Peter Crouch a target for Martin O'Neill?
Monday, 15 December 08, 04:57 AM · Comments (45)
One of the papers yesterday ran with the story that Peter Crouch is a target for Martin O'Neill and if Harry Redknapp was still at Portsmouth I'd say this was false, but I really wouldn't be surprised if this was true.
I was a big fan of Crouch when he was at Villa but got a lot of stick for it as I used it as one of the reasons to demonstrate that David O'Leary didn't know what he was doing and at the time most were still thinking O'Leary was walking on water.
Crouch never got the proper run in the team that he deserved and if he had, I think he would have done enough, but maybe not under O'Leary. I think he would get a proper run in the team under O'Neill but now I start to get a bit protective of our 4-5-1 that we're playing at the moment.
Any regular visitor will know I love 4-5-1 and I that I'm of the opinion it's the best formation any team can play, if they play it right and I think we're playing it right at the moment.
It takes time to fit, but as long as we keep playing it and the players get more used to it, it's not really 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 - it's much more flexible going forward as it can really turn into anything you want, as long as you are quick enough and we're a quick team.
Crouch would fit with what Martin O'Neill is trying to do at Villa, in terms of young English players and he'd be able to play in this role quite easily. It may be at the expense of Gabby starting where he has done recently but Gabby doesn't need to start as the lone striker - I think he could start somewhere else also and there is every likelihood Martin O'Neill won't stick with 4-5-1.
Anyway, it's a rumour. Probably one that won't happen, if only because most rumours don't happen.
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45 Comments · Add yours
another rumour ive just heard is kenwyn jones,and yorke is advicing him
I wouldn't mind him coming back to Villa park, although he's not a signing that would excite me. Rather have someone more intersting, like Owen, Santa Cruz, Zaki, Martins.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Are you saying Michael Owen excites you?
Id much rather have Defoe than Crouch. MON's usual centre forwards are big, strong and quick don't think anything in this rumour either.
Reply to keefvilla:
Yea when he scores goals like yesterdays!
i heard we are after defoe aswell as crouch but i dont beleive any of this. i would love owen to come, on a good day he is one of the best strikers in the world. but maybe his injury problems will stop him from coming
It's not every day we're going to be playing teams managed by idiots like Megson who stick their defensive line so far up against a player like Gabby. I think we'll need Crouch because whilst being tall he is surprisingly good with his feet, and I think he'll give us something extra if Big John is injured or is having one of his off days. I'd rather have him over Heskey, purely because Crouch would offer us more goals.
Though I would probably agree if someone said Crouch isn't a 20 goals a season man.
Reply to Van_Dutch:
Yea I agree, Crouch over Heskey any day. Like you said, Crouch is capable of scoring quite a few goals.
I think we need 2 strikers, Crouch, Defoe, Owen, Martins take yer pick, I think it goes without saying they're all slightly better than Marlon, anything but GWS (Giant Wigan Skittle).
I hope not. Crouch isn't a goalscorer, what's the point of playing a lone striker who doesn't score goals? It also means moving Gabby out of the position where he's doing so well (and scoring goals), which would be bonkers.
The only chance we sign a big name striker is if we move back to 4-4-2. Which is fine, so long as we sell Barry.
great!! a 6 ft 7 striker thats slower than a stationery car and can't head the ball, just what we need. whoever mentioned jones from sunderland has more of an idea of what villa need.
How about Michael Owen then people?
If the wages weren't too high I'd snap him up. He's got that little bit of class, that goal-poaching ability, that could boost us into the top 4 properly. Sounds a good fit for us.
Agree with Tom. Crouch fits into a team that like to keep possession and play it on the ground, not us. We need strength and pace and certainly Jones has those qualities.
People are forgetting about Heskey that he can play wide left, that's why I think we will get him as much as cover for Ashley as Carew.
what about podolski who has 6 months left on his contract and has handed in a transfer request is still young and wants to come to the premier a worth while 6 million i think
Damian I bet you feel a bit silly about the quotes coming from Capello regarding a certain James Milner!
Riddles18
Why should I feel silly for having an opinion?
milner obviously has somthing that the people in football like its a shame the bloke in the stands cant see it
I'd take Crouch. I think we need another partner for Gabby with big john being so injury prone. Gabby is second top goal scorer now you know. 9 goals. And I remember loads of people saying gabby was not a 20 goal a season man. Well he could be, if he keeps on goin...on current form he is the best english striker in the league.
