]

Good call for Kewell.

[friedk]

What I don't understand is Crouch was brought into the side last season to help improve our results away from home; and it worked.

Without him we are performing the way we did 2 seasons ago. Crouch is the only player we have who is scoring goals on a consistent basis this season; it's all well and good saving our players for the run in later on in the season provided we are still in the title race, but that is not the case.

To improve the team from last season to this we needed a long term replacement for Sami; someone to play on the left; and a goalscoring partner for Crouch.

We've made these signings, but instead of bringing them into a side that from October last year was as good as any other team in the league, we are instead trying to mould the team to accomodate the new players.

I still feel Rafa is a good enough and thorough enough manager to get it right, but this season is ****ed and for that, along with the below average performances of most of our team, he needs to bear responsibility.

[Red_Al_77]

Rafa has been saying he needs to keep people fresh blah blah blah

Well Crouch has only played a full 90mins twice this season

Now his argument has been that of his international games.

Hmmm obviously this rule doesn't apply to SG or anyone else who plays internationals in our time.

Rafa is getting it wrong. He is a tinkerman plain and simple. 98 odd games with changes. Ridiculous. I've seen enough now to know we won't win the PL under Rafa.