Peter Crouch, Inverse Keegan?

Beginning to wonder if I got this oddball all wrong. Certainly happy to admit that I have, as he is showing that he really does know how to finish (apart from 12 yards and overlooking all that dancing rubbish that follows it.) The irony seems to be that he hasn't scored many of them with his head. If anything, he doesn't look all that great in the air.
Still don't think he will offer anything as much as Rooney and that Hungary and especially Jamaica weren't the most testing of opponents. But perhaps he will be someone who may not be that great at club level, but somehow does the job internationally...

Agree. People have been quick to tell me I got it wrong about Crouch, but whilst conceeding he deserves his place against Paraguay, I am still not convinced. Due to:-
1. He does not win enough in the air for a big man.
2. Better teams will play him out of the game and frustrate him
3. He thinks he is better than he is (see penalty and dance routine)
4. Referees will not be kind to him in the finals.
5. It's plain embarrassing having to rely on someone like that!

He can get us throught to the knock out stages then step aside....

I think one of the main problems with Crouch is that people expect him to act like the stereotypical big man up front (see comments above) which he isn't and never has been. Bearing that in mind, prob best not to lump high balls to him (winning balls in teh air isn't his strength) and play to feet instead; if people can forget the 'big man' tag then they'll see that he is a pretty skillful player.

He's not the best player ever but he's far from the worst either and he can certainly play a role in the Group games. In some respects, if other countries dismiss him as a 'big man up front' too then it will work in our favour...

As for the dancing - quality

He suffers from the fact that he looks like Ian Ormondroyd but, thankfully, isn't.

I agree as well. He is sort of winning me over, he has shown some good touches/finishes, but obviously the big test will come in the later stages against bigger teams who don`t give him so much room.

The really interesting thing is the crowds reaction. They seemed to love him at Old Trafford (particularly the stupid dance), which is an incredible turn around in the space of a couple of games. It sounds crazy, but that dance might have helped him as the crowd seem to love him for it and they might get off his back. It can only be good for his confidence.

Maybe Owen Hargreaves should try some kind of Waltz or truffle shuffle for the fans now and again.

Then again the chances of him either scoring a goal or winning the crowd over are so minimal because he isn't any good. And that's something I don't think I will ever be swayed on.

I thought the boos in that England game were for taking off SWP and not for Crouch.

True, but the fact remains the crowd were not happy at Crouch coming on, whether in place of SWP or not. And let`s be honest, if you are stood on the touchline waiting to come on, and your own supporters are booing, it can`t do your confidence any good, whether it is aimed at you specifically or not.

Was bored in work, strange how things change...

Mouth too full of humble pie to type much. When's he back from injury...?!

Soon I hope, Carrick like Terry, Gerrard, Lampard and many others is rubbish in an England shirt.

I am intrigued by the Martin O'Neil thing. Many deemed him unfit as he hadn't been in management for such a long time. Now there is a real shift what with his performance so far at Villa (me included - hindisght is a wonderful thing.) But I do wonder if even he could get the best out of some the aforementioned nitwits.

But looking at my track record with Crouch (who is now a bit crap again) and Mr Hargreaves, I think it's high time I started slagging off people for being shite. Soon after they will be amazing...

First up our very own Mr Lambert. Unfit, overpriced and likely to get homesick for the north in the next few weeks.

(Hat-trick Saturday now please. )