Liverpool FC Forum

[ivor_the_injun]

Crouch was sh*te today, everytime he is given a chance he plays like sh*te.

Why does this thread get bumped whenever Crouch has a poor game?

I don't see any Torres, Gerrard or Carragher threads bumped whenever they put in a poor performance. It really does do my nut that the guy has to seemingly put in an outstanding performance just to avoid criticism.

[Bad Bob]

The lad did win us a penalty and created problems for Bolton defenders.  It wasn't his best game in a red shirt but I don't think he was sh!te.

[username]

He won the pen, and the free kick, could of scored stright away, got in good positions for a shots (when torres hit it wide of the post from the right side crouch was running into space for a tap in).

[DonnieDarko]

well hes better than kuyt and voronin so we should keep him

[Kharhaz]

Crouch offers a lot to the team. Could it be that he needs more match practice? Or could it be that its just easier to knock him when he doesnt score? Torres the other night failed to score but created opportunities. Crouch today failed to score but created opportunities but hes not Torres is he? As many have said we look better with Crouch and Torres than any other partnership.

[Scottbot]

he doesn't have the quick wit and vision to play with torres... if torres wants to play a one-two with crouch I bet they gonna fluff it...

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Crouch can thread a pass if the opportunity is there, he's proved he can play in a 1-2 partnership and he has made plenty of goals in his career. As for playing 1-2s have you not watched Crouch and Gerrard play in the same side together? Countless times i have seen Gerrard ping a ball into Crouch, then charge on to receive (a usually) a perfectly weighted return ball before bursting into the box.

[thegreedo]

Can't believe some of the stick the big fella gets on here. He's been a good servant to the club, is a hell of a lot more of a technical player than he is ever given credit for and is quite simply the 2nd best striker at the club!!

I for one hope he sticks around, while I don't consider him the answer to partner Torres in the long term I do think he is a great addition to the squad.

[crazyhorse]

The secret in getting the best out of Peter is to play him with pace - with Kuyt last season this was not there. Give him a good run in the team with Torres, and I am confident he will do a job.

[Scottbot]

Crouch as a player in my opinion.

POSITIVES

First Touch/Touch in general - Technically excellent, can kill a ball with snow on it with his chest and make it look easy. Has very quick feet, turns well and can get out of trouble in tight spaces with a party trick or two.

Intelligence - Fantastic team player, rarely gives the ball way, is aware of players around him, holds the ball up and brings the midfield  into play. Does a good job shielding the ball and draws a lot of fouls (Hamman style) He stays central (rarely will you see him run the channels) but his movement back and forwards is good and creates space for others e.g. when he comes short it usually creates some space in behind.

Heading - So many posters bang on about Crouch's heading ability (at goal) being poor but that shouldn't detract from the huge amount of flick-ons and bits and pieces the rest of the team feed off when Crouch is in the side. This part of his game is EXCELLENT.

Goals - He scores them! Not the most prolific but if he played 50 games in a season you would fancy him to get you 15-18 goals. And he can score them in just about every different way. He's scored a few tap-ins and scrappy goals (he should get a few more i agree), he's got a fair share with his head (for a guy who can't head the ball) and he is capable of scoring spectacular goals. Those two overhead kicks last season were fantastic and demonstrate that while he usually looks after the ball and plays it safe he is also unpredictable. He attacks the ball/crosses quite well, he's no robbie Fowler but he could certainly give Dirk a few lessons and he also strikes the ball well. And before i forget the lad has a Premiership hatrick (left, righ, header) against Arsenal.

Attitude - Consumate team player, gets on with it, loves playing for the club and deals with rotation (when he really should be in the side) admirably. He also plays the game with a bit of fire, i like to see forwards lose their rag, commit a few fouls and show a bit of passion and that's what you get with Crouch. Also his work-rate is excellent, like a liverpool strikers he does his bit to close down, harry and harrass the opposition.

