Cole praises Crouch

Last updated : 07 June 2006 By Al Campbell
Cole says Crouch is a quality player who defenders find it difficult to play against, and the people who were criticising him earlier in the season must be eating humble pie now.

"I think he has had a magical year. He signed for Liverpool, had a great season with them and won the FA Cup and with England he has been brilliant," said the England midfielder.

"If you look back, he has still won only seven caps. Yet in that time he set up goals for Michael Owen in the United States last summer, he made a difference when he came on against Argentina in November, scored against Uruguay in March, and against Hungary last week and now he has a hat-trick to his name. I just don't know where people get the impression he has not done well from.

"Peter gives us a different option. Even if you just chip the ball up to him, you know there is a good chance he will knock it down to someone else.

"As a squad, we have always believed in him. We know what a talent he is and it is great his character is starting to come through."


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