Kuyt-Hit or Miss?

[AFII]

Miss but that is because Rafa plays him to deep.

[Red_Polo]

Kuyt has already scored more league goals for us than Cisse did last season, and his team play is a million times better so I don't see how anyone can argue for Djib over him.

[kurtangle01]

Needs more time people...

[lfc4ever]

Miss hit more like, not yet settled, still, Rafa has a good game plan, so who knows what is in line in the future, and it may need a certain partner for us to see Kuyt at his best, and so therefore is more than worth another season to see what will happen.

[Rehan]

Miss,miss,miss.

doesnt even look a threat,forget his work rate, if he aint scoring or gettin in positions to score then its disappointing, we piad 10mill for him, what a waste.

BUT next season could be a different story, he could end up being a good signing. he seems to be sacrificing himself for the team at the moment

[Marky]

Feck i don't know man.
Ask me in a years time.

[Harv]

It's far too soon to judge. Players in their frist season take time to adjust, especially foreign players - e.g. Henry, Drogba, Ronaldo, Pires, Bergkamp...

He's done better than, for instance, Morientes so judgment should be suspended for the time being.

It's easy to write people off too soon.

well said old man.

Im surprised by the replies in this post. If it was asked in December i think more people would be saying he has been a hit. But he has had a rough spell infront of goals......so naturally people criticise.

[Harv]

Miss.

I posted a while back that i feel this business of giving players 2 seasons to 'adjust and settle in' is just too forgiving for my taste. He speaks fluent english, is in his mid twenties - theoretically approaching his peak, he has had a full pre season with his team mates, will have played probably 35 or 40 games to get used to the pace of the premier league (or other suitable cliche bollox that many people hide behind) He simply has to be (even appear to be) more effective.

Well thats bollocks now isn't it.

He came very very late in the transfer window.

He hasn't had a proper premierleague pre season.....all the foreigners say its very hard....but it gets you primed for the next season.


I wonder why most foreign imports have much better second seasons

[Mr Tourette]

Well thats bollocks now isn't it.

He came very very late in the transfer window.

He hasn't had a proper premierleague pre season.....all the foreigners say its very hard....but it gets you primed for the next season.


I wonder why most foreign imports have much better second seasons

Okay, fair play - i dont want the bloke to fail...but even without a full pre-season - we are all talking about the guys best attributes this year being his physical strength and stamina....so maybe its not really the point we should be talking about with Dirk. As i said i hope he turns it round but i havent seen enough quality attributes that make me think hes going to get considerably better.

[Mr Tourette]

I think you'll find he never, not that I think that would have impacted on his game too much

[Michael]

Miss

Every time Ronaldo, Rooney, Henry, Drogba and even Shevchenko (who is struggling for form) gets the ball I s*it myself!

I’m sure the only thought running through opposition fans minds when Kuyt gets the ball is “wow he runs a lot” or “is that the guy from the Goonies”

Striker with no threat = miss!

[kopsea]

Miss but that is because Rafa plays him to deep.

Hit the nail on the head IMO.

Kuyt does not have much pace for a striker but that is NOT why we bought him. His strength is not being the link-man but being the final outlet, where he can use his positioning, strength (to out-muscle defenders) and finishing (both feet & head). "What finishing?!" you say? The finishing that has rusted over from being played as a deep-lying striker! Watch his goals at Feyenoord and you can see that the man has quality finishing.

So is the problem that Rafa is playing him in the wrong position? Yes. Is Rafa choosing to do this? I'm not sure.

[Shaggy]

All these people saying Rafa is responsible for Kuyt being so deep...are you sure?

For example - on Saturday, Kuyt was the striker with Gerrard off him. Are you seriously trying to make out it was down to Benitez that Kuyt, yet again, spent most of his time on the wings or in the centre circle? Seriously?

Rafa bought wingers to play wide, and he has his two defensive midfielders to play in the middle - so why would he tell Kuyt to be everywhere but the box? I'm not having it.

Kuyt to me appears to lack self-belief. Bit of a Heskey-syndrome. There's no hiding place on a football pitch but I think Kuyt is trying to hide. Cover up his lack of goals (or even lack of chances) by working hard, tackling, grafting...anything, just so long as he doesn't have to have a shot.

Maybe I'm being ludicrously harsh but I just don't believe for one minute that Kuyt is following Rafa's instructions by playing as a striker who offers no goal threat.

[red g]

Miss

Every time Ronaldo, Rooney, Henry, Drogba and even Shevchenko (who is struggling for form) gets the ball I s*it myself!

I’m sure the only thought running through opposition fans minds when Kuyt gets the ball is “wow he runs a lot” or “is that the guy from the Goonies”

Striker with no threat = miss!

I would say he can still be a hit without comparing him to the premierships elite or shevchenko

[Neil Young]

All these people saying Rafa is responsible for Kuyt being so deep...are you sure?

For example - on Saturday, Kuyt was the striker with Gerrard off him. Are you seriously trying to make out it was down to Benitez that Kuyt, yet again, spent most of his time on the wings or in the centre circle? Seriously?

Rafa bought wingers to play wide, and he has his two defensive midfielders to play in the middle - so why would he tell Kuyt to be everywhere but the box? I'm not having it.

Kuyt to me appears to lack self-belief. Bit of a Heskey-syndrome. There's no hiding place on a football pitch but I think Kuyt is trying to hide. Cover up his lack of goals (or even lack of chances) by working hard, tackling, grafting...anything, just so long as he doesn't have to have a shot.

Maybe I'm being ludicrously harsh but I just don't believe for one minute that Kuyt is following Rafa's instructions by playing as a striker who offers no goal threat.

Do you really believe for a moment that Rafa would continue to play a player who doesn't obey instructions?