My man of the match

[Pacman]

Was.......Dirk Kuyt



I thought his movement, touch, awareness, passing, link up play and desire were first class on Saturday. He dragged a centre back away for Nando's first goal and he was in the thick of it for the 2nd.

Kuyt gets a lot of stick and I agree sometimes desire and work rate isn't enough and he can look slow and sloppy on the ball but on Saturday IMO the man truely stood up to the plate and played a blinder. Rafa called for a big game from Dirky and he got one. His performances against United and Everton this season have been top draw and I think the lad deserves all the plaudits for Saturdays win.

[Elvoz]

if only he couled score goals

he did play well
thought stevie really was the daddy too
bossed the game

[bobbyfallon]

agree about saturday and recently to be fair he has played well.

cant agree with his touch and passing though

intelligent running - yes
effort - yes

[Pacman]

if only he couled score goals

he did play well
thought stevie really was the daddy too
bossed the game

I agree mate.

Stevie payed very well. Really disciplined in the centre of the park. Between them Xabi and Stevie bossed the midfield.

[Reece]

Was.......Dirk Kuyt

http://www.soccerod.com/images/playerpics/4957/dirk_kuyt.jpg

I thought his movement, touch, awareness, passing, link up play and desire were first class on Saturday. He dragged a centre back away for Nando's first goal and he was in the thick of it for the 2nd.

Kuyt gets a lot of stick and I agree sometimes desire and work rate isn't enough and he can look slow and sloppy on the ball but on Saturday IMO the man truely stood up to the plate and played a blinder. Rafa called for a big game from Dirky and he got one. His performances against United and Everton this season have been top draw and I think the lad deserves all the plaudits for Saturdays win.

Dirk

[Pacman]

agree about saturday and recently to be fair he has played well.

cant agree with his touch and passing though

intelligent running - yes
effort - yes

I suggest you watch the game again fella. Kuyt hardly gave the ball away and some of this first touches to take him away from defenders were quality.

[Dessy]

Good Call although I think they all deserved a pat on the back for another great team performance.

[bobbyfallon]

I suggest you watch the game again fella. Kuyt hardly gave the ball away and some of this first touches to take him away from defenders were quality.

in general i mean - he did play well saturday

[friedk]

Kuyt was good, but I thought Gerrard and Alonso bossed that game.

That match and the victory against United were won because we completely dominated central midfield.

Xabi is playing extremely well at the moment, if he can keep up this level of performance throughout the season he could be one of our most important players.

On Saturday though, Gerrard was my man of the match, proving (not least of all to me) that he can play and run the game from central midfield.

[Woobus]

Can see why Torres loves playing with Kuyt, he makes so much space with his runs for the other players to exploit. He is very clever and is great for pulling defenses apart and leaving big holes, I doubt Gerrard and Torres would have scored as many last year without him in the side.

[saj]

Kuyt was good, but I thought Gerrard and Alonso bossed that game.

That match and the victory against United were won because we completely dominated central midfield.

Xabi is playing extremely well at the moment, if he can keep up this level of performance throughout the season he could be one of our most important players.

On Saturday though, Gerrard was my man of the match, proving (not least of all to me) that he can play and run the game from central midfield.

I thought Alonso was immense too. I've very surprised he didn't even get the slightest mention.

[Joe Le Toff]

Gerrard was MOM by miles imo.

Oustanding performance in every respect, looked the complete midfielder.

I havent seen anyone comment about how after, after last years substitution for being
too passionate, this year he was controlled, measured and showed that he had perhaps learned a lesson.

Its the best performance ive seen from him in a long long time.

[Joe Le Toff]

Kuyt did play well, his run to create the space for Torres first goal is the mark of a very intelligent footballer.

He has faults does Dirk, plenty of em, but he does a lot of things right as well.

[Elvoz]

Gerrard was MOM by miles imo.

Oustanding performance in every respect, looked the complete midfielder.

I havent seen anyone comment about how after, after last years substitution for being
too passionate, this year he was controlled, measured and showed that he had perhaps learned a lesson.

Its the best performance ive seen from him in a long long time.

[DannyMan2006]

Kuyt did play well, his run to create the space for Torres first goal is the mark of a very intelligent footballer.

He has faults does Dirk, plenty of em, but he does a lot of things right as well.

He showed why he is in the team against Everton. That was actually one game where I thought it was right to play him. Agaisnt Stoke and the likes I would opt for Babel, but in the blood and thunder of a derby Kuyt was ideal, and fully justified Rafas descision to play him.

I think the way he comes inside benefits the team and is something we miss when Pennant plays, who seems to have an allergic reaction to entering the 18 yard box.

I like players who hug the touchline but when the ball is on the opposite wing the wide men should come in and create another target to be aimed that, this is what Kuyt did so well against Everton.