Peter Crouch moved to Portsmouth for £11m

Portsmouth’s acquisition of Peter Crouch is further proof of their impressive progress in the 30 months since Alexandre Gaydamak bought the club in January 2006.

Under Harry Redknapp, they are building an impressive side, characterised by players, young and old, who have a point to prove. Joining a list including Kanu, Sol Campbell and Jermain Defoe is Crouch.

At 27, Crouch is a player who should be entering his peak years. Considering this, and the current exorbitant rates of footballers, £11million represents a fair sum; and, if all goes well, could yet be another example of a Redknapp bargain.

Crouch can certainly feel more than a little aggrieved by his treatment at Liverpool; and above all during his final season. Was he really any worse than Andrei Voronin and Dirk Kuyt? Voronin struck six times in nineteen starts last season, Kuyt 11 in 36. Alongside those two, Crouch’s 11 goals in 21 starts and 15 substitute appearances are impressive indeed. Yet Rafa Benitez was never able to grant him the trust of a significant spell in the side.

While there are justifiable doubts over whether Crouch had the skills to be the leading striker at a club of Liverpool’s stature, that is not to say he could - and should - not have had a major role to play within the Liverpool squad. With his sheer physical presence, aided by his skills in ball close-control, Crouch poses problems for even the best defences. His outstanding hat-trick against Arsenal in 2007, along with a wonderfully-taken goal against them this year and an FA Cup winner against Manchester United in 2006 are all highlights of his Anfield career. They illustrate that Crouch does indeed have the ability to trouble the best teams, making Benitez’s apparent lack of trust in his talents all the more mystifying.

We can only wonder what might have been had Crouch been afforded an extended opportunity alongside Fernando Torres. But, either way, he can look back with a certain pride on his three seasons at Liverpool. They began nightmarishly, with his first goal not coming into December of his first season. Thereafter though, it was clear he had much to offer, and a tally of 40 goals is not insignificant, especially when one considers how often he was used form the bench or not at all.

So Crouch will leave Liverpool with no little regret, but with his head held high. His partnership with Jermain Defoe promises to be an intriguing one. It is an alliance of two fiercely hungry players, eager to prove they should not have been reduced to the periphery at their former, and ‘bigger’, clubs. Yet it also represents a return to the most classical of footballing strike pairings.

For they constitute the archetypal ‘little and large’ pairing, with Crouch’s ability to hold up the play and aerial prowess complemented by Defoe’s pace and finishing ability. Add in Crouch’s considerable talents with the ball at his feet - which, when focusing on his sheer height, are easy to overlook - and Portsmouth clearly have a partnership with the goals to take them into the top six. European defences will not relish facing them, either, as Pompey prepare for their inaugural season in Europe. In adding Crouch to what is already a strong squad, Redknapp is ensuring another season of upward mobility awaits.

The true magic of the FA Cup was evident on Saturday when two underdogs of the competition, Portsmouth and Cardiff took over the Wembley turf in what pundits will surely describe as a classic cup-tie in the world’s oldest cup competition.

Harry Redknapp richly deserved victory in the FA Cup final

Only the weather was the characteristic that was not typical of the usual Saturday sunny May day that have become synonymous with the FA Cup final. But in what turned out to be a cool afternoon, the game started at an unexpectedly frenetic pace with Pompey winning a free kick within the first 30 seconds. But as Sully Muntari’s free kick flew high of the Cardiff goal, it became slowly evident that Dave Jones’ men were here to play football, and not make up numbers.

Perry, the lively striker, outpaced Sol Campbell only to hit his shot straight at David James. Just moments before, James had made up 12 yards rushing onto a through ball and preventing Perry from making contact. The tenacity at which James had smelt Cardiff’s danger demonstrated the goalkeeper’s great starting position.

Judging by the way Cardiff passed the ball around, it seemed more likely the Welsh finalists would find the first goal. However, midway through the first half, Kanu single handedly carved out his own chance with a fantastic turn and great close feet movement, only finding goalkeeper Peter Encklemen’s post. The fanfare of this great cup competition was clearly evident when television replays showed three time winner Tony Adams turn to manager Harry Redknapp and scream ‘I can’t believe it!’

