I was up till 4 am over here watching this game, could not believe it what a game. Seeing as I forgot my password I couldn't contribute on the board I deffo wanted to put my points across. First @ Gent and your bloddy 7 Walcott games 1/2 Chelsea and Tottneham last season 3 goals in 2 comebacks. 3 Chelsea at emirates 3-1 where we scored and set up 4/5 Udinese scored in both legs when we were shaky 6 West Ham this season 7 Wolves last season in the run in to 4th 1 goal and a penalty win Of the top of my head. Not to mention hatricks and doubles in CC and league. Numerous assists in the last few seasons. That liverpool goal, villa goal, hatrick against Croatia not to mention the 40 odd goals and assists since he joined us. Should he play striker? NO! Is he our best RWF? Absolutely. Does he need to be more consistent? Definitely. Actual game 1. Walcott's finishing just keeps getting better and with players like Cazorla and Arshavin (rosicky when he is back) who can see a through ball he can be deadly effective. Also is it just me or has his dribbling and control come on leaps and bounds he was beating players with skill and pace and not losing the ball. Plus some deadly balls in. 2. Arshavin like the rest of the team a ****e first half. But my god in the second he was beating players at will 3 assists (peach being for walcotts first) and so many through balls that led to great oppertunities. Also WTF??? He was sprinting till the 120th minute where did he get the energy. 3. Theo has to start against UTD they are vulnerable at the back and will attack us leaving space. Arshavin deserves more starts (not against UTD) and subs # 4. Koscielny look like the koscielny of old which is worrying. Maybe he lacks fitness and sharpness but he is being easily out muscled and falling for simple tricks. On current form he is as good/bad as Djourou. Need him to discover last seasons form. 5. Gnarby and Eisfeld look real talents. 6. Coq is WAY ahead of Frimpong in terms of our reserve DM. Also frimpong clearly needs a lot of time to recover, but honestly I am yet to be convinced by him. He is so not DDDEEENNNCCCHHH!!!! 7. Martinez looks a mixed Bag needs more games to decide about him. 8. Giroud was effing impressive lets hope he carries that into the league 9. Chamach - what the ****? 10. Jenkinson still looks solid.
Martinez looked like he got his positioning and angles wrong at times. I think it could have been a different story with Chesney or Mannone in goal.
Yup, Walcott has learned a lot from Henry on how to finish. Like you say, he was beating players for fun. Lets remember Reading are a Premier League team (not a good one), but that shows he's not far off beating top class defenders with his skills and dribbling. I've watched him closely for years, and I've seen improvement every year.
Knock off the wumming mate. We all like a bit of banter, but if you're going to act like a **** then we'll treat you like one.
Jebus, does anybody read more than the first few words in a paragraph anymore? 1/2 - both fit the types of games I said Walcott does well in. Sparse defenses and 'snowball' games. (submission rejected) 3 - the most one sided game against Chelsea we've had in recent memory IMO (even the 5-3 was closer). Not even close to being a well contested game. (submission rejected) 4/5 - He did well. On the counter mostly, but I'll accept this. 6 - goal was important, I have always advocated for him to be used mostly as an impact sub against teams we don't get much chances to counter attack against. (accepted) 7 - typical snowball game against a **** defense. Not even close to a well-contested game. (submission rejected) And this is only looking at the 'tangible' stats. Fact of the matter is most of the teams we face are of the defend with every man variety against which Walcott is next to useless. I don't know why you keep twisting my words, I'm not saying he is useless in every situation, just the majority of the teams we face (useless as a starter anyway). I have actually openly said this season that I would like him to start vs. Liverpool for example. They press us on their ground, we get to counter attack == Walcot is useful. Against the likes of Stoke and Sunderland? Might as well ****ing start the game with 10 men. Using the 5-3 against Chelsea, 5-2 vs. Spurs or yesterday's tennis game as an argument just plays into my point I'm afraid.
