2018/19 Theo Walcott

[Groucho]

..I posted when he signed that my fear was that the game no longer mattered to him. It matters to Everton fans who continue to turn up and continue to be let down when visiting certain grounds.

A lack of motivation was my big concern also. It can't be easy for a player approaching the final stretch of his career to realise that he had fallen into the spare parts category at a big club and he knew he had to take a step down. It's why I respected Gareth Barry so much, even know the exact same thing happened to him he still approached every game for a middle of the table Everton side as he would a league winning City team.

Fans are right to be frustrated at Theo's effort, or lack of it, yesterday and shouldn't be called out for voicing this opinion as some self proclaimed experts have chosen to do so on this thread. At both ends of the pitch yesterday, a little more effort would have seen him have either great opportunities to score at the back post from great crosses and he would have prevented Martial's goal if he showed the proper desire to get back in position. He needs to do more, if he doesn't I have no doubts at all that Silva will pull him straight out of the team.

I don't think it's an underlying motivational issue, Eggs. At no point in his Everton career so far has he shown anything other than being fully motivated and willing to play in different systems.

He switched off yesterday and we were punished. I'm sure Silva will be onto that to ensure it doesn't happen again.

But plenty of players do it.

Richarlison did a fair bit of half-arsed pressing yesterday, but I don't think anyone would question his motivation.

I just think he had an off day.

 

[Brendan Janus]

form is temporary, class is permanent.

PMSL lol

 

[Bob Elstone]

He’s a ghost. So anonymous.

 

[Nymzee]

7) Walcott remains infuriating and was at fault for Everton
Theo Walcott always seems a very likeable man, but he is an infuriating footballer. Twice at Old Trafford, he broke into the right-hand side of the box with Richarlison inside him. On both occasions, to the Brazilian’s fury, he chose to take on a shot rather than square the ball. His first shot was weak; his second beaten away comfortably by David de Gea. And that wasn’t even his most negative contribution. Both United goals came from him losing possession and, for the second, he barely raised a run to track back, which left Anthony Martial in space to receive Paul Pogba’s pass and score. For a player so experienced – he may seem locked in a bubble of eternal potential, but Walcott is 29 now – to be guilty of such a dereliction was staggering. At some point, the Peter Pan of English football needs to grow up and start taking responsibility. Jonathan Wilson

 

[granter79]

Was a liability yesterday and hasn't been great at all this season. Hope Marco takes him out next week. Need to set a benchmark on how to perform to keep your place

 

[Toffeelover]

For next game leave him out and play Lookman.

 

[Carlito]

He's a decent player, but he isn't good enough to have an impact against the better sides.

 

[LydiateLee]

Lookman needs a chance now has looked good last 2 games, Walcott looks very jaded.

 

[bcblue1878]

7) Walcott remains infuriating and was at fault for Everton
Theo Walcott always seems a very likeable man, but he is an infuriating footballer. Twice at Old Trafford, he broke into the right-hand side of the box with Richarlison inside him. On both occasions, to the Brazilian’s fury, he chose to take on a shot rather than square the ball. His first shot was weak; his second beaten away comfortably by David de Gea. And that wasn’t even his most negative contribution. Both United goals came from him losing possession and, for the second, he barely raised a run to track back, which left Anthony Martial in space to receive Paul Pogba’s pass and score. For a player so experienced – he may seem locked in a bubble of eternal potential, but Walcott is 29 now – to be guilty of such a dereliction was staggering. At some point, the Peter Pan of English football needs to grow up and start taking responsibility. Jonathan Wilson

Interesting and actually good to see Seamus, Keane and Pickford all letting him know he'd not done his job properly, rather than just letting him off with it! Hopefully Silva is encouraging them all to be a bit more vocal about stuff like this, we've been too quiet as a team for along time now!

 

[Paulie]

Richy on the right, Lookman on the left and Tosun back up front.

 

[TheBigIguana]

The second goal was on him. But blaming the guy who gave the ball away for a goal that was in reality an attack that came to nothing except for Moss being incompetent is really not on.

 

[Zezti]

7) Walcott remains infuriating and was at fault for Everton
Theo Walcott always seems a very likeable man, but he is an infuriating footballer. Twice at Old Trafford, he broke into the right-hand side of the box with Richarlison inside him. On both occasions, to the Brazilian’s fury, he chose to take on a shot rather than square the ball. His first shot was weak; his second beaten away comfortably by David de Gea. And that wasn’t even his most negative contribution. Both United goals came from him losing possession and, for the second, he barely raised a run to track back, which left Anthony Martial in space to receive Paul Pogba’s pass and score. For a player so experienced – he may seem locked in a bubble of eternal potential, but Walcott is 29 now – to be guilty of such a dereliction was staggering. At some point, the Peter Pan of English football needs to grow up and start taking responsibility. Jonathan Wilson

I've defended him early in the season but can't defend him for yesterday. Really poor.

 

[Blue Roo]

A lack of motivation was my big concern also. It can't be easy for a player approaching the final stretch of his career to realise that he had fallen into the spare parts category at a big club and he knew he had to take a step down. It's why I respected Gareth Barry so much, even know the exact same thing happened to him he still approached every game for a middle of the table Everton side as he would a league winning City team.

Fans are right to be frustrated at Theo's effort, or lack of it, yesterday and shouldn't be called out for voicing this opinion as some self proclaimed experts have chosen to do so on this thread. At both ends of the pitch yesterday, a little more effort would have seen him have either great opportunities to score at the back post from great crosses and he would have prevented Martial's goal if he showed the proper desire to get back in position. He needs to do more, if he doesn't I have no doubts at all that Silva will pull him straight out of the team.

The signing of Walcott (the player) was fundamentally wrong for the Blues.

I have always admired the way Everton tried to punch above its weight.
We may have got undone by more talented teams, but nearly every time they knew they were in for a fight.
Whether it was Cahill, Baines and Pienaar or Osman and Naismith, they would bust their guts, fight that inch.
If we just had the cash to keep players and get a few top class forwards, with this talent, and the heart and attitude out on the pitch, we'd smash it.
More than anything, it'd be not feeling like we were going to put it up to mega clubs, but actually go there to win the fight confidently.

Its about beating the other top clubs, first and foremost to compete at the top, the rest takes care of it self (to a degree).

Sure, recruitment is a tricky business. And you don't really know what your getting most of the time.
No matter the talent though, if they don't show the fight and passion on the pitch they should be shifted.
I would have shunted Lukaku a lot sooner. We should keep looking until we get the right man.
And with the younger ones like Lookman and Vlasic, well, maybe a bit more time to grow up.
But Walcott should never have been signed
Its worry if we go on and continue to sign these types of players.

The question is, after Walcott let Lacazette waltz past him without any effort made, resulting in a loss to Arsenal,
why Silva selected/allowed him to do pretty much the same thing against Man U?
MIssing chances is one thing, but don't think this should be accepted at Everton.
We lose something if we do.
And while its heartening to fell the passion, excitement, belief rising again
But it has to be checked by what that is.
Banging in a few goals and assists just won't cut it on its own.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I really don't think he has been that bad. He's given the ball away a bit but he isn't the only one. He's been wasteful with his crossing but again he isn't the only one. He still has a role to play for us this season but at the moment it might be time to see what Lookman can do from the start. Walcott's pace may suit the bench as well.

 

[Hibbo]

Theo is the great man. He is an attack of intent. Shoot of skill.