Gudjohnsen + Keane

[Chewy]

Anybody else think they'd link up great together?

I think Crouch is woeful and changes our entire style of play just to suit him. Couldn't help but think tonight how I would of loved Keane and Gudjohnsen playing up top together, think of the link up and movement.

[highlander]

dont really see the benefits of the partnership myself, they're both too similar for me (in my opinion Gudjohnsen represents a step up in quality from Keane). Gudjohnsen is an excellent foil for a goalscorer which we do have have 2 of in JD and Pav. to be honest mate i think we've seen the best of Keane and he'll leave in the summer (probably to sunderland or fulham)

[Chewy]

Personally my first choice strike partnership is Gudjohnsen and Pav. Won't happen though when Defoe is fit (which granted he deserves a first team spot with his goals this season).

I just hate seeing Crouch playing unless we're going for Plan B. How he kept Pav out for so long is beyond me.

[choda]

Yea, both terrific footballers. But is Keane the same player anymore?

I think with continued faith he is and would have been if we just stuck with him. He was still scoring as well.

But Eidur is a class act, as good as Keane was. Okay we are basing this on two games, but still it shows he is still potentially as good as he ever was with Jimmy Floyd.

And for me, Defoe has to start. He is poor in general play, brainless and loose in his decisions, but the little man is deadly these days. His movement is much better now and he is creating so many chances to unleash his hammer shot. He can change games in an instant, and gives penetration, so I'd go for him with a classy player.

And in form Eidur and Pav are better than Keane nowdays. They bring the class we desperately need with Defoe (or Crouch if he plays).

At one stage it was looking like letting Keane go was an awful move because Pav was still lazy and only a finisher and Eidur looked like he was totally shot. And we needed some to pivot the play like an out of form Keane was still doing.

I agree that Crouch isn't a top player. I thought he was better when we signed, but he's just too awkward, control is poor and it hinders the build up when he is involved. And with JD beside him it is a disaster imo. The play just constantly breaks down and we end up playing long ball, which relegates us to mediocre at best.

[irishspur]

Crouch was excellent tonight imo, won countless flick-ons. Must have beaten hughes at least ten times in the air. Only player who showed in the first half. I dont care how unattractive our football is if we continue to grind out results like stoke away, in which he was immense, and finish fourth.

[earl warwick]

Anybody else think they'd link up great together?

I think Crouch is woeful and changes our entire style of play just to suit him. Couldn't help but think tonight how I would of loved Keane and Gudjohnsen playing up top together, think of the link up and movement.

No one does.

Crouch does nothing to suit him. He isn't a player that demands a long ball so he can knock it down to a small man. Did you see him blocked into the corner by 2 defenders with nowhere to go, and then backheeling to open the play?

Keane is gone and is only coming back to go elsewhere.

[olly27]

Pav and Eidur please Harry....would love to see those 2 start on Saturday.

[olly27]

Crouch was excellent tonight imo, won countless flick-ons. Must have beaten hughes at least ten times in the air. Only player who showed in the first half. I dont care how unattractive our football is if we continue to grind out results like stoke away, in which he was immense, and finish fourth.

I agree with that mate. But Huddlestone made the difference to our control of the game in the second...Bentley made the decisive impact.

[olly27]

Crouch did well first half and was our best player and I reckon he gets a lot of unfair stick. Massive reason as to why we got 3 points at Soke as well.

To be honest it we can keep Pav and get Eidur in for next season I will be delighted with our striking options - and they literally are great options for Harry. Those 4 next season and we are set.

[earl warwick]

Crouch did well first half and was our best player and I reckon he gets a lot of unfair stick. Massive reason as to why we got 3 points at Soke as well.

To be honest it we can keep Pav and get Eidur in for next season I will be delighted with our striking options - and they literally are great options for Harry. Those 4 next season and we are set.

Agreed, Crouch looks very awkward and can be bullied off the ball. He works hard and has superior ability on the ball, but lacking power when it counts. It does show for England, when the ball is played in and he can anticipate it for a run that finishes in a goal.

I've no doubt that CL football will see Pav staying. Perfect platform for him. You're only unhappy when not playing, not scoring and not being valued.

[olly27]

Agreed, Crouch looks very awkward and can be bullied off the ball. He works hard and has superior ability on the ball, but lacking power when it counts. It does show for England, when the ball is played in and he can anticipate it for a run that finishes in a goal.

I've no doubt that CL football will see Pav staying. Perfect platform for him. You're only unhappy when not playing, not scoring and not being valued.

