#PETER CROUCH: We are just footballers… not targets for abuse"

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PETER CROUCH: We are just footballers… not targets for abuse

Peter Crouch is a columnist for Sportsmail

The first time I truly appreciated that life as a professional footballer would be different came one night in a bar when I was playing for Portsmouth.

I was only 20 and was doing what all 20-year-olds like to do, having a few drinks and a good time.

I'll never forget this night, though, as someone came up behind me and punched me in the face. He ran after doing it and I never saw him again. I also never set foot in that particular bar again.

It was a painful lesson but I told the story of the Jordan Jordan incident experienced last Sunday.

I´m not here to condemn Jordan, a goalkeeper I greatly admire, as I know exactly how he would have felt after extreme provocation.

Jordan Pickford made headlines this week after getting involved in a pub brawl

When I played for Liverpool, Abbey and I booked a holiday to Ibiza at the end of one season and were going to take an EasyJet flight from Manchester. When we got to the gate, a few of our fellow passengers were already in the party mood and they started heckling me.

None of that bothered me – I'd heard everything they said a thousand times and more – but when the insults were aimed at Abbey, the situation changed. I knew if we had boarded that plane there would be problems so we made the decision to leave it. We flew from London the next day instead.

That's what I find so frustrating. Had I reacted in the way Jordan did, my name would have been in the media while those who had been antagonizing us would have got no mention. I understand why that is but how can it be right that those who cause the issues remain anonymous?

Critics have the idea that footballers do not want to mix with the public but, believe me, that isn't the case. We aren't different but the profile that comes with our professional means you're always going to be a target for someone, somewhere.

I remember during my time at Tottenham, I was at a bar in Surrey. I was walking to the toilets and I heard two lads, as clear as anything, say: "There’s Peter Crouch, let's go and have some trouble." I walked straight out the door and went home. I was speechless.

Pickford flew into a craze when his girlfriend and the mother of his child was insulted

Reading the above, you might think my life is difficult but, honestly, that's not the case. The good times far outweigh the bath and I am lucky that the majority of opposition fans tend to be good-natured when I meet them. I don't turn down photos or autographs and I'm never, ever rude.

There is this aspect, though, because we play football, some people believe they can treat us how they want or say what they want. They want us to be approachable but I've seen enough cases of the line being stepped about and what happened to Jordan was another example.

He knows, or course, that he made a mistake in reacting, even if it was only human nature. You have to learn – no matter how hard the situation – the best thing is to always walk away. But, as I said, there is something sad about it all.

Jordan Pickford only wanted to be in a place that he knew with his friends and family. It hasn't changed. His circumstances – effectively a job promotion with a move to Everton and becoming England's No 1 – have changed.

Why should he be a target?

Why should any footballer be a target?

It looks very much like we will have an English club in the Champions League final once again this season and I can't wait for this week's quarter-finals.

I've been invited to White Hart Lane to watch Tottenham's clash with Manchester City and that fixture always brings back special memories, given I score a goal against City in 2010 to put Spurs back in the Champions League

City are favorites, or course, but it would be unwise for them to underestimate Tottenham.

I've been invited to White Hart Lane to watch Tottenham's clash with Manchester City

I just feel the second leg being in Manchester will prove decisive and I'd expect them to be in the last four against Juventus, who should beat Ajax.

On the other side of the draw, I believe Barcelona will beat Manchester United and Liverpool will take care of Porto.

I think Liverpool are the most likely winners of the competition as Europe transforms that club. The affinity with this tournament just isn't there with Man City – I know, as my mum and half her family are City fans – but that's not the case with Liverpool.

They got close a year ago and I wouldn't be surprised if they go one step better now.

I have been won over by Watford's wow factor

The game I'm most fascinated by this weekend is the FA Cup semi-final between Watford and Wolves.

Regular readers will know how much I admire Nuno Espirito Santo's side and I knew after Stoke played them last July they would have had a good season.

I said as much in the predictions I made last summer but I couldn't gauge Watford.

They have been a hard club for people on the outside to have an affinity for, simply because of the high turnover of managers and players. They don't have household names and you don't see kids coming through.

But through this campaign, they've been superb and credit must be given where it is due. Javi Gracia has done a fantastic job and my mates who support Watford are pinching themselves at how things have gone. Nobody expected them to do so well.

For Watford to get to FA Cup final would be such a huge achievement but, equally, how good would it be for Wolves, in their first year back in the Premier League , to crown it with a trip to a Wembley final?

They were excellent once again when they beat Manchester United on Tuesday and have already won at Wembley this season.

It´s a difficult match to call but it will be a right contest as Wolves and Watford are the best teams outside the top six.

Watford have been superb this season and credit must be given where it is due

MY WEEK

WHO'S CAUGHT MY EYE: Virgil van Dijk

The way the hero Moussa Sissoko up and didn't let him pass to Heung-Min Son was a genuinely amazing piece of defense and the reason Liverpool were able to beat Tottenham last Sunday.

Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero have been outstanding but for me Van Dijk looks every inch the Player of the Year.

NEXT UP FOR ME …

The win we were talking about Wolves last week was massive and now we've got to make sure we maintain the momentum.

We go to Bournemouth on Saturday and while we respect them, we've got an opportunity in the next few weeks to get ourselves further away from trouble.

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO …

I've always been a big fan of Miles Kane (below) and I've had the Coup de Grace album on all week. It's been out since last summer but there are so many top tracks on there, such as Too Little Too Late. Love his stuff.

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO …

I had appendix surgery last week and that was the reason I was out of the squad for the win over Wolves.

I'm having rehab. The problem came as a surprise but the operation was a success and while any lay-out has its frustrations, I hope I can play again this season.

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