Walcott (centre forward)

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:58 pm

Theo up front worth a try as long as he is not up front on his own, which is in my opinion not going to suit his fast runs.

Try a few pairings in training...with RvP with both of them going for goal, trying it pragmatically as to which one runs and which one stays per each chance.
Because as I always go on about, I really do not like RvP as a second striker, he tales too many touches and his best quality is a quick shot.

Maybe also try Theo with Arshavin/Benayoun/Ramsey just off him, try and see how it goes with Chamakh too?

If it goes OK in training then can always give it a go for 30 minutes in a game.

If it does not work then disagree with anyone who says we should sell Walcott, he is not our best player and sometimes seems out of the action, but he brings speed, assists and goals to the team at a respectable level and works hard, never seen him as a lazy player

Deise Gooner · Post by **Deise Gooner** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:42 pm

He is wasted on the wing defenders just show him down the flank and thats it. Put him on the left of the front two and he will be scary imo but it wont happen.

Miff · Post by **Miff** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:46 pm

Sadly that would involve some kind of change in tactics. AKB don't do that.

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:07 am

Bendtners Drinking Buddy wrote:I dont buy this "played out of postion" argument.

He is not playing as a winger, he is playing as part of a front three - he has freedom to come in, dictate the game, get on the ball and make things happen - which he does not do.

If you take the "winger argument" look at Ljungberg, Pires, Overmars - even Wiltord - all influenced games from the flanks - of course they were world class players so it is a little unfair to compare, but if your good enough you will influence the game wherever you play. Walcott is playing upfront and does not do enough to justify his starting lineup berth for me, he is a good impact sub, granted - but as a first team regular? Not for me.

He had so much space today it was unreal, one assist apart he looked very ordinary - and for someone who spouts on about wanting to play up front all the time he doesnt half waste some chances you would expect your centre forward to take.

Iâ€™m going to have to disagree with your positional play post.

Overmars and Pires were out and out wingers. They hugged the line and were given the freedom to either cut in or head to the byeline to cross. They had pace and knew how to beat a man with skill.
Also these players had flair so much so that they had virtually no defensive responsibilities so rarely tracked back and therefore offered and outlet when breaking away.

We have to remember that we were playing 4-4-2 so the full backs got more protection. Especially from the other flanks in Parlour and Ljungberg who had the energy to both defend and attack but they still knew how to beat a player.

Yes â€“ Walcott is part of the front 3 but heâ€™s deeper then RVP and obviously still wide on the wing.
Both wide men hugged the touchline but drift in, making 2 upfront, when the balls the opposite flank for a cross. Walcott still has a lot of work to do to make things happen as heâ€™s still got a full back on him. Theyâ€™ve also got a defensive responsibility too!
Like how Barca play when the balls moving forward both wide men stay wide and eventually draw in creating a level front 3. This causes problems to the full backs as theyâ€™re now in central defence. Like last year when we played Barca, it looked like Clichy was leaving his man on the wing, when he wasnâ€™t! Villa had drawn in and Clichy followed allowing Alves tons of space out wide.
When you watch Barca theyâ€™re brilliant! If the balls central and moving forward the wide men hug the line allowing for the ball to be played wide to either side.
If the balls higher up tippy tappying about outside the area then the wide players play as a front 3. Allowing the fullbacks the space out wide.

Sadly we either arenâ€™t coached to play that way (I suspect!) or the players just donâ€™t have the intelligence.

So on Saturday the S/O was a factor as this allowed space for Theo. RVP started to drop deeper and Walcott played off the shoulder of the defender as Bolton had a highlineâ€¦..almost like a 4-4-2

Rugby Gooner · Post by **Rugby Gooner** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:11 am

Centre Forward for who though?!!
He will be another who leaves as soon as he can!!!

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:16 am

Theo's main problem (no matter where he is played) is he is still not a very intelligent footballer, he is purely instinctive. If he has no real time to decide what to do he will act on instinct and the result is always better, whether it's a shot or a pass.

But when he is given time he panics and can't decide what to do - as evidenced on Saturday (and numerous occasions over the years) when he was put through one on one with the keeper (but so far out he had time to run and think) and he chose the wrong option of the early shot under no pressure to do so.

If played centrally with a striking partner he might be better because he won't get as much "free" time to think about what to do. Alot of people seem to think because he has pace we should always look to utilise that pace. Let's be honest his pace hardly ever gets him by his man with the ball, does it?

Why not try him centrally playing off a ball holder? Someone that can collect it to feet and release it quickly to Theo, forcing Theo to play (and shoot) closer in and more instinctively.