Tactically - Opposition defences have to have a gameplan to deal with him, particularly in terms of 2nd phase balls (they don't have much chance with first phase) so they have to deal with flick-ons and his ability to bring the likes of Gerrard into play. Also, he is an EXCELLENT impact substitution (particularly in Europe) who can instantly alter the way we have been playing up until that point. He provides a focal point for our attack, especially if Torres is out. VERY IMPORTANT POINT WITH CROUCH IS THAT HE ALWAYS SHOWS FEET.

NEGATIVES

Lack of pace / Mobilty - The biggest thing against Crouch, quick as a milk float is our Peter! He'll never scare defenders when the ball is played over the top, he isn't particularly mobile and (for me) he is a bit of a sitting duck when he is played alone up-front. Not the type of player to drag defenders all over the show the way Drogba does at Chelsea plus he obviouly lacks Drogba's strength.

Goals/Performances Against Bigger Sides - Despite the Arsenal hatrick and the goal to put the mancs out of the FA Cup, Crouch hasn't really played his best against the top sides (same at International leve) and to use a cricketing term is a bit of a 'flat track bully'.

Missed Chances - He might get his share of goals but he's been guilty of missing just as many and then some (particularly with his head). His heading at goal isn't the best BUT it isn't as bad as some on here would have you believe.

Tactical - Unfortunately the temptation when Crouch is in the side is to bypass our midfield and simply try and stick it on his head. It's a useful out-ball to have but this is defo something for the manager and the likes of Sami/Carra (who are usually guilty) to rectify.

And on the subject of Crouch and Torres playing together, they should and could form a fantastic partership as far as i can see. Teams will get deeper and deeper with Torres in this vein of form so we would be crazy not to play Crouch. Because of his height defences don't particularly want Crouch in their penalty area. Get the ball into wide areas and put in a lot of crosses OR ping the ball into his feet (Gerrard) and try and play a few of those 1-2s.

[Kharhaz]

Heading - So many posters bang on about Crouch's heading ability (at goal) being poor but that shouldn't detract from the huge amount of flick-ons and bits and pieces the rest of the team feed off when Crouch is in the side. This part of his game is EXCELLENT.

Tactical - Unfortunately the temptation when Crouch is in the side is to bypass our midfield and simply try and stick it on his head. It's a useful out-ball to have but this is defo something for the manager and the likes of Sami/Carra (who are usually guilty) to rectify.

Doesnt the positive outweigh the negative?

On the whole though I agree with your post, how many people cannot see his qualities is beyond me.

[Bad Bob]

Crouch as a player in my opinion.

POSITIVES

First Touch/Touch in general - Technically excellent, can kill a ball with snow on it with his chest and make it look easy. Has very quick feet, turns well and can get out of trouble in tight spaces with a party trick or two.

Intelligence - Fantastic team player, rarely gives the ball way, is aware of players around him, holds the ball up and brings the midfield  into play. Does a good job shielding the ball and draws a lot of fouls (Hamman style) He stays central (rarely will you see him run the channels) but his movement back and forwards is good and creates space for others e.g. when he comes short it usually creates some space in behind.

Heading - So many posters bang on about Crouch's heading ability (at goal) being poor but that shouldn't detract from the huge amount of flick-ons and bits and pieces the rest of the team feed off when Crouch is in the side. This part of his game is EXCELLENT.

Goals - He scores them! Not the most prolific but if he played 50 games in a season you would fancy him to get you 15-18 goals. And he can score them in just about every different way. He's scored a few tap-ins and scrappy goals (he should get a few more i agree), he's got a fair share with his head (for a guy who can't head the ball) and he is capable of scoring spectacular goals. Those two overhead kicks last season were fantastic and demonstrate that while he usually looks after the ball and plays it safe he is also unpredictable. He attacks the ball/crosses quite well, he's no robbie Fowler but he could certainly give Dirk a few lessons and he also strikes the ball well. And before i forget the lad has a Premiership hatrick (left, righ, header) against Arsenal.

