Dirk Kuyt article on the offal proves the forumites were right

[AE]

Dirk Kuyt has told his Dutch teammates they must stop Steven Gerrard to stand any chance against England on Wednesday and declared the Liverpool skipper the best he's played with.

Kuyt confessed he didn't realise how good Gerrard was prior to his arrival at Anfield in the summer.

 

"I have never played with a better player than Gerrard," said the Dutchman ahead of the midweek friendly in Amsterdam.

 

"I knew he was a good player before I came to Liverpool, but it is only when you work alongside him every day that you realise just how great he really is.

 

"He has everything in his game and to play alongside him is a great feeling. When Holland play England he is the player we must stop ? but I am sure the coach knows that already.

 

"I am told his form this year is not as good as it was last year, but that is normal.

 

"His problem is that he was so incredible last season that opponents are now keeping an even closer eye on him and sometimes he has two defenders to attack.

 

"The thing with Stevie is that even when he's not at his best, he still brings so much to the team."

 

Kuyt also revealed Gerrard has been a major factor in his settling so well on Merseyside.

 

He said: "It isn't just the influence he has on the pitch that makes him so special. I know from experience that he is a great captain.

 

"Steven is one of the reasons I have settled down so well at the club ? on and off the pitch.

 

"He has been there to show me all the way. He took time to tell me all about Liverpool, about what is expected of the players and about the history of the club.

 

"I can tell he has a real passion for football."

 

Linky thingy

 

 

 

 

Apologies if its been posted elsewhere.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Not only should be stripped of the captaincy but he should also be sold & rafa & parry should be sacked.

[John am Rhein]

"His problem is that he was so incredible last season that opponents are now keeping an even closer eye on him and sometimes he has two defenders to attack."

 

I think if Gerrard was a more intelligent player he'd exploit that situation better - putting two men on Gerrard frees up someone else. If Gerrard wasn't trying so hard to win the game on his own all the time, a few simpler passes and runs to take the extra markers out of the game could open it up for others and, eventually, himself.

[Guest Phil C]

"His problem is that he was so incredible last season that opponents are now keeping an even closer eye on him and sometimes he has two defenders to attack."

 

- putting two men on Gerrard frees up someone else....

 

A cunning plan - with two men marking Stevie G on the wing, space is created in the middle for our (only) attacking midfielder Stevie G to exploit...

[KD07]

Don't be daft. There's only 1 Stevie G.

 

 

 

I checked.

[Earl Hafler]

"His problem is that he was so incredible last season that opponents are now keeping an even closer eye on him and sometimes he has two defenders to attack."

 

I think if Gerrard was a more intelligent player he'd exploit that situation better - putting two men on Gerrard frees up someone else. If Gerrard wasn't trying so hard to win the game on his own all the time, a few simpler passes and runs to take the extra markers out of the game could open it up for others and, eventually, himself.

 

But he's the man ?

 

 

My idea of a captain is someone who doesn't hide or drop his shoulders just because he isn't playing well. Carra would have been my choice. Always talking, telling people to mark up.

 

Riise arguing with Gerrard when it was Riise's fault ? Wouldn't happen if Gerrard were more forceful.

[Kite]

I find it astonishing that the Offal would publish such a controversial article.

[johngibo YPC]

Carra would have been my choice. Always talking, telling people to mark up.

 

 

but he can do that without an armband. You can never have too many leaders on the pitch

[Guest Scot]

Dirk Kuyt = suck-up

[Tasha]

Well Carra hasn't been that great either.

 

And if Stevie decided to be vocal and shout at people, the Stevie Me Brigade will take that as him tossing off and shoving orders while being ineffective.

 

He can't win.

[Guz]

Well Carra hasn't been that great either.

 

And if Stevie decided to be vocal and shout at people, the Stevie Me Brigade will take that as him tossing off and shoving orders while being ineffective.

 

 

 

Carra would never do that though would he? Everytime Jerzy conceeded a goal, Carra was always the first over to him, giving him words of encouragement, never shouting and ranting at him. Not carra.

 

Personally I find it pathetic that we have players who need someone to visibly pick them up everytime something goes wrong. We havent had a squad of players with proper b******s for ages. Hopefully not long before this team has Rafa's steel running through their blood all the time and not just on rare occasions.

[Swipe]

Well Carra hasn't been that great either.

 

And if Stevie decided to be vocal and shout at people, the Stevie Me Brigade will take that as him tossing off and shoving orders while being ineffective.

 

He can't win.

 

Exactly.

Edited November 15, 2006 by Swipe

[Tasha]

Carra would never do that though would he? Everytime Jerzy conceeded a goal, Carra was always the first over to him, giving him words of encouragement, never shouting and ranting at him. Not carra.

 

Personally I find it pathetic that we have players who need someone to visibly pick them up everytime something goes wrong. We havent had a squad of players with proper b******s for ages. Hopefully not long before this team has Rafa's steel running through their blood all the time and not just on rare occasions.

 

And even if Stevie was being really encouraging, certain people would still take it as condecending.

 

I know. If Stevie or Carra or whoever aren't feeling too great, what's wrong with making up for them and trying harder?