Is Crouch the new Bent?

[theShiznit]

Bent is not a great footballer, he is heavily reliant on others making chances for him, and in a Better team where the opposition often come solely intent on defnding he offers nothing, as there is little space in behind for him to run onto things. with his back to goal he is also average.

Crouch, wins a lot of headers when the ball is very close to him, he rarely even attempts to header balls that land more than 6ft away from his starting point (when the pass/hoof was played)

his footwork in tight situations is laboured and this is a cause of frustration as he very often loses the ball played into his feet, often he has to resort to this juggle to try and keep defenders away as he cannot do it with his body strength, this too often breaks down as well.

His shooting (with the exception of volleys) is just about as bad as i have known from a top flight striker. and his running with the ball is as you'd expect; atrocious.

also his lack of mobility makes our play predicatble, as whenever he gets the ball he has almost always got one or two defenders around him, and his strike partner has to stay close or play will break down, which does not allow for midfielders to make runs between (ahead of) the front two.

If Crouch plays within his limits (limited to one or two touches, no juggling!) he could be an ok impact sub, but never first or even second choice for me.

 

[DC_Boy]

I just find it frustrating that whenever Crouch plays we resort to playing the long balls to Crouch, but we ONLY seem to do that. Not effective at all lads!

crouch was very effective v leeds and has been overall for the past ten or so games

our two big slip ups over the past 10 or 12 twelve games have come when the crouch defoe parnership hasn't started

i think that says pretty much everything about how effective jd & pc are

 

[SpurSince57]

Bent is not a great footballer, he is heavily reliant on others making chances for him, and in a Better team where the opposition often come solely intent on defnding he offers nothing, as there is little space in behind for him to run onto things. with his back to goal he is also average.

Crouch, wins a lot of headers when the ball is very close to him, he rarely even attempts to header balls that land more than 6ft away from his starting point (when the pass/hoof was played)

his footwork in tight situations is laboured and this is a cause of frustration as he very often loses the ball played into his feet, often he has to resort to this juggle to try and keep defenders away as he cannot do it with his body strength, this too often breaks down as well.

His shooting (with the exception of volleys) is just about as bad as i have known from a top flight striker. and his running with the ball is as you'd expect; atrocious.

also his lack of mobility makes our play predicatble, as whenever he gets the ball he has almost always got one or two defenders around him, and his strike partner has to stay close or play will break down, which does not allow for midfielders to make runs between (ahead of) the front two.

If Crouch plays within his limits (limited to one or two touches, no juggling!) he could be an ok impact sub, but never first or even second choice for me.

All of this is true—but his goalscoring record still says to me, 'Never mind the quality, feel the width!'

The thread title, surely, alludes to fans' attitudes towards players, not the players themselves.

 

[TopSpurMan]

i like crouch, i'd like him a whole lot more if he did'nt get pushed off the ball so easily - he'd not as smart as pav but works bloody hard and that you cannot knock - he looks ungainly but then when did looks count?

now robbies gone I'd like to see pav get a chance as well as defoe crouch

 

[3Dnata]

I have to point out as well we played the long ball against Hull when it was just Defoe and Keane- the results were predictable and worse than if Pete had been on the pitch.
We have played the long ball without Pete before maybe our midfield doesn't provide options but other strikers don't seem to get the blame for it.

 

[EastLondonYid]

Crouchy's presence is so important,that he will only be appreciated when (hopefully not)he gets injured or suspended.


I agree he is not the most graciuos of players,but he has a very vital role for us.he is the focal point of our front line.
Our opponents are far less likely to drop deep to nulify defoe for the fear of crouchs ariel threat.


I think this season our priority is to get into the champs league,and not to worry to much about how we get there.

Once we get into the ch lg ,it will transform us hopefully,and will enable us to attract top top players,we will have the lot.

I bet if you ask most players who have played with crouch,most will have a different opinion of him of what alot of fans have.
We are now at the business end of the season,lets ALL

get behind the team,crouch..kabuol...all of them ,no matter what we think for now,and make history!