Theo Walcott

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:29 PM

Alright, so I've turned myself into a bit of a leper with the masses in the Arsenal thread by daring to suggest that Theo Walcott is actually a pretty average player. Apparently having this opinion means I'm not a real Arsenal fan.

Now don't get me wrong, the lad isn't a bad player, I just don't think he's particularly exceptional. He's got bags of pace, but at the moment, that's about it. I don't think he's much better (if at all) than Aaron Lennon. He isn't a great finisher, his crossing is poor and his passing is extremely average. I don't think he's going to be a World Star, I think he's gonna be a decent player in the future, just right now I don't think he'd get a starting place at any of the top four clubs.

Now don't get me wrong, he's got potential, that run against Liverpool a couple of years back was magic, but has he actually developed much this year? I've not seen many moments of magic like that since.

Apparently the notion that if Rosicky returns as good as he was pre-injury is ridiculous, so I just thought I'd see what everyone else thinks of Theo.

Super-manc · 01-07-2009, 07:31 PM

I think he's much better than Aaron Lennon. The lad's only young, too early to judge him, of course he's going to be inconsistent but he has the potential to be great.

LFC_Aaron21 · 01-07-2009, 07:32 PM

Good player but not as good as people make out. Has bags of pace but he struggles to find any end product.

forestfcfan · 01-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Scoring that hat trick against Croatia hasn't really helped him as the media have jumped on the bandwaggon and turned him into a world beater over night

Giampinho · 01-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Theo is o-k..... his pace reminds me of my pace...

there is no substance to him at the end of the day, but there is a reason for it... look at players like Messi and Aguero, or even Cris when he first came to England. They were about walcott's age and they succeed at being worth over 10m.... I'd say the primary reason is the depth and support the team provides to the young players. How well do you expect someone like Theo to do, when Fabregas is captain, during a european fixture...... I think he was captain during the chelsea match at emirates, when the blues murked them 4 gols.... Walcott needs someone to use as an example, and im willing to bet if Henry stayed, Walcott would have been much more standout-ish ... but now, there is nobody he really looks to as a guide... all the potential leaders are either defenders, no longer interested to lead, or injured half the time.

Doc · 01-07-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7_Robert_Pires

Alright, so I've turned myself into a bit of a leper with the masses in the Arsenal thread by daring to suggest that Theo Walcott is actually a pretty average player. Apparently having this opinion means I'm not a real Arsenal fan.

I actually think a little bit of wee came out from me laughing there.

The reason he hasnt fulfilled his potential yet is because he is being played out of position by Lord Wenger.

D-Smith-LFC · 01-07-2009, 07:41 PM

To be honest I don't rate him highly at all think's he's very over-rated, just runs into Blind ally's with his head down.

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

I actually think a little bit of wee came out from me laughing there.

The reason he hasnt fulfilled his potential yet is because he is being played out of position by Lord Wenger.

Would you disagree massively? I think he has potential, but in terms of current ability he's pretty average.

Pearce doesn't play him up top either, and for the U21's he looked very average against Germany.

Doc · 01-07-2009, 07:43 PM

Play him upfront with a big tall striker and we wont even be talking about this.

HCFC Clark · 01-07-2009, 07:44 PM

Massively dissapointed in the U21 Championships. Needs to have a great season for Arsenal if he is going to live up to the hype. Right now tho, he's average.

kyro7 · 01-07-2009, 07:45 PM

Think he is class and has a lot of potential.

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:45 PM

Why wouldn't we? All he really has at the moment is his pace. His finishing, crossing and even at times dribbling are below par and his passing doesn't exactly set the world alight.

Giampinho · 01-07-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Play him upfront with a big tall striker and we wont even be talking about this.

probably because, like he op says, he cant pass well and is not very clutch on the flank.....

but if he can hardly finish most of the time, wot makes u think he will being upfront? if anything, there would be more pressure in the center forward

AriseForLife · 01-07-2009, 07:46 PM

I think he is way better than Aaron Lennon, but not better than Ashley Young.

I think his injury troubles have hurt his developement because whenever he hits form he ends up hurt which sidelines him for a while.

AriseForLife · 01-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Play him upfront with a big tall striker and we wont even be talking about this.

How do you figure? He can't pass for lalalalala either so what would it matter who you put him up top with?

