So instead of taking Crouch, with a fantastic record for england, we are going to take someone "better" that has a record that doesn't even come close to his?
Yes, that makes total sense.
England vs Eqypt - **Spoilers**
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So instead of taking Crouch, with a fantastic record for england, we are going to take someone "better" that has a record that doesn't even come close to his?
Yes, that makes total sense.
Caporegime
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Crouch would allow us to get goals against Spain, Brazil, Argentina...even if he did not score them himself.
basically, our midfielders are all 50 yard passers as ive said about 5 times now, there are hardly any runners amongst them.. trying to play intricate doesnt work, even Egypts weak midfield stopped us. our big 3 are all far too lazy. they like to stay static pick up the ball and ping it. Crouch gives us a chance of at least doing something with it.
Like it or not, england play better with a 'lump it to the big man' tactic...
and crouch is the only big man we have who has skill and can also score.
basically, our midfielders are all 50 yard passers as ive said about 5 times now, there are hardly any runners amongst them.. trying to play intricate doesnt work, even Egypts weak midfield stopped us. our big 3 are all far too lazy. they like to stay static pick up the ball and ping it. Crouch gives us a chance of at least doing something with it.
Like it or not, england play better with a 'lump it to the big man' tactic...
and crouch is the only big man we have who has skill and can also score.
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Sounds very much like damning with faint praise. I suspect a lot of people would prefer to see their grandmother playing for England than Heskey.
Maybe that's a chance that is worth taking though, you've (England) still got another 3 or 4 spaces for other strikers, if none of them are doing it for England then you'd still have Crouch who does have a habit of scoring goals - irrespective of whether you think they're merited or not. He's not the best player in the England team but technical skill for a striker usually means less than an ability to score goals.
For me the jury is still out on Cole, maybe if he got more games I dunno tbh. Heskey always seems to play well lately, doesn't he play well with Rooney?
I think Crouchie would cause any team in the world problems - he is 12.5 foot after all - providing he's getting the service that is. Plus his height would be an advantage when defending against corners and what have you.
Who would your five strikers be?
Caporegime
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Heskey just holds the ball up. That seems to be all that he does.
I don't think Villa fans even rate him.
Rooney
Defoe
Zamora
Cole
Crouch
Switch Owen for Crouch if he actually plays a substantial amount between now and then and stays fit.
That's only if those were the players who'd been playing for all the games, I really like Zamora over Heskey but I don't know if he has enough international experience and it's too late now.
Defoe
Zamora
Cole
Crouch
Switch Owen for Crouch if he actually plays a substantial amount between now and then and stays fit.
That's only if those were the players who'd been playing for all the games, I really like Zamora over Heskey but I don't know if he has enough international experience and it's too late now.
I don't think Heskey ever plays well for England, he's never a goal threat and people use the argument he compliments Rooney well but all he does is just plod around and occasionally win a foul or hold the ball up. He has loads of poor games where he doesn't even manage that. I think the likes of Crouch and Zamora are far more effective in what they do, they're more agile and quicker and are much more threatening on goal, effectively what you want from a striker.
I rarely see this good play from Heskey, same for with Villa, maybe I don't appreciate some of the things he does enough, but for me he doesn't do nearly enough to be considered an England starter, at club or country level.
I rarely see this good play from Heskey, same for with Villa, maybe I don't appreciate some of the things he does enough, but for me he doesn't do nearly enough to be considered an England starter, at club or country level.
I don't think he would, the ye old "hoof" the ball tactic wouldn't work against the better sides in World football, we are talking some of the best defenders in the world playing for these sides. Crouch is kept quiet all too often in the League.
I'm coming round to the idea of taking Crouch, maybe putting him on if others are injured or as a last resort.
Rooney
Defoe
Agbonlahor
Owen
The last spot, I'm not sure. I don't think Crouch, Cole or Zamora are England standard, Wallcott could maybe be another option, but he's void of anything usefull at the moment.
The fact that Heskey holds the ball up so well and is consistent at it is a very good strength to have, especially if England are under the kosh (how do you spell kosh anyway? ).
The big problem here is that England only really have one top striker in Rooney, all the others are a bit lacking in one way or another. I suppose it's about getting a balance of players'/teams' strengths.
).The big problem here is that England only really have one top striker in Rooney, all the others are a bit lacking in one way or another. I suppose it's about getting a balance of players'/teams' strengths.
Caporegime
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You'd take Owen considering he is currently injured... again... and rarely starts a game?
Would love to see Walcott up front, when he very rarely plays there for Arsenal you can tell his movement is much more effective centrally and he makes his lightening pace count. I also think he's a decent finisher too. It's time Wenger puts him central too, he said he was going to but still hasn't.
Walcott isn't a winger, he's a striker. Playing off the shoulder of the last defender he could be lethal with his pace.
A bit like Owen used to play, off the shoulder of the defender.
@ Skip, yeah I'd take him if he was fit around the start of the World Cup, Owen has that quailty about him, he's a born goal scorer and has a good record at international level (insert Crouch has a good record here) but Owen has that touch of class about him.
He wouldn't start, but maybe as a super sub.
A bit like Owen used to play, off the shoulder of the defender.
@ Skip, yeah I'd take him if he was fit around the start of the World Cup, Owen has that quailty about him, he's a born goal scorer and has a good record at international level (insert Crouch has a good record here) but Owen has that touch of class about him.
He wouldn't start, but maybe as a super sub.
Caporegime
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is that relevant? if you take 4/5 strikers in the squad not all of them are going to start. If I had to bring on a striker with 20 mins to go to get a goal then Owen is the one to do it.
Caporegime
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I meant rarely starts for his club.
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(how do you spell kosh anyway?
Cosh, assuming you're talking about the small weapon used for knocking people out.
I wouldn't personally thought that to be too important.
If Owen is match fit, I'd take him to the World Cup.
Yes I was, as in under the cosh, couldn't decide whether it was a C or a K.
The only thing I'd add to that is that if he's fit *and* scoring goals, if he's got his eye back and he's fit you can't not take him imo.
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Caporegime
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Well if he's not good enough to start for his club, I don't see why you'd want him to play for his country.
I don't think it's about not being good enough to start, I think it's more about he's being used as an impact sub. I'd take him for the same reason for England, an impact sub.
Talk about not starting? Crouch hasn't started the last few games has he? Pav replaced him in the pecking order?
Talk about not starting? Crouch hasn't started the last few games has he? Pav replaced him in the pecking order?