Source: Team_Talk
Crouch ready to spring WC surprise
England striker Peter Crouch insists defenders will be in for a surprise should they face him in the World Cup finals.[LNB] Crouch's height at 6ft 7in makes him an obvious aerial threat, but the Tottenham frontman says he is just as threatening with his feet.[LNB]The former Portsmouth man has notched 21 goals in 38 England appearances and he hopes to be defy his reputation as a targetman by surprising opposition defenders in South Africa.[LNB]The 29-year-old will find out on Sunday whether he has made Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad after the Three Lions take on Japan in Austria.[LNB]And he believes he can help England's attempts to win their first major international trophy since 1966 by using more than his head.[LNB]Crouch said in the Sunday Mirror: "I think people look at how tall I am and just see me as the kind of player that can only play when the ball is in the air. I think my goals record at international level speaks for itself, to be honest. [LNB]"You have to back yourself - and I do believe I am good enough to play for England and do well at the World Cup. Why not? I certainly think there is a shock value when I play. [LNB]"Perhaps defenders who haven't played against me before will look at me and think that I am only a threat when I'm heading the ball. [LNB]"I'm better than that - and maybe defenders will get a surprise at the World Cup when I've got the ball at my feet if I am picked. I think my team-mates will tell you that I am much more than an old fashioned target man who can only play one way."[LNB]Crouch was a part of the England squad for the 2006 finals in Germany and found the net in a 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago with a towering header.[LNB]The big striker said he was pulled up for fouls too easily by referees in the tournament and admits it was a frustrating time.[LNB]But Crouch believes his game has matured since the tournament four years ago and that he can use the experience to the Three Lions' advantage this time around.[LNB]He added: "It was a big frustration for me because I was being penalised for challenges that referees in the Premier League would have allowed.[LNB]"But experiences like that have made me a better player. I learned after the last World Cup that you have to adapt the way you play in certain situations.[LNB]"I still think some referees are a bit too quick to give free kicks against me for innocuous challenges, but I think I have altered my game quite a bit as well."