Theo would be worse if he was played as a striker or center forward at this moment. Eventually I think his role will be more along the lines of a 'trequartista' but ONLY when he can get better control and learn basic passing.

mikahel · 01-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

I think he is way better than Aaron Lennon, but not better than Ashley Young.

I think his injury troubles have hurt his developement because whenever he hits form he ends up hurt which sidelines him for a while.

I think Lennon is a bit better, although he is really predictable

K1NGSM1LL · 01-07-2009, 07:49 PM

You say about the U21s, but what about the real England team?

If we play him up front regularly teams will suijoint.

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:51 PM

Why would we though when Eduardo, Adebayor, Bendtner, Arshavin and Van Persie are all better up front than him? We'd be shooting ourselves in the foot on the off chance it'd develop him as a player.

kyro7 · 01-07-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7_Robert_Pires

Why would we though when Eduardo, Adebayor, Bendtner, Arshavin and Van Persie are all better up front than him? We'd be shooting ourselves in the foot on the off chance it'd develop him as a player.

I agree tbh, Walcott is great an all but up front I aint too sure.

Matieo10 · 01-07-2009, 07:53 PM

He was poor...very poor at the Euros. Milner, Lennon, Young, Cole, SWP and to be honest I'd rather have Beckham in the England squad over Walcott at the moment.

Walcott has all the pace in the world, all the acceleration needed to get by players - but he simply isn't smart enough to do so. He can't pass...and at the Euro's he showed a failed technique of Henry's inside-step curling finish. He also can't impose himself physically on other players.

At the moment he's nothing more than a good option for a coach when substituting players.

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:53 PM

However Theo apparently sees himself as a forward...

Loadsamoney · 01-07-2009, 07:55 PM

I think his pace saves him from being an average looking player. I thought he was pretty ordinary in the U21's too.

Speaking of which, I wonder when James Milner is going to get a chance in the England first team. He's done extremely well at Newcastle and Aston Villa, he seems to be able to beat his marker, decent set piece taker, good team player and he has something Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon severely lack - the ability to cross the ball.

Doc · 01-07-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giampinho

probably because, like he op says, he cant pass well and is not very clutch on the flank.....

but if he can hardly finish most of the time, wot makes u think he will being upfront? if anything, there would be more pressure in the center forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

How do you figure? He can't pass for lalalalala either so what would it matter who you put him up top with?

Theo would be worse if he was played as a striker or center forward at this moment. Eventually I think his role will be more along the lines of a 'trequartista' but ONLY when he can get better control and learn basic passing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyro7

I agree tbh, Walcott is great an all but up front I aint too sure.

I remember comments being made like these when Henry first joined Arsenal, now look where he is

Anathematic · 01-07-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

I remember comments being made like these when Henry first joined Arsenal, now look where he is

By who?

Lloydboiere · 01-07-2009, 07:59 PM

i like him

View Poll Results: Theo Walcott
Quality Player, deserves the hype.	19	38.00%
Average Player, massively overhyped.	31	62.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

01-07-2009, 07:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anathematic Forum Junkie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Age: 21 Gender: Male Posts: 2,987	Theo Walcott Alright, so I've turned myself into a bit of a leper with the masses in the Arsenal thread by daring to suggest that Theo Walcott is actually a pretty average player. Apparently having this opinion means I'm not a real Arsenal fan. Now don't get me wrong, the lad isn't a bad player, I just don't think he's particularly exceptional. He's got bags of pace, but at the moment, that's about it. I don't think he's much better (if at all) than Aaron Lennon. He isn't a great finisher, his crossing is poor and his passing is extremely average. I don't think he's going to be a World Star, I think he's gonna be a decent player in the future, just right now I don't think he'd get a starting place at any of the top four clubs. Now don't get me wrong, he's got potential, that run against Liverpool a couple of years back was magic, but has he actually developed much this year? I've not seen many moments of magic like that since. Apparently the notion that if Rosicky returns as good as he was pre-injury is ridiculous, so I just thought I'd see what everyone else thinks of Theo. __________________ Formerly Known As: 7_Robert_Pires Last edited by Anathematic; 01-07-2009 at 07:33 PM..

