Do you really think that's the "only" reason? Nothing to do with his erratic first touch, awkward co-ordination or at times shocking finishing?
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What is Peter Crouch doing?
- Thread starter Brightonfan1983
- Start date
Do you really think that's the "only" reason? Nothing to do with his erratic first touch, awkward co-ordination or at times shocking finishing?
I agree that he is impressively clinical against smaller nations.
Yes. At the moment he hasn't been given a decent chance against top international teams to show he can do what he did against the 4 best premier league defences last season despite any shortcomings in his abilities.
He wasn't that good against the 4 best. Scored 3 in 8 games. That's not bad, also I notice you don't say the top 6 or 7, as that makes his stats look much worse.
It's not bad, but it's not worthy of the accolades some give him though; "England's most natural goalscorer" etc.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
It was earlier in THIS very thread. "He's the most natural goalscorer England have." - I'll see if I can dig it out.
And as I've repeatedly said, I'm not calling him that, just arguing he hasn't had a chance.
But really, 3 in 8 against the best 4 defences is better than "not bad", and to be so down on it is either a reaction to this perceived sense that people honestly think he's England's best goal scorer, or the same sort of vendetta that some have to barnes (I suspect the former, though don't believe anyone who isn't part of his family/a stoke fan seriously believe that).
Also, if you make it 'best teams' instead of "best defences" he scored 4 goals in 6 games against the best three premier league teams. (Or if you want to keep it to 4, he scored 4 in 8 against the best four teams). A very good return.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
I've just searched each page of the thread for the word 'natural'
You're the only person who has used it...
And yet you are agreeing that it is correct that he was not included in a squad selected with the purpose of securing qualifying points against Moldova. Righto.
But this is all about moving the data to suit facts; we could look at it as his goals against the top 7 defences: 3 goals in 14 games.
Where did I say that? I'm not certain whether I do agree or not. I haven't even thought about it until this post.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
The entire point of this thread is whether Crouch has justification in feeling wronged, at being left out of recent squad.
pork pie
New member
I do. He is consistently our best striker when he plays, but is regularly overlooked in favour of that midget Defoe.
I'm not really bothered about his stats. If anyone thinks someone should be picked purely because of their stats then perhaps they should get in time machine and go and support Watford or Wimbledon of the 1980s where the only criteria for everyone apart from the strikers was to boot the ball towards the opponents penalty area where the job falls to the strikers to do something with it. Hardly the GP way!
At the end of the day, it is the manager who picks the team. Presumably when he's not picked by his club manager he doesn't throw his toys out of the pram. Normally, I'm quite defensive of footballers, in particular when people have a go at what they earn, but when a player decides he can't be bothered with the national team then I have no time for him (and that includes Carrick and Carragher). Finally, I believe technically, you cannot retire from international football under Fifa rules. If you are fit, you are available for selection by your national manager.
At the end of the day, it is the manager who picks the team. Presumably when he's not picked by his club manager he doesn't throw his toys out of the pram. Normally, I'm quite defensive of footballers, in particular when people have a go at what they earn, but when a player decides he can't be bothered with the national team then I have no time for him (and that includes Carrick and Carragher). Finally, I believe technically, you cannot retire from international football under Fifa rules. If you are fit, you are available for selection by your national manager.
But it's not that simple, is it. Everything in football is a stat. Goals scored, passes completed, possession, chances, clean sheets, tackles won, and so on. You can reduce them to numbers or keep it anecdotal, goals scored is a stat, but is also one (important) way of judging a striker.
The important thing is that I'm talking to people, this keeps my brain active.
I thought the point was that Crouch had rejected the chance to be in the squad?
No. Crouch declined to be on standby, after being left out of a squad, in favour of Defoe, Carroll, Sturridge, etc.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
So you didn't find the quote....