Friendlies for March 1st.

[Bobby Sands]

Right, all the fans who criticised Sven for playing the lanky twat ahead of Defoe or Bent or whoever are just 'haters'.

There you go again.You are hating because of his height and build like a lot of English fans.Crouch is a good player.He wont be on the England team at the World Cup but deserves to be in the squad.You support Manchester United right.?

 

[Jibster]

Crouch isn't the greatest player but he's a great option tactically. As soon as he came on you could see Uruguay didn't know how to deal with him and the same goes for Argentina. He creates space for others and is a threat if it's put on his head. Imagine Beckham whipping them in for him, which he's never had the chance to do, he'd score a bucketload.

In his last 2 appearances he's made he's come on with us losing by a goal and gone off with us having just won. How anyone can complain i don't know.

 

[Jibster]

Germany are in big trouble if they are relying on Huth in defence, he's the most positionally inept defender i've ever seen with the turning circle of a tram. Rooney's gonna have a field day with him! :laugh:

 

[Illuminattile]

Crouch isn't the greatest player but he's a great option tactically. As soon as he came on you could see Uruguay didn't know how to deal with him and the same goes for Argentina. He creates space for others and is a threat if it's put on his head. Imagine Beckham whipping them in for him, which he's never had the chance to do, he'd score a bucketload.

But he doesn't score a bucketload of headers, even with Alonso, Gerrard, Riise, Kewell, Garcia etc. crossing for him in the box. He's big, but he's not as good in the air as he should be. There are so many balls that get put into the box that he misses/doesn't go for. You have to put it right on his head for him to score. He's better with his feet than he is with his head, but he's still not that good with the ball on the floor. Problem is, none of the other England strikers are good in the air. Still, I'd take Andy Johnson over Crouch.

There you go again.You are hating because of his height and build like a lot of English fans.Crouch is a good player.He wont be on the England team at the World Cup but deserves to be in the squad.

I'm not hating on him because of his height. If Wayne Rooney were 9 foot tall I wouldn't complain. I'm complaining because he gets in the England team ahead of better players.

You support Manchester United right.?

Yes, not that it matters.

 

[Sebastian]

Germany are in big trouble if they are relying on Huth in defence, he's the most positionally inept defender i've ever seen with the turning circle of a tram. Rooney's gonna have a field day with him! :laugh:

its a shame, for real.

we used to be famous for our strong defense...and now there are a couple of semi-good player who do not even play regularly in their own club.

if i were Ballack, i would try to get another passport.

 

[Bachaveli]

How did Argentina lost to Croatia. unbeleivable.

And Italy beat Germany? very nice as they should have!

 

[Jibster]

But he doesn't score a bucketload of headers, even with Alonso, Gerrard, Riise, Kewell, Garcia etc. crossing for him in the box. He's big, but he's not as good in the air as he should be. There are so many balls that get put into the box that he misses/doesn't go for. You have to put it right on his head for him to score. He's better with his feet than he is with his head, but he's still not that good with the ball on the floor. Problem is, none of the other England strikers are good in the air. Still, I'd take Andy Johnson over Crouch.

Alonso and Gerrard play central, the others don't have half the delivery that Beckham does, he WILL put it right on Crouch's head. As for taking Andy Johnson, don't make me laugh. How 1 dimensional would your England team be? Not a good idea to replace like for like as you normally replace someone when they are being ineffective. Johnson on for Owen or Crouch on for Owen, i know what i'd prefer, simply cos it makes the opposition re-adjust. It's called an impact sub. If you'd makred Owen out the game then you're not gonna worry about AJ, Crouch is gonna make you think though. Pacey strikers are sorted as far as Sven is concerned. I think you'd have a better argument with Dean Ashton, at least he brings somethin else to the table.

 

[Flipmo]

How did Argentina lost to Croatia. unbeleivable.

http://www.9q9q.com/Feb/1141258967.wmv

http://www.9q9q.com/Feb/1141260200.wmv

http://www.9q9q.com/Feb/1141261449.wmv

http://www.9q9q.com/Feb/1141262284.wmv

http://www.9q9q.com/Feb/1141263256.wmv

Here are all the goals. The problem is most of the goals for Argentina we gave away the ball, but still, we did very good despite not having our regular defensive lineup.

 

[Duke]

Alonso and Gerrard play central, the others don't have half the delivery that Beckham does, he WILL put it right on Crouch's head. As for taking Andy Johnson, don't make me laugh. How 1 dimensional would your England team be? Not a good idea to replace like for like as you normally replace someone when they are being ineffective. Johnson on for Owen or Crouch on for Owen, i know what i'd prefer, simply cos it makes the opposition re-adjust. It's called an impact sub. If you'd makred Owen out the game then you're not gonna worry about AJ, Crouch is gonna make you think though. Pacey strikers are sorted as far as Sven is concerned. I think you'd have a better argument with Dean Ashton, at least he brings somethin else to the table.

