Dudek questions his future

[marek]

Dudek spoke with Gazeta Wyborcza and talked about his present situation at Liverpool.

He talked about his commitment to the team and was concerned by the coach's decision to drop him from the starting line up, claims that he's gotten no explanation for the decision. Says that he might not see the end of his contract at Liverpool, even thought he'd prefer to stay.

The general opinion of Dudek and the Polish press is that Houllier is trying to appease the English press by playing Kirkland. Kirkland is seen as the future of English goalkeeping and some hope to see him playing at Euro 2004. By playing Kirkland over Dudek, Houllier is buying himself extra goodwill with the local and national press who have been very critical of him.

There's more talk of the qualifiers for the World Cup and having both Dudek (starting keeper for Poland)and Kirkland (possible starting keeper for England) playing for the same team.

At the end, Dudek's agent said that Dudek still has a good reputation in Europe and it would not be a problem finding him a new team. But a lot depends on the goodwill of Liverpool, with whom Dudek still has a three year contract.

[usscouse]

It's a tough place to be and there could be a little truth in the report.
I don't want to lose him, he's too valuable and Kirkland has been breaking too easily for my liking. It's hard on the defense as well when they change the the man behind them every few weeks.

[Gabbage]

Originally posted by marek
The general opinion of Dudek and the Polish press is that Houllier is trying to appease the English press by playing Kirkland. Kirkland is seen as the future of English goalkeeping and some hope to see him playing at Euro 2004. By playing Kirkland over Dudek, Houllier is buying himself extra goodwill with the local and national press who have been very critical of him.

Has it occured to the Polish press that Dudek could have been dropped because Kirkland is a better keeper? Don't get me wrong--I think Dudek is a superb reaction stopper and on his day he can be one of the top goalkeepers in the world. But he has been out of sorts for over 18 months now and his errors have cost Liverpool a number of crucial points in that period. Kirkland has beaten Dudek to the starting spot on merit and, among supporters at least, there is no question which of the two should be first-choice stopper for Liverpool.

[dogboy17]

In my eyes Kirkland cost Liverpool the points on the weekend. The way he races off his line for no reason has got me wondering why Dudek is not between the posts. Too often Kirkland finds himself in no mans land why results in chances and goals. Keepers ned time to learn their trade and Dudek is the better option for Liverpool right now. Maybe in a couple of years Kirkland will be that man but he is not there yet.

[Gabbage]

Originally posted by dogboy17
In my eyes Kirkland cost Liverpool the points on the weekend. The way he races off his line for no reason has got me wondering why Dudek is not between the posts. Too often Kirkland finds himself in no mans land why results in chances and goals. Keepers ned time to learn their trade and Dudek is the better option for Liverpool right now. Maybe in a couple of years Kirkland will be that man but he is not there yet.

Viduka scored Leed's second goal on Sunday not because Kirkland raced off his line but because he did not do it quickly enough. Because Kirkland moved off his line to block Viduka's shooting angle, the Aussie was forced to attempt a difficult chipped finish. Due to brilliance, luck, or some combination of both, he succeeded. But had Kirkland stayed on his line Viduka would have had a sitter that any striker (barring perhaps Liverpool's own Emile Heskey) would have put away.

[marek]

Originally posted by Gabbage
Viduka scored Leed's second goal on Sunday not because Kirkland raced off his line but because he did not do it quickly enough. Because Kirkland moved off his line to block Viduka's shooting angle, the Aussie was forced to attempt a difficult chipped finish. Due to brilliance, luck, or some combination of both, he succeeded. But had Kirkland stayed on his line Viduka would have had a sitter that any striker (barring perhaps Liverpool's own Emile Heskey) would have put away.

did you tire yourself out with all these verbal gymnastics defending Kirkland? and do you work up a sweat every time he plays?

obviously the Polish press has an intrest in defending Dudek as much as the English press has in defending Kirkland

the argument about who is better was not a part of this thread and it did not enter into the newspaper article

the fact is that Dudek (a capable goalie, who had a lapse in form) who has served the club well for several seasons is being replaced by Kirkland (a capable goalie, who's still inexperienced and injury prone)

and since we're speaking for all the supporters, i'm sure they would all agree that having Dudek around when Kirkland is injured is a good thing

but for the Polish press, having the starting keeper for Poland sit on the bench behind the potential starting keeper for England (in light of the WC qualifiers) is not a good thing

there's more here then just who is better in goal (which is still debatable)