You just know that Pav could be a real legend if he stays and continues to perform in this manner.

I have no doubt in my mind that this could guy could score 30 goals (in all comps) plus next season.

[choda]

Crouch was excellent tonight imo, won countless flick-ons. Must have beaten hughes at least ten times in the air. Only player who showed in the first half. I dont care how unattractive our football is if we continue to grind out results like stoke away, in which he was immense, and finish fourth.

Well horses for courses at times, but I think we are better without Crouch.

And Crouch and JD together is a real problem. Our football became dire, which was both awful to watch and would have guaranteed we didn't finish fourth, or probably even near it.

I've no problem grinding out results, but surely you do that when you pick all your best players, try to play well and just have a bad game.

Setting out to grind out a result makes no sense to me and as far as I'm concerned just means you finish way below your potential.

The team we are picking lately is balanced, has the right ingredients in the right areas and we are playing class football. Results reflect that, as does the expectancy of a good future.

[olly27]

At the end of day Crouch is a very valuable member of this squad and he has played his role in where we are at the moment - as have most of the squad.

Our best season in a long time - actions always speak louder than words.

[Ioang]

Looks like Gud can be just as good/better than Modders in central midfield. Could be handy to know once Wilson gets his booking.

[choda]

At the end of day Crouch is a very valuable member of this squad and he has played his role in where we are at the moment - as have most of the squad.

Our best season in a long time - actions always speak louder than words.

He's a good lad, but I think how we are doing is far more to do with other players. We have a very good squad, a lot of quality.

Good impact sub for top six teams is Crouch. More than that and I think you are looking at problems, especially playing with a player like Defoe. Play just constantly breaks down with those two up front and it was and would have cost us dear.

Now we have a great chance. But if he goes back to Crouch and JD we will have problems again.

I hope it is some combo of Pav, Gud and JD. And I'd want JD to start for his penetration and deadly shot.

[choda]

Looks like Gud can be just as good/better than Modders in central midfield. Could be handy to know once Wilson gets his booking.

I don't fancy Gud in midfield, never have. Class act, very similar to Keane in that its his quick brain and touch up top that does great link up and movement. Any deeper and I think you lose all his best qualities.

He's also not suited to a lone striker role imo. We haven't seen the best of a class act since he played with Jimmy Floyd. He has to play up front and he has to have a partner imo, to see the best of Eidur.

[olly27]

He's a good lad, but I think how we are doing is far more to do with other players. We have a very good squad, a lot of quality.

Good impact sub for top six teams is Crouch. More than that and I think you are looking at problems, especially playing with a player like Defoe. Play just constantly breaks down with those two up front and it was and would have cost us dear.

Now we have a great chance. But if he goes back to Crouch and JD we will have problems again.

I hope it is some combo of Pav, Gud and JD. And I'd want JD to start for his penetration and deadly shot.

Agree with you there for sure. I see Crouchy doing a good job when needed, which he has done on numerous occassions this season. It isn't his fault that the ball is hoofed to him, its a direct tactic that obviously comprimises our free flowing football. Use properly and he is very effective. Its also hard to ignore the Crouch/Defoe partnership in terms of the goals yielded. However I agree we bypass are midfield all to often when we look for the long ball to frequently. But when Lennon returns are midfield will just be complete dynamite.

Crouchy is far better with ball into feet, he's not the best in the air and lacks power. Much better at interchanging with nice touches with forward thinking players in advanced areas.

His touch can let him down at times, but if used properly he can link very well with the so called more intelligent players in the sqaud.

We do need Defoe's penetration, but with Pav and EG we have some great options.

Still think Pav is the most complete of the lot, but EG was magnificent IMO last night.

[choda]

Agree with you there for sure. I see Crouchy doing a good job when needed, which he has done on numerous occassions this season. It isn't his fault that the ball is hoofed to him, its a direct tactic that obviously comprimises our free flowing football. Use properly and he is very effective. Its also hard to ignore the Crouch/Defoe partnership in terms of the goals yielded. However I agree we bypass are midfield all to often when we look for the long ball to frequently. But when Lennon returns are midfield will just be complete dynamite.

Crouchy is far better with ball into feet, he's not the best in the air and lacks power. Much better at interchanging with nice touches with forward thinking players in advanced areas.

His touch can let him down at times, but if used properly he can link very well with the so called more intelligent players in the sqaud.

We do need Defoe's penetration, but with Pav and EG we have some great options.

Still think Pav is the most complete of the lot, but EG was magnificent IMO last night.

