The special 172
Yes the 172 is special.
A C-150 has 40° of flap.
The next version: the C-152 has "only" 30° of flaps.
Back to the C-172 that has 40°. And big doors they are.
As mentioned before, and I fully agree, every landing is a FULL FLAP landing.
But the C-172 is special. This baby has too much flap, and never got the C-150 to C-152 FLAP angle REDUCTION.
What would I do?
If confident and pretty sure of the landing? Land FULL Flap; All 40° of them.
If bumpy, uncertain, (not every day is the same, better safe then sorry) I would fly short finals at 30°, ready for a go around if needed. (as per C-152)
Short finals? NOT in crab. Certainly, and in this situation CERTAINLY NOT in crab.
From 1000ft, I would go in the wind Wing down, and opposite rudder.
If you can hold a plane on runway centerline, at Approach speed, Wing down, opposite rudder? You can salefy land.
If you run out of rudder? Go someplace else to land. => VERY simple.
So you come to short final, on centerline, Full flaps, on speed, wing down, opposite rudder, very stable position;
All what is left to do is flare and land on the upwind wheel.
MAINTAIN the X-wind aileron and rudder, let the second wheel touch, and let the nose come down when she wants to.
If the nose is still UP, and you run out of rudder? You CAN gently use a (one) brake to amintain direction.
it will help the steering, help the nose come down, and slow you down.
Be G E N T L E .
During roll out; MAINTAIN aileron input into wind, and use nosewheel and rudder action to stay on centerline.
NEVER stop flying the plane till at the hangar.