Completely off subject. But if you feel like reading comments about Villa that you wouldn't have been able to a few years ago, this is worth a read.
LINK
Let's not forget Riddles that Capello seems to have serious bum-love for Stuart Downing, who I'm still not convinced is all that good a player.
you wouldnt have to pay owen what he's earnig at a 1 team town.Its either you take a cut in wages ,regain your England place and challange for honours again or you can be a greedy ambitiousless (if such a word exists)little shit and drain NUFC for all you can.
God No... we dont want or need Crouch..! Owen needs to be playing in a team with confidence and pace, it really brings out the best in him. Lets not forget he wants to play in the World Cup, i really dont think he would go to any of the big 4 because he wouldnt get a game every week. A big signing on fee and 70k a week should do it..!!
Jaf,
So what you are saying is, Owen wants a game every week, as he wants to play for england again. So are you proposing we play him alongside Gabby? Too players who both play off the shoulder of the last man? Or are you suggested we drop Gabby? Probably the brightest striking talent, esp english in the prem at the moment. A possible Enlgand regular who needs to be playing during this vital stage in his career, to pick up games and progress to the level we hope he will achieve?
For Owen to be playing Gabby won't. There is no way they will play together. Owen doesn't want to warm the bench, that's not how you get back in to the england team. Neither will Gabby.
I'm still with the idea of buying another big striker, like crouch, heskey, zaki, or jones etc who can play deeper than off the shoulder. Then if you want backup to gabby, buy a player who will happily sit on the bench to come on and score goals, like Doyle.
Owen is an expesive sub. My opinion as I have stated before...
Reply to HectorFullone:
We wouldn't ever get two strikers from that list. It's simply unrealistic.
Well, this rumour is going down well. Can't see it happening anyway but Villa could do worse than Crouchie.
Podolski yes, Owen no. Villa need young hungry players, not past-their-best millionaires who, if it doesn't work for them, will not care and just go watch his horses.
Transfer targets:-
OWEN - Unlikely, as he gets regular first team football for NUFC. England prospects obviously raised because of this. He would only be a fringe player for us. Great cover for GABBY as well as passing on knowledge.
CROUCH - As above, cover only for JC who is far better.
DEFOE - I think he is quality, and should have come to us at the start of the season. Has made it clear he doesn't want to come to B6.
HESKEY - Fairly probable, and would be a good addition to the squad. Intelligent player with a wealth of experience to help the young 'uns.
VALENCIA - Yes please, with sugar on top. Wigan have to decide if they want to cash in now, or hope their current players will keep them safe.
ZAKI. - No thanks. One hit wonder at present.
If BLACKBURN are selling up, I'd take DERBYSHIRE who I reckon would flourish under MON and the revolution.
Reply to StickyAV:
Well you are quite they are simalar in there play, but if we bought owen i'm quite sure MON would play 4 3 3.. Just like in his first season when he played Angel with Moore and Gaby..!
I rate Peter Crouch and think he would very nicely in the Villa lineup. He's skillful and would be an excellent complement to Gabby. And with Villa in Europe after the new year (and hopefully a long FA Cup run as well) we will need someone to rotate with Carew (assuming he can stay healthy). I am still hoping that Villa will make a run at Elano to strengthen the midfield.
well or i can say is wot i said yesterday on the blogg. that at the meeting on saturday the three main targets r . owen doyle and heskey no mention of defoe crouch or anyone else. me i just hope we buy well. theres a chance now with r next 3 fixtures to put a few points between us and a few of the other clubs arsenal included keep up the banter and keep the faith UTV
Reply to Sloane:
Hmm but then of course your dropping a midfielder or two, and for me, barry, sidwell and young all have to be on the teamsheet every week. But that leave the need for at least a right winger and/or someone to protect the defence.
For me we have to play at least 4 in the middle.
Owen, Crouch, Heskey....not inspiring or likely to strike fear into the hearts of anyone. Martins would be an absolute menace for us as would Podolski or similar. If we are going to buy english lets keep it to youngsters who might be worth a punt, not over the hill over hyped over paid english players...its time to take a chance on a Martins type or a young South American.....
30. Leroy Wrote: | 16.06GMT | Dec 15, 2008
Owen, Crouch, Heskey....not inspiring or likely to strike fear into the hearts of anyone.
