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mawspurs
04-02-2010, 07:37 PM
Source: Sky Sports

Peter Crouch admits that there is a sense among the Tottenham squad that they can end the club's almost 20-year wait for glory in the FA Cup.

Spurs last lifted the world-famous trophy in 1991 and have not even reached the final since that time.

But Wednesday's impressive 3-1 win in their fourth-round replay at League One title-chasing Leeds has built optimism around the North London club.

With capital rivals Arsenal, and fellow big-hitters Manchester United and Liverpool, having already been eliminated, Tottenham's chances have also been given a boost.

That fact is not lost on Crouch and, although a place in the UEFA Champions League is also a target, the striker has labelled the FA Cup a 'priority', saying: "We're not stupid.

"We know a lot of the big teams have been knocked out and it's a great chance for someone to do well, get to the final, maybe even win it, so we've got to be there or thereabouts.
Quality

"We've got enough quality to go on a good run. It's been a while for Tottenham and I think this is probably the best squad of players for a long, long time.

"We've got a good chance of having a good run. We've all got that belief that we can do well this year. There's no limit to what we can achieve.

"On our day we can beat anyone and we'll be looking to make sure we do as well as we can in the league but the FA Cup is certainly a priority."

Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick at Elland Road to allow his side to progress, but the England international also missed several chances in West Yorkshire.

Crouch, though, believes that his strike partner's ability to score three goals on what had previously been a frustrating night is a measure of self-confidence.

"He's never going to let that affect him," said Crouch. "He's a top-class player and he's a goalscorer and he's going to keep getting in there and getting in there even if he misses and misses."

Moorechild
04-02-2010, 10:46 PM
please, please, please stop making pronouncements like this Peter. Also, please tell your team mates not to talk yourselves up before matches against the sky 4. If you win, then talk about it.

thanks

JoeT
04-02-2010, 11:07 PM
Ditto 'Moorechild'.

spurs_viola
05-02-2010, 01:02 AM
How long can Defoe's goalscoring compensate for Peter Crouch's limitations? How long can we afford to carry Crouch as the first choice partner of Defoe in attack?

If his recent performances elicit Harry's declarations that he "is in a good form" (given by Harry as one of the main reasons for Keane's loan departure), god help us when he hits the "bad form".

spencerkeegan
05-02-2010, 01:24 AM
How long can Defoe's goalscoring compensate for Peter Crouch's limitations? How long can we afford to carry Crouch as the first choice partner of Defoe in attack?

If his recent performances elicit Harry's declarations that he "is in a good form" (given by Harry as one of the main reasons for Keane's loan departure), god help us when he hits the "bad form".


Im with you spurs_viola. Im not saying Defoe would walk into any of the top four teams but he would certainly play an integral part to any of those teams. Crouch simply would'nt. We need another Keane/Berbatov partnership. Maybe Defoe/Huntelaar...............

jonnyrotten
05-02-2010, 02:50 AM
It isn't a coincidence that Defoe gets more chances when Crouch starts. They are forming a great partnership with around 30 goals and 10 assists already, but with Keane gone I suppose the site needs a new scapegoat.

CliffJones
05-02-2010, 03:15 AM
All the time we are winning, and even not losing then leave well alone, but I would like to see Pav given a chance with JD if things go sour, EG needs a little more time with the squad to get his feet under the table, but overall we should have a better goals per chance ratio. Saturday may tell us a few things, please god we win first, then win well second.
I think the team for Sat should be
Gomes
Corluka Dawson Bassong Bale
Bentley Wilson Hudd Modric
Crouch Defoe

jolsnogross
05-02-2010, 04:30 AM
I've criticised both strikers because I don't think we put away a high enough percentage of chances, sometimes they struggle to hold the ball and retain possession, and we've just not scored or scored more in games we should've. Opposition keepers are too often said to have had the game of their lives, but maybe we're just hitting it straight at them.

However, the numbers are pretty much on the side of Defoe and Crouch: we have the 4th best goal difference in the league (45) with 20 goals between them. Their record together, including time at Pompey, is pretty convincing.

So I try not to be too harsh and find it amusing that now Keane has left, Crouch is the new target for almost the same posts with just the name changed.