Former manager backs Crouch to be a success

Last updated : 23 July 2005 By Al Campbell
Crouch played under Taylor at Aston Villa and the former England manager says Liverpool's new 6ft 7in striker is equally as good, if not better, with the ball at his feet as he is in the air.

"Peter Crouch is a very good football player and joining Liverpool is a tremendous move for him, he deserves it," said Taylor.
 
"Everyone simply talks about his height, because he's 6ft 7in, as if that's all there is to him. But I can assure everyone he is very good technically and his touch will be as good as the other Liverpool players, there is no doubt about that.
 
"He's had to live with jibes about his height and I'm so pleased for him because this boy can play.
 
"Look at his touch, look at his passing, look at his control, how he lays people in, how he holds off defenders, that's the sort of player we are talking about.
 
"There are too many people who will not look at him just because he's very tall. But look at Jan Koller, one of the best Czech strikers around - he's 6ft 7in too.
 
"Peter has always wanted to be thought of as a good footballer. He was in great form for a struggling Southampton side last season and he was scoring plenty of goals too."