...is my favorite footballer.

I love Crouchy, I admit it, I'm a full-on Crouchista. I don't know why more people aren't.

Peter Crouch is the anti-modern footballer. Well, okay, he wrote a book (Walking Tall), but besides that. Despite his model WAG Crouch tends to forgo the glitz, glamor and nightclubs associated with the modern game. Crouch never whines (and if anyone has a reason to whine it's Peter Crouch), he never complains, and he never gets arrested. By all accounts a charming, intelligent, caring man Peter Crouch is a model for young footballers across the globe.

Then why is he so hated? Height is an obvious reason, I'm 6'9" (2.06 m) and I received awful abuse from parents of other players as a child (parenting tip from a childless 24 year old: Teaching your children to hate is bad). But not all of the anti-Crouch hate comes from the simple-minded sect of our population, what is it about Crouchy that rubs people the wrong way?

I enjoy watching Crouch play. People tend to see a tall forward and automatically assume that he (or she) is a target striker. That's not always the case as Crouch (and Kanu, and Adebayor, and Carew, and Zigic) proves. Crouch, like the other players I mentioned, has the ability to play football with an elegance that seems to belie his lanky body (we're not all awkward :(). He plays the game with a dedication that seems to be fading from the modern game. Like Andy Johnson, Crouch always displays a willingness to chase down lost causes in an effort to get something for his team.

For the reasons listed above I felt somewhat vindicated when Wembley erupted into cheers after Crouch crashed home England's opening goal against Ukraine. I was among those who were displeased and offended when Peter was subbed on to a chorus of boos during his third cap (at Old Trafford) so nauseating that his father, Bruce, had to leave the stadium to keep from losing his temper.

The cheers were something of a sign that Crouch has come full circle. The "freak" chants at Gillingham were not the first hardship for a player from a so-called "middle class" background that included sleeping on a YMCA floor, having the parent of an opposing player threaten to break his legs (Peter was around twelve at this time) and nearly being kidnapped by guerrillas. Peter Crouch has had a long and winding road, and that has made his success all the more special for his fans. I can only imagine the satisfaction felt by Bruce and Jayne Crouch to hear their boy cheered by 90,000 only three years later.

The turbulence and uncertainty ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa continues to cast a dark cloud over what should be a nation's coming out party. The latest episode follows a report from the British newspaper The Guardian stating that insurers were fearful about providing coverage for the event amid fears that the stadiums would not be complete on time. This report comes at a time when around 500 workers have gone on strike at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The estimated date of completion for the 46,000-seat stadium is mid-2009 but unless this problem is solved quickly that will surely be pushed back.

It is widely thought that the United States is the stand-by host in case the event cannot go ahead in South Africa. Certainly living in the United States I would be delighted at an opportunity to attend World Cup matches so easily, but I want South Africa to host it, I think South Africa needs to host it. Few nations have had to deal with the hardships that South Africa has and the country needs something that could give it a chance to become the great nation it has the potential to be. I think, and I hope that the 2010 World Cup would do just that. So, I wish South Africa the best of luck

Tomorrow (or today in most places) Arsenal and Liverpool will meet in what will be the second of three matches in one week's time. It's an important match for both clubs, particularly Arsenal who need a win to keep pace with league leaders Manchester United. Despite a recent slide in form Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal still have enough in the tank to capture their first championship since the 2004 season in which the Gunners went unbeaten. The Londoners will need a solid performance from Phillipe Senderos and William Gallas in the heart of defense as it seems likely Rafa Benitez will call upon Peter Crouch who has made it a habit to score against Arsenal throughout his career. Arsenal also announced that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has signed a new contract. Lots of people question Almunia's ability, while there are many goalkeeper's I'd rather have I believe Almunia has done a respectable job.