What is stalling Theo??

[Niall_Quinn]

There's a very short term attitude here that seems to match the ambitions of the board more than what I thought were the ambitions of the fans. If Walcott is prepared to do this now, even if we sign him up we stand to lose more than we'll gain if our recent history is anything to go by. There are several dangers.

First, even if we sign him do we get to keep the "can suddenly give a fuck" Walcott or does he drop back into his 3 games a year routine?

Second, if we pay this guy the ludicrous amounts being suggested, is that the new benchmark for incoming signings and future contract negotiations? Is Walcott so special the rest will look on and understand why he's on the big money? I doubt it. Walcott is no RvC. For me this will be more a case of, "If Walcott's on x I at least deserve y"

Then there's the board. If Walcott signs and continues to perform, doesn't that just mean we get the summer madness followed by every subsequent transfer window madness as the other clubs come sniffing around? If Walcott delivers, especially if he delivers on the international stage, we lose him anyway. Isn't that the way it works at this club?

I can't see a good way out of this situation from a fan's perspective. Either the club gets scalped by Walcott or Walcott bows and delivers and then gets flogged anyway. So what do we get? Maybe a season from a fairly decent player? Provided he doesn't get injured again?

Cave into him and we get all the problems that may bring and probably still get fucked in the end anyway. Is it any wonder these players don't fight tooth and nail on the pitch? Is it a surprise their attitude stinks, their heads drop, they won't fight for the shirt, they are perennial losers? Big money, no pressure, half their careers on the treatment table and then fuck off to manchester when the first decent season has concluded.

We fucked ourselves as soon as we declared ourselves as a selling club. Not only in the eyes of other clubs but also in the eyes of our own players. Once RvC went it became open season, now anything goes. Including players like Walcott (hardly a world beater) trying to dictate where he plays and making ridiculous wage demands. At least we know what sort of person he is now, I suppose, so it won't come as a shock when he fucks off. No illusions as with the RvC betrayal.

Jack Wilshere could stop this tide, I hope he's the guy to do it when it comes time to sign his next contract. That will be the real wrench if it goes badly - not Walcott. Walcott has pretty much declared he's available to the highest bidder. Wilshere has so far declared his desire to stay with the club for life. Is it possible there's still one player out there who gives a shit about the club and the fans? I hope so.

[V-Pig]

Theo is quite a weird player to assess. One the one hand when he has a bad game he has a very bad game, he makes constant wrong decisions even during his good games, has poor ball control and his finishing when one on one is usually close to the keeper, giving them a chance to make a save. Judged on that you would say he isn't worth 100k a week.

However despite all of the above he does keep scoring and getting assists. His crossing seems to be improving and his finishing when he cuts in from the wing is quality. It's something we have benefited from this season.

Even though he isn't worth the money he is demanding I think we have to give it to him. We need him more that he needs us.

Yeah, I'd agree with this. I guess he'll have to be paid. I'd quite like to see him play through the middle when on top form, making runs through the central defenders and shooting low past the keeper as he's been doing a lot recently. He's getting a lot better at finishing.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Tbh, 75k is a decent enough offer. Theo asking for 100k is a bit overly ambitious imo.

I do hope all prospects of further negotiations are not already lost, due to both parties possibly drawing hard lines.

I say a possible settlement of 80-85k would seem just based on the current wage climate and what Theo has contributed and continues to contribute. He's definitely among our shortlist of direct players and we can ill-afford to lose him at this time - even more so when one considers that he will possibly not be adequately replaced.

Tired of this feeling of deja fucking-vu.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Tbh, 75k is a decent enough offer. Theo asking for 100k is a bit overly ambitious imo.

I do hope all prospects of further negotiations are not already lost, due to both parties possibly drawing hard lines.

I say a possible settlement of 80-85k would seem just based on the current wage climate and what Theo has contributed and continues to contribute. He's definitely among our shortlist of direct players and we can ill-afford to lose him at this time - even more so when one considers that he will possibly not be adequately replaced.

Tired of this feeling of deja fucking-vu.

That seems fair and both the player and the club should be happy with that.

[Niall_Quinn]

Do we kick Giroud out to give Walcott what he wants? Or change to 4-4-2 and have Gervinho and Ramsey provide the lethal ammo from the wings? If Walcott stays surely we need him out wide? Whatever decent performances he's managed, that's where he managed them from isn't it?

[GP]

Well, exactly.

I don't know why he's making such a fuss about being played as a striker when it's clear he's best coming in from the right.

I mean, I do know why he's making a fuss about it, but some won't believe it.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Do we kick Giroud out to give Walcott what he wants? Or change to 4-4-2 and have Gervinho and Ramsey provide the lethal ammo from the wings? If Walcott stays surely we need him out wide? Whatever decent performances he's managed, that's where he managed them from isn't it?

What if we bring in a Llorente in Jan or some stiker as good as him, then Theo has no chance up top. We clearly need a top strtiker in. Inspite of Theo staying.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Well, exactly.

I don't know why he's making such a fuss about being played as a striker when it's clear he's best coming in from the right.

I mean, I do know why he's making a fuss about it, but some won't believe it.

The 100K he wants?

[GP]

The 100K he wants?

Or more.

[LDG]

Have footballers stopped using the excuse about higher wages because the have short careers yet?