Olivier Giroud - Another Alan Smith or "Le Chapman"?

[GranadaJoe]

imo leftfoot has got it right. If you're going to play a lone striker he needs to be a) quick enough to run away from defenders when the ball is played into space, b) intelligent enough to be able to find space or c) strong enough to outmuscle defenders who are marking you. Giroud is none of these. I think he does try, he's just not good enough.

[highburyJD]

Giroud's movement in tight spaces last season was excellent, he linked up brilliantly with Belhanda
he's also very strong. Not ever gonna be fast.
No reason why he shouldn't improve - still ridiculous to be reliant on only him up front when the teams above and around us have more options (Mancs both have 4 strikers, even Sperz and Chels have two each)

[northbank123]

JD he certainly looks strong - but imo it's alarming how the slightest bit of physical pressure from an opponent and his touch goes 15 yards (and the arms are outstretched and his gaze is cast towards the skies).

[Top Londoner]

I was told off last night for continuously doing the Giroud.
You know the one. Head in hands and looking skywards.
That, and swearing out loud too.

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

I was told off last night for continuously doing the Giroud.
You know the one. Head in hands and looking skywards.
That, and swearing out loud too.

I promised the missus i wouldn't swear last night but within a couple of minutes the defender gets in front of giroud and he does his girly attempt at being a man and I was off......needless to say the missus left the room

[flash gunner]

I was told off last night for continuously doing the Giroud.
You know the one. Head in hands and looking skywards.
That, and swearing out loud too.

I promised the missus i wouldn't swear last night but within a couple of minutes the defender gets in front of giroud and he does his girly attempt at being a man and I was off......needless to say the missus left the room

Well every cloud and all that

[Brady's left peg]

Giroud's movement in tight spaces last season was excellent, he linked up brilliantly with Belhanda
he's also very strong. Not ever gonna be fast.
No reason why he shouldn't improve - still ridiculous to be reliant on only him up front when the teams above and around us have more options (Mancs both have 4 strikers, even Sperz and Chels have two each)

he's also very strong

He may look strong, in fact he may be strong....... But he doesn't know how to use his strength or is unwilling to use it.
I don't think he imposes himself on defenders enough, he needs to rough a few up and let them know he will not be bullied.
It's one of the first things a defender is taught and that is what happened last night, he needs to learn from that and turn the tables.
I still think he's pretty shit though and will never be good enough to start for us on a regular basis IMHO.

[highburyJD]

Giroud got a but moved about last night but I do think Distin is one of the best defenders in the league
and that Giroud has been forced to play too many games

ridiculous our squad is reliant on one centreforward, that's not just the players fault

[markyp]

stats comparing Bendy to Giroud are a little unfair on bendy afterall he never had a sustained run in the team unlike giroud who has.had he been given a run then im sure his stats would outway giroud for sure,not by much but certainly by enough to not be able to justify spending £12m on a worse version of him.i think had bendy played last night he would at least have converted one of those chances.to have bendy then buy chamakh then giroud is just shameful,we sold vela who is a better player hands down than any of those imho and even vela couldnt cut it or more to the point wasnt given a fair chance unlike giroud who must be wenkers secret love child with all the favouritism goin on

[Lee1]

Giroud's movement in tight spaces last season was excellent, he linked up brilliantly with Belhanda
he's also very strong. Not ever gonna be fast.
No reason why he shouldn't improve - still ridiculous to be reliant on only him up front when the teams above and around us have more options (Mancs both have 4 strikers, even Sperz and Chels have two each)

he's also very strong

He may look strong, in fact he may be strong....... But he doesn't know how to use his strength or is unwilling to use it.
I don't think he imposes himself on defenders enough, he needs to rough a few up and let them know he will not be bullied.
It's one of the first things a defender is taught and that is what happened last night, he needs to learn from that and turn the tables.

Thought he might have been the physical presence we needed...bully not be bullied. Think am wrong at this stage. Cheeky bid anyone for Andy Carrol if West ham can't afford him and mousers don't want him?

When we signed him thought at last we might have a forward who could give it out rather than be bullied as we frequently are (front and back). Sadly,think I am wrong. Andy Carrol cheeky bid anyone if West ham can't afford him and mickeys don't want him?
I still think he's pretty shit though and will never be good enough to start for us on a regular basis IMHO.

[highburyJD]

Giroud had played a whole, high pressure, extremely competitive season
and delivered when it was needed
Vela and Bendtner had never done that - makes sense to expect more of Giroud
but a first season in the Prem, with zero backup, is asking too much IMO

[1989]

Bendtner was more talented than Giroud. The only thing Giroud has over him is mentality.

[Lee1]

Thought Giroud might give us the physical presence we needed...bully rather than be bullied. I am wrong! If we want/need that option why not a cheeky gamble on Andy Carroll (injury prone caveat) if West Ham can't afford him and mousers don't want him?

[highburyJD]

people criticising Giroud's (actually decent) touch would have melt-downs if they had to watch Carroll...

[1989]

people criticising Giroud's (actually decent) touch would have melt-downs if they had to watch Carroll...

Giroud's touch is akin to that of a newborn elephant. If that is deemed as decent then I would love to see what a poor touch looks like. Carroll is at least a fighter and won't act like a drama queen every time he misses a chance.