Being for the benefit of Mr. Kuyt

[Andy @ Allerton]

I know the lad has had some stick on here and in other sources (Some rightly, some wrongly, some clearly out of order) - but it does appear that the lad has through this dark spell for himself maintained his commitment, belief and work rate to start to come through it - another 2 assists the other day seem to be showing that Torres and himself have a decent understanding - that can only get better with time - and like the other day at Bolton (Where he picked up another assist) - he was unlucky not to have at least a couple of extra league goals to his name.

 

The lad lost his dad - and it appears that it affected him quite badly - but now - once again - we seem to be seeing the emergence of the player that did very, very well in his first season at the club. With his guaranteed work rate, unquestioned continued commitment and a little bit of the luck that every forward needs - the partnership with Torres really could be looking mercurial - every top striker needs a foil for their talents - and with Kuyt giving one option for Torres - and then adding to that Stephen Gerrard who himself is coming into a very welcome run of form - chances - real chances - not the half ones we've had for months - are beginning to tell - and we've got the man up front (Along with Gerrard) that can finish those chances.

 

With additional and welcome support from Babel and the welcome reintroduction of the coming into form Alonso after injury and opportunities are appearing all over the park to increase our goal tally. Then we've got Lucas who looks half decent and a few more players are coming into contention - and if we continue to see Aggers return and can swap between Agger, Skyrtel, Hyypia and Carra in the middle - then our defensive problems may we diminish - leading to fewer goals being required to win games at the other end of the pitch.

 

Every striker needs decent support and with so many players out of form and/or injured - Kuyt has suffered - Torres because he is such an immense player can get around these problems by creating goals for himself (With the help of others) - but Kuyt isn't that kind of player and seems to be one affected by a lack of confidence - but with his attitude and our support - he could be a legend at the club in years to come.

 

Well done Dirk lad - the last 5 or 6 games you've looked twice the player than you've looked this season - keep your head down and keep working and most of us, I'm sure, will wish you well and hope for your continued and vital support to our club (And you banging two pens in against the Mancs would be most welcome)

[Guest Anders Honoré]

He's a decent player when on form. An asset at the moment. Owing to his limitations, he's the kind of player who just can't afford the kind of patchy form he has shown this season if he wants to play for a major club. Players like him need to thrive on reliability in what they do. He's not gonna pull an ace out of his sleeve a la Garcia to compensate.

[Hassony]

He's a decent player when on form. An asset at the moment. Owing to his limitations, he's the kind of player who just can't afford the kind of patchy form he has shown this season if he wants to play for a major club. Players like him need to thrive on reliability in what they do. He's not gonna pull an ace out of his sleeve a la Garcia to compensate.

His goal away to West ham last season was exactly that

[honourablegeorge]

I think Garcia would shine in the current formation, still gutted he left.

[Mike]

strange player. sometimes he can produce moments of real skill and deft touch, but all too often his first touch is very poor.

[Rich Gobey]

Nice sentiments, but admit it, you had the title first then made the post fit, didn't you?

[usualsuspect]

Crap player who won't help us move forward as a starter.

[Guest JV]

Has improved recently, still not good enough though. Saying that I'd rather have hom on the right then Pennant

[Lee W]

Hopefully, he's having his "Hleb season".

 

He certainly has the talent to be a success here....

[Armin_Tamzarian]

If anyone ever doubted the effect that confidence can have on a footballer they'd just have to look at the performances of Dirk Kuyt. In recent weeks his touch has improved, his head has lifted and he's beginning to try stuff and have it come off. He's got to be one of the most likable players on our team so even his fiercest critics should be pleased for him.

[JohnBonham]

No thread in defence of our left back "Norwegian wood legs"?

[fred]

No thread in defence of our left back "Norwegian wood legs"?

 

Baby, he can drive my car.

[Kuyt-fever]

The way he was treated by fans after Blackburn was a f***ing disgrace , more proof if needed, the media decides whos good and who's bad.

 

He's a 15 goal a season man. He's a massive game striker and in a team brimming with s***houses and lazy c**** he gives his all every week and has a good cross on him. I still think we need to improve but theres no reason he cannot stay here for years to come making about 30-40 appearances a season.

[Cheesecake]

Personally think the game v Inter changed him - he had some great touches, and a goal of course. His confidence is definitely on the up. The question is can he keep it that way? When his confidence goes he isnt worth a place but then how does he get it back if thats the case?

 

His performances in recent games means he's a defo starter in the San Siro and on current from is undroppable.

Edited March 10, 2008 by DPD1973

[John am Rhein]

Great player, even better post

[billybunter]

He's a top lad and i wish him all the best, but its not what we should be looking at in terms of a goal threat.

 

Its not really his fault as he plays such a deep role for us. He is the kind of striker who doesnt create goals for himself, so with our current set up hes not getting much help

[Reds4Life]

Been saying this for ages..

 

Kuyt's form was linked to his Da dying. His biggest fan and his best mate.

 

He needs the type of player in the mould of Kalou when they were at Feyenoord together they were f***ing brilliant.

 

The one player we have missed this season is the Luis Garcia type player. We sell him and get Torres... pity we couldn't have got Nando and kept lil Luis because that would have been dynamite.

 

I said a couple of weeks ago when this team gels we are going to be f***ing unstoppable and the last few games (consistent team working in a set formation) we have looked boss.

 

The future is bright, the future is us.

 

Ferguson may have copied us but guess what... we're about to get back on our f***ing perch!!

 

YNWA

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Been saying this for ages..

 

Kuyt's form was linked to his Da dying. His biggest fan and his best mate.

 

YNWA

 

I don't understand how people can make these statements. Are you his mate? Has he told you this? Or have you sneaked a peak at his psychologist's archives?

[Red]

Kuyt said himself in an interview it affected him a lot.

[Leo No.8]

Agree with Mike on Kuyt's general play - his touch goes from the sublime to the ridiculous; but he is capable of exceptional skill at times which many people don't seem to notice.

 

Regarding his recent form I think it's worth noting that Kuyt has put more good crosses in during the last five games or so than all the rest of our wingers put together have all season. For that reason he has (and I never thought he would) proved himself our most effective option on the right side of the three off the lone striker.

 

Babel is a fantastic talent but his delivery from wide areas is dreadful. Pennant seems obsessed with floating the ball in when it makes things easier for the centre halves and keeper (and even if you do get an attacking head on it, it's practically impossible to get enough power behind the ball to score). Benayoun is more effective playing in the hole.

 

He'll play on the right side of the three again tonight and he thoroughly deserves his place there. I think Dirk Kuyt has a future at the club, albeit as a utility player and third striker. He has the right attitude to fulfil that role in the squad and can be a good option.