Yea, he is better with his feet.

Harry belatedly realised that not only were we becoming rubbish as a team but that Crouchie is much better with his feet.

Playing football has put us back on track and Crouch is not a disaster when used properly. I still think he is very awkward, but yea, he can be used to decent effect when played to feet.

And you have him for set pieces and crosses. But raining loose crosses in and long ball bypassing the midfield is not constructive and I'm so glad we've gotten away from that. It will be effective to a point but you will pretty much end up ordinary and with only one or two scorers. Plus class players won't be effective. Modric was rubbish with the long ball and had no one to intelligent up top to play off.

[Apples]

Yea, he is better with his feet.

Harry belatedly realised that not only were we becoming rubbish as a team but that Crouchie is much better with his feet.

Playing football has put us back on track and Crouch is not a disaster when used properly. I still think he is very awkward, but yea, he can be used to decent effect when played to feet.

And you have him for set pieces and crosses. But raining loose crosses in and long ball bypassing the midfield is not constructive and I'm so glad we've gotten away from that. It will be effective to a point but you will pretty much end up ordinary and with only one or two scorers. Plus class players won't be effective. Modric was rubbish with the long ball and had no one to intelligent up top to play off.

It appears to me that the problem we were having was that without Lennon, the only outlet to relieve pressure was the long ball to Crouchy. Were were too static in midfield to reflect the pressure. As we know Defoe is not the greatest outlet, neither Modric, nor Bentley the later two for pace and Defoe because that is not his game.

To prove that the bad performances in that period were not due to Crouch is now you can see that Harry added some fantastic outlets:

Gareth Bale being the number one - so fast, so direct, spurs look for him so much even when he is at left back, frees modders to effect the game on the left more as seen in second half against fulham and because they worry the rest of the players can stamp their impact.

Pavlyuchencko / Gudjonsson - clever players that you link up with.

I guess I agree with Choda in that Crouch & Defoe did not work but they may work if Lennon and Bale are in the same team.

My point is simple

I LOVE GARETH BALE

[choda]

It appears to me that the problem we were having was that without Lennon, the only outlet to relieve pressure was the long ball to Crouchy. Were were too static in midfield to reflect the pressure. As we know Defoe is not the greatest outlet, neither Modric, nor Bentley the later two for pace and Defoe because that is not his game.

To prove that the bad performances in that period were not due to Crouch is now you can see that Harry added some fantastic outlets:

Gareth Bale being the number one - so fast, so direct, spurs look for him so much even when he is at left back, frees modders to effect the game on the left more as seen in second half against fulham and because they worry the rest of the players can stamp their impact.

Pavlyuchencko / Gudjonsson - clever players that you link up with.

I guess I agree with Choda in that Crouch & Defoe did not work but they may work if Lennon and Bale are in the same team.

My point is simple

I LOVE GARETH BALE

Mate, he clearly changed the style of play at one point. It was just after he was starting to get media criticism for long ball and just before his son wrote an article saying that spurs needed to be educated on not just lumping it to Crouch and pretend he is a little fella as he is better with this feet (which I think was protective of his father as the Redknapps are wont to media spinning things).

There were games even with Bale that we were awful, just awful. You won't get good players playing their best with long ball, ever. It will just be hit and miss and all around one or two donkey tactics.

My opinion is it was the style of play and that the play is likely to be unstructured with Crouch and JD anyway.

I'm telling you if we go back to that front pair we are asking for trouble again, playing good football in the build up like we have been again or not.

But I take the point that Crouch took more abuse than he deserved, myself included.

Having said that I don't think he's good enough for the cl and if you get there with him in your team every week you probably are excellent in the rest of the side.

But I can't see any team making the cl with JD and Crouch as the first choice front pair.

[olly27]

Apples has a point, and I have it mentioned several times before. With the removal of Lennon the long ball was used a hell of a lot more. Crouch and Lennon started against Wigan (9-1) and there was no over use of the long ball there either.

When we beat City 3 nil is a good example of what I mean. The long ball was only used on occassion - and it resulted in our second goal, Crouch flicked on for Defoe. But there was plenty of good approach play on the deck and Lennon ran Slyvinhio ragged.

Lennon then getting injured totally exacerbated it all and then the football got tedious and predictable.

But hey I want Pav and EG upfront, or Defoe with one of them -combinations from all 3. Its exciting thinking of 2 from those 3.

So I guess this debate is redundant - we all want Pav/Defoe/EG upfront anyway. I just think Crouchy gets so much stick which isn't entirely warranted.

