Post by QPR Report on Dec 15, 2009 16:24:57 GMT
Reece Crowther hopes bench-warming days over
By FRED WOODCOCK - The Dominion Post Last updated 05:00 16/12/2009
MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post REECE CROWTHER: 'I've got confidence in my ability and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of winning the No 1 shirt.'
Ask Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Reece Crowther to describe himself and it's not long before he uses the word "eccentric" – just a few seconds, in fact.
He is a goalkeeper, after all, so no surprises there. The men who wear the No1 shirt have long been regarded as a bit "out there" and Crowther would have it no other way.
"That's what's great about the position of goalkeeper. Everyone brings something different to it," he says after another Phoenix training at which plenty of banter flew between Crowther and the rest of the team.
"The boys will say I've got a lot to say for myself, but I just like playing football.
"I've always been quite eccentric. I always do what's best for the team, but at the same time I'm probably a bit different."
Crowther and regular Phoenix No1 Mark Paston appear to be poles apart.
Paston is understated and always looks calm and composed.
Crowther, the man who replaced Paston against Sydney on Saturday and who could possibly get an extended run in the team given Paston's season-ending leg injury, doesn't always give that impression.
"Pasty's quite a composed character," Crowther says. "For me, I like to get involved and I'm always on my toes."
Is hyperactive fair?
"I wouldn't say hyper – I'm always calm in my head – but I like to be off my line and stuff like that."
But, as Crowther says, he will not put the team in jeopardy by making silly decisions.
"I'm always going to do what I think is right at the time.
"You look at some of the great goalkeepers, Oliver Kahn [the German] for example, they all bring something different to their teams.
"If I can bring something different to the plate and keep the ball out of the back of the net, that's my job."
Crowther is a big lad (the A-League media guide says he is 1.96cm tall) and it's hard to believe he has only just turned 21.
He has passports "hanging around all over the place" – he was born in the United States to English parents, was nationalised in Australia and has Irish grandparents, making him eligible to play internationally for four countries – but he loves it in Wellington.
He arrived at the Phoenix this season after starting out his senior career at London clubs Crystal Palace (2005-06) and Queens Park Rangers (2006-09).
So far he has made six appearances for the Phoenix, standing in for Paston when the All White has been unavailable.
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He can often have you on the edge of your seat when he ventures outside the penalty box, but then there's no doubt he can make the saves, too.
Depending on what happens in the coming days, with the club attempting to find a replacement for Paston, Crowther may well be the No1 as the A-League playoffs race intensifies.
"I've sat behind Pasty for a couple of games and he's been in fantastic form, but I definitely feel that I can step up to the plate," he says. "I've got confidence in my ability and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of winning the No1 shirt at this fantastic club."
He feels a prolonged run in the starting team is just what he needs.
"Coming in for the odd game is great but it's those runs that really help bring on your performances.
"Sometimes as a keeper, you really need those runs to get your positioning and decision-making right, so that would be nice."
And what of all that banter at training? "With the shooting drills we always like to have a bit of banter.
"I like to let them know when the goalkeeper is on top. I think it brings a fun side to the game when you're always trying to get one up on your mates."
At A Glance
Name: Reece Crowther
Age: 21
Born: San Diego, California
Nationality: Australian
Former clubs: Crystal Palace (05-06), Queens Park Rangers (06-09)
Height, weight: 1.96m, 96kg
A-League appearances: 6
www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/3164565/Reece-Crowther-hopes-bench-warming-days-over
