kuyt

[Skillz]

I dont dispute that it IS the case, but it's silly to do it that way.

Considering Dirk's form of late I disagree. Earlier though I would agree.

[Craig_H]

3 games doesnt make a good player.

[Skillz]

3 games doesnt make a good player.

Not saying that. He is playing his part though, and doing it much better than his predecessor.

[Craig_H]

He's still not good enough.

[mersey86]

But then I'm sure all you kuyt lovers who want people like me to love the lad else its a clear statement of me not backing my team were also in love with cisse, donkey, nunez, etc.

Not really. I'm happy to have very little in common with you.

[ronniedrew]

I think fans should support the players.

[rage]

Not really. I'm happy to have very little in common with you.

and i'm pleased that my standards are not as low as yours

[DeeTheDog]

Kuyt`s da died this yr.I`ll agree that this had an effect on his season but something changed in the last few weeks.Either he realised that to score goals he has to be in the box or Rafa told him to be more selfish and get in the box.i`m not sure but he`s taking up more forward roles in the last three games.Being played as a RW seems to allow him a more attacking role instead of being a foil for Torres(Equally as important)

Being dropped from the Dutch national squad and the public dressing down from Van Basten, has helped with Kuyt's recent performances.

Kuyt will be one of those players that will divide opinion, personally I'm a big fan. The pressure he puts on the opposing backline creates space for others.

[homer1]

I think there's little to choose between Crouch & Kuyt but neither are good enough to start regularly for a top team which is where we want to be. I would say Crouch is the better finisher whilst Kuyt's work rate superior - in fairness to Crouch, after a few dodgy comments earlier in the season he has kept his mouth shut so attitudes can no longer be the reason.

Rafa obviously feels Kuyt compliments Torres better and that is the only reason he has got more time on the pitch. Definitely has been an improvement from Dirk recently which is good to see, in saying that he was quite attrocious at times before that

[Guest]

He's certainly not the worst player in our team.

[Craig_H]

He's certainly not the worst player in our team.

Who is?

[homer1]

Who is?

Riise

[Joe Le Toff]

Kuyt has certainly improved in the last 3 games, and i think his confidence is slowly coming back.

Still, with all due respect to him, its still not good enough.
Good work-rate isnt enough on its own if youre playing for a big club at the highest level, you have to have something more, especially as a striker.
Torres for example, has an outstanding work rate and is constantly working the opposition back 4 and closing them down. As we all know, he also gets into advanced positions, makes superb runs into space, and knows where the back of the net is.
In other words, Torres is the complete striker, Dirk is a limited one who gets into positions where he is no attacking threat, he doesnt have the first touch, the awareness or the level of finishing ability to ever rise above the mediocre.

I have nothing against Dirk personally and admire him for coming in and giving it his best shot without having the ability to cut the mustard, its something us as fans would jump at if we were ever given the chance and i think he has to be respected for that.
The fact remains though, that you cant be a top player on work rate alone, if it were that easy we'd all be one.
I wouldnt be surprised at all to see him moved on at the end of the season, or the January window of next.

[dww]

Kuyt as he has played just recently gets the best out of other players. If we could definitely say that was the standard he would keep in the future then I think he should stay. That is not to say I wouldn't want to have options of players ahead of him but I think he brings enough to the team to mean he is worth keeping. For me only one of Crouch, Kuyt and Voronin will stay after this summer but it isn't clear which would be the best option to me - it would very much depend on who we were getting in.

[Shaggy]

Kuyt has certainly improved in the last 3 games, and i think his confidence is slowly coming back.

Still, with all due respect to him, its still not good enough.
Good work-rate isnt enough on its own if youre playing for a big club at the highest level, you have to have something more, especially as a striker.
Torres for example, has an outstanding work rate and is constantly working the opposition back 4 and closing them down. As we all know, he also gets into advanced positions, makes superb runs into space, and knows where the back of the net is.
In other words, Torres is the complete striker, Dirk is a limited one who gets into positions where he is no attacking threat, he doesnt have the first touch, the awareness or the level of finishing ability to ever rise above the mediocre.

I have nothing against Dirk personally and admire him for coming in and giving it his best shot without having the ability to cut the mustard, its something us as fans would jump at if we were ever given the chance and i think he has to be respected for that.
The fact remains though, that you cant be a top player on work rate alone, if it were that easy we'd all be one.
I wouldnt be surprised at all to see him moved on at the end of the season, or the January window of next.