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Southampton vs. Stoke City: Opposition threat

By Jack Deery

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Peter Crouch of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Watford at Bet365 Stadium on January 31, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Peter Crouch of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Watford at Bet365 Stadium on January 31, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

Peter Crouch

A man very familiar to the Southampton faithful, Crouch is still causing Premier League defences problems at the ripe old age of 37. The 6″7 Englishman played a season down on the South Coast in 2004 to 2005 scoring 12 goals in a season which saw the Saints be relegated.

Since then, Crouch has continued to haunt his former employers by scoring a handful of goals against the Saints, including the winner in the reverse fixture back in September.

Crouch rarely starts for Stoke now, however his height and excellent heading ability can cause a lot of problems from the bench. Southampton’s failure to deal with a number of target men this season is the reason I have identified Crouch as a threat.

If Crouch is to come off the bench, it will be a completely different outlet for the Saints defence to deal with.