No Theo? That's fab
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:08PM You must know deep down something is wrong somewhere when the media lead with the story (genuine shock it would seem) that Theo Walcott has not been included in Fabio's 23. Surprise omission they called it. We then had to endure various ex-players tell us how for example Theo deserved to go to SA (Really? Based on what? That hat-trick 2 years ago?) and other gems like Kenny Samson explaining he was pleased for the young lad Warnock. That's 28 years young Stephen - three years older than the unlucky (and better) Baines. And Heskey has been included because he's a battering ram. And we all know that if want to win the WC you need a battering ram upfront as a Plan B, to you know, work your way through the best defences in world football when Plan A comes unstuck. Although I won't joke too much here because we lack world class players in forward positions. Rooney being the only one. Would be a bit scary if he got injured in the first group game.
But hey, it's all about opinions. And the persistence on Walcott and the apparent shock must be all part of the pantomime, because anyone following football would point out what is already quite obvious to all. He's not been that good for a while.
I know I'm in broken record mode with this, and I'm not screaming 'I told you so' standing on a soap box pumping my chest out, because everybody knew this already. Well, apart from Walcott himself who is apparently very disappointed. And the people who seem to take to all this shock horror he's not going to SA BS. I'd say he would have been as lucky as he was 4 years ago to have made it in this time round. At least the BBC (news at ten) had a more realistic report on all this citing his inconsistent form. I guess all this hype was created the day David Dein had words with Sven. They created a monster, which has since nested under the bed.
So minutes silence then for the broken hearted and the delusional.
Moving on. Congrats to JD, Crouchie, The King and Azza.
Elsewhere, no room for Tommy or Daws. Experience being the reason at a guess, as Dawson has been superb this season and is arguably a better player on current form than Upson - but Upson has been there before (England setup and selection) and as discussed earlier in the week, some risks - it would seem - are far too big to take. Same with Hudd. Although has Carrick performed better than him this season? Oh yeah right, soz, that's not relevant, it's all about experience. If you want to validate it all, I guess you could say you wouldn't want a newbie ballsing it up and as our mentality (the English) is one that perhaps lacks the natural confidence and bravado to select a 'youngster' and throw them in at the deep end, maybe we should trust Fabio with his final selection. We took a 17 year old to the WC four years ago and never used him. This time round, no wildcards.
So, Heskey WC final brace anyone?
Reader Comments (66)
Walcott is a shambles of a player and should never have been in the england set up to begin with. I'm delighted Capello saw sense and dropped that useless 'footballer'.
Some of the goon reactions have been hilarious. I even read one calling him better than Lennon. Haven't laughed that much in a while
Honestly think Daws and Hudd should have been picked. Their forms merit it and I'm not just saying it because they are Spurs. Crouch should start with Rooney. Actually England should play one up front but if not, then definitely Crouch should start. He has 4 goals less than Rooney in less than half the amount of games.
hart for no. 1
oh be quiet you cretinous spuds...
Apparently, we have signed Joe Cole and it will be announced on Friday?
Look at this http://tinyurl.com/26o3scd
crisq this is a Spurs blog you fucking wanker. Of course we'd discuss Spurs players in England squad. Are you mad because Arsenal have none?
Gooner here, but I wasn't surprised at all. He's been complete shit and the only 2 good wingers England really have atm are Lennon and Cole. Capello broke his 2 rules today. He said he wouldn't pick injured players and he'd choose form.
Dawson and Parker should be there ahead of Carrick and Upson. Barry isn't even completely fit yet.
The ONE possible argument for Theo is that he thrives under pressure and his best games for Arsenal have been the big ones. Say England are losing 2-0 and need something off the bench. Theo would be useful for that, much more useful than SWP, as he showed against Barca.
Go on Chris lets hear it then. Theo played a blinder this season?
Any Gooner will agree that Theo has his moments but for every hit there are 7 or 8 misses which isn't good enough.
Maybe the disappointment will turn him into the kind of cunt he needs to be to succeed in time for the next WC.
http://www.soccerbible.com/news/general/archive/2010/06/01/nike-stars-carved-into-history-write-the-future-promotion.aspx
hahaha walcott aint gonna be writing much future this summer sucks Nike
Theo's season was in jeopardy when he went to the u-21 cup and started getting injuries. He came back against Blackburn and looked very, very good. His best performances were probably against Brum, Burnley, Blackburn, Barcelona. Hmm, maybe he'd be England's savior if they played Brazil...if you noticed the pattern =D
Pat, Theo has to go back to basics. He's got plenty of years ahead of him but I think Wengers schooling has backfired a little. Arsenal players are notoriously arrogant, but most of the time they are able to back it up. Just don't think the lad has done much to justify selection and has gone backwards in the past 2 years, injuries aside.
