Peter Crouch is out. Not only was he the hot stepper, but he was also one of my favourite players to wear a red shirt. Off to the south coast to re-unite with former coach ole ‘arry Redknapp, Portsmouth’s newest signing should now be guaranteed the first team football he wants & deserves. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t swap Torres for Crouch as our first choice striker, I just wish Rafa could of found a better way to fit him in the squad. A casualty of the times. If only he could play with our goal machine, (I would take Crouchie over Kuyt any day of the week) he might have been set up for at least one more season.

To be honest, 40 goals in 135 games isn’t the best haul but Crouchie was more than a striker. He opened space. He frustrated defenders with his height, ability to hold the ball up & his great touch “for a big man”. He was a great professional & you could see the passion in his eyes every time he hit the field. Giving his all & doing the best for the fans / club was what mattered most. Maybe he wasn’t up to snuff some games but you never doubted his work rate. Winning was what counted.

He might not have scored the most but he did bag some spectacular goals. A famous “perfect” hat trick against the Gooners. The lone goal against the Mancs to knock them out of the FA Cup in 2006. Two spectacular overhead kicks against Galatasaray & then again at Bolton. His absolute freak of a goal to break his duck against Wigan. Away at Goodison. Chelsea in the Community Shield. As a Kop Hero, he’s scored some great ones and always got the crowd to stand up and sing his praises.

“When you hear the Kop singing your name it makes you feel great and as a player you can’t help but want to do well for supporters like that.”

I’d like to wish Peter all the luck in the world at Pompey but if you score against us in the future, don’t think you won’t get cussed out.

In other news, Sick Note went to Turkey. No one cared.

cheers.

***Crouchzilla! courtesy of (zore) @ zore show***