Daily Mail sportswriter Chris Waddle has today suggested Fabio Capello should drop England hat trick hero Theo Walcott because his game is too one dimensional.
According to Waddle, Walcott’s only asset is pace, and he argues that this will not suffice in international games when teams tend to sit deep and need to be broken down.
Certainly when Walcott is given space to run into he looks deadly, as seen in Arsenal’s home game to Slavia Prague last season, when he scored his first European goals for the club.
To argue that pace is all Walcott has to his game and to profess that he never sees him “run at opponents, go outside them, beat them one on one”, is vastly overlooking this Englishman’s strengths.
According to Waddle, Walcott’s only asset is pace, and he argues that this will not suffice in international games when teams tend to sit deep and need to be broken down.
Certainly when Walcott is given space to run into he looks deadly, as seen in Arsenal’s home game to Slavia Prague last season, when he scored his first European goals for the club.
To argue that pace is all Walcott has to his game and to profess that he never sees him “run at opponents, go outside them, beat them one on one”, is vastly overlooking this Englishman’s strengths.
Walcott's dynamism beats four Liverpool players
Arguably one of the most exciting moments in last years’ Champions League is when Walcott made that dynamic, skilful run in Arsenal’s encounter at Anfield in the quarter finals.
That run was inspired by pace, yes, but Walcott did not simply have wide open space in front of him like Waddle would have you believe. He had to take on and indeed, beat four Liverpool players in one on one situations, in order to get to the byline and assist Emmanuel Adebayor in making their dramatic equalising goal.
Waddle also makes the point that as this is Walcott’s first real debut season for Arsenal; coaches have not yet found ways to stop his blistering pace.
Once again, however, Waddle is underestimating the consequences of what Walcott achieved through his hat-trick against Croatia a month ago.
Walcott’s style of play was thrown into the spotlight; every Football Manager across the world would know what this boy was about and how dangerous he could be. Arsene Wenger had been concerned after this game that Walcott would be man-marked and called for referees to give him added protection.
Indeed, both Wenger and Walcott would have been concerned that his game would be affected, if all he had was pace to burn.
The skill to overcome defensive tactics
As Waddle himself comments, teams play it safe against high profile and potentially pacey opposition by defending deep and not allowing them any space.
That’s what Dynamo Kiev did at home to Arsenal when they were one nil up in the qualifiers two weeks ago, and what Sunderland did throughout their game to Arsenal last weekend.
To a large extent, both teams were successful in thwarting Arsenal’s efforts as a result. And perhaps they would have been entirely successful if Arsenal had not had Theo Walcott in their side.
Walcott resisted the hard tackles and strong physical pressure in the Dynamo Kiev game. He refused to lie down or give up when his team fell behind in a difficult game in the Ukraine.
In the ninetieth minute, his efforts were rewarded when he tussled past players to get to the byline and produce an assist for his captain William Gallas to poke home.
Equally Walcott’s legitimate assist to Robin van Persie should have stood in the Sunderland game. A game in which he did not exert his game enough, but still made what should been a telling contribution.
Walcott's competition with Shaun Wright-Phillips
Certainly Shaun Wright-Phillips has looked a born-again footballer since rejoining Manchester City in the summer. His deliveries and confidence going forward makes him a strong favourite to start the next two England qualifiers. And indeed, Walcott does need to continue to develop consistency to his game if he is to be a definite starter in the England side.
Ultimately, Walcott has earnt his place in the England side to face Kazakhstan, however, because of his ability to change a game for both club and country through his pace, intelligence and skill. And like Waddle, I consider Capello the manager to make the right call.
Arguably one of the most exciting moments in last years’ Champions League is when Walcott made that dynamic, skilful run in Arsenal’s encounter at Anfield in the quarter finals.
That run was inspired by pace, yes, but Walcott did not simply have wide open space in front of him like Waddle would have you believe. He had to take on and indeed, beat four Liverpool players in one on one situations, in order to get to the byline and assist Emmanuel Adebayor in making their dramatic equalising goal.
Waddle also makes the point that as this is Walcott’s first real debut season for Arsenal; coaches have not yet found ways to stop his blistering pace.
Once again, however, Waddle is underestimating the consequences of what Walcott achieved through his hat-trick against Croatia a month ago.
Walcott’s style of play was thrown into the spotlight; every Football Manager across the world would know what this boy was about and how dangerous he could be. Arsene Wenger had been concerned after this game that Walcott would be man-marked and called for referees to give him added protection.
Indeed, both Wenger and Walcott would have been concerned that his game would be affected, if all he had was pace to burn.
The skill to overcome defensive tactics
As Waddle himself comments, teams play it safe against high profile and potentially pacey opposition by defending deep and not allowing them any space.
That’s what Dynamo Kiev did at home to Arsenal when they were one nil up in the qualifiers two weeks ago, and what Sunderland did throughout their game to Arsenal last weekend.
To a large extent, both teams were successful in thwarting Arsenal’s efforts as a result. And perhaps they would have been entirely successful if Arsenal had not had Theo Walcott in their side.
Walcott resisted the hard tackles and strong physical pressure in the Dynamo Kiev game. He refused to lie down or give up when his team fell behind in a difficult game in the Ukraine.
In the ninetieth minute, his efforts were rewarded when he tussled past players to get to the byline and produce an assist for his captain William Gallas to poke home.
Equally Walcott’s legitimate assist to Robin van Persie should have stood in the Sunderland game. A game in which he did not exert his game enough, but still made what should been a telling contribution.
Walcott's competition with Shaun Wright-Phillips
Certainly Shaun Wright-Phillips has looked a born-again footballer since rejoining Manchester City in the summer. His deliveries and confidence going forward makes him a strong favourite to start the next two England qualifiers. And indeed, Walcott does need to continue to develop consistency to his game if he is to be a definite starter in the England side.
Ultimately, Walcott has earnt his place in the England side to face Kazakhstan, however, because of his ability to change a game for both club and country through his pace, intelligence and skill. And like Waddle, I consider Capello the manager to make the right call.
(Image courtesy of PLHee)
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