Peter Crouch

[AFII]

As I see it when we play a 'weakend' side a player like Crouch loses his effectiveness. He's not particularly mobile so is never gonna beat the slowers defenders for pace. He tends to play between the 18yrd tram lines so won't be seen dragging markers/defenders into the channels.

When we play a strong team with our so called 1st team stars then Crouch is more effective because the quality of service tends to be better so he doesn't need to work as hard for his chances.

To this end I think that Torres, Kuyt and on the little evidence I've seen of Voronin are better options purely because of their mobility, game intellingence etc.

It's gonna be tough for the big guy this season to get regular game time. A pity really as he is a good player but we now have, perhaps, better options.

Sums it all up really.

Crouch isn't any worse than last season but we have better options now and should use them.

Rafa has showed that it's Torres or Crouch. I would pick Torres against whatever team we play against 10 times out of 10.

[carrsim]

for me it was the whole robot dance thing that did for crouchy and rafa.

the press and football crowds in general top the piss out of crouch constantly yet rafa backed him to the hilt when he struggled to get off the mark.

during all that criticism, i'm sure at that time rafa would have told crouch to ignore the media etc and keep going.

to then start believing the hype/good stuff (as i think crouchy must have a bit- as we all would probably) i think made rafa question his mentality/focus.

every now and then, rafa says things like "peter needs to remember what got him where he is" which is about as critical as rafa gets in press conferences (there was a nice quote about it in yesterday's guardian from friday's PC, which wasn't reported elsewhere)

i like crouch but he has been pretty dreadful when he's played this season and more importantly the team hasn't looked as potent or purposeful with him in the team. its hard to say which is symptomatic of the other, but it is a concern.

rafa has shown that even with favourites and long standing friends he will be ruthless if he feels things need to change- add in the contract situation and i'd say its not looking good for the big lad.

[carheex]

for me it was the whole robot dance thing that did for crouchy and rafa.

the press and football crowds in general top the piss out of crouch constantly yet rafa backed him to the hilt when he struggled to get off the mark.

during all that criticism, i'm sure at that time rafa would have told crouch to ignore the media etc and keep going.

to then start believing the hype/good stuff (as i think crouchy must have a bit- as we all would probably) i think made rafa question his mentality/focus.

every now and then, rafa says things like "peter needs to remember what got him where he is" which is about as critical as rafa gets in press conferences (there was a nice quote about it in yesterday's guardian from friday's PC, which wasn't reported elsewhere)

i like crouch but he has been pretty dreadful when he's played this season and more importantly the team hasn't looked as potent or purposeful with him in the team. its hard to say which is symptomatic of the other, but it is a concern.

rafa has shown that even with favourites and long standing friends he will be ruthless if he feels things need to change- add in the contract situation and i'd say its not looking good for the big lad.

If that were the case, Alonso would have been out on his ear a long time ago.

[Dhav]

Pace and strength are over rated, even useless, attributes for a forward without the 2 key factors:- goals and assists. Both of which Crouchy Tiger can provide as well as anyone else fighting for the 2nd striker spot. See how well Kuyt does when he's left to rust and given just cameo appearances. The same would apply to any striker.

come on mate you cant be serious with that

Yep, it's the difference between Morientes and Torres

[Guest]

7 of our 11 players played poorly today, explaining the result we got. We shouldn't look farer than that, in my opinion. Even Arbeloa who this season epitomized excellence, got skinned by Utaka each time he ran at him. Bad day at the office, end of discussion.

[carrsim]

If that were the case, Alonso would have been out on his ear a long time ago.

the exception that proves the rule. and i don't think it will be as clear cut when masher is match fit/not away for argentina

from what i have seen of him, masher is pretty much second only to gerrard in the best midfield in the world. and i think xabi is a top quality, hardworking and unappreciated player

[AFII]

What puzzles me most is that Rafa decided to rest Torres. It's games like this that he need to play to learn how to play against tough teams in the PL.

To be fair it's not only Crouch fault that he didn't play any good today. He isn't match fit and Rafa didn't play to his strenght. He had no one to link up with, zero help.

Rafa used the wrong tactic, that was the main problem. Even the best manager in the world makes mistakes sometimes.

[Howard_lfc]

I'm not sure Crouch fits into Rafa's plans any more. We looked far sharper and pacier once Torres added movement over the top and down the sides today and I believe that's the way we should go. There's no doubt that PC is a very good player but I believe our style of play has evolved this season and its to the detriment of PC.

If an offer comes in in January which meets our valuation I'd let the bif fella go - with our thanks and gratitude.

[Red Chilli]

Crocuhie has been a great success for us but the fact is he is not a super sub. He needs games and under Rafa he isn't going to get that consistently anymore. There's no point in keeping him in this case so we might as well sell him.

We need to find ourself a supersub of a striker, an impact player who will be happy to spend long periods on the bench.

Answers on a postcard to tribalfootball.com

[Darth Marty]

I think crouch is a very good player but based on this seasons way of playing id say that he is no longer required.
He did a good job when Rafa didnt have the personnel to play the way he wanted to but now he has torres p.c is not necessary.
Sell crouch and buy a torres type player so at least when we rest torres we have like for like.
Thanks and all peter but unfortunately we no longer need you.

[kurtangle01]

I'm not sure Crouch fits into Rafa's plans any more. We looked far sharper and pacier once Torres added movement over the top and down the sides today and I believe that's the way we should go. There's no doubt that PC is a very good player but I believe our style of play has evolved this season and its to the detriment of PC.

If an offer comes in in January which meets our valuation I'd let the bif fella go - with our thanks and gratitude.

That's a fair assesment, Les.

Can't really argue with that to be honest.

[Howard_lfc]

That's a fair assesment, Les.

Can't really argue with that to be honest.

Seems a bit harsh on him though but I said as much pre-season as well.
At least we'll make a few quid on him - which is a bonus as we usually get shafted. Another piece of astute business by Rafa if it happens.

[kurtangle01]

Seems a bit harsh on him though but I said as much pre-season as well.
At least we'll make a few quid on him - which is a bonus as we usually get shafted. Another piece of astute business by Rafa if it happens.

It's not to harsh, mate. I think it's quite fair. I like Crouch both as a player and a person but if he's suffering a lack of confidence, stalling on signing a new contract and continually underperforming on the pitch...well, there's only one way it can go isn't there?

[AFII]

So which player should replace him, if any, if we sell him?

Do we really need another striker? Babel can cover for Torres and we have Kewell, Aurelio and Riise who can play left midfield.

I don't think we need to replace Crouch with another striker if we sell him.

[Skullflower]

have we been on match of the day yet?