Dirky Dirky

[barnes10]

i actually thought there was more spark and fight in babel today that at any time previously.

i think the releaxed demeanour is exactly that. he's not a headless chicken workhorse type player but someone who watches and tries to think through the game. problem is, he doesn't get it right very often.

anyway, as this is about dirk, himself, Pepe and The Greek have been the real inspirations behind our return to form. Hats off to him for a big part in that.

well in dirk lad.

[Exiled_red]

Yep this irritated the **** out of me. Everyone else is working their socks off while Babel strolls around casually. Kuyt was magnificent and Ngog was a handful for them. The key thing is that each time Kuyt and Ngog lost the ball they immediately started chasing and tackling to win it back whereas Babel would just walk away.

Kuyt is an example to all while Babel is a ****ing waste of space

[BobTheCharmer]

I'll turn it around as well and say how funny it is that a lot of the haters have gone quiet all of a sudden whilst he is having this good spell. They're happy to slag him when the going gets tough, but no where to be seen to give him any credit when it's due.

The lad scored a vital goal and we won, I'm happy. I'm happy for him. I love his effort to the cause.

But just like if we were to stay unbeaten until May won't convince me that Rafa is actually the right man nor will a few goals from Kuyt change my opinion of him as a footballer. I'm looking at the bigger picture and my opinion right or wrong as it may be doesn't change on a per match basis like others seem capable of doing. Me not liking him matters very little in the world order but I'd rather state it than not. Football has always been about different opinions, right, wrong or inconclusive.

[RedReet]

Search the forum for a post where either myself, Red_Hot or PeteBest have ever said "how useless he is". Go on I dare you. Same probably applies for many on this thread but I know us three have always backed him.

I'll turn it around as well and say how funny it is that a lot of the haters have gone quiet all of a sudden whilst he is having this good spell. They're happy to slag him when the going gets tough, but no where to be seen to give him any credit when it's due.

My post count would still be in double figures if it wasn't for Dirk.

I’ve been meaning to mention a few times during this injury crisis, that his ability to be available for selection every week is an important asset. I’m now starting to think that he just can’t be injured, as that’s a few times I’ve seen him run off what looks a bad injury. **** the placenta treatment, it’s Dirk’s cells we should be using on all our players.

[Lee]

My post count would still be in double figures if it wasn't for Dirk.

I’ve been meaning to mention a few times during this injury crisis, that his ability to be available for selection every week is an important asset. I’m now starting to think that he just can’t be injured, as that’s a few times I’ve seen him run off what looks a bad injury. **** the placenta treatment, it’s Dirk’s cells we should be using on all our players.

[Reece]

He's indestructible is our Dirky

[Spanishfly]

He has had a determination to win games of recent. His recent goals have meant so much to him! You can see in his celebrations of late!

[Red_hot]

I'm not his biggest fan but tbh, he was ****IN RED today! when he scored he was furious, so unusual for him!

Hardly unusual. Apart from Carra, name one other player out there who gives 110% every single game?

[Craig_H]

He has had a determination to win games of recent. His recent goals have meant so much to him! You can see in his celebrations of late!

I love that he cares so much. It's exactly as it should be.

People like him, Mascherano, Pepe Reina, Carra, Torres and one or two others, are a credit to the club.

[Spanishfly]

I love that he cares so much. It's exactly as it should be.

People like him, Mascherano, Pepe Reina, Carra, Torres and one or two others, are a credit to the club.

TBH The Greek and Lucas seem to be stepping up to the caring very well! Maxi too.
I think the team as a whole are showing more love and determination, this has came with the run of results and the confidence now re-installed.

[Exiled_red]

TBH The Greek and Lucas seem to be stepping up to the caring very well! Maxi too.
I think the team as a whole are showing more love and determination, this has came with the run of results and the confidence now re-installed.

I think anyone can be determined when things are going well or you're confident, when things aren't going well it's easy to hide, but it's the players who carry on with the same level of determination when things aren't going well, that get us out of trouble.

[dww]

I have to say I was always sceptical about all the talk of people not caring and/or Rafa losing the dressing room. I think it has had far more to do with more complementary mixes of players being available and being chosen together. We have spent a lot of the season with players not making the most of one another strengths.

