He did have that one really good chance against Coventry which he basically passed back to their goalkeeper. He's not been very good since the start of December. He's still probably more of a threat than our other forwards, but he's lacking in sharpness and an ability to regularly get involved in matches.
Yes true - probably doesn't help alternating with Gray each game and the predictable swapping over of whoever comes on and off after an hour. Cannot be good for anyone.
Scored against Huddersfield which was only 2 starts ago for him, won the penalty against Stoke too and that chance against Coventry was about as close as we got to scoring really. Certainly not on form, but much more dangerous than either of the other two options we've had in that time, an absolute must that we play him as much as possible. Obviously we still have to be careful with him, but that doesn't mean he can't string 2 starts together!
I agree, being careful is one thing but wrapping him in cotton wool and treating him like he's incredibly fragile won't help either. This whole ethos of players needing a break is hugely overstated. No reason Pedro couldn't start and finish 25/30 games on the bounce.
I love watching soon to be 34 year old Cavani play. His movement off the ball is exceptional, not only making space for himself, but taking defenders out of the game allowing space for his fellow strikers to attack. Then I watch the 30 yard gap between our ‘strikers’ with the 32 year old struggling to keep up with the pace when we do go forward. Both of whom run in a straight line to the goal, regardless of the amount of defenders between them and the crossed ball
Especially when the other other options aren't performing. He seems more a wide forward though so if we had an in form number 9 Pedro could combine well with him.
Agreed. Vydra played over 50 games in 12/13 as a 20 year old. Ok, we burnt him out a bit towards the end but unless there is some underlying condition/problem with 19 year old Pedro, there's no reason he can't start the majority of games instead of this ridiculous one game on, one game off pattern Xisco has adopted.
I mean I get it but no point comparing Deeney to Cavani is there? Can compare him to Lewandowski, Ronaldo, Ibra, Immobile, Kane, Suarez he never was nor will be as good as any of them. It's their movement that makes them world class strikers. Comparing what Deeney & Gray do to Toney, Armstrong, Joao, Kieffer Moore, Pukki, Solanke, Woodrow, would be more apt no. You can't tell me Kieffer Moore is a more talented footballer than Troy so what's different? And for me, it is what should be standard for any professional athlete and that is work rate and desire which they both seem to lack right now. Limited ability, poor body language & minimal effort is a recipe for disaster.
Yes I admit that I could pick another striker over 32 years old playing in the top two divisions that perform the same basic movements. I’m not for one moment comparing our strikers’ goal scoring ability to Cavani but the ability to move in different directions shouldn’t be limited to world class players or their age
Troy was thinking when the final whistle blew... "Wow, imagine if i played today to help my lads, it would've been 9-0".
Should never play for us again. Stop holding us back you bloated t*sser. Today has proven how much better off we are without him.
Who could've seen that coming, Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee dropped and suddenly we look an attacking threat? Totally blindsided me.
I don’t feel comfortable with the intense negativity towards Troy. I have, as many have on here, for some time had the view that his style of play, his lack of pace and his aging, have held us back. I think that Troy deep down knows this, especially after today. It also seems clear, or at least plausible, that when he is in the team, his teammates don’t play to their potential or seem to enjoy playing bad much. That is obviously not an easy thing for a professional sport’s person to accept or acknowledge. Troy Deeney has been a marvelous servant for this club and will rightly go down as a club legend. It is sad that we are in this situation, but it would be best if Troy’s on field involvement is minimised from here on in. I do not take any joy in this view.
Tbf Gray gets dropped in games anyway. Question is will Deeney be if today's absence was due to a knock.
I've said it before so I'll say it again, if Deeney is to remain at WFC he should mainly be used as a late sub or as a stand in for injury.
Troy has frequently made comments that strongly suggest he thinks he should be starting. Don’t forget he’s also publicly ridiculed the club live on air recently. Sure he’s a club legend, but he’s past it and he’s doing a decent enough job of ruining his legacy irrespective of what us fans think or say.
The Wobby have posted an article that is suggesting our performance yesterday was largely down to TD giving the troops a pep talk
John Eustace showed how a senior pro should behave when not playing in the Zola season. Deeney wasn't watching or learning. He'll be back on the pitch on Tuesday and normal service will resume.
I hope Deeney singled himself out as one of the biggest underachievers and problems with our performances in his rallying cry but I won't hold my breath.
Yep, nothing has changed. If he's still 'leading' then we could have scored 10 yesterday and he'd still be taking the credit and wanting his place in the team.
That is the sad part, the fact that his current ability is taking away from his legacy. He has a sense of confidence in his playing ability, that is unfortunately misplaced. A move, if it could have been secured, would have been the best for all parties. Having such a lucrative contract is the issue. In fairness, I would not expect him to have turned it down and he will not walk away from it. The judgement by the hierarchy in giving such a contract without a relegation clause is the source of the error. This is compounded by the club’s irrational determination to play him because he is on such a huge salary. It is almost as if they can’t deal with an employee not earning his keep. Troy, regrettably, is more valuable to us, if he doesn’t play.
