Kuyt first touch

[_00_deathscar]

Done to death, but I really don't see how people say "he has a good first touch"...just don't see it - his first touch is truly dreadful.

[Foo]

I'd say it's got a little worse since he arrived actually...

[jfogarty]

His second touch is a tackle.

[_00_deathscar]

His second touch is a tackle.

 

I wouldn't say it's quite Heskey/Cissé standard, but his first touch often pulls him away from a good/decent position; made to look all the worse because he doesn't have the pace to rectify a poor first touch.

 

Think there was a part yesterday when one of the players played him into the box, he tried to take another touch before unleashing the shot but his touch took him way too far and the player got the tackle in because Kuyt was then too slow to get to it.

 

Several instances outside the box too...

[slapnuts]

It goes from good to terrible.

[KD07]

I've forgotten he's a striker by trade by now.

[Leroy]

Said this a long time ago, excellent work rate, but no touch, no goals for a striker & he`s always in the way of others. Sorry but dont rate him.

[m4ttc]

Said this a long time ago, excellent work rate, but no touch, no goals for a striker & he`s always in the way of others. Sorry but dont rate him.

 

Have to agree. I think work rate is a minimum that should be given to the team. Personally, he'd be my 4th Choice striker. Honest pro, top bloke but not enough quality. He actually doesnt do anything really well...other than run. Cash in IMHO.

[Guest Snorky]

Doing to much work in other areas.

 

Rafa loves his workaholics, so he'll be here for a while.

[Cooldude]

I swear he's our third midfielder nowadays

[Guest Lennon]

Complete exageration. His touch isn't amazing but it certainly isn't crap either. He was one of our better players yesterday and, as usual, was involved in any good chances we created.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Lennon

[Guest Lennon]

Rafa loves his workaholics

 

Hardly a bad thing.

 

Why is work rate frowned upon?

[Guest Snorky]

Hardly a bad thing.

 

Why is work rate frowned upon?

 

Wouldn't say frowned upon, just frustrated about. I would much rather see Kuyt work his nuts off in the penalty area and not on the half way line.

[Guest Lennon]

Agree with that. I think he's a natural target man and most of his best work is done in and around the box. It's just his bad luck that he has a great engine and Rafa wants someone to do all the donkey work.

[Guest Snorky]

Agree with that. I think he's a natural target man and most of his best work is done in and around the box. It's just his bad luck that he has a great engine and Rafa wants someone to do all the donkey work.

 

It frustrated me that forwards always drop deep to help the midfield and it's more often given straight back and then there is no outlet upfront.

[Guest Lennon]

Not sure whether it's a tactic from Rafa or just Kuyt's instinct in that deeper role to go looking for the ball, which leaves the striker isolated. In the first game against Villa I really liked how he and Torres were linking up, especially for the goal. But Kuyt seems to have retreated back to that 5th midfielder plodder role.

 

Thing with Kuyt, he gets lambasted for certain parts of his game, but he's another of those that you miss when he's not in the side, obviously due to the workrate he brings. But I'd be prepared to sacrifce that for more goals. I'd like to see more of Voronin and Torres, who work well together, and Kuyt and another, with Kuyt as the main attacking striker.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Lennon

[Guest Snorky]

Not sure whether it's a tactic from Rafa or just Kuyt's instinct in that deeper role to go looking for the ball, which leaves the striker isolated. In the first game against Villa I really liked how he and Torres were linking up, especially for the goal. But Kuyt seems to have retreated back to that 5th midfielder plodder role.

 

Thing with Kuyt, he gets lambasted for certain parts of his game, but he's another of those that you miss when he's not in the side, obviously due to the workrate he brings. But I'd be prepared to sacrifce that for more goals. I'd like to see more of Voronin and Torres, who work well together, and Kuyt and another, with Kuyt as the main attacking striker.

 

I think it's the way Rafa likes to play tbh.

[Chili Palmer]

Quality player, is the best partner for Torres, and should be in the team when fit. If Gerrard is playing in the middle and we want him to burst through, you need Kuyt in the team. good tactics from Rafa.

[Guest Lennon]

Quality player, is the best partner for Torres, and should be in the team when fit. If Gerrard is playing in the middle and we want him to burst through, you need Kuyt in the team. good tactics from Rafa.

 

Good point that.

[Shirohana]

Not sure whether it's a tactic from Rafa or just Kuyt's instinct in that deeper role to go looking for the ball, which leaves the striker isolated. In the first game against Villa I really liked how he and Torres were linking up, especially for the goal. But Kuyt seems to have retreated back to that 5th midfielder plodder role.

 

Thing with Kuyt, he gets lambasted for certain parts of his game, but he's another of those that you miss when he's not in the side, obviously due to the workrate he brings. But I'd be prepared to sacrifce that for more goals. I'd like to see more of Voronin and Torres, who work well together, and Kuyt and another, with Kuyt as the main attacking striker.

 

Well said

[jimmylibel]

His touch can be heavy alright but I'm more worried about his passing lately. Has been misplacing far too many simple balls and making some terrible choices in and around the box.

[ozziecazzie]

Torres and Crouch are my top 2 strikers, with Babel probably No.3

[Cam]

Kuyt, Cisse, Heskey, Camara... all poor first touches.

 

But Titi got round his by a) putting his a*** between the ball and the defender so he'd always be ahead of any race for the rebound, and b) by accepting his touch could go anywhere and being on the front foot ready for it.

 

His touch was bad but he often kept the ball. It was kinda like a long putt in golf. If you could roll it 50ft to within 3ft of the hole in a straight line it's a good shot. But it's still only 2ft away if it goes left, right or beyong the hole. That's how Titi played - it doesn't matter if it bounches off at 90 degrees as long as you're the one that gets it.

 

Kuyt always looks surprised and does that "I'll look frustrated for the fans" thing.

[floyd the barber]

welll regardless of who scored....we win again, with kuyt and torres starting together....so logic suggests they should continue.

[Cunny]

I made the same point about his touch about year ago and was given down the banks about it.

His first touch just can't be relied upon. However, his workrate and all round attitude just can't be faulted.

I tend to agree with Kev that he needs to concentrate on not dropping too deep or wide and stay in areas which can hurt the opposition more.

Having said all that I've no doubt he's playing to Rafa's instructions and he'd still be in my strongest starting XI.