Agreed. From the few times i've seen Crouch play i can say he's not the best striker out there, but he's a good nuisance to the enemy defence when subbed for a owen-type player. and it makes them shuffle and reorganize. And thats a good quality. :thumb:

 

[Bobby Sands]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jibster

Alonso and Gerrard play central, the others don't have half the delivery that Beckham does, he WILL put it right on Crouch's head. As for taking Andy Johnson, don't make me laugh. How 1 dimensional would your England team be? Not a good idea to replace like for like as you normally replace someone when they are being ineffective. Johnson on for Owen or Crouch on for Owen, i know what i'd prefer, simply cos it makes the opposition re-adjust. It's called an impact sub. If you'd makred Owen out the game then you're not gonna worry about AJ, Crouch is gonna make you think though. Pacey strikers are sorted as far as Sven is concerned. I think you'd have a better argument with Dean Ashton, at least he brings somethin else to the table.

I totally agree.Crouch will offer something different.Remember the job Niall Quinn used to do for Ireland.Quinn was very similar to Crouch.Tall with good feet.

Germany are in big trouble if they are relying on Huth in defence, he's the most positionally inept defender i've ever seen with the turning circle of a tram. Rooney's gonna have a field day with him!

Robert Huth is fucking rubbish.I cant understand how he is in the Germany team and what did Mourinho(or was it Ranieri that bought him) see in him.Whats the story with Christoph Metzelder.Is he injured at the moment?Who were centre half for Germany?Huth and who else?

 

[Illuminattile]

I think you'd have a better argument with Dean Ashton, at least he brings somethin else to the table.

Forgot about him, even better.

Robert Huth is fucking rubbish.I cant understand how he is in the Germany team and what did Mourinho(or was it Ranieri that bought him) see in him.

Even if Ranieri bought him, Mourinho still insists on playing him and letting him take penalties/free kicks.

 

[tHuG $TyLe]

I would pick Vassel over A.Johnson and Ashton.

Crouch is ok, he scares defences. Which is a good think if a team is hanging onto a lead.

 

[_carmi]

And Italy beat Germany? very nice as they should have!

yessir

 

[2Pax]

I think Crouch is rubbish, the fact that he get's into the England squad just because he is 2 metres tall is gay, there's plenty of better English strikers.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I think Crouch is rubbish, the fact that he get's into the England squad just because he is 2 metres tall is gay, there's plenty of better English strikers.

He is in the English squad because of recent performances and not just because of his height.

I personally couldnt give a shit who England pick in their squad.I hope they fail in the group stage .lol.

 

[Jibster]

I think Crouch is rubbish, the fact that he get's into the England squad just because he is 2 metres tall is gay, there's plenty of better English strikers.

Care to name who? And gimme some stats to prove it?

 

[k69atie]

I don't think Crouch is that good. I think he is lazy, he thinks cos he is tall he doesn't have to make the effort, for example sveral times i have seen shorter players beat him to a header, now crouch is 6ft 7" that shouldn't be happening!! He doesn't jump, and is a slow runner. Yes he has scored a few decent goals, but i don't think he was worth £7 million.


Ps did anyone see his shirt? It said 21 on the front as 12 on the back :laugh:

 

[2Pax]

He is in the English squad because of recent performances and not just because of his height.

Recent performances? The guy has more Yellow Cards than he has goals in the Premiership. Only 3 goals and 4 yellow cards.

Care to name who? And gimme some stats to prove it?

1. Jermaine Defoe, 8 goals in the Premiership this season and he has had fewer games than Crouch also.

2. Darius Vassell, 6 goals this season.

3. Andy Johnson, 13 goals this season.

4. Darren Bent, 14 goals alone in the Premiership this season, Yes he didn't do much against Uruguay but you can't fairly judge him from one international game.

None of the players above havvn't really established themselves on an international stage but niether has Crouch.

 

[Jibster]

Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe are already in the squad, and rightfully so, i like them both and hope they both go to Germany if Sven takes 5 strikers BUT they don't give the options that Crouch does. What's the point in having 4 or 5 strikers under 6 foot? It restricts our game plan totally, that's why he's in the SQUAD and not a starter, it means if we do need sometihn different, we got it.

Out of interest which 4 or 5 strikers would you take and if you leave out Crouch, who's gonna give us a different option?

Forget AJ and DV. AJ would be useful in a penalty shootout but that's it, the fact you had to pick a Championship striker over one playing in the CL says it all. DV has had his chance at a major tournament and failed to take it. Remember how ineffective he was after coming on for Rooney against Portugal? Bet you didn't even know he did he was that anonymous. That's the kind of situation we need a striker who can hold the ball up and stop it coming straight back to the defence, something the likes of Bent, Defoe, Owen, AJ and DV can't do but Crouch can.

I'm not sayin he's an amazing player or a prolific goalscorer (although 12 goals in 18 starts for Southampton shows he can do it) but he gives us something different from being small and quick. Sometimes it's better to not put all your best individual players in.

 

[DPG iz all I C]

Scottish perspective here.

England must include Crouch in the World Cup squad, he offers them height and presence which no other striker can.