Crouch confident attacking policy will negate threat of Bale

Peter Crouch is desperate for England to overcome Wales in Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier to avoid being taunted by Tottenham team-mate Gareth Bale.

Crouch has not been slow to wind up Bale about the match at the Millennium Stadium but admits he wishes the left-sided player was qualified to play for England.

The striker is aware of the massive threat that Bale – and Crouch’s former Liverpool team-mate Craig Bellamy – can pose to England’s hopes.

But Crouch is confident Fabio Capello’s side will take another step towards booking a place in the finals in Poland and Ukraine if they perform to the best of their ability.

Crouch said: “Gareth is top class and he can really hurt you. He travels with the ball so well, he has got fantastic technical ability.

“His pace and energy just scares teams to death. It is a shame at times he is not English.

“He is a player we will have to watch out for.

“He has done it at the top level before and I’m sure he’ll have no problems doing it again.

“But we will be able to cope with him, I’m sure, and have an emphasis on our attacking play.”

Crouch, who along with Bale and the rest of the Tottenham squad has a Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid to look forward to, added: “We’ve had some bits of banter about it in the changing room at Tottenham.

“I’ve been giving Gareth quite a bit of stick during this past week.

“It would be horrible if we lost or even drew the game, given the amount of stick I’ve given out to him because I know what to expect back.”

Crouch is well aware of Bellamy’s sometimes explosive temperament but has nothing but admiration for his qualities.

He believes Bellamy is too good a player to remain in the Championship after joining Cardiff on loan from Manchester City.

Crouch said: “Craig is a character and, from my time at Liverpool, I can only speak highly of him.

“He is a good lad and the only reason he is how he is on the pitch is because he wants to win and he is a winner.

“I can’t see him playing in the Championship for too long. He is too good a player for that.”

Wales are ranked 116th in the world and have lost their opening three qualifiers but Crouch feels that will count for little on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t think we will be looking at that stat.

“We know a lot of their players and they will be able to raise their game.

“They’ve lost the previous three games but, make no mistake, this won’t be like any of the previous three games.

“It will be a derby and a lot of times the underdog can come through and win and we’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“It’s a massive game for Wales in front of their own fans but it is for us as well.

“We’ve had one eye on this tie as soon as the draw was made. We can’t wait to sample that atmosphere.”

Crouch has scored 22 goals in 42 internationals for England but has struggled to hold down a regular spot.

But it has not diminished his appetite for representing his country.

He said: “I’ll always keep coming to England, always enjoy playing for England.

“When the call-up comes, I’m always very proud and even if I get five minutes, I’ll be happy with that.

“You can get a bit frustrated because I’ve felt I’ve always done well and always given a good account of myself for England.

“I’ve always been proud of my goal record for England and when given the opportunity, I don’t think I’ve let anyone down.

“Hopefully I’ll get more opportunities in the future.”

For his part, Bale believes Wales have the firepower to trouble England.

The 21-year-old, who has already won 27 caps, said: “It is a massive game – it is a local derby in international terms. It is something we are all looking forward to.

“We need to win this game, especially in this qualifying campaign and against the English.

“I think it would boost us as a team and Welsh football in general.

“I think we have got every chance. We have got great young players and a good mix of experience and youth.

“We are not going to go into the game trying to defend. We are going to give it our best shot and we have nothing to lose.”