Alan Hansen - Absolutely spot on 100%

[Ian Sea]

Not this bollocks again. Kuyt is the right hand sided striker in a front three. He's not a winger, he's not a right midfielder, he's a fucking striker.

 

Jesus fucking christ.

 

Also, assuming that your dribbling afterbirth of a repetitive curled up dog turd of a post is in any way correct, David Beckham was neither fast, skillful, or able to beat a man, but he was one of the best, most successful, and most prolific wide players domestically and internationally in the last 20 years.

 

Any chance that you could stop?

 

I wouldn't describe Kuyt as a striker when we play 4-2-3-1. Torres is the only striker in that line up for me and I'd describe Kuyt as a right sided attacker.

[dirty_sanchez]

I wouldn't describe Kuyt as a striker when we play 4-2-3-1. Torres is the only striker in that line up for me and I'd describe Kuyt as a right sided attacker.

 

By nature of the formation some players have to be wide. That's not really the point that I was trying to make though. Rashid continually compares Kuyt's role to that of a conventional winger when it clearly isn't what he's on the pitch to do.

[Ian Sea]

By nature of the formation some players have to be wide. That's not really the point that I was trying to make though. Rashid continually compares Kuyt's role to that of a conventional winger when it clearly isn't what he's on the pitch to do.

 

Agreed.

[Rashid]

So he isn't supposed to score goals as he doesn't play up front, and he isn't supposed to beat his man as he doesn't play out wide... what the fuck is his job?

[Brownie]

Kuyt's not a conventional winger when he plays on the right, but he's closer to a winger than a striker. Remember the 'penalty' incident at Arsenal in the CL? He tracks back like a winger would do...

[Ian Sea]

So he isn't supposed to score goals as he doesn't play up front, and he isn't supposed to beat his man as he doesn't play out wide... what the fuck is his job?

 

He is supposed to score goals, like any wide forward should. He didn't score enough last season, I think he would admit that himself. If he wants to keep his place in the starting 11 then he'll need to score, and create, more goals this season. But he'll never get 20 a season, like a striker would/should. I'd take 10 goals from a right sided attacking position.s

[rebel23]

is anyone else worried that our left side options are Voronin/Kuyt/Yossi until Babel gets back unless we sign someone. the season starts in 2 weeks and we have possibly 5 fixtures with those inadequate choices

[dennis tooth]

is anyone else worried that our left side options are Voronin/Kuyt/Yossi until Babel gets back unless we sign someone. the season starts in 2 weeks and we have possibly 5 fixtures with those inadequate choices

 

rOBBIE kEANE?

[Xabi D]

rOBBIE kEANE?

 

Square pegs in round holes.

[Thants]

Remember, Dirk can only Can't, he can't Can.

 

That's why he's first choice to Liverpool and Holland. Oh hang on . . . .

[stringvest]

Remember, Dirk can only Can't, he can't Can.

 

That's why he's first choice to Liverpool and Holland. Oh hang on . . . .

 

I really hope he isn't this season. For Liverpool anyway - I hope he is for Holland.

[Xabi D]

Remember, Dirk can only Can't, he can't Can.

 

That's why he's first choice to Liverpool and Holland. Oh hang on . . . .

 

he wont be first choice for us next season and if everyone is fit for Holland i doubt he would even make the squad.

[Fugitive]

If everyone is fit for Holland i doubt he would even make the squad.

 

Utter Bollocks.

[GRADY]

I have to say though it is is quite easy to get caught up in what is going on at the moment and think this will be our year. I really like Robbie Keane as a player and he is a winner and im made up he has signed for Liverpool....

 

BUT this is not being negative (at the risk of being criticised) and it is not a major criticism of Benitez as we can all see that his hands are tied financially.

 

HOWEVER, if somebody would have said to me a few months ago that we would sign keane and even barry and united would keep ronaldo, chelsea would keep their star players I would have said I cant see us winning the league unless we can get somebody who can be a major threat from a non central position. Call them a winger, call them outside right/left call them a fuckin wide attacker I dont really give a fuck what you wanna call them.

