Theo

C

Chishandfips

Well-known member
Just read this on Twitter .. discuss ..

Theo isn't a very good footballer. Text book definition of a headless chicken
 
the number of times in the twenty minutes he had when he tried to do something Tricksy rather than just lay off a simple pass, to keep possession in a game low on quality. I think he's one of those players who will do some amazing things, score a few decent goals which will make many forget that he loses the ball much more often than he does something useful with it.

one of the things I noticed is that many of Broms expensively assembled team were very similar to Theo, good on the ball but couldn't find a team mate to pass to or wouldn't pass.
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
Young player with skill and potential from a bigger club out on loan to improve. He's 20 years old, not going to be the finished article or he'd be in the Wolves first team.
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Absolutely spot on. If his decision making was where it needs to be he’d not be on loan. The lad doesn’t look as young as he is and I think people forget that
 
Theo is here to play for Theo. He’s extremley selfish and looks to be trying to get together a highlight reel for his Canadian counter parts in the national team. His decision making last night and against hull has been horrific because he’s clearly playing for himself and not the team. Who tries taking on 3 men in a right back defensive position after just winning the ball back. Geezer just choses not to pass like ever.
 
TrickyTangerine said:
Theo is here to play for Theo. He’s extremley selfish and looks to be trying to get together a highlight reel for his Canadian counter parts in the national team. His decision making last night and against hull has been horrific because he’s clearly playing for himself and not the team. Who tries taking on 3 men in a right back defensive position after just winning the ball back. Geezer just choses not to pass like ever.
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Give me a selfish Theo over CJ every single day of the week.
 
TrickyTangerine said:
Theo is here to play for Theo. He’s extremley selfish and looks to be trying to get together a highlight reel for his Canadian counter parts in the national team. His decision making last night and against hull has been horrific because he’s clearly playing for himself and not the team. Who tries taking on 3 men in a right back defensive position after just winning the ball back. Geezer just choses not to pass like ever.
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garbage
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
CJ was one of our more effective players last night IMHO and his work rate is good. He’s a million miles ahead of Theo as things stand…
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Not even remotely our most effective player last night. He lost the ball almost 95% of the time he touched it. He actually did the least of any outfield players bar Carey and Wright. I could work hard too btw. That's a given.
 
SeasideKurt said:
Not even remotely our most effective player last night. He lost the ball almost 95% of the time he touched it. He actually did the least of any outfield players bar Carey and Wright. I could work hard too btw. That's a given.
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OK … That’s not how I viewed it… We did regularly fail to clear the defender when playing the ball to CJ though…
 
I am a little biased since I am only watching Blackpool to see how Theo is getting on (though I do have a soft spot for the club). I agree with a lot of the criticism he’s receiving, but I also feel that he doesn’t always have an option for a short pass or a quick square ball. I remember a match a few weeks ago (Millwall maybe?) when he received the ball on the left, opened up to play an early square ball and there was no one within 25 yards of him. He ended up running into the space and firing a shot 10 rows into the stand. But I also know it’s a bit of a catch-22… he goes it alone too often in part because he doesn’t have support to play the short pass and he doesn’t have anyone checking to the ball for a short pass because they expect him to go it alone and they’re making a run into the box.

He needs to see things quicker and play the ball quicker, but if it’s not on it just plays into his habit of taking on the world down the wing. The problem is that when he does go it alone, it comes off at times too which only encourages him. But he’s come up through Wolves, obviously, they want him playing short passes and combining through the midfield. After a poor spell with Wednesday and similar issues, I thought he was progressing and being smarter in his play with MK Dons. He seems to have taken a step backwards.

The Canadian manager values re-pressing, winning defensive duels and early progressive passes. He is showing absolutely none of that this season and I think is playing his way out of his chances for one of the final squad places for Qatar.
 
For me Its not just his decision making that's a problem it's his lack of effort without the ball as well he won't press and he won't track back
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
OK … That’s not how I viewed it… We did regularly fail to clear the defender when playing the ball to CJ though…
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He is useless with his back to the opposition goal and his touch was beyond atrocious. And any long ball to play to his strengths from Thorniley or Ekpiteta went out for goal kicks or throw ins. Both defensively brilliant but distribution was about as bad as it could be. Connolly too following suit, although he is certainly playing through an injury.

CJ probably lost the ball 80-90 percent of the time he had it which is unacceptable. He wasn't the only culprit as Wright was equally if not more useless.
 
