Mark Hughes, Stoke’s manager, insists that he does not want to sell Crouch, but the player is attracting interest from other clubs. The 34-year-old said that he did not feel like part of the group at Stoke at times, having played in just seven games this season before this match; three as a substitute in the Premier League and four in the Capital One Cup.
Peter Crouch reels away after putting Stoke City ahead after 15 minutes
“If I can’t play then maybe I do have to move on,” Crouch said. “I played 33 or 34 Premier League games last season so to have not featured this season has been very frustrating but all I can do is try to take opportunities when I’m given them and try to force my way back in. There have been times when it’s been hard. When you’re running on the pitch after games, you’ve been watching but haven’t been part of it. You say that you’re part of it, of course, but it doesn’t feel like it at times.”
Crouch’s goal came when he cleverly found space in the box and flicked in a cross by Joselu. There was a moment to forget later, however, when he produced a shocking miss, skying over from close range. It was 1-1 at the time with Stoke being tested by a battling Doncaster side.
“It was a good start to get a goal – and nice to remember what it feels like,” Crouch said, before making a joke about his missed chance. “I was well offside and I knew it, so I put it over so we could all regroup.”
Walters celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the winning goal Photo: REX
It was good that Crouch could laugh about it – as is so often the case – because his situation is a difficult one. He has fallen well down the pecking order as Stoke are spoiled for choice in attack, with the likes of Bojan, Marko Arnautovic, Joselu, Jonathan Walters and Mame Biram Diouf to pick from.
Hughes wants a large group because of Stoke’s ambitions for the two cup competitions – having reached the League Cup semi-finals already – and pushing up the league table. “I haven’t been able to give him as many games as he would like but, going into the second part of the season, we’re going to need everybody,” Hughes said.
Nathan Tyson (right) cancelled out Stoke's lead 10 minutes after Crouch scored
Crouch stepped up here, but Nathan Tyson forced in a deserved equaliser for Doncaster, whose hopes were dashed by a powerful winner from Jonathan Walters. Darren Ferguson, the Doncaster manager, will use this impressive display to motivate his players, though. Ferguson said: “This gave us a little bit more belief. I can say to the players that, if they can reach these standards, they should win games.”
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