LeBleuRuge Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5205877/PETER-CROUCH-Bristol-City-real-deal.html The embarrassment was awful. It was one of those nights when you want the ground to swallow you up and the frustration stays with you for days. After we had taken care of Rochdale in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August, our reward in the next round was a trip to Bristol City. This was a competition we had aspirations of going far in and a tie with a Championship team, on paper, did not look too problematic. Getting to Wembley again is a big aspiration for everyone at Stoke. We have been in the Premier League 10 years now but there is a desire to give the fans a big day out, as was the case when we played Manchester City in the FA Cup final in 2011. I'd love to win the League Cup. It's not been a great competition for me. The closest I got was a semi-final against Liverpool two years ago and we should have won that game only for a couple of idiots missing penalties in the shootout at Anfield. I was left embarrassed after we lost to Bristol City in the Carabao Cup earlier this season Matty Taylor scores Bristol City's second goal in their 2-0 win over Stoke in the third round Simon Mignolet saved my shot and as it bounced back to me, I punched the ball in frustration. A lot of my missus' family are Liverpool fans and they said it looked like I was punching the air to celebrate, as if I was saying 'get in!' Scandalous... We know how tough it is to win something but to do it would be massive. So the Carabao Cup wasn't something we were going to take lightly and we headed to Ashton Gate full of confidence. No players were rested. The manager didn't consider rotation. We were going to Bristol to win, to keep our dream of going to Wembley alive, but we ended up losing 2-0 and were well beaten. Getting knocked out by a team from a division below is one of the worst experiences you can have. Even falling behind is dreadful and I can still remember what it was like when I played for Liverpool and Havant and Waterlooville took the lead against us at Anfield in the FA Cup 10 years ago. Unfortunately, I've been on the end of a few Cup shocks and Bristol was another. The quietness on our coach as we left Ashton Gate reflected the mood. Privately, though, I felt we'd lost to a Championship team in name only. It wasn't just the quality of their football. They work so hard. So I kept an eye on them. I've been so impressed with their progress and, when I settled down to watch the quarter-final on Wednesday, I had a genuine feeling they'd do something against Manchester United. Everything about Bristol City is geared up for the Premier League. It starts with the stadium, then they have Lee Johnson, a young, hungry manager. He has put together a side in his image and the occasion was right for them. You can say Man United weren't 'at it' but that was credit to Bristol City for not allowing them to play. A 'worldie' from Joe Bryan gave them the lead, then they stuck at it in the second half and kept their composure to win at the death. Now they find themselves in the semi-final, their route having taken them past Watford, ourselves, Crystal Palace and United. Lucky? What they have done so far doesn't sound lucky to me… Bristol City have been just what the Carabao Cup has needed. Some clubs rest players and rotate too much and show it a lack of respect but there are times when it doesn't help itself. I mean, what is this new penalty system? I watched Leicester against Manchester City and couldn't work out what was going on. What was wrong with the old format? Everyone knows where they stand. You toss the coin and if you have to go second, it's the luck of the draw. Bristol City's players celebrate after scoring a late winner to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals Manager Lee Johnson celebrates after seeing off Jose Mourinho's side in dramatic fashion And speaking of draws, the Carabao Cup hasn't helped itself this season. One draw was at 4am, another was supposed to be live on Facebook but they couldn't make it work so posted the quarter-final line-up without anyone seeing. What chance have they got of avoiding criticism? It has been fantastic to see Bristol City give it a shot in the arm. Now why can't they win it? I don't see any reason. What you have to remember is these players are fighting for their lives in this Cup, they might not get another chance. It's massive for them. Manchester City, on the other hand, are fighting on every front. And if they rest the top boys, I genuinely don't see a reason why Bristol City haven't got a chance. It would be amazing if they did it. If the semi-final line-up had been City, United, Arsenal and Chelsea, I probably wouldn't have bothered to tune in. But Bristol City have changed everything. Now I'll definitely be watching to see if their dream can continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbespm Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Great read and nice comments from a good professional Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalcub Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Get him in on loan in jan , cover until Djuric is back fully fit ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judda Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 4 minutes ago, bengalcub said: Get him in on loan in jan , cover until Djuric is back fully fit ...... Agreed. Love him. He's big. He's red. His feet stick out the bed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityexile Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Great article. Felt it at the Stoke game even that Crouch is one of those rare players that fans seem to have a lot of respect for, even opposition ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoons Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 He's big , he's tall , he's feet stick out the bed ... Peter crouch ...Peter crouch !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshtonGreat Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Q: What would you be if you hadn't made it as a footballer, Peter? A: A virgin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Reid Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Been on the Jeremy Kyle show too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wskWkI6EB2g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 It might be throwing money away, but I might stick a fiver on us to win the cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulcityfan Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 Ah so old crouchy was thinking the same as me. This Carabou cup that keeps on giving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoystonFoote'snephew Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 So forget the usual suspects, we are the reason to keep watching the Carabao cup. Never heard anyone say that before. Also noticed that in his ‘one to watch’ feature he giv s a big up to our Joe, stating his performance against United was the best by any full back he’d seen this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsapper Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 A great read from Peter Crouch. He is added to a long list of plaudits we are currently reviving, long may it continue! The Club need to balance any new players coming in with any disruption it may cause. We don’t want or need any big time Charlie’s to upset the apple cart. We do need to increase the size or the squad as looking at the bench it was threadbare on Wednesday night. We just need to trust in the Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 This article confirms he deserved the applause we gave him at the Gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldRed Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 51 minutes ago, redsapper said: A great read from Peter Crouch. He is added to a long list of plaudits we are currently reviving, long may it continue! The Club need to balance any new players coming in with any disruption it may cause. We don’t want or need any big time Charlie’s to upset the apple cart. We do need to increase the size or the squad as looking at the bench it was threadbare on Wednesday night. We just need to trust in the Club. Indeed. A measured and insight commentary from the big man. Unlike Mourinho who is a legend inside his own mind. He'll have few friends after retirement. He's a complete dick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiderEyed Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 Always liked Crouchy. English footballing cult hero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeneys Penalties Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 always liked Peter Crouch.... he doesn't think he's better than everyone else, has a great sense of humour and has a healthy respect for his fellow Pro's.. wonder if he fancies a loan spell in January? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobintheRed Red Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 15 hours ago, paulcityfan said: Ah so old crouchy was thinking the same as me. This Carabou cup that keeps on giving well done Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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