Kuyt or Crouch...

[Cooger]

With Liverpool on a good run at the monent, I guess the obvious answer would be 'don't change a winning line up'.

 

When both players are on top form Kuyt seems to offer the team more. He plays deep in gap between the attack and midfield, which males him hard to be picked up and possibly brings the best out of some other players. Bellamy can therefore concentrate on his strengths which are playing right upfront on defenders shoulders, looking to get behind the opposition or down the channels. Bellamy strecthes the opposition and with Kuyt dropping off makes makes them both hard to mark, especially with their movement.

 

Kuyt is quicker than Crouch, more movement and all action type player. With him playing deep he sometimes covers Gerrard's bursting runs, closes down the oppositions midfield and really gets in the other teams faces. At the moment he is not taking the chances, which the team are creating. He is such a good player that he still makes an impact, with his clever runs, movement or assists.

 

Crouch on the otherhand, was praised last season for his contribution he made to the team. He ran the most, linked up well the his teammates (setting up Gerrard many times), held up the ball exceptionally well away from home, which along with Sissoko enabled us to win far more away games. This season, when he has played he has done all this and most importantly scored when used.

 

Last season Crouch was the number one striker, always playing. Cisse was used more on the wing, given his lack of workrate, first touch etc... and Nando, although he was used in most games, didn't offer much. Crouch has gone from our first choice striker down to third choice, which is strange considering he has added more goals to his game. Bellamy is certainly an upgrade from Cisse, as he is a far more complete player. I think from what we have seen Kuyt is also an upgrade in this league from Morientes.

 

It is a nice problem to have, compared to last season. But personally I think Crouch deserves some more games than he has been getting. Kuyt over the last three or four games has not taken his chances and this could have cost us. Yes he has been producive and contributed in other ways... but so could Crouch. Bellamy for me should be used as often as possible as his pace gives the team a constant threat, both in possession and on the counter attack. It was something we didn't have last season with Nando / Crouch and this season with Kuyt / Crouch.

 

'Form is temporary, class is perminant'... therefore I think Crouch should play today as he looks to be more in form. No doubting Kuyt's class, but he needs to take these chances he is getting and he could benefit from a rest.

Edited December 26, 2006 by Hydie

[Guest Ant]

Regaurdless, of anything Crouch will start today, Kuyt is obviously shattered, but you can see Rafa trying to work out his striking combination

[Cooger]

Regaurdless, of anything Crouch will start today, Kuyt is obviously shattered, but you can see Rafa trying to work out his striking combination

 

Maybe, but Kuyt didn't look too shattered when he made his 88 minutes run along most of the pitch before he set up Alonso.

[Ombudsam]

Kuyt didn't look to hot v charlton. I'd give Crouchy a run today

[Guest Ant]

Kuyt isn't sharp he needs a rest which is obvious, The only reason he played him is because his partnership with Bellamy created goals for Bellamy but not so much him. Blackburn although another must win game the quality of the opposition is questionable allowing him to rest him and bring Crouch in.

[Stevie H]

think crouch might be a good choice today. play point and let bellamy buzz about off him.

[floyd the barber]

think its time for fowler to get a run...

[Swipe]

"When you are in front of goal and you have three clear headers it is not lack of confidence".

 

Seems Rafa isn't too happy with Crouch's performance.

 

 

He was pathetic, to be honest. Can't see why he was so annoyed to be subbed.

[floyd the barber]

"When you are in front of goal and you have three clear headers it is not lack of confidence".

 

Seems Rafa isn't too happy with Crouch's performance.

He was pathetic, to be honest. Can't see why he was so annoyed to be subbed.

 

 

where did you get that quote from???

 

 

 

 

this from the official.........

 

 

We have seen this many times this season when we have created a lot of clear chances, but haven't scored," said Benitez.

 

"Their goalkeeper was fantastic, but I have to be disappointed that we have got nothing from a game where we created so many clear chances.

 

"Crouch had three clear chances in the first half, but maybe it was down to bad luck and good goalkeeping that we didn't score.

 

"We made a mistake for the goal Blackburn scored and we now must look to the next game against Tottenham and take our chances there."

[John am Rhein]

think its time for fowler to get a run...

 

[Guest Cameron]

think its time for fowler to get a run...

I agree. He's a craftier player than both Kuyt and Crouch and a much better finisher than both, I'd like to see us start with Robbie for one of the games we've got coming up. Sure he's slow and not as sharp as he was, but we've got Bellamy to provide pace and Fowler could give us the guile that we need. If that Ole Solksjaer can still score at this level then Robbie is far from finished.

[floyd the barber]

 

dont think its funny in the slightest, robbie still the most natural finisher at the club...would`ve buried some of those chances today.......hes on our books, we are paying him.....so why not put robbie in for spurs..

 

Kuyt looks completely shattered to me....

 

id play robbie and bellamy with crouch on the bench.

[John am Rhein]

robbie still the most natural finisher at the club

 

Deja vu?

 

Seriously, Fowler's not good enough

[Swipe]

where did you get that quote from???

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...rem/6200037.stm

 

From the Beeb

[Guest Kev]

think its time for fowler to get a run...

 

Might as well.

[hideNseek]

Deja vu?

 

Seriously, Fowler's not good enough

 

He is good enough.

[John am Rhein]

He is good enough.

 

for Stockport

[Stevie H]

Deja vu?

 

Seriously, Fowler's not good enough

is right unfortunately. far, far too slow and immobile nowadays.

[Hassony]

for Stockport

not even them

[Guest Cardie]

You'll never get a proper debate about Fowler because of who he is.

 

Personally I still think he has something to offer but we have to be careful about turning him into the saviour of the season.

 

He's useful in short bursts but I'm not sure the body can keep up with the mind anymore.

[anny road]

You'll never get a proper debate about Fowler because of who he is.

 

Personally I still think he has something to offer but we have to be careful about turning him into the saviour of the season.

 

He's useful in short bursts but I'm not sure the body can keep up with the mind anymore.

 

 

he isnt upto it fitness wise

 

i would have him on the bench at the moment though

 

I have a gut feeling he would have bagged yesterday

[lawrie]

I'd have Fowler on the bench maybe, but definately wouldn't start wth him. Despite Kuyt looking jigged I still think he's our best option alongside Bellamy

[Joxer]

Id have Robbie.

[Shanklyanfield]

I think like a few that Fowler deserves a run - people when saying that he can't cut it anymore seem to forget the goals he scored at the back end of last season!

 

If Robbie had the chances that Kuyt had against Charlton and Crouch had yesterday I think he would have put at least one of them away and despite hardly starting he's got 4 in 10 this year as well.

[Hassony]

I think like a few that Fowler deserves a run - people when saying that he can't cut it anymore seem to forget the goals he scored at the back end of last season!

 

If Robbie had the chances that Kuyt had against Charlton and Crouch had yesterday I think he would have put at least one of them away and despite hardly starting he's got 4 in 10 this year as well.

a very big IF