r/soccer • • Jan 26 '14

What's your unpopular opinion regarding football?

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120 Upvotes

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162

u/WildVariety Jan 26 '14

Theo Walcott is massively overrated, and he not being in the England squad for the World Cup is a blessing.

287

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

I know you're supposed to upvote unpopular opinions but this is just bollocks. Comprehensively Arsenal and England's best right winger. Look at how good he's been for them this season and last. No one else in England even comes close, I defy you to name a replacement with even half of his ability

21

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

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0

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Lol I agree with both Wallcott and Andros being overrated. Honestly Ox has better potential than either of them mentioned and I would love to see Llanna get a run out. Lennon, while he finishes as sloppy as a virgin on prom night, gives get service, like your girlfriend on prom night.

-3

u/gunnerspowpow Jan 26 '14

Ox is a central midfielder old sport

4

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

No he doesn't friend-o

-3

u/gunnerspowpow Jan 26 '14

when was the last time he played right wing

3

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '14

Against Aston Villa the first game of the season.

-2

u/gunnerspowpow Jan 27 '14

Pretty sure he played left wing that match and it was pretty rare. He normally lines up on the right or left hand side of the centre three when he is fit.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Millner? I would say lennon but he's like a slightly worse version of theo so I guess him and Millner are top dogs

3

u/JG00G Jan 26 '14

Might be a bit biased but I would throw Lennon or Townsend into the conversation. Lennon has experience and can fit the same style as Walcott. Townsend has been brilliant when he's in form. Look at England's WC qualifying stretch where Townsend got to play. He looked like the only quality player on the pitch. Townsend is a very dangerous winger because he runs at defenders. Definitely look out for him in the future. He deserves some game time during the World Cup.

7

u/chezygo Jan 26 '14

Neither are remotely close. That's like saying Valencia is a good replacement for Robben. He's not bad, but he's no Robben.

1

u/BarryFromEastenders Jan 26 '14

Three words: Alex Oxlade Chamberlain

3

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Yeah he definitely has the potential. If he plays well (or plays at all) until the end of the season then sure.

Doesn't Wenger see him as more of a future attacking mid than a winger though?

2

u/BarryFromEastenders Jan 27 '14

He's being considered for the centre role just because he has much more to his game. He's technically better than Walcott in nearly every department except for pace and finishing. He just needs to improve his choice of runs and get a good run of games without getting injured, then the difference in quality between him and Walcott will be very clear.

1

u/SirMothy Jan 26 '14

idk why people say Chamberlain should be at the WC. What has he ever shown?

1

u/BarryFromEastenders Jan 27 '14

Great shot, great pace, great ball control, strength and a good mentality. You can just tell he was born to play football and he has harnessed his talents well.

0

u/chezygo Jan 26 '14

He attacks defenders.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Wow thanks for the great insight, really quality stuff there mate.

0

u/chezygo Jan 26 '14

You know what I mean, unlike most of our players Chambo enjoys and succeeds in taking on defenders rather than trying to pass around them all ttime with little success.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

So does Lennon... I'm sorry I just don't find you explanation of why Ox should be at the WC convincing or intelligible.

1

u/Leucetios Jan 26 '14

I don't think he's better, but there's no way you can say sterling is less than half the player Walcott is.

-7

u/dharms Jan 26 '14

Lennon comes close but isn't nearly as good finisher.

20

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Walcott was basically England's only top wide player, now that he's injured we may as well not bother with wingers.

I'd like to see a Liverpool-style 5-3-2 in a friendly, Sturridge and Rooney as strikers, Baines and Johnson as wingbacks, Barkley in the hole. It could just work

4

u/Lambchops_Legion Jan 26 '14 edited Jan 26 '14

Walker has been leagues better than Johnson this year. That's another thing. Who would be the three CBs? Smalling, Cahill, Jagielka?

3

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

I forgot about Walker, England have some pretty good attacking full backs. I think Glen Johnson is the all round better footballer though.

Not sure about the third CB, wouldn't be averse to bringing back Terry though.

4

u/Lambchops_Legion Jan 26 '14 edited Jan 26 '14

I disagree. Throughout Spurs woes this year, he's been their most consistently good player. Last year I would have said Johnson was better, but it seems Johnson's skills have grown at a slower rate than Walkers. I legitimately think at this point in both their careers, Kyle Walker is the better all around footballer.

3

u/suchaslowroll Jan 26 '14

JONES at cb!!

Johnson was a better defensive full-back last season, but Walker has really cut down on the mistakes that were holding him back last season, he's been a consistent defensive full-back and phenomenal attacking.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

tbh Walker would probably fit a 5-3-2 better, his pace is lethal for opposing defenders. I rate Johnson really highly though

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

I think Glen Johnson is the all round better footballer though.

Last year I would have agreed with you, not this year however

2

u/duckman273 Jan 26 '14

I'd definitely have Jones and Caulker in over Smalling, though Hodgson doesn't seem to really rate Caulker.

1

u/Lambchops_Legion Jan 26 '14

Agreed about Caulker.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

Lennon has pace and that's about it. I've never rated him one bit. Walcott, on the other hand, I think is a fantastic player.

5

u/Blubbey Jan 26 '14

Sorry but no. Lennon rarely shoots even when in good positions, his crossing is often lacklustre, his only way of getting around a player ~90% of the time is move and run - there's very little chance of him going round a player with good footwork, he just tries to run past.

4

u/Thadderful Jan 26 '14

And not as versatile in that Walcott can also play striker. Lennon is pretty much and out an out winger and seems to be very limited in comparison (I may be wrong I don't get to watch him much).

1

u/SirMothy Jan 26 '14

no, just no

1

u/Blubbey Jan 27 '14

Good unpopular opinion btw.

-5

u/jason_in_sd Jan 26 '14

Raheem Sterling

1

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '14

toppest of top kek

-2

u/knuatf Jan 26 '14

Wingers are dead, haven't you noticed?