Dirk Kuyt

[El Rojo]

What a huge performance from the bench this evening.

 

Looked like the Dirk Kuyt of the first 10/12 games of the season during his cameo tonight - a period when he was easily in our top three players every match.

 

Will be a massive boost if he can push on from his huge contribution tonight.

 

The goal will do him the world too.

[Rico1304]

At one point he looked over the bench and nodded as if to say 'There's your faith repaid'

[Spy Bee]

Excellent tonight. Excellent.

[Joe Strummer]

He has his faults but he's a key member of this club. I wish more showed his attitude.

[Original202]

Player plays well when playing in his best position.

 

Has this ever happened before?

 

I still don't think he's good enough, but I've always felt that if he was allowed to be a striker who led the line and didn't have to do so much work in the wrong areas of the pitch then we'd get far more from him. He should be doing his work in the penalty area, not the right wing.

[lamai]

like babel, i hope now he will be sold in the summer, finished with him..

[A_S]

He is so useful as a sub, as he does have a little bit of versatility. A great cross that Babel somehow managed to miss and a great strike past James. Rafa, take note, please!

[JohnnyH]

I cursed when he came on, but he was superb. Ran the line, worked the defence and was alive to everything. Even his first touch was ok today.

[rebel23]

its because he was played up front with Torres and occupied the box, the two of them have better movement and pulled their defenders apart, something that doesn't always happen with the 'lone' striker

[INTORRESTING]

he is vital for our team, maybe he shouldnt start every game and we definitely need a pacy, tricky player on the right but for guts, fighting to the death and the ability to play in a few positions and score goals in big games he is not bad for 9 mil.

 

How do his stats compare to other wingers ths year?

[ReddOrDedd]

I hold my hands up - I was one of the ones bitching when his number came up instead of Nando's. But then I suppose that is the curse of playing with the best striker in the world. No matter what you do, you're never going to be the golden boy.

 

Dirk was a monster tonight. I still think Rafa's decision-making leaves a lot to be desired, but a big thank you from me to the players for pulling him out of that hole.

[ScottyT]

Well in Dirk. Shows he can do it if he's allowed and encouraged to.

[snez1]

He is what he's always been. A good and very important player.

 

How many more massive goals does he need to score before people give him a bit more respect? He's dragged us out the shit so many times. He's no world beater, but he deserves his place.

 

Lot's of people would rather hve Babel in the team right now. Amazing.

[philyhamann]

Maybe if he is allowed to play as as striker like he did in Holland, and not an energiser bunny, he'd be better? He had more zest about him tonight, and thats because he was playing upfront without having to worry about running round like a dickhead in defense and midfield.

[lamai]

lets not get carried away good goal and should have had 2 as first goal was on side, he played well, but he is a squad player and a squad player only, his attitude is fantastic but his play is not, he has been average to crap all season, he is an ok footballer with limited ability

[shanks59]

Saved the day, robbed of another .. :whistle:

[Al Campbell]

He did well and this was one of his best performances but we need better than him if we're to be champions. Good squad player, no more.

[SpeedyG]

He's the kind of guy you want in the trenches with you.

[INTORRESTING]

He has been playing on the right and has scored the same amount of league goals as some top strikers (6). Looking at the below he is doing alright. Plus that liege goal was vital!

 

1 Nicolas Anelka Chelsea 14

2 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 11

Robinho Manchester City 11

4 Amr Zaki Wigan Athletic 10

5 Kevin Davies Bolton Wanderers 9

Steven Gerrard Liverpool 9

Jermain Defoe Tottenham Hotspur 9

Darren Bent Tottenham Hotspur 9

Frank Lampard Chelsea 9

Djibril Cisse Sunderland 9

Robin Van Persie Arsenal 9

Gabriel Agbonlahor Aston Villa 9

13 Peter Crouch Portsmouth 8

Michael Owen Newcastle United 8

Emmanuel Adebayor Arsenal 8

Carlton Cole West Ham United 8

17 Benedict McCarthy Blackburn Rovers 7

Fernando Torres Liverpool 7

Stephen Ireland Manchester City 7

20 Ricardo Fuller Stoke City 6

Tim Cahill Everton 6

Jason Roberts Blackburn Rovers 6

Matthew Taylor Bolton Wanderers 6

Craig Bellamy Manchester City 6

Dimitar Berbatov Manchester United 6

Wayne Rooney Manchester United 6

Obafemi Martins Newcastle United 6

Kenwyne Jones Sunderland 6

Roman Bednar West Bromwich Albion 6

Marcio Geovanni Hull City 6

[grandrake]

I hold my hands up - I was one of the ones bitching when his number came up instead of Nando's. But then I suppose that is the curse of playing with the best striker in the world. No matter what you do, you're never going to be the golden boy.

 

I think it's more a case of the curse of being played in each and every minute of every game (well, almost) by the manager, whether you're in form or not.

 

You can fault Kuyt for his lack of ball skills, but it's Rafa who picks him even though he's not playing up to par. After a while, folks' frustrations boil over to the extent that seeing him on the pitch induces helplessness and resignation from the non-believers.

 

I'll admit to being one of those fans who are puzzled/frustrated by Rafa's trust in Kuyt, but fair dues to the chap today, he played well and was crucial in us getting back into the game.

[Baresi]

Maybe if he is allowed to play as as striker like he did in Holland, and not an energiser bunny, he'd be better? He had more zest about him tonight, and thats because he was playing upfront without having to worry about running round like a dickhead in defense and midfield.

 

That's not what you say when he plays upfront alone, is it?

[ToxtethTerror]

Oh gosh, a Kuyt thread after a good game, and there is the usual anti-Kuyt shite when he plays shit - which is most weeks. By in large, I am sure everybody agrees that he isn't good enough for us long term.

[Faustus]

Oh gosh, a Kuyt thread after a good game, and there is the usual anti-Kuyt shite when he plays shit - which is most weeks. By in large, I am sure everybody agrees that he isn't good enough for us long term.

 

Agree with that.

 

Big effort from him tonight though.

[philyhamann]

That's not what you say when he plays upfront alone, is it?

 

He never plays upfront, he runs around like a kid from the soft school, wasting energy. He would never have done that finish today if he had been on from the start because his legs would be gone and he'd be running on fumes. Stop him running around in defense or midfield as an extra man, and he may impress me like in his first season.

[Antynwa]

Babel has more ability than Dirk Kuyt.

 

It's just a shame he's an absolute lazy shit.