Crouch and Torres Strike Partnership

[mathewbet1]

I think crouch has to get a run of games now, we are a different team when he plays, he creates a focal point for the attack and defenders get very tight to him creating space for our midfield. Kuyt is almost the complete opposite these days, he comes back to the congested midfield, leaving no one upfront.

 

With Torres approachng full fitness, surley its time for the Torres and Crouch Parnership to shine? PLease

 

Rafa you know it makes sense.

[Guest prophet]

Crouchie as a foil for the quicksilver El Toro is a mouth watering prospect! i hope Rafa finds it in himself to let heads rather his heart to rule the situation...let Crouchie stay on!!!!!

[Guest Kaizer]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either, and to play Torres further behind and not play him on the shoulder where he can use his pace to accomodate Crouch is not the best of ideas either.

 

Next.

[Magic8Ball]

I think crouch has to get a run of games now, we are a different team when he plays, he creates a focal point for the attack and defenders get very tight to him creating space for our midfield. Kuyt is almost the complete opposite these days, he comes back to the congested midfield, leaving no one upfront.

 

With Torres approachng full fitness, surley its time for the Torres and Crouch Parnership to shine? PLease

 

Rafa you know it makes sense.

I think we have lots of partnerships that look good on paper but wont work - Crouch and Torres I think is one of them, they would both play the same role --- another example Voronin and Kuyt on paper this should be good both able to play front man and link man - it doesnt work

another example ( not tested ) Babel and Torres - mouthwatering in theory in reality I would bet Babel's not ready

 

the way I see it we have 2 supposedly out and out strikers Crouch and Torres and 2 Link strikers Kuyt and Voronin - for now we should play 1 of each not 2 of a kind

 

 

 

 

 

BTW Villa and Torres sounds mouth watering, but I would like to see them play together for Spain before I make my mind up

[fred milne]

I think we have lots of partnerships that look good on paper but wont work - Crouch and Torres I think is one of them.

Not sure I agree - they did ok away at Reading.

 

I reckon its a mark of Torres' all-round ability than he can probably form an effective pairing with any of the other three (Kuyt, Crouch, Voronin). (Its a similar story with Alonso in midfield.)

[Rimbeux]

Odd one, proof will be on the pitch, but you'd think it would have Torres playing wide and deep much more than we have seen, and being in the box less. He himself has said so, that this is how he'd play with Crouch, who plays nearly entirely central and in the box. Almost seems like a better plan for away days in Europe on huge pitches with acres of space than home in the PL. But hey, we've had Kuyt and Voronin which seems much worse as an idea and shows badly on the pitch.

[Gunga Din]

i think at least one of Crouch or Torres should start league games, i dont think i ever want to see a Kuyt/Voronin partnership again.

[johngibo YPC]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either, and to play Torres further behind and not play him on the shoulder where he can use his pace to accomodate Crouch is not the best of ideas either.

 

Next.

 

Torres managed to do ok alongside Crouch against Reading

And Crouch 'links' up exceedingly well with Gerrard. I actually think Gerrard plays better with Crouch in the team.

It would also be a real test for any defence. Where do you set you line against that attack. Too deep and crouch is getting knock downs in dangerous areas. Too high and Torres has space behind you.

 

I certainly think it is worth a go.

[Leo No.8]

i think at least one of Crouch or Torres should start league games, i dont think i ever want to see a Kuyt/Voronin partnership again.

 

I don't think anyone associated with the club except Rafa does.

 

Did anyone notice in his recent interiew talking about the strikers partnerships he specifically mentioned Kuyt and Voronin being able to play together. I'm sure he mentioned them deliberately to make his point.

 

He's an obstinate git sometimes, and it'll eventually be the end of him if he keeps playing those two together.

[Cobs]

Torres managed to do ok alongside Crouch against Reading

And Crouch 'links' up exceedingly well with Gerrard. I actually think Gerrard plays better with Crouch in the team.

It would also be a real test for any defence. Where do you set you line against that attack. Too deep and crouch is getting knock downs in dangerous areas. Too high and Torres has space behind you.

 

I certainly think it is worth a go.

'course it is - just don't expect the Voronin Fan Club Chairman to agree with you

[Boca]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either, and to play Torres further behind and not play him on the shoulder where he can use his pace to accomodate Crouch is not the best of ideas either.

 

Next.

