When Peter Crouch took the field after 69 minutes against Leicester City at the weekend, the Foxes were leading the match 2-1 as defeat was looming large for Stoke City but the 36-year-old rose to a Xherdan Shaqiri corner to nod his 52nd header in the league, to restore parity.
It could have been another disastrous afternoon for Mark Hughes, who hasn’t been able to find consistency this season. The former Manchester United striker’s position at the club is under the scanner, but it is very unlikely the club hierarchy would want to sack him anytime soon.
But the project he has been trying to implement has not been effective at the BET365 and the Stoke owners have gone impatient with the lack of intent in the squad. Peter Crouch has not started a single game this season but his impact cannot be ignored, as the veteran striker has been used as an impact substitute and against the Foxes he did the same.
Gaffer Mark Hughes rejected all the claims and made it very clear the English forward is very much in his plans and is moving nowhere. “He needs to stay here. He’s unique in terms of what he gives us and he’s still very adept at what he does.”
“We will give him the games he needs here, without a shadow of a doubt. He’s playing well. I thought his general play was good, irrespective of his goal, a great goal he scored,” he said in a recent interview.
It would be a blessing to have a player of his stature on the bench as his experience and influence can almost single-handedly win games at times.
Maybe the time has finally arrived to give the 6ft 7in striker to be unleashed from the start. Stoke is famous for their physical and rugged nature of football and defence has always been their strength. But they have already conceded 22 goals and the record could go from bad to worse.
Crouch’s inclusion in the starting lineup would allow them to add another dimension to their game and give them a chance recall their old fashion, long ball tactics.
Hughes tried his luck by fielding Jese up front as an out and out striker but his efforts on the pitch couldn’t bring him much success and from the last match, it is clear Jese is best suited when he starts from the flank.
Perhaps it is too early to predict but if the Potters need to be in a respectable position come the end of the season, Crouch needs more game time as he has all the required aspect to be effective.
But do you think he deserves to start more regularly?