This might be his wake up call.
He has pace, speed but he really needs to improve his final ball. Reality check time.
As for our lot, gutted for Daws.
French people are usually arrogant, nothing to do with being an Arsenal player. The current lot aren't as confident which is why we've been struggling imo. You need to be cocky to succeed, which is what makes the best teams the most hated teams. Its not their success, its their cockiness.
He has pace, speed but he really needs to improve his final ball. Reality check time. - hate to back a yid up here, but his dribbling's awful too. Lennon to Arsenal anyone? haha.
GOONER HERE - WALCOTT SHOULD NEVER HAD BEEN THE 30. A VERY POOR PLAYER.
Well i told you if Tom went we would win the World Cup well thats one bet i wont win but England will have the the worse World Cup for not picking Daws Parker and Tom and yes Walcott has a impact player or Johnson. We have the second oldest team behind Capelows Italy and the most crocked fuck up marriges and out of form Team in Living memory . We have flags cups songs pubs clubs shops all hoping we go far and win the Cup with three bad ankles Rooney Terry Barry one bad groin and Hernia Lennon one large knee King . Three long absentees Lennon Cole Cole. Three troubled marriages Terry Cole Gerrard a returning player who was ten yards slower when he played for England so he quit Carragher and the five subs with fresh legs playing tired Japanese won there places on easy jet with two own goals Well done to our four Lads for getting past Ferdinand and shrecks Click Hard Luck Tom and Daws you where great for Spurs and set up by inter milans new boss and a failed drug teter leggier quiver Lips ferdibadback
Banter aside (remember the olde Lennon v Walcott arguments?), for the sake of England, I'd hope to see Walcott turn into the player he is meant to be, as expected by many, and seen by few. His pace is ridiculous, but if you can't back it up with intelligence, you're in trouble. Lennon had similar issues, he got found out on top of his struggles with this final ball. I just wonder where the development on Walcott has gone wrong - unless he just doesn't have the brain to improve.
"crisq this is a Spurs blog you fucking wanker."
Yeah, hence why there are more words written on here about an Arsenal sub than anyone in the Spurs squad. Oh wait!
YOU FUCKING WANKER
Hey Giles, at least some of us are trying to discuss this like adults.
To be honest its all arsenals fault he hasn't made the team. He is not playing in the position he likes, hes a striker, he should be played there not on the wing. No one is as quick as him in the Arsenal or England team, sucks for him but great for everyone else :)
Didn't Henry start on the wing and end up as a complete forward? Maybe Wenger thinks he's being clever by sticking Walcott out wide, for educational reasons. He's fluffing it up, you think he'd get the message.
Spooky - I know you jest and it's all tongue in cheek but I do agree, there is a obsession with Walcott because of the last world cup and his selection in the final squad. People outside of football probably think he's a player of high stature. Then again, there's plenty in football who'd agree.
Once Heskey actually plays again ppl will remember why he was picked. It's not that he'll actually do anything, just everyone else will play better. I was trying to describe him to a non football fan at work, and the best analogy I could come up with was that he is like a really fucking efficient footballing scarecrow. He doesn't actually do anything, but his mere prescence seems to unnerve international defenders.
I think Crouch may play a big role in the group games, but as the games get harder maybe Heskey will come in. If England are going to do well, Crouch is going to have to play a big part, and hopefully Heskey can too. I know he is essentially shit, but it's a fact that Endland play better with him in the team. Rooney has 9 goals from 10 games with Heskey in the team, and 2 goals from 9 games without. He is the perfect foil for Rooney, and Gerard and Lampard, and it's worth sacrificing the output from him in terms of goals because of this. If you play Defoe you get 1 more goal threat but you lose the potency of 3 more. Don't fight it......
Sshh !
"Hey Giles, at least some of us are trying to discuss this like adults."
Uhhh yeah, which was why i quite clearly and specifically addressed my response to someone who wasn't?
Gottit?
