The suggestion that Roy Hodgson could target a return to his old club for former Red Peter Crouch is something that will interest most Liverpool fans. The lanky 6ft 7 striker was a popular figure in his first spell at the club and many were sad to see the player leave for Portsmouth in 2008. A return has been speculated on because of both Roy’s keen interest in bringing the forward to Craven Cottage at Fulham last summer before his move to Spurs, and because he generally favours target men in his team to get on the end of crosses.
Personally, as both a player and a person, I have always liked Crouchy. He was a much maligned figure in his early career as a player and his ungainly style of play was seen as somewhat of a joke by some fans. The fact that he was booed by his own supporters when he played for England really annoyed me, and from that day, I have stuck up for Crouch’s style of play. He maybe tall and ungainly at times but Crouch knows how to control a football, and anyone who saw him score his spectacular scissor kick against Galatasaray can attest to that. In fact, Crouch is not the greatest header of the ball despite his height, and prefers to lay off balls to team mates with his close ball control.
His goal scoring record though is not something to write home about and although he has a decent goal scoring record in the Premier League, he is not a natural goal scorer. One thing that cannot be argued about though is his record for England and 21 goals in 40 appearances is not something to be taken lightly. That aside though, he is considered a team play by the managers he plays under rather than somebody who will guarantee you goals.
This is where I have a problem with Crouch returning to Anfield. Not because he wouldn’t contribute to the team, because he would, but because it would encourage a style of play that may not be entirely beneficial in the long term. Even with Crouch’s good ability in the air, his height can become an issue because it becomes an easy way out for defenders and midfielders alike to pass to. Rather than looking for an incisive through ball, or keeping possession and looking for another option, it encourages centre half’s like Jamie Carragher to hoof the ball up to Crouch, to hold up the ball and bring others into play. It relies a lot on one player and becomes one dimensional.
Hodgson has stated he would like to play the “pass and move” style utilised so effectively in the Liverpool teams of the 1970s and 80s, and although a target man such as Crouch doesn’t preclude such an approach, it does encourage a style of play which would be dramatically different to the one Hodgson is apparently espousing. As a player and person, I appreciate what Peter Crouch brings to the game but for me we must look for a different style of centre forward, somebody with greater mobility but also capable in the air.
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no need for looking backwards – he should not have been sold when he was, but he should not be bought back now in an effort to atone for that mistake.
Let sleeping dogs lie and look elsewhere for a big man with more power and athleticism in his game
Carra will hoof the ball roughly in the direction of our forward whoever that is, so the problem in this case lies rather with Carra than a tall forward.
Intresting article. I must specify that I liked Crouchy, and wish him well, however it was his choice to leave. I kept hearing England this, England that, sorry Liverpool FC is always more important to me than England, that’s easy I’m Welsh but LFC means more than the Welsh football team. If you don’t make Liverpool your number one priority goodbye, so I wouldn’t bring him back.
Anyone that uses the phrase “not a natural goal scorer” is talking rubbish.
Theres a lot better players out there and they need a class striker to play when Torres is out, someone with pace and guile something couch lacks.
When the team were not playing very
well at times on would come Peter
and then they would all start to play well his ball control second to
none and he realy loves Liverpool Lfc
I would love to see him back.
daboy, my couch lacks pace and guile too, but it feels quite comfortable on the balls. And it has real flair which is not bad for a piece of furniture that size (’bout 6 ft. 7).