SeasideKurt said:
He is useless with his back to the opposition goal and his touch was beyond atrocious. And any long ball to play to his strengths from Thorniley or Ekpiteta went out for goal kicks or throw ins. Both defensively brilliant but distribution was about as bad as it could be. Connolly too following suit, although he is certainly playing through an injury.

CJ probably lost the ball 80-90 percent of the time he had it which is unacceptable. He wasn't the only culprit as Wright was equally if not more useless.
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Like I said… that’s not how I saw it
 
juneof86 said:
I am a little biased since I am only watching Blackpool to see how Theo is getting on (though I do have a soft spot for the club). I agree with a lot of the criticism he’s receiving, but I also feel that he doesn’t always have an option for a short pass or a quick square ball. I remember a match a few weeks ago (Millwall maybe?) when he received the ball on the left, opened up to play an early square ball and there was no one within 25 yards of him. He ended up running into the space and firing a shot 10 rows into the stand. But I also know it’s a bit of a catch-22… he goes it alone too often in part because he doesn’t have support to play the short pass and he doesn’t have anyone checking to the ball for a short pass because they expect him to go it alone and they’re making a run into the box.

He needs to see things quicker and play the ball quicker, but if it’s not on it just plays into his habit of taking on the world down the wing. The problem is that when he does go it alone, it comes off at times too which only encourages him. But he’s come up through Wolves, obviously, they want him playing short passes and combining through the midfield. After a poor spell with Wednesday and similar issues, I thought he was progressing and being smarter in his play with MK Dons. He seems to have taken a step backwards.

The Canadian manager values re-pressing, winning defensive duels and early progressive passes. He is showing absolutely none of that this season and I think is playing his way out of his chances for one of the final squad places for Qatar.
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We play with wide wingers so there's not always the option of a square pass but it's unlikely Theo would see it anyway as he plays with blinkers on. He's miles off the pace at present and it's only his natural ability - and the lack of fit options - that's getting him near the first team at this point.

In the last couple of games CJ Hamilton has played well and looks a different level in goal threat, distribution and defensive ability. Even if they were comparable in attacking ability - which they're not - then you would pick CJ on defensive capability alone. CJ blows hot and cold though.

As for last night, CJ's touch was off but still looked our best attacking option and robbed the Albion midfield as much as anyone. Independent ratings made CJ our best player but it was a very low bar tbf.

Theo's contribution could be summed up by the short corner where he took it from Dougall, refused to return the ball for the simple cross then ran into a blind alley before running the ball out for a goal kick. That scenario is pretty much repeated every time the gets the ball.

He doesn't remind me of Josh Bowler at all. He's a player who primarily relies on his physical attributes but doesn't have the end product. Basically, he's CJ when he arrived from Mansfield but - so far - without the ability to learn.
 
SeasideKurt said:
I'm sure if you watch it back you'd see it the way I did.
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Nope…

As the poster above says…Independent ratings gave him as our best rated player on the night and that fits with me.

It wasn’t a great night for us last night and nobody (including CJ) came out of it with much to shout about mind you… We failed to create the kind of opportunities balls that CJ thrives on and we know where we stand with him with his back to goal.
 
What young lad who has only played a handful of first team games is not the finished article? shocking
 
Kip said:
Big fan of Bowler.

It's a lazy comparison anyway. Very different players using different skillsets.
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mmm... not so sure. They are both players with good close ball control and like to take players on with their dribbling. Think they have got similarities and of course Corbeanu isn't at Wolves because he's crap. He's a player with potential and Wolves have sent him to us to try and help him develop. And if you read what I said I said the critics of Bowler and he had a few on here.. If you were a fan of Bowler then clearly my comment is not aimed at people like yourself.
 
There's one very significant different between Bowler and Corbeanu for me and that is that Bowler was a Blackpool Player.... We have benefitted significantly from not only his ability, but also from putting him in the shop window and returning a sizeable incoming transfer fee. In the case of Corbeanu, essentially it looks like we are unlikely to reap too much in the way of reward for his development and unfortunately he's not quite at a level (unlike Patino) where he can make a regular contribution at the moment.... On the plus side, he gives us an option going forward and certainly has some technical ability... Unfortunately at times he just looks like he's been beamed down from outer space and someone just chucked a football at him, as he doesn't look like someone who has been coached to work in a system.