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A thrilling title race and a ferocious battle to avoid the drop kept onlookers fascinated until the final minutes of the campaign. And in the midst of all the excitement came a host of high-scoring, memorable matches. Footballing World pick out the top five from the 2007/08 season.

1. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading
Saturday, 29 September 2007

Early season excitement as Portsmouth run riot against a Reading side seemingly incapable of defending. The drama was reserved for the second half as an incredible eight goals were scored along with a missed penalty; Benjani netting a hat-trick as nine different players got their name on the score-sheet in a match that set a new Premier League record for the most aggregate goals scored in a single match. Sadly, it proved an exceptional afternoon for the home side and their supporters: Pompey finished the season failing to score in 10 of their 19 home games.

Portsmouth goals: Mwaruwari 7, 37, 70, Hreidarsson 55, Kranjcar 75, Davis 81, Muntari 90 pen.
Reading goals: Hunt 45, Kitson 48, Long 79, Shorey 90.

2. Tottenham 4-4 Chelsea
Wednesday, 19 March 2008

These two London sides provided various classic encounters against fellow Premier League sides during the season, but they managed something even better when they met in late March. A bustling, high-octane clash ended with Robbie Keane’s stunning late equaliser to earn the hosts a point, just weeks after they had beaten Chelsea in the Carling Cup final. Three goals in the opening 20 minutes set the tempo, but Tottenham left the happier after coming from 3-1 and 4-3 down to rescue a point while helping to ruin Chelsea’s title ambitions, who added to their poor reputation when Ashley Cole threw a tantrum after receiving a yellow card for a challenge that deserved red.

Tottenham goals: Woodgate 12, Berbatov 61, Huddlestone 75, Keane 88.
Chelsea goals: Drogba 3, Essien 20, Joe Cole 52, 80.

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The theory being that the bigger of the two throws his considerable bulk around, unsettles defenders and generally causes a nuisance while the diminutive, usually nippy, ever-grateful partner feeds off the disarray to poach and plunder. Simple.

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Tottenham

Juande Ramos’s reign at White Hart Lane has been stop start so far this season.

He has raised Spurs’ commitment and fitness level on the pitch but their ever-unreliable defence is still the Spaniard’s main problem, not to mention the lack of natural left sided players. The 5-1 hammering of their north London rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup showed us they are a major attacking force but the late equaliser against Manchester United in the league highlights their ongoing defensive frailties.

It is no secret there will be mass clearout come the summer but already he has come down on those he feels are surplus to requirements. Paul Stalteri, Antony Gardner, and surprisingly Jermain Defoe have all left Tottenham with the pint-sized England international joining Portsmouth having been quoted as saying he would stay at Spurs only last week.

Even so, Ramos seems to be happy with just Berbatov, Keane and Bent as his side’s main attacking threat. His signings in January are an indication that he wants to bring in quality in the areas that need improving. In comes central defender Jonathan Woodgate (Undis, approx £7m) from Middlesbrough and highly-rated Scottish right-back Alan Hutton (£8m). Add wing-backs Welshman Chris Gunter from Cardiff City (Undis) and left-sided Brazilian Gilberto (Undis) from Hertha Berlin and the Spurs defence looks to be strengthening, but only time will tell given Woodgate, King and Bale’s fitness troubles in recent times as to how solid the backline will be.

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“My choice could shock and surprise people, I am conscious of that. But I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me” read the quotes in L’Equipe. A strange opening, and an impressive confidence that he will be an automatic starter in a Pompey midfield that already contains fellow big money signings Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop, as well as experienced Premier League campaigners in Sean Davis and Pedro Mendes.

Diarra should slot neatly into the Pompey side in the absence of Diop and Muntari, but once the African Cup of Nations is over and done with, he faces stiff competition. Redknapp may be a fan, he described the 22 year old as “already one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.” But as he proved with the sale of Matthew Taylor, so impressive for him last season, to Bolton, he has little room for sentiment when it comes to picking a team. Muntari and Diop’s physical approach have been integral to Portsmouth’s impressive away form, and it would be a tricky task to choose which one to drop in favour of the demanding Diarra.

Diarra left Arsenal because he wasn’t getting enough games. He made that crystal clear, “I read that the club (Arsenal) wanted to keep me. But when you want to keep someone, you do it by playing them. That hasn’t been the case”. It’s an understandable stance, he is 22, establishing himself as a France international, having spent most of his two years at Chelsea warming the bench (at best). But it does beg the question - what did he expect when he moved to Arsenal?

