Dirk Kuyt

[kurtangle01]

Just a dip of form from Dirk I suspect.
Hard worker, creates for others, strong.
But he is terribly one footed, his first touch is average and not as clinical as I thought in front of goal. He has been unlucky though, and will get better as the season evolves.

But...I think he is only a marginal improvement on Morientes actually. I have to say I am a bit disappointed so far and it is still early doors, but I have high standards as we spent 10 mill on him.

In my opinion he's much better suited to the prem than Morientes.
Nando, despite being an excellent player, never settled in the prem. He didn't have to tools to succeed where as Dirk has. I've been surprised at just how quick Kuyt is. I had visions of him being slow bt he's no slouch.

[tomasjj]

In my opinion he's much better suited to the prem than Morientes.
Nando, despite being an excellent player, never settled in the prem. He didn't have to tools to succeed where as Dirk has. I've been surprised at just how quick Kuyt is. I had visions of him being slow bt he's no slouch.

Sure, Kuyt is much more suited physically. You are right. But overall, Morientes had more skills and at least as good link up play. You do expect to get more than a marginally better player when you spend 10 mill.
I am a bit disappointed, but like I said, its too early to judge.

[Red_Polo]

Is he that one footed really, I've never noticed? Hit a nice shot with his left yesterday. I think his first touch is pretty decent too tbh. I think he's a massive improvement on Morientes for us.

I've been delighted with Kuyt from day one, I'm a bit surprised just because he hasn't scored in a few games people are getting worried. He's getting into the right positions and he's hit the post a number of times. Although he's not scored of late he is still retaining the ball well, posing a threat, and playing others in. The thing for me is people need to realise he's not a poacher, he's more of an all-round forward player. Best striker we've signed in ages IMO.

[tomasjj]

Well, that left foot shot was nice. But look at him, he has to turn all the time to be able to pass and do what he wants, since the ball is always just controlled with his right. A bit like Pennant, to be honest.

And its not the recent lack of goals that I am a bit worried about, more the overall level of his play and the talent he has as a footballer.
He will probs come good though, but I reckon not a top 5 PL striker.

[kurtangle01]

Is he that one footed really, I've never noticed? Hit a nice shot with his left yesterday. I think his first touch is pretty decent too tbh. I think he's a massive improvement on Morientes for us.

I've been delighted with Kuyt from day one, I'm a bit surprised just because he hasn't scored in a few games people are getting worried. He's getting into the right positions and he's hit the post a number of times. Although he's not scored of late he is still retaining the ball well, posing a threat, and playing others in. The thing for me is people need to realise he's not a poacher, he's more of an all-round forward player. Best striker we've signed in ages IMO.

I couldn't agrue with a single point in that post. I've been and am delighted with Kuyt. I've said it many times before but I'll say it again. 3 games without a goal is hardly a drought is it?

We'll start comparing him to Nando when he hasn't scored for 15-20 games. What's more is that he's almost scored as many goals now as nando did in his 18 monthst with us.

[kurtangle01]

Well, that left foot shot was nice. But look at him, he has to turn all the time to be able to pass and do what he wants, since the ball is always just controlled with his right. A bit like Pennant, to be honest.

And its not the recent lack of goals that I am a bit worried about, more the overall level of his play and the talent he has as a footballer.
He will probs come good though, but I reckon not a top 5 PL striker.

Not at the moment but then neither was Henry or Drogba when they first came to this country.

As for his overall play... I think it's been very good. He made the second goal yesterday with his break down the right and his unselfishness.

He was a whisker away from scoring last week and yesterday only to be foiled by the post and a great save respectively.

What is it with fans having a pop at him?

[Red_Polo]

Kurt

Tomas, as I say I haven't noticed the one-footedness particularly, that left foot shot yesterday is the only one I remember, I will look out for it now you've mentioned it. I do think though he will prove himself one of the Prem's best strikers. He doesn't have the flair some do, but he always seems to give you that end product be it assists or goals. One thing I want to see him do is attacking crosses more.

[tomasjj]

What is it with fans having a pop at him?

I dont think I was having a pop, mate.
More sort of a subjective and honest assessment. I will give him time, but am a bit worried as I expect much when we spend in the 10 mill plus market.

[kurtangle01]

I dont think I was having a pop, mate.
More sort of a subjective and honest assessment. I will give him time, but am a bit worried as I expect much when we spend in the 10 mill plus market.

No worries, mate.

[willa1975]

Comparing Kuyt to Morientes--I think that's a bit much. Yes, Kuyt isn't scoring, and he's been poor in front of goal these last couple of games, but he's still making an important contribution to the team, evidenced by the fact that he was involved in both goals yesterday. This makes him rather difficult to bench. Morientes, on the other hand, often looked, well, useless.

Kuyt's finishing could be better, and I think it's magnified by the fact that his instincts are good enough that he's able to get himself in potentially goalscoring situations rather frequently. If he were more clinical in front of goal, he could be on track for 20+ league goals this season.

[Howard_lfc]

But...I think he is only a marginal improvement on Morientes actually. I have to say I am a bit disappointed so far and it is still early doors, but I have high standards as we spent 10 mill on him.

Bollocks alert!!!!! Bollocks alert!!!!!!!

Doctor! This man needs his medcine.

[lfcruleus]

I actually liked Morientes as a player, thought he wasn't given a decent run but Dirk is far superior already, He needs some confidence with his left foot but I can honestly say he works as hard as Rushie used to and he genuinely seems to love the shirt and appreciate what he has playing for us.
The goals will come though I am not dissapointed with his return so far mark my word there are some big game goals coming from him still this season.

[Red_Al_77]

Kuyt and Bellamy have 12 goals between them. We have the makings of a partnership. It's about the partnership producing goals not the individual. Look at all the best partnerships down the years and one of the two takes the glory whilst the other does the donkey work. As Dan has said we are winning and we are scoring. Kuyt should be judged at the end of the season and not now. IMO he has an excellent workrate and is a team player. These are classic Rafa traits. We are also seeing that in Bellamy who ran his socks off yesterday. Let's be happy they are helping the team win games.

[The Glove]

Kuyt is class and the best striker we have had in ages. Yesterday wasnt his best game but no one plays great every game. When that becomes the norm rather than the exception it'll be time to worry.

[tomasjj]

Bollocks alert!!!!! Bollocks alert!!!!!!!

Doctor! This man needs his medcine.

:bird: