Why were people slagging Dirk off today?

[dww]

He works hard, I'll give him that but strikers are looked at goals. Van Horse face was a ****ing lazy get but he got goals. Kuyt can work as hard as a greasy bodybuilder but if he doesnt put the ball in the back of the net, then what sort of a striker do we have?
He's not the most natural finisher, he's not quick, he sometimes assists, not great at heading but if Rafa plays him for sheer work-rate then it is a waste of a striker.

Man United got rid of RvN and improved without anyone individual getting a similar number of goals. Kuyt managed as many goals in the league as a number of strikers mentioned as better replacements for people.

I also think that while the number of assists Kuyt got last year was low it would be interesting to see how he did if we used the Spanish definition of a pass that created a goal scoring opportunity, rather than one which resulted in a goal.

He is fairly obviously played because he aligns his workrate with these two other qualities.

[Jacko]

Went the game on Saturday myself and Kuyt was simply our best player IMO. Worked the hardest, linked the midfield and the attack up superbly, very rarely gave the ball away and was instrumental in the goal and pretty much all our good play on the day. I don't think it is always wind up merchants, there's just some people on these forums who don't know how to play football or simply just don't watch it.

[Joe King]

Kuyt had a great opportunity to score however decided to faf about with the ball. This frustrates Liverpool fans about him, he's in decent positions but doesn't finish

[Bob]

Went the game on Saturday myself and Kuyt was simply our best player IMO. Worked the hardest, linked the midfield and the attack up superbly, very rarely gave the ball away and was instrumental in the goal and pretty much all our good play on the day. I don't think it is always wind up merchants, there's just some people on these forums who don't know how to play football or simply just don't watch it.

There's a difference between the opinion of a fan that goes to games (at least a few) than the armchair verdict. Particularly for a player like Kuyt. IMO of course.

The fact that these WUMS say all these things during a game says it all. Plus note passions are high throughout a game.

The matchday thread is usually always cack, the opinions when the dust has settles are the only ones worth bothering with.

[Fubar]

I can see why his performance would divide opinion.
He was so industrious that he did a lot of good things - notably some good one-twos and the pull back for the goal.
Howver, watching the game at the time i was getting very p*ssed of at the number of moves that broke down because of his poor touch or vision.

My gut reaction is that the sheer hard work and the decent standard of his play makes him worth his place.

[Jacko]

Kuyt had a great opportunity to score however decided to faf about with the ball. This frustrates Liverpool fans about him, he's in decent positions but doesn't finish

Is this correct? Cause I didn't see too many Liverpool fans frustrated with him on Saturday. He got a good reception all game. The thing you have to look at with Dirk is whether it is "faffing" or is he simply going with what he thinks is best for the team. Was he faffing or did he just think, "i'm not quick enough here to get away, let's find someone else". Sometimes he's dispossed, most of the time he finds a red jersey.

As for his goal scoring record. In 27 he scored 12. In the same number of starts Cisse got 19- who would you rather be up front. Personally I quite liked Cisse and Factually he had a decent goals to starts ratio (maybe even good) but i'd still rather Dirk up there everyday of the week

[BrooklynRed]

Every play can't come off and no one scores on every clear cut chance; Torres had two and but put one out for a throw in wide of the corner flag. Berbatov was knocking down balls and checking back all day long and he didn't score against Sunderland. Van Persie scored a penalty despite numerous chances to break free and score in open play and from free kicks. Rooney missed a clear header and put the ball over the bar on a piece of great service. Looking at the first weekend using some of the logic on here, the only "striker" in the league is Obafemi Martins.

Kuyt is never going to be a "even with the last defender's shoulder" Inzaghi type striker nor will he be an Henry or RVN or Crespo for that matter. He scores by running into space, chasing down lost causes (ala Saturday) and using his footballing intelligence and positioning to make up for some of his other weaknesses. The fact that he cut back a ball that 99.9% of other strikers never would have bothered for and earned us a goal tells me all I need to know about him; He will create his own luck through hard work. The only people that "20 a season" matters to all lurk on this board; The manager only cares about 3 points (and so do I). If Dirk Kuyt scored 0 goals and forced 15 own goals through hard work and we won the title, who gives a ****?

Trophies and teamwork talk. Give the man a break and get used to seeing him play for us, because he will be featuring a lot this season and will do great things for us.

[MrMichael]

Every play can't come off and no one scores on every clear cut chance; Torres had two and but put one out for a throw in wide of the corner flag. Berbatov was knocking down balls and checking back all day long and he didn't score against Sunderland. Van Persie scored a penalty despite numerous chances to break free and score in open play and from free kicks. Rooney missed a clear header and put the ball over the bar on a piece of great service. Looking at the first weekend using some of the logic on here, the only "striker" in the league is Obafemi Martins.

Kuyt is never going to be a "even with the last defender's shoulder" Inzaghi type striker nor will he be an Henry or RVN or Crespo for that matter. He scores by running into space, chasing down lost causes (ala Saturday) and using his footballing intelligence and positioning to make up for some of his other weaknesses. The fact that he cut back a ball that 99.9% of other strikers never would have bothered for and earned us a goal tells me all I need to know about him; He will create his own luck through hard work. The only people that "20 a season" matters to all lurk on this board; The manager only cares about 3 points (and so do I). If Dirk Kuyt scored 0 goals and forced 15 own goals through hard work and we won the title, who gives a ****?

Trophies and teamwork talk. Give the man a break and get used to seeing him play for us, because he will be featuring a lot this season and will do great things for us.

Top post

[Armchairkopite]

Risse is the only player on Saturday who had a poor game imo.

[Joe King]

Risse is the only player on Saturday who had a poor game imo.

Yep, too right. Too sluggish, poor crossing, he was only in left midfield to give cover to Arbeloa

[Darth Marty]

Yep, too right. Too sluggish, poor crossing, he was only in left midfield to give cover to Arbeloa

**** off....he played as well as anyone, he played a role that isnt his natural role and done as well as could be expected.

[Joe King]

**** off....he played as well as anyone, he played a role that isnt his natural role and done as well as could be expected.

Actually his natural role is left midfield however Ged decided to make him a left back so Kewell/Smicer could play there.
As the years have gone by, he has become slower therefore Rafa has decided to keep him at left back

[dww]

When ever i have seen him interviewed he says his prefered position is left back. Not to say thats where he is best obviously.

[Neil Young]

When ever i have seen him interviewed he says his prefered position is left back. Not to say thats where he is best obviously.

Yeah - left back in the changing room.




What an ancient (and terrible) joke.

[MrMichael]

I've certainly seem Riise play better at left mid than he did on Saturday. I think his selection there made sense, and may well do in occasonal future games, but I don't think Rafa sees Riise as the long-term answer to either left-sided slot.