Beckham can make me England's hero: Crouch
Updated: 2007-11-20 11:25
LONDON - Peter Crouch believes he can fire England to Euro 2008 as long as David Beckham is given the chance to supply the ammunition.
 England's David Beckham passes a ball during the friendly match between Austria and England in Vienna on 16 November, 2007. Peter Crouch believes he can fire England to Euro 2008 as long as Beckham is given the chance to supply the ammunition. [Agencies] |
Steve McClaren must decide whether to keep faith with Beckham in England's decisive showdown against Croatia on Wednesday after the midfielder's lethargic display in Austria last week.
Beckham has hardly played for LA Galaxy this season after a series of injuries and McClaren could opt to bring in Shaun Wright-Phillips for the former Manchester United star.
But Beckham can still present a persuasive case to win his 99th cap.
Despite his lack of match fitness, he delivered the corner that led to Crouch's headed winner in Vienna. And he has plenty of experience of this kind of crunch match, with his last-minute free-kick against Greece that booked England's passage to the 2002 World Cup still a vivid memory.
Crouch is convinced his best chance of scoring the goals on Wednesday that would make him an England hero lie with Beckham.
"He's still one of the best at delivering from set-pieces or out wide, so for someone like me who scores the majority of my goals from crosses he certainly a player to have," Crouch said.
"He's a fantastic player for me. The last time I started for England against Estonia he created a goal for me.
"With someone like him, I just know I need to get into the box because, given half a yard, he is going to whip a cross in. An early cross is perfect for me and David always provides that."
Injuries to Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney have left Crouch to shoulder England's attacking responsibilities. It is a challenge he is relishing.
After several years as a figure of fun in the English game, the giant forward's record of 13 goals in 23 internationals has earned him respect but now he wants to be the main man.
"It's exciting for the players who are picked on Wednesday," he said. "They will have a huge chance to be a hero and put England through to the tournament.
"It's something you dream of. It would be nice to be remembered for the sort of goals that Michael Owen scored in the World Cup or David Beckham against Greece.
"Apart from a silly dance there's been a few great moments. But I haven't had a chance to play in a defining match when we can get to the finals. When given the chance I'm sure I'll be capable of doing that."
Under Sven Goran Eriksson England were serial quarter-finalists in major tournaments but, if they do make it to next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland, Crouch has no doubts McClaren's team can win the competition.
"We've got good enough players. It's time to show how good we can be," he said. "We all believe we have the capabilities to win it and there's no reason why we can't."
While Joe Cole hopes to spend next June and July helping England live up to Crouch's boast, the winger is ready to send his Chelsea team-mate Tal Ben Haim for a more low-key holiday.
Cole promised to pay for Israel defender Ben Haim's vacation if his country did England a favour by beating Russia on Saturday.
Ben Haim duly obliged and Cole has lined up a trip to one of England's less glamourous seaside resorts. He said: "Yeah, I've got him a few brochures for Clacton-on-Sea. He'll have a great time.
"Seriously, I'm a man of my word. It started off as a joke, and he'll probably say I don't have to do that, but I'll send him and his wife somewhere nice. I'm sure we can cut a few corners!"
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