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An Arsenal Fan Explains Why Walcott Shouldn't Start For England
Many are calling for Walcott to replace Milner for tonight's match against Ukraine yet according to this Arsenal fan, Walcott is better used off the bench for England.
After Theo Walcott’s sparkling cameo against Sweden, calls were made for the 23-year-old to start in the final group game against Ukraine. This could also be put down to the dullness of James Milner, who has been playing ahead of the Arsenal man on the right side of England’s midfield.
However, Walcott doesn’t quite suit the ethos of England under Hodgson. It’s about consistency, hard work, and solidity. This isn’t to say Walcott doesn’t work hard; he’s a very down-to-earth boy with a good head on his shoulders, but consistency is not his forte.
This was no clearer than in the incredible 5-2 win for Arsenal over North London rivals Tottenham in February. Walcott had a terrible first half, getting basic stuff like ball control woefully wrong, and took a fair amount of stick from the fans. In the second half, he came out determined to turn things around, and fired two goals past Brad Friedel in an electric second 45.
The game was basically a microcosm of Walcott’s career so far. Timid and quiet one minute, explosive the next. But in an England side that’s based around solidity, does he really fit in, as a starter at least? Not really.
England’s game is based on defensive solidity, and they have enough about them to score without needing the pace of Walcott.
While he plays in a hybrid of 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 for Arsenal as an advanced winger, Walcott’s role in the England side would be a wide midfielder, where he would be expected to contribute to the defensive side of the game as much as the offensive side. The ‘two banks of four’ approach means positional awareness is vital, and the somewhat less mobile Milner probably has Walcott beat in the defensive aspect.
Walcott’s crossing has come in for criticism, but despite never having a genuine aerial target, he still assists a lot, and Robin van Persie has praised him several times for his crossing ability. He provided Danny Welbeck with a goal with a fine assist off the bench, and might thrive with Andy Carroll to aim for too.
However, it’s probably best for England that Walcott is used as an impact sub. While his performance wasn’t directly related to Sweden tiring – his movement was intelligent and his close control perfect – he’s still valuable in that sort of situation late in the game.
If England need a goal, bringing Walcott on for Milner would help, as it would sacrifice some of the security at the back and bring more attacking threat. However, this might not work from the start – England’s game is based on defensive solidity, and they have enough about them to score without needing the pace of Walcott.
While there’s a chance Walcott will be his explosive, world beater self, there’s an equal chance that his alter-ego will turn up
In some ways, Walcott’s electric performance from the bench has done him no good; he showed that he’s an impact player who, in this England side, might be more suited to coming off the bench.
On the other hand, Walcott’s style may well suit England going forward – direct, incisive, and more adept on the counter attack than in possession. However, the fact of the matter is, he still doesn’t offer the steady solidity that James Milner does, and this will most likely be what tips it for Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson has hurriedly built a Three Lions side that is based on discipline, hard work and spirit, which suits the English mentality perfectly. Organisation and concentration are key, and the more experienced Milner trumps Walcott there. While there’s a chance Walcott will be his explosive, world beater self, there’s an equal chance that his alter-ego will turn up – and in that case England would have a little boy lost on the right side of midfield.
It comes down to whether Hodgson wants to risk it, or play it safe. And when you put it like that, it’s hard to imagine him picking the more adventurous, yet unpredictable, option.
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COMMENTS
What utter lazy cliche ridden garbage. Walcott's stats were better than any of the other England midfielders and has done more for the cause than Young, Milner etc. Its not his fault that Glen Johnson is the RB behind him, who is a hopelessly poor defender. Thats why the 'steady' Milner on the right. Who is, like most of the team, consistenly average.
In the blue corner; Hodgson, manager with years of experience and a support team of professionals, amongst others Gary Neville, winner of many medals. In the red corner, bloke with keyboard and no experience in managing a football team at top level. Hmm, whose opinion should I value. Football, the sport where the most ignorant claim to have the most knowledge.
Sid, I also think Walcott is a better player than Milner and Young, which like you say is backed up by stats. But I just don't think he suits the current England team, not from the start anyway. Obviously for Arsenal I'd have him over Milner, Young etc every day of the week. And if you'd like to point out the clichés that'd be much appreciated...
I dont wanna hear this foolish sh*t about theo! You all are startind to really piss me off with your dumb ignorant retarted comments towards walcott. get a frickin footballing fan brain and support your team players other then worrying about the worse that could happen, and your so called reasons. Theo is one of the most dangerous wingers on the planet - dont believe me ask barcelona wait no ask messi how they all where shitting themselves when they were held to a 2-2 to arsenal in the champions league. Tssss, and your worried about defending when england are playing ukraine! Please.
When Walcott pulled up with a lame hamstring my first thought was the Chelsea match at the end of Arsenal’s season, when he tweaked it, tried to run it off, then pulled it good and proper. So I'd be inclined to believe he is left out from the start to preserve him, and only bring him on if it is really necessary. His impact vs Sweden was such that his value to the squad has been match-proven, so the manager may be thinking long term with respect to England’s chances beyond this round.
Gooner Gooner, firstly, I find it pretty funny that while calling someone retarded you managed to spell retarded wrong. Secondly, find me any criticism of Walcott that isn't fair. He's not consistent, that's pretty much clear to see.
Hey listen to the writer. The guy who spelled retarded wrong is perfectly entitled to make spelling mistakes. Spelling a word wrong doesn't make you retarded, it makes you a bad speller. Your comments were offensive and cowardly. Your request for facts about Walcott. He scored 11 goals and 12 assists last season. That's better than any of the other options either left or right. You like James Milner, that's fine. But to insult somebody about their spelling and then claim they are wrong when they are right shows you to be an idiot with no career ahead of him. Do yourself a favour and learn a trade.
Theo is a great winger and his stats speak for themselves. His defensive game needs to improve though and he needs to contribute more for the good of the team defensively .I haven't seen him make a tackle yet during the euros and somestimes seems lost as if he doesnt know what he needs to be doing. Milner is more defensive minded so he should start and i think theo should be an impact sub.
@Sim & Sam, Stats can be made to prove anything you fools. WATCH THE GAME, i am a guinner and one of my favourite players is Theo, but he is utter garbage sometimes.
ppp - if someone isn't going to try to be civil in their comment, why should I? If someone is reasoning and debates, I'll respond in kind. I didn't request facts about Walcott though, I said yes, stats say he has a better output, my main point is that Milner is more suited to the England game plan under Hodgson. Gooner4life summed it up pretty well.
F**k u Sam Drew
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