Selling Crouch?

[Hamstrung]

Mate, he scored 7 league goals last year. He didn't even get one in the Champions League.

He was a starter in just about every game going, so he obviously had chances to score, but just didn't.

I'm all for hearing arguments about his workrate, target-man prowess, and general nuisance factor, but to claim he's a "very capable finisher" when his records comprehensively prove he's not, is frankly, blinkered and silly.

I'd agree that his record isn't/wasn't great over the course of his career (for which there are a number of reasons) but I think it will improve. He obviously had a bad start where he didn't score for months, but once he did and started to feel like he belonged at a club like Liverpool I saw an improvement.

I suppose we'll see how it goes next season, but I can only see his goals record improving

[Ryan]

I'd agree that his record isn't/wasn't great over the course of his career (for which there are a number of reasons) but I think it will improve. He obviously had a bad start where he didn't score for months, but once he did and started to feel like he belonged at a club like Liverpool I saw an improvement.

I suppose we'll see how it goes next season, but I can only see his goals record improving

Not so sure.

As mentioned previously, he won't get the same run of games to 'get going' this year due to the increased competition on the striking deparrment, and he's very much a confidence player.

Lat year we had no alternative but to stand by him during that 18 game barren spell, this year he won't be afforded such luxuries.

If anything, he could even score less this year, what with his fewer opportunities, and quite possibly a greater need for him to become 'provider' for the likes of Bellamy, Fowler, Defoe (?) rather than 'finisher'...

[Rosco]

I'd agree that his record isn't/wasn't great over the course of his career (for which there are a number of reasons) but I think it will improve. He obviously had a bad start where he didn't score for months, but once he did and started to feel like he belonged at a club like Liverpool I saw an improvement.

I suppose we'll see how it goes next season, but I can only see his goals record improving

But that's only because it really couldn't get any worse isn't it ?

[red g]

But that's only because it really couldn't get any worse isn't it ?

bit harsh.....it could be worse,he could be Jon stead

[Hamstrung]

But that's only because it really couldn't get any worse isn't it ?

You thought about that reply.

Are you going to provide those stats - I am genuinely interested in seeing them.

[red g]

differing opinions are great and they obviously addto forums such as these, but there is one man whose opinion i value more than anyones one here for his footballing brain and thats Rafa, he seems to Rate him for some reason i have no idea why according to some ?! cant score, rubbish link up play, no control and he is a freak......but hey what does Rafa know?

[Rosco]

bit harsh.....it could be worse,he could be Jon stead

Jon Stead actually kept the ball better than Crouch last season according to the Opta stats, so if you really love non goalscoring strikers who hold up the ball he's your man.

[Rosco]

You thought about that reply.

Are you going to provide those stats - I am genuinely interested in seeing them.

They're the Opta stats mate, I'll let you go search for them because quite frankly I couldn't be bothered.

[Hamstrung]

Tried but I couldn't find anything that supported what you said. I think if you make a comment based on stats you should maybe show them - I'm old fashioned like that. I am happy to accept they are right but would be interested in seeing them in context.

And isn't suggesting the stats say Stead was better than Crouch just weakening the argument for using them?

[red g]

Jon Stead actually kept the ball better than Crouch last season according to the Opta stats, so if you really love non goalscoring strikers who hold up the ball he's your man.

mmmmm perhaps mclaren will think about calling stead up instead of Crouch then.

Opta stats dont show howintelligently crouch uses the ball does it?

[dww]

I really wish someone would subsribe to an Opta feed so that they could tell us what the actual stats they quote are. It bugs the hell out of me.

If I could choose a forum rule it would be no quoting stats without a link so that others can at least have a look and try and establish what is being measured and in what context.

[Rosco]

mmmmm perhaps mclaren will think about calling stead up instead of Crouch then.

Opta stats dont show howintelligently crouch uses the ball does it?

I don't think he will, non goal scoring strikers aren't a valuable commodity.

[Shaggy]

OPTA is one of the more pointless features of the modern game, IMO.

[brendan]

OPTA is one of the more pointless features of the modern game, IMO.

That would explain why every club in the Premiership uses them.

[Shaggy]

That would explain why every club in the Premiership uses them.

Yes but they, presumably, take context into consideration. The point I'm making is that bare stats aren't much good to anybody and they only tell part of the story.