After a two year break, Crouch has finally burst back onto the international scene against Portugal for the U'20's - unfortuantely the match just happened to be at St. Mary's and so Pompey fans once again had to venture into that city down the road to support one of our international players. Incidentally Southampton have had no representatives in either international match played in their home stadium.
Crouch started the game as England's number 9 and quite easily looked one of the best players on the pitch - despite being booed for his every touch. Crouch held a lot of balls up and at all times looked to flick the ball on and displayed some exceptional touches. From Portsmouth around 150 fans were there to support Crouch as well as Gary O'Neil, Rix, Redknapp, Milan and Harry. Perhaps more importantly though, David Platt was in the crowd looking for players to make the step upto his depleted U-21's squad.
On this showing, there is no reason why Crouch can't play for the U-21's - there were times when he was on a different wavelength to his teammates and they weren't quite quick enough to read his clever passes or flicks. On another positive note there is no reason why O'Neil can't make this step up either - this England team are crying out for a player who will add some invention into the midfield.
Crouch got taken off in the second half and it was Chelsea's Joe Keenan who got Englands all important goal. However it was an extreemly impressive performance that Crouch and Pompey can take much pleasure from.