[choda]

Apples has a point, and I have it mentioned several times before. With the removal of Lennon the long ball was used a hell of a lot more. Crouch and Lennon started against Wigan (9-1) and there was no over use of the long ball there either.

When we beat City 3 nil is a good example of what I mean. The long ball was only used on occassion - and it resulted in our second goal, Crouch flicked on for Defoe. But there was plenty of good approach play on the deck and Lennon ran Slyvinhio ragged.

Lennon then getting injured totally exacerbated it all and then the football got tedious and predictable.

But hey I want Pav and EG upfront, or Defoe with one of them -combinations from all 3. Its exciting thinking of 2 from those 3.

So I guess this debate is redundant - we all want Pav/Defoe/EG upfront anyway. I just think Crouchy gets so much stick which isn't entirely warranted.

There is a point in that. BUT, I did say that lennon or no lennon I saw it deteriorating as soon as Crouch and JD became first choice. For a while we were still playing football, but it was still a problem and was always going to be a problem over time.

I see it as a wrong ingredient, and therefore a bad product will eventually result.

Lennon gave us another tactic. But what happens if you rely on one or two tactics? They get severely marked or you become extremely one dimensional and crap.

End of the day we need to pick our best players, have the right things in the right places and play our football. This means we have many dimensions and it gives every one of our players the best chance to play well. And that means the team will be much better, like it is now.

Bring back Lennon and Defoe and you make it even better. But the point is many fans were going on about us being relient on Defoe and Lennon, and even the manager. Good players but that was due to one dimensional tactics and bad football, no team with a squad that has been expensively assembled should be relient on one or two players and we had no need for it at all.

All that makes you top 7 at best. You think this point is laboured, but the analysis is correct. The results and performances over a period (not one or two good games) have a marked difference with a good hold up player AND good football, whether it was Keane, Pav (when he works) or Eidur.

Crouch and JD was clearly a problem. You see how we do with another run of that. It won't be good, so it is important.

[olly27]

There is a point in that. BUT, I did say that lennon or no lennon I saw it deteriorating as soon as Crouch and JD became first choice. For a while we were still playing football, but it was still a problem and was always going to be a problem over time.

I see it as a wrong ingredient, and therefore a product will eventually result.

Lennon gave us another tactic. But what happens if you rely on one or two tactics? They get severely marked or you become extremely one dimensional and crap.

End of the day we need to pick our best players, have the right things in the right places and play our football. This means we have many dimensions and it gives every one of our players the best chance to play well. And that means the team will be much better, like it is now.

Bring back Lennon and Defoe and you make it even better. But the point is many fans were going on about us being relient on Defoe and Lennon, and even the manager. Good players but that was due to one dimensional tactics and bad football, no team with a squad that has been expensively assembled should be relient on one or two players and we had no need for it at all.

All that makes you top 7 at best. You think this point is laboured, but it isn't. It was and is crucial to how we do.

Players were doubling up on Lennon and still couldn't cope with him and it just resulted in more space for others.

The point I am making is that we have played good football with Crouch in the team at times - most noticably when we havn't chosen to just lump it up to him. The thing is when Lennon was in the side the instruction was to give him the ball as much as possible - naturally. As it has been since Bale has being playing on the left - pushed further forward. Its been feed him as much as possible. In the interim period it was to look for Crouch as much as possible - thats were I agree with you. With Defoe and Crouch up top with no wide man who could get in behind it broke down all to often. But that was Harry's fault at the time for not keeping it on the deck and finding other ways without comprimising our style. Hard to be critcal when he has done so well but he struggled to find answers when Lennon got injured and are playing style suffered as a result.

You see it as a problem that was always going to be there or get worse. I didn't see it as a problem as such, but it certainly became one when are main source of attack was injured. Thats not to say I would be happy now with JD and Crouch being our first choice pairing even with Lennon playing - I wouldn't, as we have better striking combinations now.

But at the time I think the loss of Lennon influenced Harry massively and consequently are tactics became far more direct which bypassed midfield and it became tedious. When Lennon was fit and Crouch was playing our approach was still good and Crouch was seeing more ball to feet .Not only that the whole of our midfield would see more of the ball as it wasn't being bypassed - and thats the fundamental point I am trying to make.

But Harry didn't need to do that as such, perhaps it was a temptation he couldn't resist.

