First signs of discontent?

I am a self confessed fan of Peter Crouch, some say I have a 'man crush' on him - I do not hide the fact that I think he is a top class footballer who I have always rated, and from his first spell with us, as even then it was obvious to see that he had talent, but even then it was also clear that on the deck is where he liked the ball - none of this long ball rubbish!

It is also fairly well know, as I probably make the comment enough, that I do not think he is rated as highly as I feel he should be, and 'if' we lost him this summer it would be a big loss.

Maybe the first signs of his frustrations at the club and his 'possible' resignation that he will be moved on again this summer appeared tonight when he was on setanta sports' Friday football show... The big man admitted that this season has not gone at all as he was expecting it to, or as setanta put it 'it was not what he signed up for': 'when I signed for this club, we were in The Uefa Cup and I thought we would push on and have a really good season.

'Obviously we lost two managers, and we lost players too, and it's turned out to be a difficult season.

The last 10-15 games I've been up front alone, and it is difficult working hard for the team. Looking at it that way, I've actually been pleased with the goal tally I've got.'

Credit was given to Paul Hart who Crouch says 'has done really well' in difficult circumstances.

At the moment publicly his thoughts are on next season, and he wants us to get the job done then move onto a new season afresh: 'it's time to get one more win, end the home campaign on a high and then start from scratch next season.'

My concerns are that the guy is not going to be here next season, and his starting from scratch will be elsewhere?

I have no doubt that Crouch would be happy to stay, well at least would have been without any doubt as little as 5-10 games ago, but his frustrations have evidently grown and playing the lone role is not for him - the more we make him do this the more frustrated he becomes, and the less effective he then looks.

What we have to also remember is we are going into a world cup season next time round and he will want to protect his place in the England side - playing in what could again be a struggling side should not mean he misses out, but playing in a struggling side as the lone man almost certainly would.

He signed a contract, so chances are he would honour it, afterall he had 'come back home', but I do not think we will be short of offers for him and these offers will not be turned down.

Peter Storrie, in one breath says he is 'hopeful' that he can find us a new owner but then admits in the other that 'big names' will have to go if we are not sold - that, for me, does not feel me with optimism... So, the England striker, along with his England team-mate Glen Johnson and Niko Kranjcar are the biggest names we have, so all will unfortunately most likely leave...

For me, and I still have this feeling we will announce this prior to our game on Monday 'should' results go our way tomorrow, if Hart is named as manager this is a clear indication that we are not actually very hopeful of anyone taking over in the summer, as if we were surely we would wait and be targeting someone else?

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