CROUCH ... all-round talent blossomed
We play Liverpool on Sunday and Crouchie's time with
the club put him on a different level.
He'd already had spells at Spurs, Portsmouth and Villa
- where he was even sent out on loan to Norwich after failing to
get regular games.
Then I took him to Southampton to replace James
Beattie. But moving to Anfield from Southampton was the making of
him.
No disrespect to Southampton and Villa but he stepped
up a level there, eventually achieving the sort of form that got
him established in the England team.
Typical of this his first hat-trick for Liverpool
against Arsenal - one from a header, one from his right foot and
one from his left. It showed what an all-round player he had
become.
At the time a lot of people thought it was a strange
signing by Liverpool because he was a bit of an unsung player. But
now supporters appreciate his talent.
I'm sure he and Fernando Torres would have made a great
partnership up front. But when Rafa signed Torres, Crouchie decided
to move on and join me back at Portsmouth.
But if you ask him, he would be the first to admit that
playing in front of the Kop at Anfield is a massive part of his
career.
I've always liked him, which is why I wanted him at
Spurs. He's a fantastic professional.
Earlier this season I left him out against Burnley but
there was no sulking. Instead he was in the dressing-room shaking
hands with the team and wishing them all the best.
Now he's back in the team and playing terrifically
well.
Robbie Keane was at Liverpool as well, of course. It
didn't work out so well for him but his record speaks for itself at
Spurs and I'm sure both of them will be looking forward to going up
to Liverpool on Sunday.
There is nowhere like Anfield when the Kop is in full
voice.
Whenever I'm asked where I would buy a season ticket to
watch football I always say Anfield - other than White Hart Lane,
of course!
I used to love going to watch Jamie play there because
the atmosphere is second to none.
I still don't think we should write Liverpool off for
the fourth Champions' League place.
Seven teams will be scrapping it out for the top four
spots including us, Villa and Manchester City. But Liverpool will
be the ones to beat if Torres and Steven Gerrard stay fit.
And if I had to stake my life on it, I would still make
Liverpool favourites for fourth.
Their performances this season have been suprising. But
teams have good and bad runs - everyone was writing Arsenal off a
few weeks ago but now they are in the mix again.
This season's title race is one of the most open I can
remember with Chelsea and Manchester United both stuttering a
bit.
But from the fans' point that just makes the Premier
League all the more interesting.