But he will pick the right teams now, I am pretty confident about that and we have options which is crucial. Crouch was a massive part in getting 3 points last week at Stoke - an essential 'ingredient', to use your term, in those conditions. I think good teams can mix it up a bit, thats not to say we shouldn't stick to our footballing principles - we should. On the whole anyway we do play great football and the bad the spell I am referring to is a blip - and one Harry has learned a lot from.

We just have different perspectives on it.

[deadleyledley]

they are very similar players. because of this they will be working on the same wavelength and i think it would work very well.

but i would prefer a quick striker there aswell as there is no speed in keane or eidur.

[choda]

Players were doubling up on Lennon and still couldn't cope with him and it just resulted in more space for others.

The point I am making is that we have played good football with Crouch in the team at times - most noticably when we havn't chosen to just lump it up to him. The thing is when Lennon was in the side the instruction was to give him the ball as much as possible - naturally. As it has been since Bale has being playing on the left - pushed further forward. Its been feed him as much as possible. In the interim period it was to look for Crouch as much as possible - thats were I agree with you. With Defoe and Crouch up top with no wide man who could get in behind it broke down all to often. But that was Harry's fault at the time for not keeping it on the deck and finding other ways without comprimising our style. Hard to be critcal when he has done so well but he struggled to find answers when Lennon got injured and are playing style suffered as a result.

You see it as a problem that was always going to be there or get worse. I didn't see it as a problem as such, but it certainly became one when are main source of attack was injured. Thats not to say I would be happy now with JD and Crouch being our first choice pairing even with Lennon playing - I wouldn't, as we have better striking combinations now.

But at the time I think the loss of Lennon influenced Harry massively and consequently are tactics became far more direct which bypassed midfield and it became tedious. When Lennon was fit and Crouch was playing our approach was still good and Crouch was seeing more ball to feet .Not only that the whole of our midfield would see more of the ball as it wasn't being bypassed - and thats the fundamental point I am trying to make.

But Harry didn't need to do that as such, perhaps it was a temptation he couldn't resist.

But he will pick the right teams now, I am pretty confident about that and we have options which is crucial. Crouch was a massive part in getting 3 points last week at Stoke - an essential 'ingredient', to use your term, in those conditions. I think good teams can mix it up a bit, thats not to say we shouldn't stick to our footballing principles - we should. On the whole anyway we do play great football and the bad the spell I am referring to is a blip - and one Harry has learned a lot from.

We just have different perspectives on it.

Well, I did say at the time that PC and JD would cause a problem, and it did. Injuries shouldn't matter, just like we are handling them now because we have the right things in the right places and are playing football.

I'm not saying Crouch is useless. He's very useful to have actually. And horses for courses I'd start him in some league games like Stoke. I'd also use him a LOT as an impact sub.

I'm just saying we have to recognise that his partnership with JD doesn't look right in theory imo, and it was a bit of a disaster for a time when they paired up.

I see Lennon's injury as compounding the issue as opposed to causing it. I mean winger or no winger the front pair still have a crucial job of bringing the play together and I just don't see it in that partnership.

I think at that time we had the wrong partnership, the wrong gameplan (no football) and some injuries that compounded that.

Even playing football I think PC and JD would be mediocre as a pair and might lead to route one eventually anyway. Could be wrong about that. It's nothing major against either player, particularly Defoe who is very energetic with his movement now and a deadly finisher, but there's no brilliant class about it and you need that to link the play together at this level imo.

You are right that Crouch is much better on the ground and when we use him like he's a normal player. I still think he's quite awkward, takes too much effort to control the ball, link up and doesn't really see things like Eidur or Keane.

Pav isn't a visionary either but he's got the height and technique to create space (when he's bothered, and although I use these brackets all the time, it has to be said because he was shit when he wasn't bothered). He's also a iceman finisher with great technical movement and finishing in the box.

It is looking good now. But I am worried he will go back to Crouch and JD as the first choice.

[olly27]

Well, I did say at the time that PC and JD would cause a problem, and it did. Injuries shouldn't matter, just like we are handling them now because we have the right things in the right places and are playing football.

I'm not saying Crouch is useless. He's very useful to have actually. And horses for courses I'd start him in some league games like Stoke. I'd also use him a LOT as an impact sub.

I'm just saying we have to recognise that his partnership with JD doesn't look right in theory imo, and it was a bit of a disaster for a time when they paired up.

I see Lennon's injury as compounding the issue as opposed to causing it. I mean winger or no winger the front pair as still having a crucial job of bringing the play together and I just don't see it in that partnership.

I think at that time we had the wrong partnership, the wrong gameplan (no football) and some injuries that compounded that.

