kuyt

[Craig_H]

Where was the cynical reply? I was asking a question.

Having a paranoid night?

I think kuyt offers virtually zero goal threat, whereas crouch scores prolifically when he starts games regularly. If we had the players to play 4-2-3-1 properly, then fine. Sadly, we dont.

[alunevans]

i thought he did well, even though at times he was left with the ball and 2 to 3 men around him with not a red shirt in sight, which is scandalous to do to any footballer and we do too often.

i did chuckle when he got subbed though. i said to me dad "hehehe, rafa really doesn't like it when they play well does he?"

he's ****e for months and is played relentlessly. he is having his 3rd decent game on the trot and he's subbed

[ronniedrew]

kuyt is on as a winger these days, his goal ratio will be better than any of our other wingers, and will prove to be more effective on the wing than kewell or pennant or babel.

if you have a problem with kuyt , then fine

but do you think crouch and torres could play together ?

do you think it would inhibit or benefit torres?

think about it for a moment

would it get the best out of torres?

dont think so

[Craig_H]

i thought he did well, even though at times he was left with the ball and 2 to 3 men around him with not a red shirt in sight, which is scandalous to do to any footballer and we do too often.

i did chuckle when he got subbed though. i said to me dad "hehehe, rafa really doesn't like it when they play well does he?"

he's ****e for months and is played relentlessly. he is having his 3rd decent game on the trot and he's subbed

To be fair, we've got a heavy schedule next week. Bolton on Sunday, WHU on the Wednesday and then Newcastle on the saturday. 3 games in 7 days.

[ronniedrew]

Yes i think it would work.

o.k. then


good job your not our manager then

[alunevans]

To be fair, we've got a heavy schedule next week. Bolton on Sunday, WHU on the Wednesday and then Newcastle on the saturday. 3 games in 7 days.

i know, its 4 games in 9. just tickled me is all

[the rev leeroy brown]

3 good games in a row.

Thought he has done well.

Looking like he will finish the season strongly.

Babbel is getting more comfortable in the prem too.

Would just like to see xabi hitting a bit of form/playing soon, as this formation will suit his game perfectly. He can dictate our play from there.

i like kyut. for a long time i supported him as everyone took a pop at him. he has however got to go. 3 good games is not enough to paper over the **** 30 that have preceeded it. i hope he finishes the season strongly and chips in with a few goals though.

babel is starting to show what he can do and i am seriously excited about what he will show next year.

i like this 4-2-3-1 formation...it's working well for us and suiting the players better than 4-4-2 has this year. agree about alonso. put him in with masher and he could have a positive affect on the team with his passing.

[-V-]

Sorry V, but i find that viewpoint to be, for want of a better expression, complete bollocks.

I agree with you that Crouch is more of a goal threat and on paper he should normally start. But i can understand why he hasnt started the last 2 game

Are you trying to tell me that you found his performances, effort and work-rate against Havant and against Barnsley to have been acceptable??

He was atrocious. And missing chances through lack of effort he would walk away chuckling to himself. That is not acceptable to me. He needs to pull his socks up and make an effort EVERY game

[Craig_H]

Same as when people say there's been mitigating factors to excuse rafa's poor managerial performance, the same applies to Crouch.

If he was starting games like he should, he'd be better.

[ronniedrew]

it simply wont work , i tells ya

i know it, rafa knows it, come join the "crouch and torres wont work" club, member no #1

[Slinky Skills]

Because Crouch alot of the time Cant be arsed. Thats his problem. Look at his performances against Havant and against Barnsley and you'll see why Rafa keeps dropping him. If he made the effort every single game like he did against Sunderland then he would play everyweek. But thats just it, he doesnt

Exactly, Kuyt works his bolloks off which is why he'll never be sold and Crouch will. Crouch is obviously doing something wrong or else Benitez would pick him.

His attitude and the work he does in training can't up to much otherwise he'd be getting picked.

I know Kuyt hasn't had a particulary great season in front of goal but he'll get better. He played well last year and will improve for us. I've got a lot of faith in Dirk Kuyt. I like the guy, he's a hard working, genuine guy who works for the team and not for himself. Another thing, if it wasn't for Kuyt then Torres wouldn't be on 21 goals for the season.

The fact that he's been working so hard down the flanks and tracking back is the main reason that Torres has scored so many goals this season.

[ronniedrew]

i am sure crouch's attitude is just fine, he is a good pro, if it wasnt, he would have gone in the jan transfer window

i think your being unfair to crouch there.

rafa doesnt pick him because our attack is now built around torres, that is all, no hidden agenda

[Slinky Skills]

i am sure crouch's attitude is just fine, he is a good pro, if it wasnt, he would have gone in the jan transfer window

i think your being unfair to crouch there.

rafa doesnt pick him because our attack is now built around torres, that is all, no hidden agenda

That's why he'll be gone in the summer transfer window instead. Crouch doesn't work hard enough in matches.

He's been good when he's come on as a sub but not good enough when he's started. Don't get me wrong. I like Crouch, he's a good player and a nice boy but he's not doing something right in training otherwise he'd be in the starting line up.

[ronniedrew]

read my earlier posts why he isnt in the starting line up, not repeating it, but i think i make valid points re defensive lines

crouch is not the type of striker to win the ball back and chase defenders, he hasnt got the pace to catch them, and his body wouldnt take it

he isnt playing because the managers needs to maxamise the effect that torres has, he is our number 1 striker and you need to build your attack around him, our current system doesnt lend itself to crouchy

[Slinky Skills]

read my earlier posts why he isnt in the starting line up, not repeating it, but i think i make valid points re defensive lines

Crouch is not the type of striker to win the ball back and chase defenders, he hasnt got the pace to catch them, and his body wouldnt take it

he isnt playing because the managers needs to maxamise the effect that torres has, he is our number 1 striker and you need to build your attack around him, our current system doesnt lend itself to crouchy

But he doesn't chase the keeper down when a team plays a ball back to the keeper either, he just strolls back to the halfway line. Kuyt hasn't got a lot of pace but he still tracks back and helps out and chases the keeper down aswell.

Crouch should work on his fitness. He should have more stamina if anything due to his slim build so that's no excuse. I admit that he and Torres would be a better partnership but until he starts putting some work in then he won't be picked.