2018/19 Theo Walcott

[BlueToff]

For someone of his experience, he lacks a football brain . Right at the start of the second half when Chelsea went straight onto the attack, They swung the ball out to the left where Alonso and Hazard were waiting for it, Coleman was totally isolated 1:2 and Walcott was about 20 yards away just watching. The 2nd half was about 5 second old!

Yep, I did mean to mention that as well. It was the one time he switched off defensively and it almost cost us again. That needs to stop. It's whether what he offers going the other way weighs out the negative, though.

At the moment, because his final touch or pass or shot is lacking, then it's not. But when he's on form it definitely does because he's such a useful player to have with that pace.

He needs a goal, but I'm not sure if the answer is dropping him, or to simply stick with a front four that has played while we've won three out of five games?

 

[Lanolin]

Genuinely think he's been fine personally. No more than fine like, but certainly not anywhere near as bad as some are making out. He's an honest hardworking threat on that right hand side, and his pace worries teams. I didn't even think his touch was that bad for the 'chance' if i'm honest, I thought he was just running at full pelt to get there and so couldn't adjust his stride or cushion it. If he'd eased off the gas and let it cross his path 6 inches in front of him he'd have probably got the praise the run deserved but because he actually got there he doesn't.

He's certainly not undroppable, and his form over recent weeks hasn't been as good as it was last season/early this, but it's a sign of how well the team is doing that he's somehow getting pelters for only being alright.

 

[Papa Shango]

If he doesn’t get dropped how does he learn his current form is unacceptable?

I would assume the manager talks to his players like...

 

[BlueToff]

Genuinely think he's been fine personally. No more than fine like, but certainly not anywhere near as bad as some are making out. He's an honest hardworking threat on that right hand side, and his pace worries teams. I didn't even think his touch was that bad for the 'chance' if i'm honest, I thought he was just running at full pelt to get there and so couldn't adjust his stride or cushion it. If he'd eased off the gas and let it cross his path 6 inches in front of him he'd have probably got the praise the run deserved but because he actually got there he doesn't.

He's certainly not undroppable, and his form over recent weeks hasn't been as good as it was last season/early this, but it's a sign of how well the team is doing that he's somehow getting pelters for only being alright.

I agree mate.

On the chance, I do think he could have done better, but it was a hard touch. The issue I have with it is that I know Walcott - on form - has the quality to take that in his stride. It's just not quite going for him at the moment.

 

[Zatara]

That could actually tell multiple stories depending on who is interprating the stats and what their agenda is. I dont jave an agenda by the way but I know you do Zat.

If one wide forward has 89% pass completion and another has 68% then i dont think anyone needs to have an agenda to judge the figures.

 

[Nymzee]

He really wasn't bad at all yesterday.

His touch let him down for that chance. Other than that it was a good performance.

He's in the team because he offers something none of our other players currently do and that is sheer pace to be able to get in behind (which is where the chance came from yesterday). He is always a threat, things aren't going for him at the moment with the chances.

But dropping a player isn't always the answer.

What use is sheer pace if he messes up every opportunity that creates?

 

[Zatara]

What use is sheer pace if he messes up every opportunity that creates?

The press are now showing a few items on Walcott (via newsnow) and i think Silva and Brands must be looking at him and planning for a replacement.

Hope its in January.

 

[Lanolin]

What use is sheer pace if he messes up every opportunity that creates?

He doesn't though. Which means teams are always wary of his pace, and have to set up accordingly. It also means we have an outlet ball on the right who can carry us up the pitch and away from our own danger areas, something we couldn't do last season until he was introduced. He also uses his pace to quickly close down in the oppositions half, and is one of the reasons we are able to successfully win the ball back high up the pitch so often.

But obviously some fans don't see that there's more to the game than attackers scoring and defenders tackling, so much of it goes unnoticed.

 

[Parker]

Considering that he is a winger, he absolutely hates running at people. With that pace he could just knock it and go. But most of the time he just turns and passes backwards, could be a confidence thing and I don't associate Walcott with running at people but still.

 

[Nymzee]

He doesn't though. Which means teams are always wary of his pace, and have to set up accordingly. It also means we have an outlet ball on the right who can carry us up the pitch and away from our own danger areas, something we couldn't do last season until he was introduced. He also uses his pace to quickly close down in the oppositions half, and is one of the reasons we are able to successfully win the ball back high up the pitch so often.

But obviously some fans don't see that there's more to the game than attackers scoring and defenders tackling, so much of it goes unnoticed.

So would you begrudge him being dropped for say Lookman next match? You could also try being less condescending then I might bother to read all of your posts.

 

[Nymzee]

Fact is he’s missed an alarming number of chances you’d expect him to finish and he’s also been lax defending. Absolutely hamstrung us vs United. I don’t see what he offers at the moment Lookman doesn’t.

 

[Lanolin]

So would you begrudge him being dropped for say Lookman next match? You could also try being less condescending then I might bother to read all of your posts.

Hahaha coming from you who can't wait to name drop a Slovenian 17 year old from the Albanian league and act amazed that nobody knows who you're on about! Just put me on ignore if you don't want to read my posts, i'm sure i'll live.

No I wouldn't begrudge him being dropped, but that's got nothing to do with the pointless pithy comment I was replying to has it?

 

[Nymzee]

Hahaha coming from you who can't wait to name drop a Slovenian 17 year old from the Albanian league and act amazed that nobody knows who you're on about! Just put me on ignore if you don't want to read my posts, i'm sure i'll live.

No I wouldn't begrudge him being dropped, but that's got nothing to do with the pointless pithy comment I was replying to has it?

So if you’ve got no issues with him being dropped he must not be playing well enough to start so you’re just validating me asking for him to be dropped?

 

[Lanolin]

So if you’ve got no issues with him being dropped he must not be playing well enough to start so you’re just validating me asking for him to be dropped?

You weren't talking about him being dropped in the post I quoted though. I was simply pointing out what the use of having pace is, which is what you had asked.

Also me not having a problem with him being dropped doesn't mean I don't think he's playing well enough to start at all. It's no wonder people are condescending when you make false equivalence like that is it? I would have no problem with Bernard being dropped either, or either of the centre halves from yesterday, but that doesn't mean they're not playing well enough, it just means that we have a squad of players who can (hopefully at least) offer proper competition for places. If Silva thinks Lookman has done enough to oust Walcott then I wouldn't think he'd gone mad, but nor would I if he decided Walcott had done enough to keep his place.

 

[Barnfred 55]

What use is sheer pace if he messes up every opportunity that creates?

Two months ago the same press were asking whether he should be included in the squad for the September Internationals.