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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 20:44:28 GMT
Thought he was very good again today! Got a great round of applause when subbed, around where I sit anyway. Everyone stood and applauded him off.
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Post by jeycov on Mar 29, 2014 20:50:23 GMT
He's enjoying his role with more support from Arnie, Odemwinge. Ireland and N'Zonzi also linking well.
Some great play today from PC
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Post by stokemanusa on Mar 29, 2014 20:54:28 GMT
He's our target man when the swinging gate doesn't work, we go direct as an option for an outlet and he's loving the role of linking play and holding up play. He's been fantastic.
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Post by mickmacc on Mar 30, 2014 7:45:51 GMT
Excellent again today.Fits the system so well
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Crouchy
Mar 30, 2014 8:04:02 GMT
via mobile
Post by cobhamstokey on Mar 30, 2014 8:04:02 GMT
Thought he did ok today but not as good as against W Ham and Villa. I still wonder how good we'd be with someone with more pace and strength though. Though only a cameo you can see why he starts ahead of Guidetti
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Post by apb1 on Mar 30, 2014 8:07:03 GMT
Routinely cited as a personification of Pulis spunking money away, he's actually proved a pretty good investment over the years. Ba would have been better but we all know what happened there.
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Post by crownmeking on Mar 30, 2014 8:10:13 GMT
Thought he did ok today but not as good as against W Ham and Villa. I still wonder how good we'd be with someone with more pace and strength though. Though only a cameo you can see why he starts ahead of Guidetti Why can you see why he starts ahead of Guidetti?
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Post by cobhamstokey on Mar 30, 2014 8:34:26 GMT
Thought he did ok today but not as good as against W Ham and Villa. I still wonder how good we'd be with someone with more pace and strength though. Though only a cameo you can see why he starts ahead of Guidetti Why can you see why he starts ahead of Guidetti? Though Guidettis appearances have only been cameos he just doesn't strike me as a link man like Crouchy.
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Post by metalhead on Mar 30, 2014 9:26:18 GMT
I thought he was smashing. Won pretty much every header against two big strong centre backs, played some lovely little touches including one excellent flick. He's holding up the ball a lot better as well which is something he seemed to avoid doing when we first signed him.
Most importantly, I'm starting to think he's finally over his nasty injury against Newcastle. Me and the people around where I sit all agree that for a long time after that game, Crouch seemed to lose his bottle and wasn't willing to challenge. Understandable I guess, it's probably going through the back of your mind every time you go up for a challenge, but it meant he looked ineffective and that's why he went off the boil so badly. He's back to his best and you can't deny he's in great form. He's probably in World Cup form, but hey, Woy's season ticket only extends him to Southampton I'm afraid.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 9:31:35 GMT
Thought he did ok today but not as good as against W Ham and Villa. I still wonder how good we'd be with someone with more pace and strength though. Though only a cameo you can see why he starts ahead of Guidetti Why can you see why he starts ahead of Guidetti? Because Crouch is a target man who brings others into the game and can help the ball stick up top and Guidetti doesn't look like he can do that and still looks unfit and off the pace?
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Post by jeycov on Mar 30, 2014 9:34:56 GMT
I thought he was smashing. Won pretty much every header against two big strong centre backs, played some lovely little touches including one excellent flick. He's holding up the ball a lot better as well which is something he seemed to avoid doing when we first signed him. Most importantly, I'm starting to think he's finally over his nasty injury against Newcastle. Me and the people around where I sit all agree that for a long time after that game, Crouch seemed to lose his bottle and wasn't willing to challenge. Understandable I guess, it's probably going through the back of your mind every time you go up for a challenge, but it meant he looked ineffective and that's why he went off the boil so badly. He's back to his best and you can't deny he's in great form. He's probably in World Cup form, but hey, Woy's season ticket only extends him to Southampton I'm afraid. Good post I think he is enjoying his football a bit more too - he is in a less isolated situation, has players supporting his "flicks on" etc and also showing his skill with his feet. He's never been a pacy striker and that hasn't stopped him scoring plenty of goals throughout his career. What's more there are plenty of 33+year old players enjoying success in the Prem - we need to keep him here at Stoke
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Post by jeycov on Mar 30, 2014 9:41:57 GMT
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Post by roylandstoke on Mar 30, 2014 10:38:18 GMT
Crouch played very well again in a system that suits his skill set.
He looks a much happier player too. The forlorn, isolated bean-pole that trooted around after aimless punts and got continually bullied by gangs of defenders with nothing else to do has been transformed into a motivated link between wide attackers and players running from midfield.
Well played Crouchie.
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Post by Billybigbollox on Mar 30, 2014 10:40:56 GMT
Excellent again today.Fits the system so well Yep he's much happier with someone pacey alongside him that he can feed the ball to.
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Post by crownmeking on Mar 30, 2014 11:14:27 GMT
Why can you see why he starts ahead of Guidetti? Though Guidettis appearances have only been cameos he just doesn't strike me as a link man like Crouchy. Thanks for explaining, I understand and agree. I do think Guidetti has something to offer though, and if Odem had put him in yesterday he would of scored.
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Post by crownmeking on Mar 30, 2014 11:17:55 GMT
Why can you see why he starts ahead of Guidetti? Because Crouch is a target man who brings others into the game and can help the ball stick up top and Guidetti doesn't look like he can do that and still looks unfit and off the pace? I agree with Crouch being a target man and bringing others into the game. I don't think Guidetti is unfit and off the pace, I think he needs some game time to be able to confidently comment on that. Although in our current form I can understand why Hughes would not risk putting him on anymore than he has done.
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Post by wuzza on Mar 30, 2014 11:45:12 GMT
If we are going to play intricate short through balls up front there is no-one better than the 6'7" Mr Crouch to get involved - its quite ironic really but it looks a wining forumla.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Mar 30, 2014 11:52:38 GMT
Crouch's link up play was excellent again.
He won several balls he had no right to and then still managed to find a red and white shirt.
He's been a pivotal player in our upturn in form.
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Mar 30, 2014 11:56:09 GMT
Not one of his very best games yesterday, I thought Davies had him in his pocket for most of the afternoon.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 12:23:41 GMT
Watching a different game to me!
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Post by nononsense on Mar 30, 2014 14:37:32 GMT
He is no longer the lonely striker as he was under our porevious manager. He is finally getting some quality support and he has been great to watch all season. BUT, it's only since the inept Walters disappeared that his help has improved !
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 15:40:58 GMT
He's been excellent recently.I think it was Stelling + Co, who pointed out now we've got midfield runners Crouch is much more effective as a target man.
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