FAO Shaggy

[Harv]

Re: Xabi

I think they showed the stats on how much he ran last night and he ran more than 10 kms, more than Kuyt, Stevie and Mascher. He did a lot of donkey work last night. He even reached this figure despite not finishing the match.

I think we maybe ask Xabi too much, as his game is based on keeping possession and to be a calming influence in the center of midfield, which on the whole he does. But I agree, he ain't the one pinging 40-50 yards passes like he did when he first came. His passing is more sloppy right now.

Could be because he hasn't played that much this season, so his fitness isn't up to scratch or that his game has changed a little bit based on his role in the team with Rafa's new system.

he worked his bollocks off last night true. But we dont need that as much. Masher is the destroyer, Xabi should be the playmaker. Something is not quite right with him at the moment.

Will be interesting to see if Barca and Madrid really go in for him.

[Rich]

Kuyt had an excellent game last night, but lets not get carried away - his flaws are obvious and I'm not sure with him in a first XI we'd have enough to win the league.

Fair play though, he worked his bollocks off.

[Red_hot]

You're kidding ? He's a fantastic player, one you won't get often. Fantastic in the sense of the amount of work he puts and the all round excellence of his game. At his best, he can score, defend and set up other players and do all these very well. He's just not flashy enough for some and had for the most part a poor season. But last night, he was close to his best. On that performance alone he deserves to be in the starting 11 and it would take a pretty special player to oust him if he keeps up this level.

I have to agree with you on that one! DIRKY!

[Imy]

Kuyt had an excellent game last night, but lets not get carried away - his flaws are obvious and I'm not sure with him in a first XI we'd have enough to win the league.

Fair play though, he worked his bollocks off.

he worked yesterday when playing a counter attacking game, what heppens when we need to win games and break down a solid team?

I still feel we need somebody with more pace, more guile, more footballing ability then him for that position, he is a valuable squad player at most.

[Guest]

he worked yesterday when playing a counter attacking game, what heppens when we need to win games and break down a solid team?

I still feel we need somebody with more pace, more guile, more footballing ability then him for that position, he is a valuable squad player at most.

That's a fine analysis mate.

Yeah, we also need a better 'attacker' per se, to break teams down, that's a certainty. But I'm not sure he'll be able to oust Dirky that easily.

[el matador]

I have to admit that I said that kuyt wasnt good enough to play in yesterday's game.

His form is gradually coming back, and he's starting to be a bit more productive. He's certainly not a 20-2- man as described by martin jol but cant fault his work rate. He tracked clichy back all night.

Credit where credit's due. well done dirk

and a well done to all of the rest of the guys (even gerrard). He was asleep until arsenal scored and then all of a sudden woke up and changed the game.

more of that please stevie.

[Skillz]

he worked his bollocks off last night true. But we dont need that as much. Masher is the destroyer, Xabi should be the playmaker. Something is not quite right with him at the moment.

Will be interesting to see if Barca and Madrid really go in for him.

That's how we want it to work. Arsenal played very well last night and often went straight past Xabi and/or Masher. Credit where it is due