Why were people slagging Dirk off today?

[Kopite_Colin]

The only downside to Dirk's game yesterday was when SG played that thorughball Dirk lacked the little bit ofpace to turn a half-chance intop a real goalscoring opportunity. By checking back, the chance was lost. I'd rather see him hit a crashing drive from outside the box and blaze it ove rthan check back and lose the chance completely.

That said, the man never stops running. I hoe his partner ship with Torres blossoms and we get to see the best of both of them. If we could settle on the wide players, then the "front 5" say of Kewell, SG, Babel, Kuyt & Torres have the potential to form a powerful attacking unit.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

i'm not sure quality as such is part of his game, a bit like you wouldn't say it was part of sissokos, can still be a very good player doing what he does tho

Kuyt's a forward. That's a problem. Or his lack of goal threat is.

[Kopite_Colin]

I'd say his lack of true pace is a bigger problem than his "lack of goal threat" is. 14 goals in the league last season (plus his previous scoring record) says he has the ability to score goals. You won't change his nose for goals at this stage of his career, nor his pace. Which is why he has to play off the front man like he did yesterday, and not lead the line and play of the shoulder of the last defender.

[JPK]

Kuyt's a forward. That's a problem. Or his lack of goal threat is.

It is one game in.Are you worried about Torres too.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

It is one game in.Are you worried about Torres too.

Torres who created space for himself as well as efforts on goal?

And I'm not basing my opinion on Kuyt on just one game. It was all of last season.

[JPK]

Torres who created space for himself as well as efforts on goal?

And I'm not basing my opinion on Kuyt on just one game. It was all of last season.

He gives more to the team than Crouch IMO and that is why he gets in ahead of Crouch more.Torres and Kuyt seemed to link well.Dirk linked everything nicely yesterday.He will get goals for sure this year.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

He gives more to the team than Crouch IMO and that is why he gets in ahead of Crouch more.

Yes this may well be the case, but I'm just wondering what more does he offer than Crouch?

Goals?

Nope.

Assists?

Again no.

Works harder?

Well he certainly runs around a lot, I'll give him that.

Link-up play?

Which of our strikers links up best with our midfield?

I don't get it. I don't see it.

[Bob]

First half yesterday; Stevie lad slides an inch perfect through ball between the two central defenders to Kuyt, perfectly in stride as well, on his favoured side, edge of the box. But instead of taking the shot first time - it was sitting perfectly for him to do so - he cut back let the Villa defence get goalside and the attack went nowhere.

Lack of confidence, or lack of goalscoring instincts?

Then there was his first touch, which at times was yet again mediocre. And seeing as he's the apparent link striker (which is a ****in nonsense by the way) it really shouldn't be.

But then again he works hard, like the other 10 players out there don't?

FLMAO... http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...ctv-high_sport

Have a look, about half way through. The shot wasn't on. Yet, he managed to cut it back to create a chance for Torres.

Kuyt had an excellent game yesterday, only pipped to MOM by an excellent Gerrard.

That post.

[Marky]

I thought he was terrific, i've been a bit of a critic of his but yesterday he was very good indeed.
Great movement throughout the game, held the ball up well, showed some nice touches and played a big part in our first goal.
Keep it going Dirk.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

FLMAO... http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...ctv-high_sport

Have a look, about half way through. The shot wasn't on. Yet, he managed to cut it back to create a chance for Torres.

Kuyt had an excellent game yesterday, only pipped to MOM by an excellent Gerrard.

That post.

The incident I was refering to isn't in that highlights package.

He bottled it. Pure and simple.

[Guest]

Kuyt had a great game. But it's a well known fact he may not be as prolific as he used to be in Holland, and that criticism can also be applied to our strikers in general. We still wasted a lot of chances and should have won the game at a canter yesterday until Stevie's rescue mission.

[Morph]

Yes this may well be the case, but I'm just wondering what more does he offer than Crouch?

Goals?

Nope.

Assists?

Again no.

Works harder?

Well he certainly runs around a lot, I'll give him that.

Link-up play?

Which of our strikers links up best with our midfield?

I don't get it. I don't see it.

I have a feeling you're wrong about the assists but i can't find stats from last season to prove it, anyone out there got any?

[lfcruleus]

The incident I was refering to isn't in that highlights package.

He bottled it. Pure and simple.

I remember the opening you are speaking of, he checked his run as he knew he wasnt quick enough to get clear, then was tackled, Rafa has signed Torres for this very reason, we need a quick striker and Dirk has never been that. I think that partnership could prove very successful, and i really dont understand why Kuyt is being slagged off at all.

[Bob]

http://feyenoord.netwerk.to/forums/HTML/forum11/268.php

They were pretty gutted to lose him.

I think Dirk could improve, and become a real asset this season.

[paulcooper4]

Kuyt was excellent yesterday and also I cant believe how quickly him and torres have gelled as a partnership. If thats what theyre like together now, **** knows how good they will be with a dosen games together under their belts.