Source: Daily_Mail
JAMIE REDKNAPP: Peter Crouch is an England giant in more ways than one
Jamie Redknapp analyses his former Southampton team-mate, who boosted his World Cup chances with a two-goal display against Egypt. [LNB] High and mighty: Peter Crouch celebrates his match-winning double[LNB]TECHNIQUEThe quality of his finishing is underestimated by people who concentrate purely on his size. Peter is actually happier with the ball on the deck than in the air. That takes some getting used to when you play with him. [LNB]He's not a powerful force attacking the ball in the air. He's much stronger when it's played up to him on the floor. He can hold it up and bring others into play and he's an unselfish striker who is also a fine provider. [LNB]When I first trained and played with him at Southampton, I remember thinking: 'You're a player.' I told him enough times, too, and also said publicly that I thought he could one day play for England, although it was an idea initially met with derision. Take a look at his record at international level now. [LNB]He works hard at his game and will spend at least an extra half an hour after training working on his finishing at Tottenham. [LNB] Top class: Peter Crouch scores his second goal with a steered finish[LNB]THE BEST BITS His volleying is top class and he can also sweep the ball into the back of the net, as he proved with his two goals at Wembley on Wednesday. Both were steered past the goalkeeper, using the weight on the cross and then keeping the shot down by getting his head over the ball. He's good at that. [LNB]The other great quality is his coolness in the box. He doesn't panic when the chance is presented and can ignore the adrenalin rush. [LNB]THE WORST When he plays, there is a tendency to look up and see the big man and give the ball a whack. That's not his fault, more a case of educating the midfield players and defenders; there's a difference between a long pass and a long ball. [LNB]Tottenham have been accused of going too long, too often with Crouch in the team and England are not at their best when that happens, because the team is too strung out and the midfield cannot join and support the front. [LNB]It's why Peter might be more effective as an impact sub. Teams will not enjoy defending against him in the last 20 minutes of a game and he can make a difference when he comes on because he changes games.[LNB] GOOD TOURIST He's a very popular lad in the dressing room, plays with a smile on his face and you won't find a player or manager with a bad word to say about him. [LNB]There is a fine line between a player who is happy to be left out and one who doesn't mope, sulk or become poison in the dressing room and is then ready when his chance arrives. [LNB]A major tournament means you live in each other's skin for weeks - you need harmony and good characters. [LNB]CROUCH, COLE OR HESKEY? Ok, so I'm picking the England squad today and if I have to pick two of the three, the one who would miss out is Emile Heskey. [LNB]Carlton Cole reminds me of a young Heskey. He can run both ways and looks to be playing with confidence. He's a real handful. [LNB]Emile is playing under a bit of a cloud right now and looks out of touch, but his record of playing with Wayne Rooney will count in his favour. [LNB]I think Capello may only pick two, but why shouldn't he take all three, as well as Rooney and Jermain Defoe, which would give him five strikers. [LNB]Strikers win you games and we must have learned from last time when there wasn't enough firepower in the World Cup squad. [LNB] Fabio Capello is England's sub masterTheo Walcott hasn't got a football brain, says former England winger Chris WaddleWORLD CUP 2010: Health check - How Spain, Brazil, Germany and all the big boys are shaping up ahead of South Africa[LNB]
