Walcott Situation

[Les Biehn]

I can only see 3 reasons why Sven would have picked Walcott,

1. Wenger wanted him to. The lad hasn't played so to keep Wenger's so called record of 'developing' young talent up and to keep the lads spirits up Wenger has exerted pressure for him to play.

2. Big Stevie M wanted him to. SM sees Walcott as part of his future squad and has asked Sven to take him at the expense of a more appropriate striker.

3. Sven is an even worse manager than I thought, going from one extreme (conservatism) to another (impulse selection).

What do ya reckon?

 

[DJ Leon]

Maybe he thinks Walcott could be explosive and help us win us a World Cup. Maybe he doesn't think the same about Darren Bent.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

4. he thought, for a laugh, he'd pick a "joke squad"

5. he went head mental

 

[jonny.rainbow]

Theo's dad made him.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

6. theo is actually quite good, and sven thought that he could do a job


7. beckham made him, cos he's desperate to see whether the nickname theo "babies arm" walcott is accurate

 

[Tooting Gull]

A lot of this has already been said, but my problem with Walcott being picked is not about the selection per se, but the context in which it was made.

To only pick four strikers when two of them are major doubts, and then to have the fourth as Walcott with everything we know (or don't know) about him seems insane.

If he was a fifth pick of five fit strikers, I could just about buy it. Because it is highly possible that in 10 years we'll all be looking back saying 'How was there even any discussion?' I think the kid will be dynamite soon. But in this squad we needed some more experienced cover up front first.

As for the decision, it's obviously Sven's decision.

 

[Les Biehn]

Maybe he thinks Walcott could be explosive and help us win us a World Cup. Maybe he doesn't think the same about Darren Bent.

So you think it is a good idea to pick a player with no Premiership experience?

 

[Silent Bob]

A lot of this has already been said, but my problem with Walcott being picked is not about the selection per se, but the context in which it was made.

To only pick four strikers when two of them are major doubts, and then to have the fourth as Walcott with everything we know (or don't know) about him seems insane.

If he was a fifth pick of five fit strikers, I could just about buy it. Because it is highly possible that in 10 years we'll all be looking back saying 'How was there even any discussion?' I think the kid will be dynamite soon. But in this squad we needed some more experienced cover up front first.

As for the decision, it's obviously Sven's decision.

My thoughts exacty.

Essentially you're gambling on three out of your four strikers, and the other while effective is not really the sort of player you want to play from the start, and will never be prolific.

Although to me the fact he's picked a lot of midfielders and these 4 strikers suggest he's thinking about playing 4-5-1.

 

[Tooting Gull]

There is a good chance that our World Cup strikeforce will be Crouch and Walcott with no one in reserve for injuries, suspensions or poor form. That is madness when you could have taken Defoe, Bent or Johnson.

 

[DJ Leon]

So you think it is a good idea to pick a player with no Premiership experience?

It might be a good idea, it might not, it's a gamble - as confessed by Sven himself. I think the idea is simple - he wants an impact player and he thinks Walcott, light on experience though he is, is that person. He obviously doens't think that Bent or Defoe can have the same kind of impact. Maybe the element of surprise is a factor.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

So you think it is a good idea to pick a player with no Premiership experience?

Most of the other nations have. Apart from the French team

I think if you are good then experience can mean very little. His pace is outstanding and he shows great composure. I am not convinced premiership experience is essential for Walcott. I think he will take the tournament by storm.

Mark my words Les. He will!

 

[jonny.rainbow]

So you think it is a good idea to pick a player with no Premiership experience?

Hargreaves

 

[Silent Bob]

Hargreaves

Not quite the same is it?

 

[Hannibal smith]

So you think it is a good idea to pick a player with no Premiership experience?

Who in the T&T team would get a deal in the Premiership bearing in mind they have players from Port Vale and Wrexham?

Whilst I appreciate this dosen't apply to Brazil etc, it means he can be played agianst poor opposition to see how he might get on.

 

[Les Biehn]

Not quite the same is it?

Was just about to say that.

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

I wouldn't be surprised if Joe Cole ends up as our top scorer

 

[Les Biehn]

It might be a good idea, it might not, it's a gamble - as confessed by Sven himself. I think the idea is simple - he wants an impact player and he thinks Walcott, light on experience though he is, is that person. He obviously doens't think that Bent or Defoe can have the same kind of impact. Maybe the element of surprise is a factor.

I usually find myself agreeing with you DJ Leon but on this occasion I have to say I think Sven has got it wrong. If you look at the bare facts, Bent: Scoring goals for fun against Prem defences, seems to be being judged on one international appearance, Walcott: Didn't score goals for fun against Championship defences, has been put in despite making no international apperances. It basically says to players, play as well as you like but if some massively hyped 17yr old's manager rates him he will get in ahead of you. Don't get me wrong I am not dismissing Walcott, he has shown in flashes that he could become a very good player. But at the moment it is still very much in the 'could' category.

 

[Everest]

Walcott owns a ball.

"If you don't pick me, you're not having it"

 

[Les Biehn]

Who in the T&T team would get a deal in the Premiership bearing in mind they have players from Port Vale and Wrexham?

Whilst I appreciate this dosen't apply to Brazil etc, it means he can be played agianst poor opposition to see how he might get on.

Well we might as well pick a team of 17yr old potential stars and see how they get on.