At the end of the day he's scored a couple and might well contribute further over the course of the season., but from a personal point of view, he's certainly not the kind of player I'd be rushing to sign on a permanent.
 
Junior_BentsPlatformShoes said:
Young player with skill and potential from a bigger club out on loan to improve. He's 20 years old, not going to be the finished article or he'd be in the Wolves first team.
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I agree, but my concern is that the lad appears not to be taking in the coaching that he's being given. If he's not learnt by January, MA should send him back to Wolves, as loan players should be better than what we have. I hope the lad comes good.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
There's one very significant different between Bowler and Corbeanu for me and that is that Bowler was a Blackpool Player.... We have benefitted significantly from not only his ability, but also from putting him in the shop window and returning a sizeable incoming transfer fee. In the case of Corbeanu, essentially it looks like we are unlikely to reap too much in the way of reward for his development and unfortunately he's not quite at a level (unlike Patino) where he can make a regular contribution at the moment.... On the plus side, he gives us an option going forward and certainly has some technical ability... Unfortunately at times he just looks like he's been beamed down from outer space and someone just chucked a football at him, as he doesn't look like someone who has been coached to work in a system.

At the end of the day he's scored a couple and might well contribute further over the course of the season., but from a personal point of view, he's certainly not the kind of player I'd be rushing to sign on a permanent.
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yeah, can buy into that. What I'll say though is that for players who are noted more for their individuality, it can be a lot harder for them to fit into a system. And that's something that could be said of Bowler too.
 
What has age got to do with laying off a simple ball after you have just skinned someone? Theo has his moments but resembles a headless chicken more often than not.

Learning his trade is bollocks if you ask me, either he can play with his head up or he can't. Alas, it seems to be the latter more often than not and no wonder Madine etc lose their rag with him when he blazes in to row X when all he has to do is square it.
 
20togo said:
yeah, can buy into that. What I'll say though is that for players who are noted more for their individuality, it can be a lot harder for them to fit into a system. And that's something that could be said of Bowler too.
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Yep…

There’s an expression in golf “Drive for Show, Putt for Dough” and I think you can extend the same kind of philosophy to football.

You and I both commented this week on the ball that Patino delivered for Jerry’s second against Knob End… Three simple touches… one to control, two to nick it past the defender and a third for the killer ball….Sublime technical ability by the way, yet made to look remarkably easy.

That simple effectiveness and ability to make the difficult things look easy is what most top clubs are looking for in a player.

By contrast a Josh Bowler might look good and be pleasing on the eye as he passes the same defender three times, before ultimately losing the ball (I’m exaggerating for effect), but it doesn’t come with the same degree of efficiency…. Essentially Josh / Theo are expanding several times the amount of energy and effort to achieve the same ends….

Again another oft used phrase we’ve all used in Football … “Let the ball do the work”…

All that wasted energy could be used instead to track back, pick up your man and do some of the dirty work too…

So yes, you’re absolutely right… these players don’t really fit into a system and whilst being pleasing on the eye and often fans favourites, they might not be the most effective team players….

I’m sure that Josh and Theo will both be successful, but neither will likely be as successful or as effective as their technical ability might suggest.

From our perspective, where Theo might end up doesn’t really matter anyway… It’s really about where he is now and whether at 20 years old, his all round game is good enough to merit a place in a Championship Team… Potential and Promise aren’t much use to us when he’s not our player.
 
yep agree with your last para. That said, it can depend how well the loan player is doing. Patino for example has won the hearts of a lot of our fans and I'm sure most of us will have an interest in how he does when he returns to his parent club. And with Arsenal doing so well this season, it could well be likely that they allow him out on loan next season. Sadly, I'm not sure that will be with us as Arsenal would I imagine will look at more at one of the supposed big boys of the Championship. It could even be to another PL team. Although it seemed both Charlie and his dad had a say this season.

The fickleness of football fans though. Not even a couple of months ago that people were talking about how good Corbeanu [and Poveda] were when he had three goals in just a few gmes and looked a threat.
 
Reality is we’ve probably not seen enough of either player (Poveda & Corbeanu) to form a proper opinion 20’s … As things stand we’ve not really got the luxury to give either much of a run of under par performances…

Patino (by contrast) has hit the ground running, but of course, it’s not hard to see that he’s a class above.

