the digler

[Imy]

in my judgement crouch is quicker and also has a much better touch than dirk. i'd like to know what the facts are though ie training results etc but my guess is that crouch is quicker than dirk.

Nah he's not that slow, he's much quicker the Crouch (and does much more hard work so sprinting after that maybe why he looks slower), but we have seen with Cisse pace by itself and no touch or footballing brain does not make you a good striker.

[Shaggy]

but on occasion Dirk shows surprising acceleration over about two yards

Two yards! That's, like, about two paces!

"He can take two really quick paces but after that he gets tired and slows down almost to a complete standstill"

[justcruisin]

Come off it. He's no slower than Crouch who was seen as our top striker before we signed Torres.

its just a scary thought that at 27 kuyt is this slow...imagine at 30...he might as well plan his retirement right now.

[dww]

Two yards! That's, like, about two paces!

"He can take two really quick paces but after that he gets tired and slows down almost to a complete standstill"

The point being it is enough to get room in the box which is what a striker needs. He won't ever be Thierry Henry and I doubt anyone would ever list pace as one of his assets, however last season he beat plenty of players to the ball by being quick over very short distances - or accelerating to his relatively low top speed very rapidly however you want to look at it.

I admit it is an easy to parody point it doesn't make it any less valid.

[Shaggy]

The point being it is enough to get room in the box which is what a striker needs. He won't ever be Thierry Henry and I doubt anyone would ever list pace as one of his assets, however last season he beat plenty of players to the ball by being quick over very short distances - or accelerating to his relatively low top speed very rapidly however you want to look at it.

I admit it is an easy to parody point it doesn't make it any less valid.

I know mate I was only messing. It does sound funny though.

[justcruisin]

I don't mean as a 2nd striker. I agree, he's **** there.

He could be deployed ahead of Mascherano & Alonso without being so far advanced that he'd be "in the hole". Torres could receive support from the two advanced wide players - similar to Chelsea's 4-3-3.

what do you mean he is **** there...arent you being a little too kind. he is **** everywhere mate

[dww]

I know mate I was only messing. It does sound funny though.

Fair enough, it does.

[alunevans]

Nah he's not that slow, he's much quicker the Crouch (and does much more hard work so sprinting after that maybe why he looks slower), but we have seen with Cisse pace by itself and no touch or footballing brain does not make you a good striker.

pace alone is not enough of course or else we'd have signed linford christie. i'd even go so far as to say that lightning pace isn't necessary. but not being slow is.

kuyt runs everywhere and works his danglers off, but he does move like he's about 34 years old. i can't really see him getting on the end of many clever through balls because of that. i've seen him not get to so many where i've thought "shame! if you had a bit of pace you'd have been through there"

[Shaggy]

what do you mean he is **** there...arent you being a little too kind. he is **** everywhere mate

I was on about Gerrard mate.

Blimey, I thought I had "a bit of a downer" on Kuyt.

[tomasjj]

Huh?

The other pre-season games have been against Sunday League teams. Xabi's level has dropped, big time, and he needs to sort it out.

If you'd paid any attention, you'd have seen me posting on Friday about Crouch's ****e pre-season form.

Please keep up Tomas.

haha...I am just enjoying my hols, mate.
but I felt I couldn't let your mindless rants go unsurpassed.

[ningnangnong]

I'm quite happy to give Kuyt another season. Now is to soon to make a judgement on his ability IMO.

[justcruisin]

I was on about Gerrard mate.

Blimey, I thought I had "a bit of a downer" on Kuyt.

was getting a bit concerned there.

[paulcooper4]

I'm quite happy to give Kuyt another season. Now is to soon to make a judgement on his ability IMO.

[redblood]

No lynch mob from me mate. I agree.

I'm really not sure what Kuyt offers us apart from phenomenal work rate. Put it this way, if I was the opposition and I saw Kuyt's name on the team sheet I wouldn't be very worried about him causing us many problems.

Sammy mate I'd have to disagree with ya mate, he has just finished his first season where his return was not bad considering.
His work rate is incredible and can be built upon and he did contribute with quite a few assists last year as well. I think with better supply/players around him this year we'll see a higher return.
He may never be 20+ in the league but I don't believe any of our strikers will do that.

[redblood]

Indeed, which is why those of us criticising Kuyt are using last season as the barometer.

Shaggy mate what was Henrys, Drogbas and I'm sure many others first season like in the EPL. Even look at Crouch and how long it took him to get off the mark.
I understand people's frustration with him, I think he's to unselfish but with better players around him and a slight change in attitude I think he'll shine.