Peter crouch

[Serko]

According to the ticker on the beeb, Thaksin Shinawatra says they may make an offer for Peter Crouch. Personally I hope he stays, but it depends how much we could get for him.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Serko

[muleskinner]

Unless he gets a substantially improved contract I think Crouch will go. With things as they are I can't see any big contracts being offered to anybody.

 

Unless Hicks says we can't sell him of course.

[Serko]

from Skysports

 

Thaksin - Sven likes Crouch

City chairman hints at Liverpool forward interest

By James Dall Last updated: 30th November 2007

 

Crouch: Sven liking

 

Manchester City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra says Sven Goran Eriksson is in the market for a striker, with Peter Crouch a potential target.

 

 

 

Eriksson is a big fan of Crouch having worked with the towering forward during his time in charge of England.

 

 

The 26-year-old's long-term future at Liverpool looks uncertain, with reports suggesting Rafa Benitez could be willing to cash-in on the forward.

 

 

And Thaksin has hinted that Eriksson could be set to bid for the Reds man in the forthcoming January transfer window, but only if the price is right.

 

 

 

Expensive

 

 

"Sven is looking for one striker and one or two midfielders," he told Sky Sports News.

 

 

"Sven does like Peter Crouch, very much. But he has yet to decide [on whether to make an offer].

 

 

"We are looking for good players that are good money, not too expensive. I am not in the position to buy everything at any cost. Sven will pick the right person at the right price."

 

 

Meanwhile, City defender Richard Dunne believes the club's impressive start to the season will assist in attracting high-profile names to the City of Manchester Stadium.

 

 

Dunne also spoke of City's targets for the season, expressing his belief that UEFA Champions League qualification is a realistic aim.

 

 

"People are getting carried away again, but it's [Champions League qualification] realistic at the moment with the form that we are in.

 

 

 

Away form

 

 

"We have to have aims and why not aim for that sort of level?

 

 

"If we can start picking up a few points away from home and continue what we have been doing at home, we should hopefully be on for a good second half of the season.

 

 

"I think the start we have had to the season makes the club more appealing. The good players around Europe are probably looking at us thinking they can get European football next year.

 

 

"Hopefully with the manager's record of the players he has signed this season, he will be trusted in the transfer market by everybody."

[liveabiglife]

I'm not Crouch's biggest fan by a long way - actually he really annoys me - falls over too easily, doesn't track back, doesn't fight for possession etc - but of late, I have been impressed with him - he seems on his game and like you, I hope he stays.

 

I'd like to see him and Torres play together a bit - if that works, keep him, if it doesn't, sell him in the summer, and despite his contract running down and teh potential sale price falling accordigly, I reckon that his current form, assuming he keeps it up and Rafa plays him, will offset that with an increase in value overall.

 

Unless we could get a top quality striker to replace him I don't see any benefit to him going. In fact, we could use a centre half and Masch on a permanent deal more than a replacement striker, given that we have goals coming from all over the place at the moment, imo.

[RP]

What the hell is the Chairman doing talking abour specific transfer targets like that??

[Magic8Ball]

Who's available that's better than Anelka at the mo'

[Serko]

Who's available that's better than Anelka at the mo'

 

[Frosty Jack]

Would be a strange move, selling him to City who are looking to improve their away form, the reason why we bought him, with them sitting a point above us right now and looking pretty consistent.

[Stevie H]

I'm not Crouch's biggest fan by a long way - actually he really annoys me - falls over too easily, doesn't track back, doesn't fight for possession etc -

he's not a midfielder though?

[liveabiglife]

Would be a strange move, selling him to City who are looking to improve their away form, the reason why we bought him, with them sitting a point above us right now and looking pretty consistent.

 

Yeah, and their last game of the season is against us, away.

[Stevie H]

What the hell is the Chairman doing talking abour specific transfer targets like that??

there are a lot of people now involved in senior positions in football who don't know anything about football.

[AE]

What the hell is the Chairman doing talking abour specific transfer targets like that??

 

Surely that would consitute tapping up?

[liveabiglife]

he's not a midfielder though?

