Peter Crouch - more than a target man

Article by e-Stoke Correspondent Alastair Turner

Follow e-Stoke on Twitter here!

Since arriving in the Potteries on deadline day in August 2011 he has been a fans favourite at the Britannia Stadium. The 6ft 7 striker moved to Stoke City for £10m from Spurs, having already played for Portsmouth, Liverpool, Southampton, Aston Villa and QPR.

Crouch arrived at Clayton Wood signing a 4-year deal, in the last few moments of the transfer window. But what was he going to bring?

Tony Pulis was renowned for playing a long ball style of football, seeking the strikers at the earliest opportunity and Crouch is the typical player to fit that mould. Crouch definitely scores the majority of his goals with his head. Now only 4 goals behind Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 46 headed career goals.

But Crouch isn’t just about the aerial game. He brings other players into the game, and there aren’t many times he will flick it on with his head. What most people do not appreciate is that “Crouchy” controls the ball into his feet superbly; possibly better than his control with his head. He holds it up for other players, giving the chance to advance and support the attack. Crouch, with his gangly arms also spreads himself and protects the ball particularly well for a man as lightweight as he is.

Crouch draws so many fouls for the side in the final third, with defenders growing increasingly frustrated with his ability, and are not expecting a player with Crouch’s physique to be so technical and skilful. I’m not saying he’s going to take on the back four every time he gets the ball, but he knows how to get out of trouble, then play a simple pass to someone in space, recycling the ball.

Not only happy with scoring headers Peter is also fond of a volley and loves to strike the ball at the earliest opportunity on the bounce. Everyone will remember Crouch’s wonder strike against Manchester City past his England colleague Joe Hart in March 2012.

My signed photo, showing Crouch celebrating the goal of his career.

“He loves the volley, and he trains every night after training practicing his strike, a few balls have been collected from behind the fences” said David Kemp joking about Crouch during the week after his strike against City.

Crouch allows the usually smaller, pacey, strike partner to play a role alongside him with increased freedom by drawing both centre backs to himself. When playing as a lone striker, he still attracts 2 defenders for the majority of the game creating gaps for the advancing midfielders to try getting into, or exploiting with a pass.

So yes, he is predominantly a target man, but Crouch gives you a distraction with runs off the ball for other players to become free, holds the ball up, while linking with advancing midfielders, as well as possessing the talent for the odd screamer. He is not a one trick pony only being able to score with his head at 6ft 7, he is agile, and spreads his arms to care for the ball, holding possession for the side. Drawing free kicks from oncoming defenders who barge into the back of him, he also turns into one of the best defenders, winning the ball in his own penalty area defending set pieces. So not only does he score you goals that will win games he stops the opposition getting the chance to finish opportunities, a similarity he shares with the likes of Didier Drogba.

So before people think Crouch only scores headers from crosses or a set piece, which he has been doing in recent weeks, think about what he does off the ball as he brings so much more to side.

© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football