I would ask some EURO national team managers if they fear above?
Reply to Leroy:
what about Dos santos from Spurs, he's only 19or20, has the skill in spades and is also very fast and could turn into a very good player. UP THE VILLA
Crouch is good but belongs in a team like portsmouth, a team whose ambitions are the UEFA cup. He's shown he cant cut it in a top 4 team, so I'd be discouraged if we bought him.
Has anyone seen this.......i have heard from many diffrent sources that chelsea are preparing a shock move for aston villa's striker Agbonlahor. the deal will consist of a part money and player swap, it is salamon kalou and 6 million for Agbonlahor. the deal should go through with the first few days in the january transfer window. remember i was the 1st one to tell u this !!!!
From a Chelsea fan on Sky Sports.....
get out of it 6 million and he is a villa fan he aint goin anywhere
6 bludey million and kalou who is only average at best- no way
I think many of our top players will regularly be touted by top clubs now, which is great. I can't imagine any of them wanting to leave whilst MON is in charge. If they do, it will be because the great man wants them to go.
Am I the only one who wouldn't mind 6 mill and kalou for Gabby? I love the kid butI think keeping Ashley is a much greater priority, and if Kalou's given a good run I think he'd be good!
I totally respect people and their opinion Damian, its just the way you repeatedly talk about milner in such a negative way, kind of sound like Rafa going on and on!! I admit the lad isnt at times playing to the standard he can. But having the price tag he was bought for isnt the lads fault and the sad fact is if your english and young, which milner is, then you have to pay over the odds. I bet a fair few people out there at the time thought 9m for ash was far 2 much but u wudnt complain now hey! Give Milner time and think of positives than repeatedly picking faults on the boy.
Barrybrummie: yes, you are alone
i dont know about crouch to villa but i have seen online that ramos is going to put a 30 million euros for a young
im still hoping adriano comes true, how quality would that be!!!
and ashley will hopefully stay, cus if he has any sense he will see a move away from Villa as the wrong direction even if it is to real madrid!
podolski sounds good! I would agree with damian that crouch doesnt fit in with our formation!
okey a bit of an odd suggestion, what about robbie keane? as there is clearly something going on there, the fact that he wasnt used at all during the liverpool vs hull game!
Personally I think we should be going balls to the walls to sign Roque Santa Cruz. He is a class player and I firmly believe he would bang in the goals for us. If anyone wants to argue about his form this season please... He is in a Blackburn side that has not won in 10 or 11 games now. He hardly gets a sniff of the ball in his offensive half. Even at that if you watch him he has not lost his touch. He passes brilliantly with his back to the goal, which is why I want him. And if you want to look at realistic targets, is it even questionable that he'd want to leave Blackburn for Villa? Or let me rephrase that. Leave the relegation battle for the battle for Champions League football?
I dont think Crouch is coming - i think its a near certainty that Heskey is however, especially with Oneil all but admitting he wanted him a few weeks back. To be honest i am warming to that idea. he is a far better player than Harewood and that in effect is who he will be replacing in the squad! Although 4-5-1 has worked Ok I Do not believe it was Oneils plan Damian. He doesnt trust any other strikers to start apart from gabby and carew so the situation has been forced upon him. Even with 4-5-1 i would off loved Heskey on the bench to coem on against Fulham when Carew was injured - it could easily be the difference in games like that.
As for the other striker we should sign. I would have loved defoe last summer but that isnt going to happen. I firmaly believ we should take Owen at what will be a v cheap price. The only concern is obviously injuries, but as he nears 30 i think he will learn to cope better. Hamstring injuries are far more common for players in there 20's. If Owen sees Villa as a club that might be playing champins league next year i think he will jump at the chance of coming to Villa. What better way to prove yourself to Capello than fight Gabby for a place in the team, play champions league potentially and score against top sides in europe. Villa games against big teams over the next few years are going to be classed as big games and we will get more and more exposure. Owen will know that and being at Villa will be him much more in Englands thoughts. At newcastle he gets nothing - they are a club going knowhere - even if he scores 3 goala as in the last 2 games hardly any fuss is made! He has only played 50 odd games for Newcastle a lot of those not even full games and yet has still scored 25 goals. He will score guaranteed goasl for us when fit so for the price it is definitly worth the risk!