 

Unless babel kicks on a tremendous amount next season should we not sign a player AS described above I think we will be fighting for third again.

 

ps it is not a criticism, hopefully iv been constructive but regardless that is my opinion.

[George Costanza]

Agreed with his analysis on MOTD tonight. Bring in at least one quality wide player, not only will it provide a threat from outwide but also help create space for Gerrrad, Keane & Torres centrally.

[Glen C]

I'd rather a quality wide player than barry, but for some reason rafa has his heart set on barry.

[George Costanza]

To be honest I'm a bit bemused by Rafa's thinking of having full backs providing the attacking width.

 

Conventional wisdom is to have a narrow back 4, compact centre midfield then an expansive, wide attacking game that stretches the oppositions defence. The 4-5-1 system is a perfect model, it worked well towards the end of last season. Why on earth does he feel he has to alter/tinker with it. Fuck attacking full backs, how about attacking wide midfielders/wingers. I want my defenders to defend and attackers to attack first & foremost.

 

Is Rafa trying to jusitfy a place in the team for Kuyt and/or Benayoun? Keane & Gerrards positions both need sorting fast too. Different roles week to week isn't going to get the best out of either player quite frankly.

[Dan Vito Corleone]

If we are going 4-4-2 then we need a winger so badly, it hurts. If we are going 4-2-3-1 then we need a CREATIVE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER (NOT a winger as we DO NOT use them in that system) very badly.

[Red Nick]

I'd rather a quality wide player than barry, but for some reason rafa has his heart set on barry.

 

You really all do miss the point

 

Rafa has set up his preseason to play a diamond formation with the width comming from the fullbacks with SG just behind the front two but without Barry its totally fucked.

 

Hence why the change of formation today.

 

Why the board gave him the money for Keane and then not Barry to complete his team is a bit of a mystery

 

However after Xabi's performance today, Rafa has no chance of getting Barry.

[Dan Vito Corleone]

Nick, whilst I don't want to disagree with you, as your diamond theory is, to quote David Mitchell, "entirely plausible", can I just ask why you strongly believe we would have changed to that formation?

[lifetime fan]

You really all do miss the point

 

Rafa has set up his preseason to play a diamond formation with the width comming from the fullbacks with SG just behind the front two but without Barry its totally fucked.

 

Hence why the change of formation today.

 

Why the board gave him the money for Keane and then not Barry to complete his team is a bit of a mystery

 

However after Xabi's performance today, Rafa has no chance of getting Barry.

 

Nick if you think this diamond is the way to go who's the question mark?

 

Gerrard

 

Barry ??????

 

Mascharano

[1892-LFCWasBorn]

You really all do miss the point

 

Rafa has set up his preseason to play a diamond formation with the width comming from the fullbacks with SG just behind the front two but without Barry its totally fucked.

 

Hence why the change of formation today.

 

Why the board gave him the money for Keane and then not Barry to complete his team is a bit of a mystery

 

However after Xabi's performance today, Rafa has no chance of getting Barry.

 

And you could argue the point that Rafa has had 4 years to bring in a quality wide player, even though some potential transfers got fucked up.

[Red Nick]

Nick if you think this diamond is the way to go who's the question mark?

 

Gerrard

 

Barry ??????

 

Mascharano

 

-----------Mascher----------

Kuyt----------------Barry

------------Gerrard-------------

[Red Nick]

If we are going 4-4-2 then we need a winger so badly, it hurts. If we are going 4-2-3-1 then we need a CREATIVE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER (NOT a winger as we DO NOT use them in that system) very badly.

 

 

Personally I didnt think Rafa was that much out of his mind, I always thought he was goning to play Gerrard on the right but with his comments about having the best strike force in Europe and Stevie playing centrally it was clear to me that was his play and especialy when Kuyt kept playing wide right all preseason.

 

I think Rafa has got it wrong but you have to give him your backing and see where it takes you.

[stringvest]

We won't win the league with Kuyt in the team. Mascots should be kept in the changing room.