STOKE City discard Peter Crouch insists he isnt feeling sorry for himself as he hopes to get the nod to return at Manchester United tomorrow. Crouch has been consigned to the bench for Stokes last six Premier League games as boss Mark Hughes juggles his options to try to find a winning formula. Crouch, who has yet to score against United at Old Trafford, said: Of course its disappointing at times. Everyone wants to play, and Im no different. But theres no point in moping around and throwing your toys out of the pram in training.Youve got to go out there and work hard to try to change the managers mind. I believe in my ability, and when given the opportunity Im sure Ill be able to stay in the team.The managers proved hes not afraid to chop and change, so you never know. I could be starting the game or could be coming off the bench. Ill prepare in the manner Ive always done and be ready for the game on Saturday.Crouch has scored just three times in 32 Premier League games in the last 12 months, but he has scored for his country at Old Trafford, and hopes that might twist the managers arm. My record there has been good because Ive had quite a few England games, which has always stood me in good stead, and Ive scored quite a few goals, he added. At club level its been very difficult because United have dominated the league. Any time you play at a big ground like that with so much history you raise your game. Youve got to enjoy it and every time I played there its special. Crouch acknowledged Stokes poor record ahead of tomorrows clash (3pm) after just four goals in eight league games this term.It is a worry, he admitted. You want to be creating and scoring goals, and its something we need to address. As a team, certainly at the start of the year, we were playing some good football and the fans were enjoying that, but for some reason recently we havent been creating or scoring enough goals, and it has a knock-on effect because weve not been getting results. Weve been working very hard this week in training and we have to take heart from West Brom and Southampton, where they really attacked Man United and came out with deserved points. Thats what weve got to do.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:49:40 +0000