play someone in their 'natural' position full time and then you get the best from them. the boy's no winger, that's for sure
play someone in their 'natural' position full time and then you get the best from them. the boy's no winger, that's for sure
The thing is strikers with pace (the better ones) also usually have an instinct for goal, which IMO Walcott lacks. Now sure he'll score some goals, but when the ball comes to him his reactions aren't those of a player who doesn't have to think and just pulls the trigger as and when, like a Wright or Henry.
I'm not really sure what he is, as a striker I'd prefer an out and out goalscorer (like Di Natale) and as a winger I prefer a Gervinho type players who make defenders commit themselves through dribbling.
Wenger's been messing about with the forward line for years, what we actually need is someone with an eye for goal who can shoot from anywhere and will score goals regularly, think we would be a better team if we had that.
Last edited by Özim; 25-08-2011 at 06:36 PM.
I've never said he's instinctive and frankly what people have or haven't said is irrelevant as it's not what I think.
He's not a goalscorer, reason being he's not instinctive and finishing doesn't come naturally to him IMO. He's been with us 5 years and has had lots of chances at goal, in many cases he's failed to put the ball away when well placed (it's not the odd time), that to me illustrates that his finishing isn't something that comes naturally to him.
He'll have good games of course when things go right, but goalscorers do it regularly not from time to time.
Again I go back to Di Natale last night, look how he got into position and was a danger everytime he had the ball and pulled the trigger whenever well placed....that's what a goalscorer does.
It doesn't matter how many chances he gets though, the point is he doesn't have that goalscorers instinct, Di Natale find space and shoots/heads just does what he has to get a shot on goal, it just comes naturally to him, I don't think that's something we'll ever see Walcott do and it's not natural for him.
What good are those instincts on the wing. Zimm? Do you think that predator instinct would work out on the flanks? Timing your runs and all that?
Henry wasn't a natural finisher either. He'd fluff a few chances before scoring and put him on his weaker left foot and he'd struggle a little. Remember that weak finish against Barca that would have put us two goals up?
Theo isn't a super clincal striker like RVN or Batistuta, that's not his style, but he can finish and even Ian Wright says he has the natural ability to finish and make those intelligent runs. Reminds him of a young Owen. I agree with him. Keep watching the kid because he has a point to prove.
I thought you wanted him to play as striker though?
I'm fine with him on the wing scoring a few goals here and there, just don't think he should be a striker personally as I'd rather have that spot filled by an out and out goalscorer.
Owen was an out and out finisher, that's why he scored so many goals (until injuries took their toll), so I'm not sure how valid the comparison is other than the run's they make.
Owen was not just about making runs, his finishing in the box was also top notch.
We'll see how he progresses, think he need to get more invloved though and improve his final ball.