 

 

I think Crouch is the best "link" player we have up front, in terms of holding up the ball, being an outlet for the defence and bringing the midfield into the game.

 

Isn't that what a "link" player is supposed to do?

[Rimbeux]

I don't think anyone associated with the club except Rafa does.

 

Did anyone notice in his recent interiew talking about the strikers partnerships he specifically mentioned Kuyt and Voronin being able to play together. I'm sure he mentioned them deliberately to make his point.

 

He's an obstinate git sometimes, and it'll eventually be the end of him if he keeps playing those two together.

 

 

I'm not sure what he genuinely believes or what he's simply trying to get across to set the ground. He made a point yesterday that in his eyes you go to the market, pay the price it takes, but then the player is on equal footing with everyone else, same but different possibilities.

 

It's noble, I can see the motivational power in it if it's used that way, that the best performers play more, and if there are those with more quality it should bear out. Thing is, it doesn't seem like that's the practice, and with so much placed on conditioning, it's difficult to see any play for your place mentality going on. Also mentioned that Crouch had to wait because the others were playing well...not the whole truth surely?

Edited November 9, 2007 by Rimbeux

[Cobs]

Also mentioned that Crouch had to wait because the others were playing well...not the whole truth surely?

utter bolllocks some might say

[johngibo YPC]

BTW Villa and Torres sounds mouth watering, but I would like to see them play together for Spain before I make my mind up

 

I thought they looked great in the world cup

Spain's problem was when the racist manager decided he has to start picking Raul

[Clay Davis]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either, and to play Torres further behind and not play him on the shoulder where he can use his pace to accomodate Crouch is not the best of ideas either.

 

Next.

Previous.

 

They can both drop deep and link up effectively and are capable with their back to goal - crouch especially. I don't see why it has to be one solid one 'link player' and one out and out, off the shoulder player. A bit of variety and swapping during the game can lead to more problems as you don't become predictable.

[Rimbeux]

Previous.

 

They can both drop deep and link up effectively and are capable with their back to goal - crouch especially. I don't see why it has to be one solid one 'link player' and one out and out, off the shoulder player. A bit of variety and swapping during the game can lead to more problems as you don't become predictable.

 

 

That's a point

[Falconhoof]

Of course Crouch can link the attack, he's done it loads of times for us.

Yet again Kaizer demonstrates he knows nothing about football. I don't care how many backheels or sports science degrees you've accumulated Kaizer you haven't a clue.

[Wardy]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either, and to play Torres further behind and not play him on the shoulder where he can use his pace to accomodate Crouch is not the best of ideas either.

 

Next.

 

Ballhocks.

[John am Rhein]

Stupid idea, Crouch is not a link player and he has never been so either,

 

He's an excellent link player. If anything, that's actually what he's best at.

[melia]

Next.

That is so funny, you actually think it's all about you. You think people are presenting their ideas for you (and you alone) to appraise. You are such a delusional fruitcake but it makes me laugh so I kinda hope you continue.

 

BTW, do you ding a bell when you say "Next", like in a doctor's surgery?

[usualsuspect]

Ballhocks.

 

used to think the Kaizer was a wind up merchant - am fast realising its pure lack of cleverness

[Guest petelfc]

Torres and Voronin for me. They link up really well and Voronin just edges the other two out in terms of pace, technique and creativity.

 

But Rafa will pick whoever depending on the opposition and fitness, so it's pointless talking about long term partnerships.

[Mike S]

I think Kaizer has a point here. We definitely haven't seen much evidence that Crouch + Torres is a good partnership anyway, although I think they've only started 2 games together. Yes Torres scored his hattrick at reading but crouch didn't really contribute and his performance was slated after the match if I recall correctly. The other game they started in was the marseille debacle.

[John am Rhein]

I think Torres + Crouch - yes, with Crouch as the 'link' player and Torres as far forward as he can get - is as good a combination as any pair we'll get from or 4 fowards. On the other hand, I don't agree with abandoning rotation to go with this 'settled partnership' idea, nor do I think we should even be playing 2 upfront in every game.

[MFletcher]

If we're to play with Crouch in the team, then we'll need the likes of Aurelio and Arbeloa at full back, Gerrard in centre midfield and Kewell on the left wing. Then we can play to Crouch's qualities. If we aren't going to look for Crouch from crosses or give him runners from midfield to link up with then he's not going to do very much and shouldn't play. It's not his fault, it's simply the limitations in his game.