Maybe now there will be less hype around theo he might be able to relax and become the player he is supposed to. He'll get the summer off and maybe have a good season. I thought swp was one of the few that played well in the friendlies and plays with skill and no fear. He also has a pretty good shot on him. Dawson should definitely gone instead of upson and I'm disappointed that Johnson has been dropped as he looked a pretty exciting wild card entry that could have shut up defences in the final 15 minutes. I actually think out euro 2012 squad us going to be awesome as kong as the young blood keeps developing (and yea I include wool nuts in that)
The saddest thing for me as an arsenal fan is knowing not so long ago that Englands defence was made up of Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Keown and Winterburn. To spurs credit though they are creeping in from behind and I believe next season as much as we want to go higher we have to be weary of what's behind us!!!
As gutted as I am for Hudd and Dawson, they only lost out to player who will be on the fringe. Shame Walcott is so disappointing because off the bench, other than say Cole - who do we have who can change the game?
Giles is sassy.
Thought they'd take Walcott as he could still be useful coming on as an impact player for the last 20 minutes or so, but he's still not a 90 minute player for me. Very disappointed that there's no room for some of the more decent young English players. Calling back all the old 'tried and failed' brigade, trying to dig up Scholes and rekindle the International careers of Carragher and Heskey smacks of desperation. Would have liked to have seen the likes of Daws, Hudd, Adam Johnson and players like Agbonglahor given a real chance in some of the earlier friendlies. Then we could've judged them properly against some of the 'untouchables' who failed to qualify for the last Euro tournament.
Without seeming like a closet goon I would have preferred Dawson, Parker & Walcott to Upson, Carrick & SWP. Walnut is definitely way down the list but did put the willies up Barcelona at home when he came on & while I like Johnson he has absolutely zero stamina.
Cole was a good decision as he looked hungry the other day. Thudd looked OK but like he was thinking hard about everything he was doing, trying not to make a mistake rather than just playing his own game. His time will come though, it's only this year that he's started to grow into his skin at WHL and I think there are much better years ahead.
Slightly concerned by harry's comments about the way Daws was treated by Capello... Wouldn't want his confidence to take a knock right now.
Giles
you are a plum
gooner c unt
pleased for crouch stuff the rest!
if you are not doing well for your club then you should not be rewarded with a place at the world cup. I don't think the other players taking Theo's place are any better than him but its better they take the flak rather than Theo be lynched by the media for Englands failings. I was initially encouraged by Capello but from the time he hung his hat on David James and Heskey i knew England were doomed.
I dont know why everyone is saying its terrible he is not going, he is absolute shit compared to Lennon and compared to SWP too.
not fit to clean Lennons boots!
Capello made my day by booting out Bent. The fucking prick can now chew off his balls while watching Crouchy and Mr Offside do their thing. Although gutted for Huds and especially Daws.
Walcott not going is deserved--he flatters to deceive. Bent not going is a traversty. I am a Spurs fan and have no love for Bent, after his negative reaction to the club, but to send Heskey instead --I genuinely thought he had retired ---is a joke. Much the same could be said of Carrick. his own manager does not pick him and if the rumours are true wants to off load him. I would have gone for Dawson and Parker instead of Upson and Carrick but then i am prepared to admit there is not a lot to choose between them. Funny a commentator remaked on there not being a player from Arsenal in the squad--what a surprise--- they are not an English team.!!
Play Walcott down the middle?!!! He played for the under 21.. He was even worse, the main reason we lost to the Germans! He can hold the ball up and he traps a ball further than I can kick it. He's second touch is a tackle.. He's totally useless..
*can't hold the ball up* early mornings!!
How can Walcott not going be a surprise or even open to discussion ? He went 4 yrs ago on strength of David Dein having a laugh and seeing how gullible SGE could be (answer: very) and spent the WC carrying water bottles. And even by gooner admission, he's just had an iffy season with them. And he should go to the WC now because...? He should sacrifice his first-born in thanks he was even in the original squad.
Sympathy for Thudd and Daws. Their time will come. Probably sooner rather than later looking at a squad that looks precious short of any kind of achievement potential
I knew this was a gooner blog, I bloody knew it!
Well i must say that the first thing the Belgian press wrote about the WC was : Walcott not selected. So the rumour around the brand has made him a star rather then his sub par performances ...
Johnson not going is an error IMO , but Capello (unlinke arsene) likes his men old and experienced
Hope you guys do well but underestimating Slovenia and the Yankees could prove to be a very big mistake ... I know some of the Slovenia players and their Striker Zlatan and their central defender Suler are pretty good but unproven players. If Rooney falls out then you guys are screwed ... Upson in stead of Daws ? Strange but as spooky said it is prob based on experience , Carragher is a joke , Terry is struggling and Rio will not be as protected by the refs as he is in the PL.
