Who should start up front?

[Konstro]

Very interesting discussion. Some people say that Dirk is new Heskey. But then Emile`s first season was quite good and only later into his Liverpool career he disappointed completely. So I can`t see this as a good comparison.

But then for a sake of argument I checked stats from certain Mr. Drogba and in his first season in PL he scored 10 goals. 3 of them were vs. Portsmouth, other against such top teams as Norwich, Boro, Crystal Palace or Newcastle.

So if some say Kuyt is new Heskey I say he is new Drogba.

[dww]

Very interesting discussion. Some people say that Dirk is new Heskey. But then Emile`s first season was quite good and only later into his Liverpool career he disappointed completely. So I can`t see this as a good comparison.

But then for a sake of argument I checked stats from certain Mr. Drogba and in his first season in PL he scored 10 goals. 3 of them were vs. Portsmouth, other against such top teams as Norwich, Boro, Crystal Palace or Newcastle.

So if some say Kuyt is new Heskey I say he is new Drogba.

I'm claiming I made that comparison first. Although IIRC Drogbas goal/game ratio has always been pretty good although maybe he just did very well in teh Carling cup or something).

I'm not entirely sure that comparisons in terms of ???? is the new xxxx are helpful in general although like you have done they can raise issues such as the ludicrous expectations people put on players to perform instantly. Like a number of players I think that Kuyt needs to improve to be a first choice player for us in the long run but I really think he had a much better first season than many on here credit him for.

[Diego]

i think there will be allot of Kuyt bashing going on this season especially in the start, unless he comes out with a bang. some of the bashing will be just whilst most of the stuff will be over the top like often before, but having said that i think he needs to step it up, he's out 4th striker in my books, i rate crouch and the little i have seen from voronin ahead of him, he needs to more of a goal threat. hope he comes of with a cracker else i see the heavens fall on him over here...

[justcruisin]

i really dont know what it is with our club...we keep spending decent money on average strikers. the 2 most prolific in recent times didnt cost anything ie fowler and owen.and anelka...how did we let that one go.its ****ing frustrating

[Shaggy]

Anelka scored about 4 goals for us. Admittedly he played well for the most part, but he hardly scored any goals.

[Kenneth]

i really dont know what it is with our club...we keep spending decent money on average strikers. the 2 most prolific in recent times didnt cost anything ie fowler and owen.and anelka...how did we let that one go.its ****ing frustrating

Anelka scored 5 in 21 games. Doesn't come into the Fowler/Owen category for me.

[kop-al-74]

to compare dirk to heskey is absolute bollocks imo

and here's why

emile was faster, stronger and when on song unplayable (happened for 6 months of one season)

the problem with him- and why dirk is a better player- is that if something went wrong- ie a bad first touch, a kick from an opposition player to unsettle him- that was it for the rest of the game.

back to the centre circle and good luck getting him anywhere near either penalty area. houllier praised his workrate too, but for heskey went into hiding.

no dirk is not as strong- but he's no lightweight. he's not as quick- but he's no slouch. he is just about a better finisher. but the one thing he's never done for us is stop running, closing down, hassling his marker, making runs. he'll drop deep, he'll run a channel to LOOK for the ball to help the team. after that golden 6 month spell you'd never see heskey do that..

dirk may have missed a share- probably more than he should of- along the way. but i'd imagine that the things he does has benefited someone else (possible bellamy who couldn't take advantage. often crouch- who did when he was started)

this for me is why rafa likes him- if he can convert 10-20% more of his chances he'll be up around the 18-20 goals a season mark.

now having said all that, earlier in this thread i named anyone with crouch. i still think that is the case. but dirk is good member of the squad and worth persevering with, end of story

Does that mean were not allowed to discuss it anymore?

Spoil sport!