Bad Bob wrote:As Mick has highlighted, though, the major curiosity was dropping Crouch for a game he seemed tailor made for. The big man, combining with Bellamy or Robbie, could have caused SU real problems at the back--particularly with Gonzales and Gerrard running onto knock downs and lay-offs as well. Here I assume Rafa was resting him for Maccabi Haifa. Why Crouch needs resting at this stage of the season, though, as somewhat beyond me--no matter how knackered he may have been on Wednesday. I also think this is where the injuries really told, as I'm sure Crouch would have come on had Rafa had that extra substitution available.
There's a big difference between giving the Premiership priority over the group stages of the CL and failing to qualify. I'd love us to win No 19 more than anything but everyone should realise that the real money and kudos is in Europe now. If we want to attract the best players we need both the cash and the offer of CL footie.
We have to qualify and Rafa knows that. If we'd gubbed Haifa 3-0 in the first leg you may well have seen Crouch at Bramall Lane and we may well have taken all 3 points. We didn't so we've only ourselves to blame really.
Let's qualify and then get on with the league. I expect a much better performance against West Ham next weekend and I'm sure we'll get it.