 

True, and I take your point, but then neither is Torres, nor are Kuyt or Voronin, all of whom are strong in the tackle and work hard.

 

I know Crouch is a different type of player and he can flourish in particular areas where others can't, and I'm seeing more of that in his current form, and learning to appreciate the function of his game more, but I wish he was just a little more gritty, if you know what I mean - aside from his height, he would hardly scare quality defenders with his physical presence - he doesn't bustle or hustle and he is too easily pushed off possession. That said, he is quality in other areas, I know.

 

I think we should keep him, play him and see what systems work up front, and leave any decisions until the summer; unless, as my lad suggested, we can swap him for Kaka (and yeah, OK, he's not a striker, I know ).

[Falconhoof]

Surely that would consitute tapping up?

 

no, not tapping up.

[Guest RedLegend]

I hope he stays simply because if we're left with Kuyt and Voronin as partners for Torres we can forget about challenging for the title IMO not to mention the fact that if Torres picks up an injury we are left with the dread spectre of a Kuyt/Voronin strike partnership. Would seem crazy to me to sell one of your strikers when you're trying to mount a title challenge unless we go out and buy a new striker straight away but not sure how likely that is given that a centre-half and tying up Mascherano are the priorities.

Edited November 30, 2007 by RedLegend

[Falconhoof]

I hope he stays simply because if we're left with Kuyt and Voronin as partners for Torres we can forget about challenging for the title IMO not to mention the fact that if Torres picks up an injury we are left with the dread spectre of a Kuyt/Voronin strike partnership. Would seem crazy to me to sell one of your strikers when you're trying to mount a title challenge unless we go out and buy a new striker straight away but not sure how likely that is given that a centre-half and tying up Mascherano are the priorities.

 

We'd only be selling him if we had another striker lined up. It doesn't sound like we have been unless a new striker is one of the 2 free signings Rafa spoke of.

Looks like Crouch will be here until the summer.

[McBain]

Would be a strange move, selling him to City who are looking to improve their away form, the reason why we bought him, with them sitting a point above us right now and looking pretty consistent.

 

these things need to be mentioned during negotiations

[San Diego Red]

Crouch says he wants to stay. And stay he shall.

[TheLa]

Crouch says he wants to stay. And stay he shall.

 

Can we organise a march for Crouch?

[Bootle Buck]

Why the feck would we sell him now. His unique style and skills are hard for defenders to play against. Why let him go to a team ahead of us in the table. He's said many times he wants to stay at Liverpool.

[Frosty Jack]

Can we organise a march for Crouch?

 

Could be skirmishes between pro and anti crouch factions, police would have to route the marches well clear of eachother.

[Stevie H]

he needs to get on the steak and guinness, the big lanky streak of piss.

[sutty]

Why the feck would we sell him now. His unique style and skills are hard for defenders to play against. Why let him go to a team ahead of us in the table. He's said many times he wants to stay at Liverpool.

 

Because he has 18 months left on his contract

[melia]

I can't believe people still don't rate him. It's obvious to anyone with eyes that he is a footballer. It's not just a recent thing, once you get over the height thing it becomes apparent that the guy is a naturally gifted forward.

The thing I like about him most is that he is prepared to ignore all external criticism and try to play as though he is in a side filled with confidence. If the opportunity presents itself for him to flick it to a teammate with his heel, he'll go for it. I reckon he's the sort of player who would never s*** out of it, no matter how big the occasion. In short, he's a Liverpool player.

 

I'll be gutted if we sell him, the same way I was when Beardo left.

[sutty]

I can't believe people still don't rate him. It's obvious to anyone with eyes that he is a footballer. It's not just a recent thing, once you get over the height thing it becomes apparent that the guy is a naturally gifted forward.

The thing I like about him most is that he is prepared to ignore all external criticism and try to play as though he is in a side filled with confidence. If the opportunity presents itself for him to flick it to a teammate with his heel, he'll go for it. I reckon he's the sort of player who would never s*** out of it, no matter how big the occasion. In short, he's a Liverpool player.

 

I'll be gutted if we sell him, the same way I was when Beardo left.

 

 

For me whether he stays or goes will be solely dependent on whether he signs a deal.