Dirk Kuyt

[-V-]

How exactly do you guys plan on convincing treble winner and world cup finalist Sneijder to move to a europa league team?

[Zapater]

Can't wait to quote this thread in a few months when the same people whom are saying how much they love him get overexasperated over his bad first touch, lack of creative capacity and lack of goalscoring instinct. I like him and I think he gives us another dimension at times especially in bog games and two legged affairs. But I just thought I'd state it now because everyone will point it out when he's no longer flavour of the week.

[-V-]

But I think while most of us recognize that he is a quality player, we wouldn't be playing him every single game if we had another more skilful option. There are plenty of games that Kuyt is perfect for but then there are others where we need a more direct, fast, skilful wing player.

[Mostar]

Can't wait to quote this thread in a few months when the same people whom are saying how much they love him get overexasperated over his bad first touch, lack of creative capacity and lack of goalscoring instinct. I like him and I think he gives us another dimension at times especially in bog games and two legged affairs. But I just thought I'd state it now because everyone will point it out when he's no longer flavour of the week.

But I think while most of us recognize that he is a quality player, we wouldn't be playing him every single game if we had another more skilful option. There are plenty of games that Kuyt is perfect for but then there are others where we need a more direct, fast, skilful wing player.

I also think Dirk is a quality squad player but to me he should not be the first choice. I appreciate his hard working ethic which somewhat compensate for the lack of pace, creativity and technical skills. Very nice lad and a good player but to me he is not a starter.

[RichC]

Can't wait to quote this thread in a few months when the same people whom are saying how much they love him get overexasperated over his bad first touch, lack of creative capacity and lack of goalscoring instinct. I like him and I think he gives us another dimension at times especially in bog games and two legged affairs. But I just thought I'd state it now because everyone will point it out when he's no longer flavour of the week.

Dirk does have a touch of a rapist I mean let's be honest but he's a 1st class pro for us and works tirelessly for the team.

You can't have a team full of flash creative players you need these work horses in the side and we've got one of the best!

[Exiled_red]

I think alot of the stick Kuyt gets is because he isn't a pacy, tricky creative type winger. I think alot of people think we need two such wingers, but IMO a system like that wouldn't work. I think if we had one such player playing on the opposite flank he'd be the ideal foil for that. They could provide width down the left and allow him to come infield more, he'd be able to provide an extra man at the back post when delivering from that side, and his tracking back and work rate mean that we're not too likely to get caught with players out of position. And as we have an attacking full back behind him (Johnson) he offer a little extra protection down that side.

[BobTheCharmer]

I think alot of the stick Kuyt gets is because he isn't a pacy, tricky creative type winger. I think alot of people think we need two such wingers, but IMO a system like that wouldn't work. I think if we had one such player playing on the opposite flank he'd be the ideal foil for that. They could provide width down the left and allow him to come infield more, he'd be able to provide an extra man at the back post when delivering from that side, and his tracking back and work rate mean that we're not too likely to get caught with players out of position. And as we have an attacking full back behind him (Johnson) he offer a little extra protection down that side.

My frustrations in Rafa have probably been redirected at Kuyt because he's the player that Rafa seemed to play regardless of form. So I've probably been a little unfair on him. Saying that there is no other player in history that has led me to nearly boot the screen in as many times as Kuyt has. When we're **** he is ****ing dreadful. When we're good he looks good. I do admire his tremendous effort and wish more offered this basis quality in todays game. I just don't think he's very good at football, others do. Life.

[TheElephantMan]

we have an attacking full back behind him (Johnson) he offer a little extra protection down that side.

Why don't we swap Johnson and Kuyt? Johnson's better going forward and Kuyt's better at defending.

[Nicey]

Absolutely right. Unfortunately there are too many tossers on here who love a good scapegoat and as he's not one of our "glamour" players, he's an easy target if the team's underperforming. And yet, whenever I watch him play, whether for Liverpool or Holland, he's always available for a pass, rarely misplaces a pass, holds the ball up well, shows great game intelligence and pops up with important goals in big games.

His record of goals and assists for us and Holland for someone playing mostly in a wide position is always absolutely top-drawer. I think that Holland now have 12 goals in the tournament (I haven't checked this so might be one out either way). Of these Kuyt has scored one and has assists for three others, so is directly involved with one in three of Holland's goals.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he went on to score the winning goal in the World Cup final. He's one of the players who thrives in a big game atmosphere, always gives 100% and never looks out of place. Unlike the likes of Rooney with England, who disappears when the opposition gets stronger, Kuyt always looks completely at home on the world stage.

We're lucky to have him and I'm sure we'd get very big money if we sold him. But that won't stop the same tossers on here getting their knives out next season. We all know that that's inevitable, unfortunately

top top post ... the world and unfortunately this forum has its fair share of clueless numpties

[TheElephantMan]

top top post ... the world and unfortunately this forum has its fair share of clueless numpties

Dunk alert!!!

[Nicey]

Speaking of swapping I would be happy to see us experiment with Johnson on the right wing .. not defense and Kuyt occasionally playing on the left... Unless he does and Ashley Cole and develops a positional side to his game, for me he looks more like a winger than a defender

[Woobus]

I do admire his tremendous effort and wish more offered this basis quality in todays game.

Not many people can offer the effort and running he puts in, if some of the other players tried it they would need to be subbed at half time.

[Zapater]

But I think while most of us recognize that he is a quality player, we wouldn't be playing him every single game if we had another more skilful option. There are plenty of games that Kuyt is perfect for but then there are others where we need a more direct, fast, skilful wing player.

Yes, sure but then it's hardly Kuyt's fault when people will blame him for losing when he had a great shooting opportunity and he'll pass it to a player in a worse position because he has doesn't have a goalscoring instinct. When his first touch takes a ball 3 meters in front of him and he makes routine play extremely difficult. In these cases it should be people saying "**** Rafa/Hodgson for not weighing up the pros and cons when selecting Kuyt", rather than "Kuyt is ****ing ****, possibly the worst player we've had in recent times/If it weren't for him we wouldn't have lost this game..."

Again, I've been guilty over having a (relatively minor) go at him, although I have never gone way overboard like some other fans on here. I guess it is easier in a way to see his positives and overlook his flaws when he's in good form playing for another team. His idiosyncrasies don't bother one as much.

[TheElephantMan]

When his first touch takes a ball 3 meters in front of him and he makes routine play extremely difficult.

I like Kuyt, he works his bollocks off and he is an excellent footballer. Not a Torres a Gerrard or an Alonso, but he's certainly technically a very good footballer. This misconception that his first touch is poor is bollocks in my opinion. You'd first have to question the type of ball which is generally played to the forwards, if it's a hoof over the midfield which requires time to control then I'd blame the quality of the initial "pass" not the recipient. Our strikers have had **** service and deserve better. We need players who can play neat balls to feet where the momentum of an attack can surprise the opposition. Not stupid lobbed balls which nobody would appreciate.

[leftpeg]

You'd first have to question the type of ball which is generally played to the forwards, if it's a hoof over the midfield which requires time to control then I'd blame the quality of the initial "pass" not the recipient.

I'm constantly amazed at the number of these types of balls he can just pluck out of the air like he was catching them with his hands.