PULIS PRAISES CROUCH
Posted on January 10, 2012 in Stoke
Stoke City striker Peter Crouch is the fittest player in the team it seems, or so the statistics read. The lanky striker has beaten off competition from irrepressible strike partner Jon Walters and has been putting in the hard yards during The Potters’ matches and in terms of running stats; he is far ahead of anyone else on the team, revealed manager Tony Pulis.
The manager went on to add that the recovery rate of Crouch was simply phenomenal and because of the fact that he doesn’t carry too much weight, he will not be losing his fitness anytime soon.
Tony Pulis signed the player from Tottenham Hotspur for a minimal fee at the beginning of the season and the lanky forward has repaid the faith showed in him by the manager by netting 6 times already in the 15 English Premier League games he has featured in for Stoke City. Pulis went on to say that he believes Crouch is extremely happy at the Britannia Stadium and has adapted well – something that has helped him on the pitch as well as off it. And he’s been so impressed with Crouch that he is also looking to bring in another version – in the shape of 6″8 Michael Uchebo.
When asked if England manager Fabio Capello should take the striker to the Euro 2012 in May – June, Pulis stated that it was entirely the England manager’s decision but if he did go, it wouldn’t hurt England’s chances in the tournament. However, in the scenario that he isn’t picked for the squad, Pulis will be glad for him to have some time off from football and return fresh for next season with The Potters.
Pulis, Crouch and Stoke City are currently sitting at eighth in the English Premier League (and according to the latest football odds are likely to finish there) and are looking good to finish in the UEFA Europa League places and earn a place in the competition for the second season in a row, which will be a great achievement for the club.