KOPI-TALKS 
KOPI-TALKS
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THE END OF DUDEK 02.12.02 Previous Page Next Page I
agree that everybody makes mistakes. I
most definitely sympathize with the plight of goalkeepers. They have an
unglamorous yet important job of stopping the opponents from scoring (As the
saying goes, a clean sheet equates to winning half the match). But the glory
almost always falls on the outfield players (especially strikers who delivers
the goods) when the team wins. Nobody seems to remember the efforts of the poor
keeper when they play well and yet when they made just one mistake, they will be
placed straight in the firing line. That
is why I normally do not blame keepers if they spill shots, fail to hold high
balls, let the ball roll through their body, being lobbed from a ridiculous
distance or throw/kick the ball straight to an opponent. Until yesterday’s
game.
But
let’s look on the bright side. At least Dudek should be glad that he is
not a Colombian, otherwise he would have been shot! And Arsene Wenger, who has
been targeting Dudek for such a long time as Seaman’s replacement before an
exorbitant transfer fee saw the deal fall through, must be laughing away that he
failed to land his target. And Alex Ferguson owes Dudek a treat, otherwise his
Manchester United would have fallen further behind Arsenal in the title race
which would make this season boring. There
is a Liverpool precedent for bad keepers. Liverpool fans should remember
who Sandra Westerveld was. He was given the cold shoulder and sold to
Spain for a mistake half as bad as Dudek’s (For your information he is now
plying his trade at the league leaders of the world’s best league. I
wonder how Houllier feels if he knew this). So if the precedent is
followed, I expect Dudek to be exiled to Siberia and perform hard labour to
improve on his grip. But
come to think of it, Dudek is rather pitiful. I’m sure nobody wants to
make such a mistake. (But if he was ever found to be accepting bribes and
thus threw the game away, he really ought to be shot). But let’s face
the harsh realities. There are no place for losers, especially for such
unbelievable mistakes. Frankly I expect Dudek to be dropped. If
Houllier continues to use him (which I’m sure he is not), he risks the danger
of using a no-confidence keeper (confidence is so, so important to a keeper) and
endangers his team’s chances of keeping pace with Arsenal. It is now up
to Dudek to pick himself up, regain his confidence and hopefully with the
support of fans and his teammates come back a stronger character. So
Dudek, if you ever read my article, please do not feel despair. I’m sure
you are strong enough to make a comeback and continue to make a telling
contribution to Liverpool’s cause I is now up to you yourself you prove to us
that you are not as bad as we think. And
Chris Kirkland, it’s now or never. Take your chance with both hands before a
new Dudek comes roaring back.
Football Junkie (Guest Writer) Latest Entries by other writers 28.11.02 : Curse of the Gong 23.11.02 : Manchester United 5 - 3 Newcastle United 18.11.02 : A Derby To Forget |
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