The Crouch Substitutions

[Bootle Buck]

I have noticed recently when he gets subbed he always says something to someone when he is coming off. It's kind of like there must be a joke between the players that he will be the one to come off. You can tell it gets to him but to be fair to the lad he takes it and never shows any animosity towards Rafa.

[Bailo]

Would have been nice for him to get the hattrick, but the team comes first.

 

I have a feeling if Cisse pulled faces like Crouchy does upon subbing, he'd be beheaded on here.

[Guest Sabre]

He surely understands that the reason he is subbed is because he's our most important forward and therefore needs to be rested to give him enough of a chance to play in more fixtures from the start?

[Cobs]

 

I have a feeling if Cisse pulled faces like Crouchy does upon subbing, he'd be beheaded on here.

it'd stop him pulling faces though, wouldn't it?

[Guest bigbak]

I have a feeling if Cisse pulled faces like Crouchy does upon subbing, he'd be beheaded on here.

 

I think he earned the right to pull a face after scoring a couple.

 

He was gutted he couldn't get a hattrick. Who wouldn't be?

[Benitez]

Would have been nice for him to get the hattrick, but the team comes first.

 

I have a feeling if Cisse pulled faces like Crouchy does upon subbing, he'd be beheaded on here.

 

 

what faces does he pull?

 

Crouchy should take being subbed as a compliment as it was purely done to give him a break before the derby. He has become one of our key players.

[columbo]

I have noticed recently when he gets subbed he always says something to someone when he is coming off. It's kind of like there must be a joke between the players that he will be the one to come off. You can tell it gets to him but to be fair to the lad he takes it and never shows any animosity towards Rafa.

crouch is the most subbed off player in the league, don't know why, so he's probably used to it!

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Crouchy should take being subbed as a compliment as it was purely done to give him a break before the derby. He has become one of our key players.

 

As mentioned below, considering he gets subbed virtually every game, it's hard to consider a compliment.

[columbo]

As mentioned below, considering he gets subbed virtually every game, it's hard to consider a compliment.

i think it may be due to him being our only true targetman. if we had other options to call upon he'd spend less time in the cotton wool.

[jimmylibel]

Post title is very Ludlum...

 

Ah for the heady days of 'The Biscan Experiment'.

[Nebraska Red]

so, we are now not content with letting the press invent potential "problems" at the club.

 

the manager knows the players a darn site better than us and he does what is best for the team. Maybe he reckoned it was a chance to get Morientes and Cisse a cheap and easy goal and some much needed confidence.

 

and, he did make some comments about the subbing when interviewed by the twunt from Sky after the game.

 

or, he felt that 2 games in 56 hours was a bit much for two of the players.

[Kahnee]

so, we are now not content with letting the press invent potential "problems" at the club.

 

the manager knows the players a darn site better than us and he does what is best for the team. Maybe he reckoned it was a chance to get Morientes and Cisse a cheap and easy goal and some much needed confidence.

 

and, he did make some comments about the subbing when interviewed by the twunt from Sky after the game.

 

or, he felt that 2 games in 56 hours was a bit much for two of the players.

 

Nah. Rafa clearly hates him

[jimmylibel]

Nah. Rafa clearly hates him

 

You can see it in his eyes!!!

[Guest Sabre]

You can see it in his eyes!!!

 

OI!

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Not in his eyes, but it was clear from his body language.

[Benitez]

As mentioned below, considering he gets subbed virtually every game, it's hard to consider a compliment.

 

 

I was talking about the game last night obviously, so errrr, I'll say it again for your benefit, he should take it as a compliment. It was obviously with the derby in mind that Rafa subbed 2 key players.

[Mike]

a new ludlum

[Bootle Buck]

Peter "treated like a dog" Crouch being congatulated by Luis Garcia after being subbed.

 

Edited March 22, 2006 by Bootle Buck

[R A Softlad]

Is that your dog?

 

Yeah.

 

Whippet?

 

No I paid for it!

[Buzz]

I have noticed recently when he gets subbed he always says something to someone when he is coming off. It's kind of like there must be a joke between the players that he will be the one to come off. You can tell it gets to him but to be fair to the lad he takes it and never shows any animosity towards Rafa.

 

Didi is probably running a book on it so I would imagine they are discussing the winner, "Bloody hell, 60mins, Carra got it again! I reckon Rafa is telling him when before the match!!"

[fyds]

Nah. Rafa clearly hates him

Who can forget the twinkle in the eye of the Spanish scamp?

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I was talking about the game last night obviously, so errrr, I'll say it again for your benefit, he should take it as a compliment. It was obviously with the derby in mind that Rafa subbed 2 key players.

 

don't I feel chastened by your sharp wit.

 

Considering that he has been subbed virtually every game, there is no reason to think him being subbed was for any other reason than why he is usually being subbed. I'd guess it's because rafa doesn't believe he can last 90 minutes.

[fyds]

don't I feel chastened by your sharp wit.

 

Considering that he has been subbed virtually every game, there is no reason to think him being subbed was for any other reason than why he is usually being subbed. I'd guess it's because rafa doesn't believe he can last 90 minutes.

Or conversly, because he has played a lot of games lately and we're still in ther thick of it - and, as the opposition tires - change the threat. It was also good for team morale to give Cissé and Moro a chance to get among the goals - which they duly did.

[Guest Sabre]

don't I feel chastened by your sharp wit.

 

Considering that he has been subbed virtually every game, there is no reason to think him being subbed was for any other reason than why he is usually being subbed. I'd guess it's because rafa doesn't believe he can last 90 minutes.

 

Eh? You're just being a bit thick there

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Or conversly, because he has played a lot of games lately and we're still in ther thick of it - and, as the opposition tires - change the threat. It was also good for team morale to give Cissé and Moro a chance to get among the goals - which they duly did.

 

all fairly good reasons that doesn't really change the fact that Crouch's substitution was another confirmation that Rafa has consistently subbed crouch virtually every game. He would most likely have subbed him regardless of who we were playing this week, as he has done on countless other occasions.

 

Whether it is because he as a general rule wants a different option in the final stages of the game or because he doesn't think Crouch can't last 90 minutes at the level Rafa requires I don't know, though I am inclining towards the latter, considering Crouch's physical outlook.