Dirk Kuyt

[Red Chilli]

Anelka anyone?

[paulcooper4]

No we were talking about natural finishers. I say Owen and God are the only ones in the league.

ahhh, i got there eventually. Dont think the old style natural finishers can survive in the premiership now to be honest. Everyone has to work there bollocks off and contribute now. Dont know wether thats a good thing or a bad thing like, but I dont see many lads coming through of fowlers style anywhere, no-one wants poachers any more.

[Red Chilli]

I hope not.

Natural Goalscorers the premiership years:

Shearer,
Fowler, pre-serious injuries and Leeds United.
Van Nistelrooy
Terry Henry

Anyone else?

Ian Wright

Aren't we talking about current players?

[El Jefecito]

ahhh, i got there eventually. Dont think the old style natural finishers can survive in the premiership now to be honest. Everyone has to work there bollocks off and contribute now. Dont know wether thats a good thing or a bad thing like, but I dont see many lads coming through of fowlers style anywhere, no-one wants poachers any more.

I agree. It's the main reason why there would be no point Owen coming back. He doesn't have the all round game.

[Rich]

Ian Wright, good call.

[Neil Young]

Apologies if this has been discussed in another thread – I’ve had little or no chance to keep up over the weekend.

Is anyone else worried about Dirk Kuyt’s goalscoring prowess?

He’s clearly a good player. Strong, effervescent and intelligent…but is he a clinical finisher? Based on the evidence presented so far, the answer would have to be no. I think many of us thought we were getting a deadly goalscorer.

It’s too early to make any firm judgements about Kuyt, IMO. He may just be lacking a bit of confidence in front of goal currently, I dunno – I wonder if he ever missed so many chances in Holland? He could have had five on Saturday and there was a time when I feared his spurned opportunities would come back to bite us on the arse.

Personally I’d go with Crouch & Bellamy for the next couple of games and give Dirky boy a rest. I know I’m in a minority here, but I don’t think there’s anything between Crouch & Kuyt. Yes, Dirk is a little more mobile and has a touch more pace, but Crouch offers us just as much. His instant contribution on Saturday should serve as a reminder that Kuyt should not be guaranteed a place.

No I'm not worried about his goalscoring. Didn't we all know that we weren't getting a golascorer, that Kuyt is an attacker, a forward whose overall play helps the team to score goals?

How many has he got anyway? We've just scored 11 in the last three games - I don't care who scores them, it's the team that wins, draws or loses, not individuals.

Of course it would be great to have an attacker who is a great goalscorer but as others have said there aren't that many of them. There are even fewer who contribute in the way that Kuyt does as well as score the goals. Didn't Sir Boozehound up the road get rid of that natural goalscorer van Nistelrooy because he didn't contribute enough elsewhere and limited the way Man U were playing?

[El Jefecito]

I hope not.

Natural Goalscorers the premiership years:

Shearer,
Fowler, pre-serious injuries and Leeds United.
Van Nistelrooy
Terry Henry

Anyone else?

See I don't count Henry as a natural finisher. Awesome player, but not a natural finisher. He doesn't get into the positions to be one.

[paulcooper4]

Ian Wright, good call.

Not sure on henry being a natural finisher though, he scores loads like, but mainly through his ability to make a **** out of 3 defenders before sticking one in the top corner. Doesnt get many tap-ins or headers

[paulcooper4]

No I'm not worried about his goalscoring. Didn't we all know that we weren't getting a golascorer, that Kuyt is an attacker, a forward whose overall play helps the team to score goals?

How many has he got anyway? We've just scored 11 in the last three games - I don't care who scores them, it's the team that wins, draws or loses, not individuals.

Of course it would be great to have an attacker who is a great goalscorer but as others have said there aren't that many of them. There are even fewer who contribute in the way that Kuyt does as well as score the goals. Didn't Sir Boozehound up the road get rid of that natural goalscorer van Nistelrooy because he didn't contribute enough elsewhere and limited the way Man U were playing?

[Rich]

I was thinking about not putting Henry down as a natural scorer - but the guy has consistantly scored so many goals in the premiership I had to include him, but he is probably different to every attacker in the country.

[bazza76]

Apologies if this has been discussed in another thread – I’ve had little or no chance to keep up over the weekend.

Is anyone else worried about Dirk Kuyt’s goalscoring prowess?

He’s clearly a good player. Strong, effervescent and intelligent…but is he a clinical finisher? Based on the evidence presented so far, the answer would have to be no. I think many of us thought we were getting a deadly goalscorer.

It’s too early to make any firm judgements about Kuyt, IMO. He may just be lacking a bit of confidence in front of goal currently, I dunno – I wonder if he ever missed so many chances in Holland? He could have had five on Saturday and there was a time when I feared his spurned opportunities would come back to bite us on the arse.

Personally I’d go with Crouch & Bellamy for the next couple of games and give Dirky boy a rest. I know I’m in a minority here, but I don’t think there’s anything between Crouch & Kuyt. Yes, Dirk is a little more mobile and has a touch more pace, but Crouch offers us just as much. His instant contribution on Saturday should serve as a reminder that Kuyt should not be guaranteed a place.

Valid point Shaggy, was actually thinking the same thing myself. Was a similar story in the world cup too, had all the work rate but none of the goals. Am hoping when he adapts properly to the league he will start banging them in more freely, I have seen some good finishes from him though, so im thinking its just him adjusting to the step up in level thats costing him so far, he deffo has the ability.

[Red Chilli]

What about Solskjaer and Anelka

[El Jefecito]

I was thinking about not putting Henry down as a natural scorer - but the guy has consistantly scored so many goals in the premiership I had to include him, but he is probably different to every attacker in the country.

You're right there needs to be a separate category just for him.

[tomasjj]

Not Henry. He is a sidefoot'er, just like owen.
BEsides, he rarely scores with his head.

I would count solskjaer as a natural.

As for the main topic, Dirk is in a funk, and I find it just a little bit worrying that he misses a lot. He seems to lack some composure and coolness in front of goal atm.
I hope it is just temporarily.

[Red Chilli]

I would count solskjaer as a natural.

Thanks tom