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Lyons have been in dispute with Fred from last summer onwards yet were keen to retain the talented striker despite his unremitting appeals to exit the French powerhouse. Fred’s attitude has constantly been called into question and after he arrived eight days late from the winter break - more than a week after his team-mates had returned - Lyons president Jean-Michel Aulas said, “If he wants to leave, he can do so.”

Fred has played only 366 minutes of first-team football this season and cost Lyons 16 million euros less than three years ago, but his departure is imminent following accepted bids from three clubs.

Aulas has stated his desire to see Fred go to Paris Saint-Germain, “As vice-president of the Ligue de Football Professionnel, and for the value of television rights, I would prefer Fred to stay in France. That’s the reason we’re ready to do what we can to help him secure a move to PSG.” Their 10 million euros bid was accepted but Portsmouth and Tottenham each came in with offers, 12 million euros from the former and 15 millions euros from the North London outfit; sums his current employer could not afford to turn down.

Lyons now say it is up to the player to make up his mind, and Fred may well wait for further offers now that the asking price has been set. Interest from other Premier League clubs has been rife, including inquiries from Middlesbrough, Manchester City and West Ham, and the latter two may return with bids with the fee well within their budgets. A move to Spain is also in the offing, though only lowly Real Betis have declared an interest and they lie inside the bottom three.

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So what can we learn about the composers of the unedifying rants, insults, insinuations and single-entendres so unedifyingly aimed at footballers and managers in recent weeks?

The obvious common denominator is prejudice. An irrational hatred of the different; it used to be foreigners, then it was black players, now it is anybody who is - or, more often, isn’t but is perceived to be - fat, gay (or even slightly effeminate), middle class, a Muslim, corrupt or any combination of the above.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that followers of a sport harnessed, to a certain extent, by pious English headmasters to distract public school boys from ‘the sin one need hardly mention’ (masturbation) - if we believe David Winner’s excellent, if somewhat melodramatic book “Those Feet, A Sensual History Of English Football” - still see the game as the embodiment of unapologetic machismo, although its working-class image is somewhat ironic. Consequently, football remains grotesquely homophobic - scan the 606 discussion on Sol Campbell’s recent sentiments for proof.

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Liverpool and Arsenal lead the table after victories against Derby and Portsmouth respectively, the Reds hammering Billy Davies’ Rams side 6-0 with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso scoring twice apiece as Liverpool indicated for the first time in a long, long time that they will sustain a challenge for the league. Arsenal recorded their most convincing victory of the campaign, 3-1 winners against Portsmouth, and despite the lack of transfer activity and departure of Henry, Arsène Wenger’s side also appear ready to contest for the title. While Liverpool and Arsenal have ten points after four matches, Chelsea stayed on that number following their fifth game and first defeat of the season. They fell to a 2-0 defeat against an impressive Aston Villa side with Zat Knight doing more than he did in eight years at Fulham by scoring the opener and keeping a clean sheet.

Everton also lie on ten points after Joleon Lescott netted in the 90th minute to give David Moyes’ outfit a 2-1 victory at struggling Bolton, who now reside in 19th position. The most exciting game of the weekend came from Craven Cottage as Tottenham threw away a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes remaining to draw against Fulham, Diomansy Kamara netting a brilliant overhead kick in the final minute to ensure the points were shared, although the visitors dominated throughout. Martin Jol’s position as coach has become even more precarious. Manchester United beat Sunderland by a single goal from Louis Saha as they continued to flounder in front of goal, and there were wins for Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham too. Reading, after losing 3-0 at home to the Hammers, lie in the relegation zone and second season syndrome is hitting them hard.

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West Ham continued their slow start to the new season with a tame 1-1 draw with third-placed Wigan, as Chris Hutchings continues to prove his critics wrong. Bolton also got off the mark by hammering Reading, and there were wins for Aston Villa and Birmingham while a draw was played out at Goodison Park between Everton and Blackburn as Roque Santa Cruz continued to impress for the visitors. Sam Allardyce says he wants to bring in new faces before the transfer window closes on Friday after watching another draw for his Newcastle side. A visit to the Riverside saw them lead twice only to allow Middlesbrough to level almost immediately on both occasions.

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