This adulation of Okaka is down right wierd. He’s shown flashes of skill in his rare cameos, he’s also looked completely useless at times and never played more than two or three games in a row. I thought it was well regarded that he is poor in training and often feels like he doesn’t need to turn up to every session? Three managers haven’t rated him, he was playing for Anderlecht before he joined us and I seem to remember genuine suprised was expressed that we bought him, I think there was even a newspaper article about us buying him. I can’t inagine Silva would deliberately keep an asset that could genuinely improve his chances of winning games in the bench, that just wouldn’t happen. For all we know he could be wildly out of shape and not bothering in training.
We know for sure that Silva fell out with Capoue. The absolute silence on Okaka and his invisibility, with him not even turning out for the U-23s or anything, would seem to suggest that is also the case with Okaka. It seems impossible that after 1 game where he scored and was MOTM that he decided to banish him from the matchday squad for footballing reasons. I suppose it's possible it's a training issue or that Okaka isn't "his kind" of player, but it seems far more likely there's some falling out at the heart of it. As for Okaka's ability, I really don't think it's in doubt. We've seen some cracking goals from him. He's not the most mobile in making runs and that, but he's surprisingly good on the floor and pretty agile. Decent with his head too and certainly knows where the goal is. I really hope that they can overcome whatever problem there is and give Okaka a chance (from the bench at least) whilst TD is suspended. The problem now though will be that he will be way off being match fit and ready and no doubt there's a world of boos waiting for him if he misses one that's half the chance of the four sitters that Richie's missed in the past couple of games.
Hardly adulation though is it? It's just people saying that he deserves more of a chance and a general acceptance that none of our three senior strikers are that great. Okaka's performance against Liverpool remains the best one by a striker for us this season and for all his faults, he looks a better finisher than Gray and Deeney.
Hardly adulation, just a recognition that it's not really working for Deeney and Gray after a quarter of the season. Seems silly to not at least put Okaka on the bench to offer another option. By the way, Okaka has scored more goals in his 1000 minutes of Premier League football than Gray and Deeney have done in both their combined last 1000 minutes, which is truly shocking when you think about it. Never heard about him being poor in training, is there a source? Would be interesting to hear about that as it could explain why he's been banished.
Re Okaka's absence could it just simply be that if Deeney and Gray are both fit Silva considers them better options on the pitch and on the bench than Big Stef? I'm sure he'll get his chance while Troy is repaying his debt to society
Nice picture. And not just because I'm in it. Stoke's game-management was superb; they turned up determined not to lose (they were time-wasting before they scored), and once they went ahead they managed to keep us out. We couldn't break them down. To that extent, they were better than us, and deserved to win. However, they were horrible to watch.
I always suspected you were Mark Hughes! But you're right. They executed their game plan perfectly, the bastards.
Re Okaka. It's like crouch. Something different. If we can't break down teams playing our usual way then fling Okaka on for the last 25 minutes and pummel ball after ball into the box for him to go for. Even if he doesn't score he may create space and chances elsewhere. Swapping Deeney for Gray and vice versa is too much like for like so won't really affect a game where that style isn't working.
It isn't adulation. He hasn't been given a chance. When he did he was MOTM. So if Silva doesnt like him he needs to tell him: you've been out, Ill give you half a game to impress or you continue to be out. Gotta to be worth the risk and certainly better than Sinclair or anyone else we have.
Yeah maybe I guess. Just imagine though at 1-0 down v stoke. 75th minute. Stoke showing literally no intention of getting forward. Go 352. Deeney and Okaka up front. Holebas and Femenia bolting down the flanks pelting crosses in from each wing. Dacoure and Capoue holding the attacking mf role picking up the loose 2nd balls and pelting 20 yarders in. Maybe too cavalier but rather that than continue to try to walk through the brick wall. Ok we may concede but at least give it a go.
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Re Meh!'s posting #543 :- I agree with the logic, but not the personnel. Deeney & Okaka are too similar (big, physical presences), whereas Gray isn't. In reality I'm not sure what Gray is, or does, but he is not a big, physical presence. I think he runs about more quickly than Deeney & Okaka. Also, I'd have Cleverley in the side (although, maybe he was in yours too but just not mentioned). But if we're 0-1 down, I'd rather we attacked and went for it (and ran the risk of losing 0-2) than sitting back toothlessly.
I just want to be given the opportunity to call okaka **** and a ****, and silva is denying me that. It's annoying.
Ah, the old 'penalties aren't as valuable as goals from open play' argument. Sure sign of someone with little understanding of the game or a WUM.
Is that the best you can come up with, JB? Haha, I was heavily involved in football when you were still an eye in your daddies twinkle! I think it is about time you took Troy's posters down off your bedroom wall and faced a bit of reality.
Troy Deeney is fat and **** and our coach is being forced at gunpoint to play him over the best player in the world Stephanie Okaka.
Gino is being paid not to play Okaka by the FA because they deem him too good and they can’t have Watford winning the league
Nice to see you've learned how to use spell check highgrade. Shame you're still thick as a brick and still feel the need to tell lies so you can impress strangers on the internet though.
If it makes you feel better JB or GD, you can call me all the names you like, but it won't mean that Deeney's record over the past few years is any better.
Nor does your random and flailing arm like name dropping of me make you any less of the resident forum bore.
Get away, you spend all your time on here sniping away at others, rarely adding anything to the actual discussion. I give you plenty of ammo, particularly when it comes to your undying love for Troy. You love it really.
Stoke claim they played no part in the incidents.. http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/aggrieved-stoke-city-ready-answer-716883 Must have been a goast in a Stoke kit squaring up to Deeney then!