|
 |
ENGLAND - CROUCH: I CAN MAKE FRIEND OF SPURS DEFOE
Peter Crouch is confident his partnership with Jermain Defoe can help England to victory if the pair are reunited for the final European Championship qualifier with Croatia at Wembley.
The duo have played together at various stages of their international careers since first linking up at Under-18 level for their country.
Now they are set to be given another opportunity on Wednesday by coach Steve McClaren after Michael Owen suffered a thigh strain in Friday night's 1-0 win over Austria which will sideline him for a month.
Crouch scored the only goal a minute before the interval - his 13th for England - and by then was already in tandem with Defoe after Owen limped out of the action in the 32nd minute.
Crouch told PA Sport: "Of course, it is disappointing with Michael getting injured. It is a huge blow for us. Everyone knows his goalscoring record is fantastic.
"Michael is a top-class player and, in the big games when it really counts, he invariably scores goals.
"But myself and Jermain have played together many times, through the England Under-18s and Under-21s, and right back then worked well together.
"When Steve McClaren came in, right at the start of his reign we both got a couple of goals against Greece and, whenever I've played with him, it seems to have worked.
"I felt good alongside him against Austria, and if that is again the case on Wednesday, then I am sure it will work."
Crouch added: "It is the big man, little man combination. I've done it in partnership with Michael and Jermain as well and it does seem to work.
"We play well together and if that is the combination on Wednesday against Croatia, I am sure it can come off."
Midfielder Frank Lampard said: "Michael has got a history of scoring in big games when he really has to. That is what he is born to do basically so that is the frustrating thing for the team and Michael.
"But England is always about being a squad and the players that come in against Croatia will have to perform. Peter Crouch is scoring goals regularly when he plays for England and whoever comes in will have to score as well.
"Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe is an ideal partnership on paper because you've got the big man with a lot more to his game and Defoe who is very sharp around the box.
"He is the sort of man you would put your house onto score if he gets a sniff of goal. He is great to have in your team."
Crouch believes the Austria game was ideal preparation for the return clash with Croatia, who defeated England 2-0 earlier in the campaign.
He said: "It was pleasing we got the right result. A couple of players (Scott Carson and Ashley Young) made their debuts, and some players did well.
"Austria made it difficult for us but we were always in control and, if maybe they had scored, we would have stepped up another gear.
"It was good preparation for Wednesday which we hope will be one of those special occasions."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
BACK TO AUSTRIA v ENGLAND MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
 |
|
|
|
