Lay off 'unique' Crouch pleads upbeat Eriksson
Oct 13 2005
More transfer probeslapsed-sb-5-o-all-fpart-1 As a result of the investigation into Djibril Cisse's £14million transfer from Auxerre to Liverpool, other transfers that went through during Gerard Houllier's time at the club are...
By Mark Bradley, Liverpool Echo
SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON last night urged the fans who barracked Peter Crouch at Old Trafford to lay off the Liverpool forward, as he insisted England had turned the corner ahead of the World Cup finals.
Crouch was mocked by some supporters during the 1-0 win against Austria last Saturday and the decision to replace Shaun Wright-Phillips with the 6ft 7in striker was roundly booed during last night's 2-1 victory over Poland.
Eriksson was unsure whether the crowd had been jeering him or Crouch, although both of them drew the fans' frustration as England were being held at 1-1 by the Poles with 23 minutes left.
That frustration was replaced with an upbeat finale to England's qualifying campaign as Frank Lampard's 80th-minute winner ensured Eriksson's side finished top of Group Six.
However, the England coach explained that Wright-Phillips, who troubled Poland with his pace and penetration, was taken off struggling with a knock sustained in the first half.
"I understand the crowd as he gave flair and beat people, but I think it was the right decision as he got a bad knock.
"When you need to score with 25 minutes to go, why not try Crouch and play with three strikers? It worked well." The Swede added: "We won the game and I'm sorry if anyone thinks Peter Crouch is a not a good footballer.
"He had played just 1 1-2 internationals before this game. He has something which other players don't and he's good on the floor as well. It is very harsh to judge him yet."
Lampard's volley from Michael Owen's through-ball capped an encouraging display by England, reviving confidence levels after the struggles against Denmark, Wales and Northern Ireland.
With Wayne Rooney inspiring the team on his return from suspension, Owen put England ahead on 43 minutes, back-flicking Joe Cole's shot into the net from close range to equal Gary Lineker's record of 22 competitive goals for his country.
Substitute Tomasz Frankowski levelled just before the break as Luke Young, who has otherwise grown in stature over the past month, was lured out of position.
However, England rallied after the break to leave Eriksson upbeat about their chance of making an impact at next summer's tournament.
"I think the fans can be convinced we can win the World Cup," he stressed.
"We are one of four, five or six teams who could win it with a bit of luck. We have a very good team."
Eriksson praised Ledley King, who impressed in the central midfield holding role.
As for Rooney, Eriksson added: "He was unlucky not to score. He's a world-clbutt footballer - and can get even better."