Attitude - Consumate team player, gets on with it, loves playing for the club and deals with rotation (when he really should be in the side) admirably. He also plays the game with a bit of fire, i like to see forwards lose their rag, commit a few fouls and show a bit of passion and that's what you get with Crouch. Also his work-rate is excellent, like a liverpool strikers he does his bit to close down, harry and harrass the opposition.

Tactically - Opposition defences have to have a gameplan to deal with him, particularly in terms of 2nd phase balls (they don't have much chance with first phase) so they have to deal with flick-ons and his ability to bring the likes of Gerrard into play. Also, he is an EXCELLENT impact substitution (particularly in Europe) who can instantly alter the way we have been playing up until that point. He provides a focal point for our attack, especially if Torres is out. VERY IMPORTANT POINT WITH CROUCH IS THAT HE ALWAYS SHOWS FEET.

NEGATIVES

Lack of pace / Mobilty - The biggest thing against Crouch, quick as a milk float is our Peter! He'll never scare defenders when the ball is played over the top, he isn't particularly mobile and (for me) he is a bit of a sitting duck when he is played alone up-front. Not the type of player to drag defenders all over the show the way Drogba does at Chelsea plus he obviouly lacks Drogba's strength.

Goals/Performances Against Bigger Sides - Despite the Arsenal hatrick and the goal to put the mancs out of the FA Cup, Crouch hasn't really played his best against the top sides (same at International leve) and to use a cricketing term is a bit of a 'flat track bully'.

Missed Chances - He might get his share of goals but he's been guilty of missing just as many and then some (particularly with his head). His heading at goal isn't the best BUT it isn't as bad as some on here would have you believe.

Tactical - Unfortunately the temptation when Crouch is in the side is to bypass our midfield and simply try and stick it on his head. It's a useful out-ball to have but this is defo something for the manager and the likes of Sami/Carra (who are usually guilty) to rectify.

And on the subject of Crouch and Torres playing together, they should and could form a fantastic partership as far as i can see. Teams will get deeper and deeper with Torres in this vein of form so we would be crazy not to play Crouch. Because of his height defences don't particularly want Crouch in their penalty area. Get the ball into wide areas and put in a lot of crosses OR ping the ball into his feet (Gerrard) and try and play a few of those 1-2s.

Nice one, Scott.  Crouchy's never going to win the ballon d'or but his qualities outweigh the negatives, IMO.  Moreover, I like the look of a Torres-Crouch partnership because they present vastly different challenges to defenders, which can only help our attack.

[account deleted by request]

Great post Scott but the one thing you didn't mention is the one that drives me to distraction........ the number of silly fouls he gives away when he challenges for the ball in the air. He has no need to commit so many fouls with his height advantages, and half the time I think he would win a foul himself if he would just learn to challenge without grabbing hold of a shirt all the time.

[Kharhaz]

Great post Scott but the one thing you didn't mention is the one that drives me to distraction........ the number of silly fouls he gives away when he challenges for the ball in the air. He has no need to commit so many fouls with his height advantages, and half the time I think he would win a foul himself if he would just learn to challenge without grabbing hold of a shirt all the time.

But then again how many fouls has been given against, especially in international matches, when he hasnt done anything wrong and been penalised?

[whylongball?]

why cant he work on his muscle and heading...is it that hard?
A  hell of a player by then

[The Manhattan Project]

why cant he work on his muscle and heading...is it that hard?
A  hell of a player by then

Manhattan suggested that LAST year. That he needed to work on his heading accuracy and put some muscle on that lanky frame. He MUST do it to improve. Some speed is needed too. He needs to chase the chicken.

He won't be doing anything this summer other than shagging Abby, so he should focus on those three things during the summer.

1- Heading accuracy
2- Speed
3- Muscle.