Crouch plans Chelsea shock

Striker keen to ruin Blues' start to the new season

By Ashley Marshall   Last updated: 16th August 2008

Peter Crouch Portsmouth

Crouch: Predicting early shock

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Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch will be looking to upset title hopefuls Chelsea when Pompey kick off their campaign on Sunday.

The giant striker believes Harry Redknapp's side will be looking to take all three points from their trip to Stamford Bridge and ruin Luiz Felipe Scolari's introduction to the Premier League.

The former Liverpool hitman, who moved to Fratton Park in an £11million deal this summer, believes Portsmouth will not set their stall out in the hope of snatching a point.

Crouch said: "There are two ways of looking at it - the fact that all the Chelsea players will be there eager to impress the new manager on the first day of the season.

"Or, it's early doors for them and hopefully we can spring a surprise.

"Either way it will be a difficult game - but we're going to go there confident. We are not going to go there hoping to hang on for a draw."

Imposing

Crouch added: "We are going to go there to win the game and try to impose ourselves on Chelsea.

"We believe in our ability to go there and get a result."

Crouch, who grew increasingly frustrated with Rafa Benitez's rotation policy at Anfield last season, believes his new partnership with Jermain Defoe could flourish this term.

He added: "Certainly this season there is more to come from me.

"Myself and Jermain have played all the pre-season games, and that was what I was lacking at Liverpool."