Little links ups in recent weeks have helped players a lot. Kuyt is playing better on the wing with Carragher (or even Mashcer) behind him as it tends to mean he plays higher up the pitch and not cover them as much as when Johnson plays. Insua has looked better when either Agger is beside him or Riera in front of him for a variety of reasons. Lucas links much better with Maxi in midfield as they both like to keep things simple and like give and goes but Maxi gives Lucas' passing more forward impetus by the way he received and looked forward. In general I think Lucas suffers from a lack of attacking players in our side who want to play quick passes and to move to make space. Kyrgiakos has helped every CB he has played with of late as he has stopped them having to worry so much about the first ball in aerial situations.

I think it does make you ask some serious questions about what we should do in the summer. At the minute the squad looks to me as if it is in some sort of transition but the end shape is unclear. I expect that there will be a fairly considerable shake up come the next transfer window. For me the most disappointing players this season have been Skrtel, Benayoun and in an entirely different way Gerrard and Torres. Babel isn't on that list as I didn't have any real hope for him being that much use. Obviously I'm not advocating getting rid of Gerrard or Torres but I think the other three are almost certain to go along with Cavalieri and Aurelio.

I think that was the first game where Gerrard has looked genuinely match fit for a long while.

[BobTheCharmer]

Little links ups in recent weeks have helped players a lot. Kuyt is playing better on the wing with Carragher (or even Mashcer) behind him as it tends to mean he plays higher up the pitch and not cover them as much as when Johnson plays. Insua has looked better when either Agger is beside him or Riera in front of him for a variety of reasons. Lucas links much better with Maxi in midfield as they both like to keep things simple and like give and goes but Maxi gives Lucas' passing more forward impetus by the way he received and looked forward. In general I think Lucas suffers from a lack of attacking players in our side who want to play quick passes and to move to make space. Kyrgiakos has helped every CB he has played with of late as he has stopped them having to worry so much about the first ball in aerial situations.

I think it does make you ask some serious questions about what we should do in the summer. At the minute the squad looks to me as if it is in some sort of transition but the end shape is unclear. I expect that there will be a fairly considerable shake up come the next transfer window. For me the most disappointing players this season have been Skrtel, Benayoun and in an entirely different way Gerrard and Torres. Babel isn't on that list as I didn't have any real hope for him being that much use. Obviously I'm not advocating getting rid of Gerrard or Torres but I think the other three are almost certain to go along with Cavalieri and Aurelio.

I think that was the first game where Gerrard has looked genuinely match fit for a long while.

well thought out and accurate post.

[Craig_H]

I have to say I was always sceptical about all the talk of people not caring and/or Rafa losing the dressing room. I think it has had far more to do with more complementary mixes of players being available and being chosen together. We have spent a lot of the season with players not making the most of one another strengths.

Little links ups in recent weeks have helped players a lot. Kuyt is playing better on the wing with Carragher (or even Mashcer) behind him as it tends to mean he plays higher up the pitch and not cover them as much as when Johnson plays. Insua has looked better when either Agger is beside him or Riera in front of him for a variety of reasons. Lucas links much better with Maxi in midfield as they both like to keep things simple and like give and goes but Maxi gives Lucas' passing more forward impetus by the way he received and looked forward. In general I think Lucas suffers from a lack of attacking players in our side who want to play quick passes and to move to make space. Kyrgiakos has helped every CB he has played with of late as he has stopped them having to worry so much about the first ball in aerial situations.

I think it does make you ask some serious questions about what we should do in the summer. At the minute the squad looks to me as if it is in some sort of transition but the end shape is unclear. I expect that there will be a fairly considerable shake up come the next transfer window. For me the most disappointing players this season have been Skrtel, Benayoun and in an entirely different way Gerrard and Torres. Babel isn't on that list as I didn't have any real hope for him being that much use. Obviously I'm not advocating getting rid of Gerrard or Torres but I think the other three are almost certain to go along with Cavalieri and Aurelio.

I think that was the first game where Gerrard has looked genuinely match fit for a long while.

You say that, but at times yesterday in the second half, i looked down to the right back position (which is right in front of where i sit) and i'd often see Mascherano had wandered up a little and Kuyt was sitting right back, well behind him

[carheex]

Hardly unusual. Apart from Carra, name one other player out there who gives 110% every single game?

110% of nothing is still nothing. That may be slightly harsh but do try to keep things in perspective. He's a very limited player who is currently playing above his normal level. To throw superlatives around just because you're emotional after a win is exactly the knee jerk comments I'm referring to.
We aren't in fourth place "because" of Kuyt....we're in fourth place despite him.