Poveda probably needs to get fully match fit and impress in a few 20 minute cameos to earn a starting place and Theo certainly needs to address his game out of possession.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Reality is we’ve probably not seen enough of either player (Poveda & Corbeanu) to form a proper opinion 20’s … As things stand we’ve not really got the luxury to give either much of a run of under par performances…

Patino (by contrast) has hit the ground running, but of course, it’s not hard to see that he’s a class above.

Poveda probably needs to get fully match fit and impress in a few 20 minute cameos to earn a starting place and Theo certainly needs to address his game out of possession.
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At the moment I agree with your opening para. However, as well as CJ has done recently, I'm not convinced he's good enough for the Championship. Needs a lot more good consistent performances. And Laverys best position will never be out wide either. So somewhere down the line I think there could be an opportunity for both of them [at different points] to perhaps get a run of games to try and show what they can do, I suppose some would say Corbeanu has had that chance as he has started a few games. I do think that in Appletons mind though, he likes that work rate of Lavery and that he realises the need to help his full back out. CJ has looked better recently in that aspect too. Anyway, we'll see what lies ahead both after the World Cup and the January transfer window. Would it surprise me if he allowed at least one of them to return to their parent club. Probably not.

And rather than add it in above, I should have mentioned Keshi when factoring the above. He slipped my mind.
 
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BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Nope…

As the poster above says…Independent ratings gave him as our best rated player on the night and that fits with me.

It wasn’t a great night for us last night and nobody (including CJ) came out of it with much to shout about mind you… We failed to create the kind of opportunities balls that CJ thrives on and we know where we stand with him with his back to goal.
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The independent ratings are absolutely beyond incorrect then. Worst player on the pitch by some distance after Callum Wright.

Lost the ball between 80-90% of the time he touched it. Unacceptable performance from a lot of players.
 
SeasideKurt said:
The independent ratings are absolutely beyond incorrect then. Worst player on the pitch by some distance after Callum Wright.

Lost the ball between 80-90% of the time he touched it. Unacceptable performance from a lot of players.
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That’s simply not true….

Of the limited attacking opportunities we had in the final third CJ was largely involved. He worked extremely hard to cover all night and played his part in limiting them to half chances. Fought to recover the ball twice after losing possession.

I’d rewatch the game and take your anti CJ specs off, if I were you.
 
At least Theo tried to make things happen and has the confidence to keep trying things.

Players with individuality seem to get grief of what they try doesn’t come off every time.

He’ll become a more rounded player as he matures and they’ll be working on his decision making, David Unsworth said the same about Josh. What you don’t want to do is train the ability of this kind of player, I don’t want Theo just to play the easy ball when he has the ability to stretch the game by beating a man.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
Absolutely spot on. If his decision making was where it needs to be he’d not be on loan. The lad doesn’t look as young as he is and I think people forget that
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HOWEVER, when these players come out on loan - like Patino - you'd hope they have something about them and not just be using us as work experience. Where we've come undone many times in the past.
 
20togo said:
seems that all the critics of Josh Bowler are now critics of Theo. Just an observation.
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How many would be disappointed if we signed him as looking on AVFTT he is L1 at best.
I remember him robbing defenders and putting the ball away which was all his own work. Definitely a good player, like CJ though we need to play to his strengths and give him balls to run on to.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
CJ was one of our more effective players last night IMHO and his work rate is good. He’s a million miles ahead of Theo as things stand…
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Wow. Watching a different game to me. I'd start CJ today, but he was SHITE mid week. Couldn't trap a bag of cement.
 
Voice of Reason said:
Wow. Watching a different game to me. I'd start CJ today, but he was SHITE mid week. Couldn't trap a bag of cement.
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Yeah he's just being argumentative. CJ was dogshit on Tuesday. But he had such poor service all round the park. He wasn't the worst player on the pitch.
 
SeasideKurt said:
Yeah he's just being argumentative. CJ was dogshit on Tuesday. But he had such poor service all round the park. He wasn't the worst player on the pitch.
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Yup. There's a few of em on here :)

Shame cos he has some good stuff to say a lot of the time.
 
Because of the lack of quality in our squad, we're selecting poor to average players & rotating one poor to average player with another.
We're also clearly playing players who are carrying injuries or not fully fit.
Our situation has been caused by the board not support MA with the players he's wanted, instead choosing to bank the millions gained from Josh, Critchley & Richard.
Several of the teams currently below us in the table, are far too good to stay there and that's a worry.
 
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