01-07-2009, 07:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Super-manc EA Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manc-tropolis Gender: Male Posts: 10,296	I think he's much better than Aaron Lennon. The lad's only young, too early to judge him, of course he's going to be inconsistent but he has the potential to be great. __________________ http://www.sirryangiggs.com/

01-07-2009, 07:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Giampinho Forum Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London mainly.... Age: 23 Gender: Male Posts: 4,686	Theo is o-k..... his pace reminds me of my pace... there is no substance to him at the end of the day, but there is a reason for it... look at players like Messi and Aguero, or even Cris when he first came to England. They were about walcott's age and they succeed at being worth over 10m.... I'd say the primary reason is the depth and support the team provides to the young players. How well do you expect someone like Theo to do, when Fabregas is captain, during a european fixture...... I think he was captain during the chelsea match at emirates, when the blues murked them 4 gols.... Walcott needs someone to use as an example, and im willing to bet if Henry stayed, Walcott would have been much more standout-ish ... but now, there is nobody he really looks to as a guide... all the potential leaders are either defenders, no longer interested to lead, or injured half the time. __________________

01-07-2009, 07:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Doc EA Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Room 505 Age: 24 Gender: Male Posts: 13,695	Play him upfront with a big tall striker and we wont even be talking about this. __________________ Same kickin' and screamin' same cryin' and sobbin' Same song and dance...

01-07-2009, 07:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
D-Smith-LFC Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kop 203. Gender: Male Posts: 995	To be honest I don't rate him highly at all think's he's very over-rated, just runs into Blind ally's with his head down.

01-07-2009, 07:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
HCFC Clark Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hull Gender: Male Posts: 5,501	Massively dissapointed in the U21 Championships. Needs to have a great season for Arsenal if he is going to live up to the hype. Right now tho, he's average. __________________ Hull 2-1 Stoke

01-07-2009, 07:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
kyro7 Elite Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: England Age: 17 Gender: Male Posts: 7,716	Think he is class and has a lot of potential. __________________

01-07-2009, 07:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
Anathematic Forum Junkie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Age: 21 Gender: Male Posts: 2,987	Why wouldn't we? All he really has at the moment is his pace. His finishing, crossing and even at times dribbling are below par and his passing doesn't exactly set the world alight. __________________ Formerly Known As: 7_Robert_Pires

01-07-2009, 07:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
AriseForLife Elite Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The United States Posts: 8,861	I think he is way better than Aaron Lennon, but not better than Ashley Young. I think his injury troubles have hurt his developement because whenever he hits form he ends up hurt which sidelines him for a while. __________________

01-07-2009, 07:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
K1NGSM1LL EA Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Gender: Male Posts: 17,014	You say about the U21s, but what about the real England team? If we play him up front regularly teams will suijoint. __________________

01-07-2009, 07:51 PM	#18 (permalink)
Anathematic Forum Junkie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Age: 21 Gender: Male Posts: 2,987	Why would we though when Eduardo, Adebayor, Bendtner, Arshavin and Van Persie are all better up front than him? We'd be shooting ourselves in the foot on the off chance it'd develop him as a player. __________________ Formerly Known As: 7_Robert_Pires

01-07-2009, 07:53 PM	#20 (permalink)
Matieo10 EA Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Estádio do Dragão Gender: Private Posts: 18,959 Blog Entries: 3	He was poor...very poor at the Euros. Milner, Lennon, Young, Cole, SWP and to be honest I'd rather have Beckham in the England squad over Walcott at the moment. Walcott has all the pace in the world, all the acceleration needed to get by players - but he simply isn't smart enough to do so. He can't pass...and at the Euro's he showed a failed technique of Henry's inside-step curling finish. He also can't impose himself physically on other players. At the moment he's nothing more than a good option for a coach when substituting players. __________________ Wir trauern um Robert Enke \| 24.08.77 - 10.11.09 RIP

01-07-2009, 07:53 PM	#21 (permalink)
Anathematic Forum Junkie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Age: 21 Gender: Male Posts: 2,987	However Theo apparently sees himself as a forward... __________________ Formerly Known As: 7_Robert_Pires

01-07-2009, 07:55 PM	#22 (permalink)
Loadsamoney Forum Guru Join Date: May 2009 Age: 29 Gender: Male Posts: 1,329	I think his pace saves him from being an average looking player. I thought he was pretty ordinary in the U21's too. Speaking of which, I wonder when James Milner is going to get a chance in the England first team. He's done extremely well at Newcastle and Aston Villa, he seems to be able to beat his marker, decent set piece taker, good team player and he has something Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon severely lack - the ability to cross the ball.

01-07-2009, 07:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
Lloydboiere Forum Guru Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wales Age: 15 Gender: Male Posts: 2,476	i like him __________________ Sig Created by ccaston13 Liverpool 2 - 0 United