Carragher would be a better bet behind Lennon than the defender-who-can't-defend Johnson.
Underestimating supposed 'inferior' opposition????? But...but...We're England!!!: it's what we do isn't it? We'll probably get technically outplayed in all three group games and rely on the set-piece throughout our time in the tournament...which will be fleeting.
While it was foooooking funny watching the message boards yesterday go into overdrive, on reflection, I would probably have put little Feeeo in....this may be the result of listening to too many lies about his potential, I don't know.
Walcott needs to move to a club where he will be nurthered in the right mould as a forward.. not a winger...hmmm... Walcott at Spurs????? Imagine it>>>?? Bale >> Modric>> Hudd>> Lennon Midfield.. with Defoe and Walcott up front....oooooohhhh Tasty!!!!! The speed of play and distribution would be amazing!!! :)
Yeah but they wouldn't get on any rides at Alton Towers
Heskey over Bent, Shiteson over Dawson, Carrick over Huddles and Warnock over Baines?! This experience over form thing....nonsense, really. However I can't knock Capello for the remainder of the squad selection....Although at first I thought, SWP over Walcott? Then I remembered why Walnutt has been excluded. You see, like a chicken he has a lot of pace and runs fast, however the boy just has no brains.
On another note, Gooners! Stop being so bitter, carrying on like a bunch of blithering cry babies.
Also I heard a transfer rumor; apparently the trophy cabinet at the emirates is seeking a switch to Barcelona with Fab, because it is also tired of being associated with such a shite team.
Walcott needs to learn the basics of being a winger, but also needs to better appreciate the positioning and spacing of his teammates around him. Too often he has his head down and tries to take people on...knock it into space theo and use your pace. Also, gutted for Hudd and Daws. Infact, Parker and Johnson too. They all deserved to go based on form. Good to see Capello not following his own rules. Finally, yesterday was a complete shambles and the England camp, FA and skysports should all be ashamed at the way they handled events.
If Sol Campbell is not going this time, there is no need for Walcott at this tournament....
Well the dust has settled big Tom and Daws have booked there hols Wallcot has taken is suit back and bean refused a refund Scotty Parker has bean beamed up to the star ship enterprise . these three have just climbed out of Fabios bed Upsom Warnock Carragher he cant have picked these three on form we have AkaCapelos World cup Team James Carragher Terry Ferdinand Cole Lennon Lampard Gerrard Swp Heskey Rooney 7 have had injurys 2 have bean on the bench lately and only one has played regular Carragher and he is ten yards slower than is Liverpool form ? plus we are the second oldest squad at altitude all this spell disaster.
Im glad someone else has said it stespurs, i was worried i was losing my mind..... I think, possibly, maybe that our 'arry should look at splashing a little cash on Walcott.............. ok before you start hanging me from the nearest lampost hear me out......Walcott ain't a winger, never has been, never was at Southampton. Is he a centre forward? No one knows because wenger hasn't tried him there. What we do know is that he has talent, displayed in patches but has suffered a lot through injury and lack of confidence......crikey, could almost be bale we're talking about, but i digress. HRHHR ('arry) has a proven track record of man management, IF anyone can get Walcott playin then surely its Arry??? We are in the market for quality strikers but how close are we going to get to one this summer?? Dzeko is likely citeh bound, the fella from Benfica at £35 mil??? Sounds a bit risky to me? Who else is there at the mo, possibly Srna or whatever his name is? We could try Berba again and yes he may be a cock but we know that he can do a job for us at what must now be a knockdown price but surely Theo has got to be worth a punt, again with his stock so currently low he wouldn't cost much and if it doesn't look like working out then we can flog him to Villa or Celtic in 24 months......but what if the lad had some confidence, was played in the right position? Even just to give us a different option on the bench..............?????
Right, just off to find a barrel that you can ream me over....
COYS !
Gutted for Daws... I hope after the WC he just gets given an opportunity to play for England and gets a cap. He deserves it. Never thought Thudd was ever going to make it really - its arguable that he wouldn't make the first choice midfield line up at Spurs.
I wouldn't have been too bothered for Defoe hadn't been on the plane either, I don't think he really deserves it - he is just lucky we only have one truly international striker. If Bent had been picked I may well have started supporting North Korea.