I'm very happy for Crouch, but this just reaffirms my view on how Harry should be using the strikers.... Defoe and Keane or Pavlyuchenko (please, Harry?) against strong teams, Defoe and Crouch against lesser sides. Crouch, for all his merits, can't work as well with Defoe because he isn't as proficient at holding the ball up. If the other striker isn't adept with the ball at his feet, Defoe's ability to make expert runs means less. Against squads like Preston, Crouch's strengths (height, finishing) shine and his weaknesses (ball control, speed) disappear, because the opposition isn't talented enough to handle his strengths, or exploit his weaknesses.
All in all, great showing for us.... Just the boost in confidence that we needed
I can't beleive harry didn't give pavlychenko a run out there. He's a fantastic striker, much better than crouch and doesn't leave height something to be desired either
Demolition match! Not quite sure why most, if not all of the first team were used in this game.... Never thought Preston North End were much of a threat but then again maybe they just rubbed Redknapp the wrong way!
Preston was trying very hard to upset Spurs but it was just can't be done. Spurs was on fire and Crouch is on fire. Crouch again scores a fansy goal everytime he tries for a goal, sometimes overhead kick, sometimes backheel. It's just amazing
I think rednapp got it wrong the two games he has played against Chelsea and Man UTD because Man UTD boys are bad in the air and would kill you on the counter attack and Chelsea are that good in the air at the back and lots of people say that checs only weakness is commanding his box when balls are in the air so I think that he should of player crouch against Chelsea and not against Man UTD but I am not a manager just my view I feel he would of definitely scored against Chelsae though
I know some people don't like Lennon's style but he's absolutely burning it up out there. Everything he touches is gold. Englands got some jewels in Tottenham