Even playing football I think PC and JD would be mediocre as a pair and might lead to route one eventually anyway. Could be wrong about that. It's nothing major against either player, particularly Defoe who is very energetic with his movement now and a deadly finisher, but there's no brilliant class about it and you need that to link the play together at this level imo.

You are right that Crouch is much better on the ground and when we use him like he's a normal player. I still think he's quite awkward, takes too much effort to control the ball, link up and doesn't really see things like Eidur or Keane.

Pav isn't a visionary either but he's got the height and technique to create space (when he's bothered, and although I use these brackets all the time, it has to be said because he was shit when he wasn't bothered). He's also a iceman finisher with great technical movement and finishing in the box.

It is looking good now. But I am worried he will go back to Crouch and JD as the first choice.

As a partnership its hard to ignore the amount of goals it created. But I did use the term 'exacerbated', similar to compounding, in terms of Lennon's absence from the team.

But we have better striking options and for me I would be picking Pav and Defoe in the main with a little sprinkle of EG when appropriate.

Put it like this, if we have those four strikers for next season I would be well happy.

The Premiership is an extremely tough league and you need to be equipped for all eventualities if you want to be successful. Places like Stoke and Blackburn away are perfect to bring in big Crouchy and of course to use him from the bench when required.

[choda]

As a partnership its hard to ignore the amount of goals it created. But I did use the term 'exacerbated', similar to compounding, in terms of Lennon's absence from the team.

But we have better striking options and for me I would be picking Pav and Defoe in the main with a little sprinkle of EG when appropriate.

Put it like this, if we have those four strikers for next season I would be well happy.

The Premiership is an extremely tough league and you need to be equipped for all eventualities if you want to be successful. Places like Stoke and Blackburn away are perfect to bring in big Crouchy and of course to use him from the bench when required.

I really don't care how many goals strikers score if they aren't doing the other side well because that's huge as well (its 50% of their job for me). Plus in the end it was only Defoe scoring. Our goals as a team really dried up until we realised our mistakes.

I agree that we have good strikers, a good four. But two of them are funny animals and imo have got to be deployed properly or we will end up handicapped compared to other top sides.

JD is deadly but he can only play with certain players imo. Crouch is very useful man to have but his limitations have to be recognised as well and used the right way and with the right partner.

Essentially I would see problems over a time with Crouch and Pav (too immobile as a pair imo), Crouch and JD.

All other ones look okay to me. I'd have concerns about Crouch and Eidur as well, a lack of pace, but that has actually looked good. Sometimes pairs surprise you.

Eidur's quick brain and sharpness is kind of making up for a lack of pace at the moment.

[olly27]

I really don't care how many goals strikers score if they aren't doing the other side well because that's huge as well (its 50% of their job for me). Plus in the end it was only Defoe scoring. Our goals as a team really dried up until we realised our mistakes.

I agree that we have good strikers, a good four. But two of them are funny animals and imo have got to be deployed properly or we will end up handicapped compared to other top sides.

JD is deadly but he can only play with certain players imo. Crouch is very useful man to have but his limitations have to be recognised as well and used the right way and with the right partner.

Essentially I would see problems over a time with Crouch and Pav (too immobile as a pair imo), Crouch and JD.

All other ones look okay to me. I'd have concerns about Crouch and Eidur as well, a lack of pace, but that has actually looked good. Sometimes pairs surprise you.

Eidur's quick brain and sharpness is kind of making up for a lack of pace at the moment.

For me Pav has been nothing short of spectacular in the last 4-5 weeks. His movement in the box is second to none and they guy's timing is incredible. No coincidence, I see him scoring a lot of goals next season, if he is here, and applies himself properly. I think he understands now, that he needs to work to cement his place in the side.

Hopefully he is fit for Saturday as Defoe is returning. Those two upfront and we have a great chance, and its game I feel we will need to win as I fully expect Liverpool to pick up a lot of points from their remaining fixtures.

[Gino Ginelli]

Eidur and Robbie seem to be a bit of an ageing strikeforce, and both deeper players who link up play as well as being able to finish well. Neither have spectacularly prolific goal returns in the league, apart from Robbie's 2 year stint with Berbatov. Using that as a parallel mind could suggest that the two may have similar success, as Berbatov's strike rate wasn't all that without Robbie either.

However, I'd be expecting Robbie to be moving on in the summer, given that Pav is in devastating form, Harry wants to keep Eidur and I can't see him letting his dynamic duo in JD and Crouchy going either.

Pav and JD is going to be our first choice partnership next season the way it's going right now.