Form points to a derby day clbutticForm points to a derby day clbuttic Mar 24 2006 By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo THE resurrection of the tartan talisman's name this week struck the only sour note in...
I always felt my move was justified, says confident Crouch
Mar 23 2006
By Paul Walker, Daily Post
PETER CROUCH believes he is starting to prove himself good value for money at £7million as he nears the end of his first season at Liverpool.
The England striker suffered constant criticism when he failed to score in his first 18 games after joining from Southampton.
Expect Benitez to spring one derby day surpriseExpect Benitez to spring one derby day surprise Mar 23 2006 By Len Capeling, Daily Post DAVID MOYES always takes derby games deadly seriously, yet seldom does particularly well in them. Rafael Benitez, a...
But Crouch, who scored two in the 7-0 thrashing of Birmingham City in their FA Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, has now managed 12 goals from his last 24 games for the club, plus his strike for England against Uruguay.
He is now preparing to face former Southampton strike partner James Beattie - very much on form at Everton - in Saturday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Crouch said: "I always felt my move was justified, even before the goals started going in, but maybe the recent record proves that.
"The manager and the people at the club always believed in me, and I've always had the confidence I'd do well. Now the goals are going in, it just tops everything."
Little chance of Everton halting our momentumLittle chance of Everton halting our momentum Mar 24 2006 By Sam Johnstone Liverpool supporter, Daily Post AS our scoring problems recede, one niggling thought remains: it's a shame we...
Comparisons between Crouch and Beattie are bound to be made at the weekend, with both fighting for a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.
Steer clear of a derby wagerSteer clear of a derby wager Mar 24 2006 You Bet! with Adam Oldfield, Liverpool Echo THE free-scoring eccentricity currently enthralling followers of Merseyside's two Premiership clubs has helped make this weekend's derby renewal...
Crouch said: "I speak to James quite a bit and I'm really pleased for him, he's doing so well at Everton.
"I think the battle for striking places for the World Cup is bringing out the best in everyone. It's a healthy competition because we all know we need to keep playing well.
"It's a pleasure to be playing in a side like Liverpool who are playing great football.
"James is enjoying himself, but we both know our friendship is put to one side this weekend. We'll be going out there to perform the same way as we did last night.
"I just want to continue my form. We had a good win against Everton earlier in the season and I scored. Obviously, I'd love to do so again. Both teams are on a good run and full of confidence, so there's every chance of a great game, but hopefully we'll come out on top.
"My confidence is sky high at the moment. Once one goes in, you always feel another is going to follow.
"Against Birmingham everything just fell into place. Sometimes you get into positions and the ball never comes, or you can have a game like the cup tie where it seems everything goes right.
"I've scored 12 in my last 24 games now, and it seems I've repeated my run of last year. I had a slow start for Southampton and then managed 16 goals in the second half of the season.
I'm in the middle of a good run and hopefully that's going to contribute to the right results for my club and country."
