Ace Ventura wrote:Bad Bob,Oct. 15 2007,23:57]Actually, I'm not at all convinced that Rafa sees Crouch as surplus to requirements. Based on appearances to date it seems as though the big man is in the frame for the Champions League and cup matches first and foremost, with starts in the league being handed to others. As Rafa is a firm believer in rotation as a policy and as he is stubborn--two facts that people have not been shy about pointing out--why is it so hard to believe that he still rates Crouch but that he's got others in mind for most league matches?
In any event, I would not be surprised at all to see Crouch start on Saturday, presuming he doesn't play for England mid-week. After all, his only league start came after the last international break, when Rafa looked to rest Torres and Kuyt. Granted, Crouch was sat at Wembley that time rather than traveling to Russia but, if he doesn't play, I predict Rafa will risk the jet lag and play him, especially given the fact that both Torres and Kuyt have muscle tears.
Bob i agree he may get a start on Saturday....BUT thats only due to the fact that Torres and Kuyt are major doubts.
Something has definately gone on behind the scenes i think because he has been effectively bombed out, similar to Cisse and Bellamy, he may get the odd game here and there but he is not even in the squad most of the time, and is being given no real opportunity to play himself in to form or gel with the other players (although he's not alone there)
He will be gone by the summer, that seems clear to me.
I only hope Rafa has a replacement lined up as at the moment its as if we only have 3 strikers on the books.
The fact that Crouch is playing in cup games isnt relevant really mate, i think thats just to give the others a rest.[/quote]
I suppose we'll see, mate. You may be right that Crouch is being treated as surplus to requirements and that Rafa will get rid of him in either January or the summer.
But, it is still possible that Crouch is in Rafa's plans considering that:
1) Rafa believes in rotation. Meaning that, under this system, a lack of games is not evidence of a falling out necessarily but perhaps indicates that Crouch is valued more for cup matches than for league matches by the gaffer. Such an approach would be consistent with a rotation policy designed to rest key players from competition to competition.
2) One of the cup competitions that Crouch is getting games in is the Champions League. Given that Rafa clearly values this competition (some people even worry he over-values it), wouldn't it be strange for him to play a striker he no longer trusts in it? Of course, Crouch has played both legs against Toulouse and the home match against Marseilles, while not featuring away to Porto so it may be that Crouch isn't being trusted for the (perceived) toughest matches of the CL either. Time will tell on that front.
As I say, I'm not convinced either way yet. Crouch's lack of minutes has surprised me so far but I'm still not sure he's on his way out the door. Perhaps it was Rafa's idea all along to use him more in the cups. More likely, IMO, is that Crouch has been off form relative to the other strikers and that Rafa has limited his playing time accordingly. In either case, I think that there's still time for Crouch to show his value to the side and re-establish himself in Rafa's plans. If he does get the nod on Saturday, he will need to do the business. Yes, I'm sure his lack of minutes has cost him a lot of match sharpness but I still think the onus is on him to up his game and change Rafa's thinking.
@rsehoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooole. 
And Arteta paints the crown of his head to hid a baldness !
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