Dirk Kuyt

[AFII]

Owen scored in more % of the games for us than Robbie.

I was surprised myself when I checked that out, so the myth about that Owen could score ten goals in five games or so and then go goaless from a number of games is just a myth.

[Redspin]

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.

Jesus Frigging Christ! You win the prize for Knee-Jerk Reaction of the Week. Daftest post I've read for a while

[Redspin]

Nope. I'd hardly seen him play and, although I realised he was also adept at dropping off and linking the play, I rather hoped he was a demon finisher. But he's not.

His missed chances at Chelsea, then Old Trafford proved to be expensive misses. Not so the hatful he blew on Saturday, but all the same I worry that his profligacy in front of goal will cost us.

Gosh I've never seen a striker miss chances in a run of games, so he's obviously rubbish. I've already dismissed his 6 league goals as an aberration.

[Redspin]

Owen scored in more % of the games for us than Robbie.

I was surprised myself when I checked that out, so the myth about that Owen could score ten goals in five games or so and then go goaless from a number of games is just a myth.

I should look over your shoulder if I were you. The Fowler is God Zero Tolerance Faction will be on your case. Go away and repeat the following mantra 100 times: "Robbie is the most natural finisher in the history of football"

[Shaggy]

Jesus Frigging Christ! You win the prize for Knee-Jerk Reaction of the Week. Daftest post I've read for a while

:whatever:

If you think that’s knee-jerk I’d suggest you didn’t read the post at all.

Gosh I've never seen a striker miss chances in a run of games, so he's obviously rubbish. I've already dismissed his 6 league goals as an aberration.

Rubbish? Who said he's rubbish?

You seem to be missing my point entirely. You don't have another username called Farside, do you? :whatever:

[Red_Polo]

I ****ing hate that expression! 'Natural finisher'. Bah. A bull**** expression pundits and journos like to use to make them sound like they know something.

[Shaggy]

I ****ing hate that expression! 'Natural finisher'. Bah. A bull**** expression pundits and journos like to use to make them sound like they know something.

Disagree.

There is such a thing as a natural goalscorer, IMO. Some people prefer to use different terminology – some say “out and out goalscorer”, others say “always in the right place at the right time”. Whichever way you look at it, strikers who fall into this category are usually what you’d call ‘natural goalscorers’.

Fowler was obviously one. Jimmy Greaves another. Gary Lineker . Ruud van Nistelrooy is a good example of a modern day natural goalscorer. Strikers who operate mainly on instinct.

My point was (for Redspin and anyone else who may need it S.P.E.L.L.I.N.G O.U.T), those of us who don’t waste their time watching Dutch football (because, seemingly, an awful lot of people do watch Dutch football regularly…as they knew all about Dirk Kuyt), thought we were getting a prolific goalscorer. Based on evidence served up so far, he doesn’t look to me like a prolific goalscorer.

[Red Chilli]

I think with the correct service and a bit of time to settle in he will prove to be a prolific goalscorer. I'm more hopeful watching Kuyt than I was watching Morientes. Kuyt seems to want it more.

[Neil Young]

Disagree.

There is such a thing as a natural goalscorer, IMO. Some people prefer to use different terminology – some say “out and out goalscorer”, others say “always in the right place at the right time”. Whichever way you look at it, strikers who fall into this category are usually what you’d call ‘natural goalscorers’.

Fowler was obviously one. Jimmy Greaves another. Gary Lineker . Ruud van Nistelrooy is a good example of a modern day natural goalscorer. Strikers who operate mainly on instinct.

Lineker tells a story about how Venables improved his poaching by coaching on what run to make when. I'm not sure how instinctive it all is - obviously some are better than others but is it all to do with something in the genes?

Maybe it's a redundant debate - the important thing is how good someone in front of goal, not nature vs. nurture (which to me always ends in a high-scoring draw).

My point was (for Redspin and anyone else who may need it S.P.E.L.L.I.N.G O.U.T), those of us who don’t waste their time watching Dutch football (because, seemingly, an awful lot of people do watch Dutch football regularly…as they knew all about Dirk Kuyt), thought we were getting a prolific goalscorer. Based on evidence served up so far, he doesn’t look to me like a prolific goalscorer.

You sound so arch sometimes.

[Red Chilli]

Lineker tells a story about how Venables improved his poaching by coaching on what run to make when. I'm not sure how instinctive it all is - obviously some are better than others but is it all to do with something in the genes?
.

yes, that was shortly after he'd been top scorer in the first division with something like 40 goals and won the golden boot at Mexico 86. I think Venebles helped to take his game to the next level but it's clear the talent and instinct were already there.

[Shaggy]

I think with the correct service and a bit of time to settle in he will prove to be a prolific goalscorer. I'm more hopeful watching Kuyt than I was watching Morientes. Kuyt seems to want it more.

Oh I couldn't agree more.

[Neil Young]

yes, that was shortly after he'd been top scorer in the first division with something like 40 goals and won the golden boot at Mexico 86. I think Venebles helped to take his game to the next level but it's clear the talent and instinct were already there.

Maybe although I seem to recall him missing a couple (as well as scoring one) in the '86 cup final.

Anyway, what's the point in arguing? You could be right.

[Shaggy]

You sound so arch sometimes.

Arch? You mean...like a teacher?!

[Red Chilli]

Maybe although I seem to recall him missing a couple (as well as scoring one) in the '86 cup final.

Anyway, what's the point in arguing? You could be right.

I think it's a mixture of nature and nurture. The talent and instinct have to be there otherwise any old mug (Cisse) could be coached into being a natural finisher. There is definitely something in built which makes one striker instinctively better than the rest, could it be better spatial awareness, could it be faster reflexes? Who knows, but there must be something. I also think some people possess this instinct but for one reason or another never make it, so in summary, you need a mixture of both ingredients.

[Shaggy]

I think it's a mixture of nature and nurture. The talent and instinct have to be there otherwise any old mug (Cisse) could be coached into being a natural finisher. There is definitely something in built which makes one striker instinctively better than the rest, could it be better spatial awareness, could it be faster reflexes? Who knows, but there must be something. I also think some people possess this instinct but for one reason or another never make it, so in summary, you need a mixture of both ingredients.