Agreed. For Spurs, I'd be inclined to stick with AJ, as Alvarez probably isn't fit enough to play behind Connor. -----------------Wickham-------------------- Buckley-----------Giacc--------------------AJ ------------------Rodders-------------------- -------------------Catts--------------------- PVA-----------JOS--------Wes----------Santi -------------------Vito----------------------- I know Seb has played well, but he still doesn't hurt people enough and this is the most creative side, Giacc could go wide, either side to accomodate Alvarez off the bench. Fletcher, well, I'd not even have him on the bench for a couple games and let him know that he's gotta sort it, Jozy as an option from the hour too, he should be nearing fitness now. Lovely to have people like Gomez, who already looks an excellent buy, Seb, Jozy, Bridcutt etc on the bench.
I was commenting purely on last nights game, not his performances for us. And yes he is more positive when he plays for Sunderland but I would like to know what is his best position, as he does not seem to be a natural wide man and he is too lightweight for midfield in my opinion, similar to Fletcher he does not seem to fit naturally into our style of play, it will be very interesting seeing what Gus does with this squad of players.
Understand the Giachh comments, an Italian International, but Wickham…..he doesn't do it for me, Fletcher or Jozy all the way. Even the England Under 21's see him as a average plank !
Last season we could not afford to fit Giachorrini into our team because of our gameplan for survival, but with the added talent to midfield we should have at least an hour out of him either as a foil for Larsson or whizzing away on counter attacks.
You have hit the nail squarely on the head, last seasons game plan was completely different to this seasons. As Bri said earlier, I am also looking forward to seeing more from the flair players this season.
Now some people don't rate Wickham like I do but he has scored 5 goals more this year than Jozy and Fletcher and has more assists and has been far more influential - he outplayed Man Utd the other week out of position - Fletcher has been terrible so far this season - not one single thing has made me think "Yeah he plays" - Jozy - I don't rate him from what I've seen but I have seen a lot more promise in him than I have in Fletcher but nowhere near what Wickham offers. Guess you're one of these people who says "5 good games in 3 years" and doesn;t realise that he's only actually played 5 games in a row once in those three years
Wow, I'm in the '5 good games in 3 years' camp but his views don't reflect my own one bit. I just think he's still miles away from being the finished article and not worth 40k+ a week at the moment(nowhere near). I think he's a bright talent and great prospect with a long way still to go. I think Wickham has been ****e at inside left, he doesn't know what he's doing there, it's a creative spot and he managed to create just two chances in three games, however he's been by far and away the most lively in the front three and managed 8 attempts on goal. The stats back the logic, drop Fletcher with his three shots in three games(pathetic) and put Wickham up top, in his natural role and let him run riot.
He has played for us as a LW, and I reckon he is not fast enough for that and certainly cannot track back and defend. I reckon his best (and probably) only position to play him is in the Sess role just behind the big striker, that is where he played for Italy, does not have to do too much defending and can instigate attacks and take the odd shot now and again.
I still believe that, had he been given a chance earlier, he'd be a much more developed player. I don't think he's the finished article but I'd certainly give him £40k a week rather than let him leave for a pittance next season (£6m I reckon we'd get of tribunal but that isn't half what he'd be worth under contract) - just opinions though - I'd give him the £40k (but that would include bonuses for performance/goals etc - not a basic £40k) and see what he's capable of. He's 21 - I don;t know many centre forwards his age & size who were fully developed as a footballer. But he's certainly better than Fletcher!!
His size? There have been many a forward way ahead of him by this stage, maybe they had the correct attitude or maybe more ability.. Maybe his lack of games, has something to do with the points above? Giacc thread turns into another Wickham one..
Don't want t come across as not liking him, he's average. just not a Premier League centre forward. O K for Championship maybe. £6 Million, take it.
I've said it till I'm blue in the face. This lad is pure class. Put him in the team, give him a run and he will shine like the diamond he is. Failn to ply him and he will leave in January and SAFC will be the only loser. He would play over Fletcher, Wickham or AJ IMO. Every time.
