A contentious Question

[5InIstanbul]

Can a truly prolific strikeforce contain Peter Crouch?

 

I'm not sure it can. I think we all agree Crouch has some wonderful qualities but will never be prolific.

 

So, if we want that prolific strikeforce, signings dependant, surely Crouch will be more of a bit part player.

 

As an example, if we signed 2 strikers, Defoe and Kuyt for arguments sake, surely they would be first choice and most likely to bang in plenty.

 

[Guest Terry Mc]

What if he scores 20 goals next season?

[R A Softlad]

Rafa's most prolific goalscorer in his last season at Valencia - 8 goals. He can fit into a Benitez strike force.

[Maldini]

Dalglish was never that prolific, Beardsley and Berkamp are other examples, loads of successful teams have had second strikers who weren't prolific Gerrard got 23 goals this season, many of them set up by Crouch. It doesn't matter who's scoring them as long as they're scored.

[meepins]

He clearly is not a goalscorer, more a foil.

[stressederic]

Dalglish was never that prolific, Beardsley and Berkamp are other examples, loads of successful teams have had second strikers who weren't prolific Gerrard got 23 goals this season, many of them set up by Crouch. It doesn't matter who's scoring them as long as they're scored.

 

What Maldini said.

[Benitez]

Rafa's most prolific goalscorer in his last season at Valencia - 8 goals. He can fit into a Benitez strike force.

 

 

Miguel Mista had 19 league goals

 

And in answer to question - yes we can accomodate Crouchy.

[Guest Cardie]

Gerrard got 23 goals this season, many of them set up by Crouch.

 

Really?

 

How many is 'many'?

Edited May 19, 2006 by Cardie

[4411]

Can a truly prolific strikeforce contain Peter Crouch?

 

No.

 

Gerrard got 23 goals this season, many of them set up by Crouch

 

Starts: 43

Sub: 8

Goals: 11 (6 in prem)

Assists: 7 (6 in prem)

Shots: 114

Shots on goal: 54

 

Crouch is a good player but not good enuff to be a regular first team starter.

[Benitez]

 

 

Crouch is a good player but not good enuff to be a regular first team starter.

 

thats rubbish, he's already proved he's good enough this season. And that despite never having a settled striking partner. Crouch ain't the problem here forward wise!

[anfield]

The worst header of the ball I have ever seen...atleast in terms of goal attempts.

[R A Softlad]

Miguel Mista had 19 league goals

 

And in answer to question - yes we can accomodate Crouchy.

 

My bad. Maybe I was thinking first season?

[4411]

Crouch ain't the problem here forward wise!

 

His goalscoring/assist record says otherwise.

[lfc4eva99]

crouch wasnt bought to be prolific anyways, his job in the eyes of rafa is different, and as long as he does that well he shall be here......

 

we got prolific stevie anyways!

[Benitez]

My bad. Maybe I was thinking first season?

 

 

yeah, I think Baraja was their top scorer that season with 7 or 8 league goals

[tomasjj]

Can a truly prolific strikeforce contain Peter Crouch?

 

I'm not sure it can. I think we all agree Crouch has some wonderful qualities but will never be prolific.

 

So, if we want that prolific strikeforce, signings dependant, surely Crouch will be more of a bit part player.

 

As an example, if we signed 2 strikers, Defoe and Kuyt for arguments sake, surely they would be first choice and most likely to bang in plenty.

 

 

No.

 

An impact player from the bench imo.

Too many holes in his game...heading, strenght, aggression...

[Benitez]

His goalscoring/assist record says otherwise.

 

 

you said he wasn't good enough to be a regular first team starter - yet he has already shown he is good enough this season, so saying he isn't good enough doesn't make much sense

 

Crouch was never going to be a prolific scorer, but so long as he gets his fair share of goals, as he will, then to me that isn't the issue. What he brings the team does mean he is good enough, and it's who else we bring in now that is important. It isn't his role in the team we should be looking at, and I doubt it is to be honest.

[lfc4eva99]

heading and strength can be worked upon and im sure rafa already must be doing that.....

 

he can be a good squad player, gets around 5-10 goals a season, away game specialist maybe....

[cochyn]

The worst header of the ball I have ever seen...atleast in terms of goal attempts.

 

Agree with that. However, in his defence I'd say he's been instrumental in us winning tight games - exactly why Rafa bought him in the first place.

 

FWIW I don't think we'll see another 25-goal striker at the club whilst Rafa's manager. As others have pointed out; it's not his game.

[R A Softlad]

yeah, I think Baraja was their top scorer that season with 7 or 8 league goals

 

That's the baby.

[Guest Terry Mc]

What a ridiculous statement to say he's the worst header of a ball ever seen.

 

Was that another 6.7 bloke who nodded one down to Stevie to equalise last Saturday?

 

Or the one who scored matchwinning headed goals against the mancs, West Brom and Newcastle?

 

Not to mention the countless headers and flick ons he wins throughout a game.

 

If he'd had better service and a better partner to work off him, he, and we as a team, would have scored a lot more goals.

Edited May 19, 2006 by Terry Mc

[_00_deathscar]

For a player who's 6'7", he's got a pretty weak header when it comes to goal attempts (which he clearly stated).

 

I think that's a fair point; he's scored against Mancs, Newcastle, West Brom and Uruguay, but just 4 goals from so many headed attempts is poor showing.

[McBain]

I dont think he's good enough to start 50 games a season for us. But is a decent option provided the other strikers around him are prolific

 

I dont see him starting as many games next season if Rafa has his way in the market

[Guest Terry Mc]

His height has nothing to do with it. It's to do with the crosses that are coming in. He needs more crosses whipped in with pace so he can attack them

 

The majority of our crosses seem to be floated in and he can't get any power behind them.

[anfield]

What a ridiculous statement to say he's the worst header of a ball ever seen.

 

Was that another 6.7 bloke who nodded one down to Stevie to equalise last Saturday?

 

Or the one who scored matchwinning headed goals against the mancs, West Brom and Newcastle?

 

Not to mention the countless headers and flick ons he wins throughout a game.

 

If he'd had better service and a better partner to work off him, he, and we as a team, would have scored a lot more goals.

 

he's great at nodding the ball down, the problem is he tries to nod the ball into the goal as well and always atraight at the keeper. Maybe he does need more balls coming in at pace......but still