Ronaldo or Crouch?

I have nothing against fat men. I belong to that tribe anyway. But Ronaldo... what was he doing on the pitch that night? A sordid display that had disinterest written all over it. Carlos Alberto Parreira might be committing a grave mistake playing him in front of top-draw playmakers like Ronaldinho and Kaka. He simply doesn't deserve that kind of service.

Ronaldo might have had to face even more criticism, but he should be thankful to Peter Crouch for diverting some away from him. These were some comments from the England - Trinidad & Tobago game... Crouch is played an excellent ball, it comes right to his scoring foot, at just the right height, an easy tap-in for anyone at that level. Crouch sends it wide, almost 70 degrees away from goal. The commentator remarks: "... an excellent ball played to Crouch. Peter Crouch! Goodness me, he almost sent it for a throw-in!"

On another occassion, the 6ft 7in Liverpool striker misses an easy header. Comment: "Must say, the ball hit Peter Crouch, rather than Crouch hitting the ball!"

Crouch seems like a person being played by Eriksson because he is short of players, or because Crouch is a tall man. Yes, of course he scored. But if you get David Beckham to play such wonderful, measured crosses a hundred times during the game, surely anyone can convert one of those.

It's not just Crouch, the whole English team looks off-colour. The only player who seemed comfortable in an England shirt during the T&T game was Aaron Lennon. Wayne, save these folks!