Analysing Peter Crouch’s contribution in Stoke’s 2-0 win over Watford

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s fair to say that at 35-years-old Peter Crouch has been a name that has done the rounds for a long time in the Premier League; from Liverpool, to Portsmouth and Spurs, and now to Stoke.

After being out of favour for much of Mark Hughes’ reign as Stoke City manager, Crouch has returned to the starting line-up over the festive period and scored twice in the space of three days.

Embed from Getty Images

The second of these goals, which came in the 2-0 win over Watford last night, was Crouch’s 98^th Premier League goal of his career – and in the form he’s in now, it’s hard to argue against him making it to his century before the end of the current season.

Not only did his 98^th goal edge him closer to that landmark, where Crouch would become the 26^th player to achieve the feat, it also helped Stoke end a five game run without a win to move them within a point of Southampton in the top half of the table.

After not starting a single Premier League match until the defeat against Liverpool at Anfield, only making nine substitute appearances, Crouch has now played more football over the past seven days than over the previous four months – and it’s testament to his performances.

Embed from Getty Images

With Hughes playing a 3-4-3 formation in the previous game at Stamford Bridge where the Potters gave leaders Chelsea a brief scare, Stoke continued with this strategy against Watford; and with Crouch leading a front three, with Marko Arnautovic returning out wide, it’s a system that works.

It’s no secret that Crouch is good in the air, and that Stoke will try as much as possible to get the ball lofted up to him inside the box from set-pieces and wide positions, but defences still struggle to deal with the sheer presence of the former Liverpool striker in the penalty area.

Crouch’s instinct to be strong in the air and to find the right gaps in the six-yard box hasn’t changed one bit over his 19 year career, and it was in this manner that he poked home against Watford.

Such is the recent form that Crouch finds himself in, Stoke manager Mark Hughes said after the Watford match that the striker is “playing some of the best football of his career” to date.

The ex-Manchester United player also mentioned post-match that he’s confident that a new contract can be agreed with Crouch, after an impressive string of matches for the 35-year-old.

Embed from Getty Images

His goals against Chelsea and Watford also saw Crouch score in consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since February 2015, and took his Potters’ tally to 35 goals in 156 appearances; not a bad return for someone nearing the final stretch of his illustrious career.

The England striker turns 36 at the end of January, but he won’t see that as a need to stop playing football anytime soon – and with a spot back in the starting line-up and a new contract in store, Crouch couldn’t have dreamt for a better Christmas.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Godin2017.