[Coach_McGuirk]

After reading what I am about to write, many of you may think I am either drunk or insane (or possibly both). I assure you I am not drunk.

The player whom I believe will open more eyes and have a huge impact in the match will be.....Edu!

Yes, I said it! In fact, I think this season will be a breakout year for our favorite Brazilian passport forger.

I also fell that Wiltord will do many things in this match that force us all to question his place on the squad and, in fact, his choice of professiona as a whole....then he'll score an enormous, brilliant goal late to seal the win, forcing me to again admit that for all his blunders, he really has a knack for scoring at opportune times.

[dogface]

I'm sure that with Silva being ruled ineligible (along with the injuries to Freddie and Super Bob), Edu will probably play a big role in midfield. In fact, I'm sure he will be important for the first part of the year -- at least until Fred and Bob are healthy.
As for Wiltord, I don't understand why people have been so down on him: he is very versitile and can play either forward or midfield, he hustles and spreads the defence, and he is a clutch scorer. Look for him to be an important part of the squad all year -- not just in the Charity Shield.
--df

[michaec]

They haven't given up on Silva yet, his international clearance may come through in time and I'm sure he'll play some part if it does. Edu was playing some quality football at the end of last year, so I hope he picks up where he left off.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by dogface
As for Wiltord, I don't understand why people have been so down on him: he is very versitile and can play either forward or midfield, he hustles and spreads the defence, and he is a clutch scorer. Look for him to be an important part of the squad all year -- not just in the Charity Shield.
--df

Hey, I'm not down on him per se'. He just has a habit of pissing me off, then scoring a monster goal and making me feel like an ass for cursing him the whole game. It's sort of like in Dumb & Dumber, when Jeff Daniels says to Jim Carrey: "Lloyd, just when I think you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this. AND TOTALLY REDEEEM YOURSELF!"

[dogface]

Sorry Coach,
I wasn't referring to your predictions about Wiltord. I was actually referring to posts from last season. I'll admit he's been inconsistent, but he has always seemed to come through when it mattered.
Sorry about the misunderstanding
--df

[fox point fury]

I've actually gone out on a limb and put Edu on my fantasy team (at least until Bobby's playing). IIRC he was well-known in Brazil for long-range goals, and IMO if his confidence continues to grow with the first team we may be in for a few treats.

As for Wiltord, he's a good player but everyone's down on him because we paid waaaaaaaaay too much for him.

[dwinkler]

Originally posted by fox point fury
As for Wiltord, he's a good player but everyone's down on him because we paid waaaaaaaaay too much for him.

And how's that his fault? Shouldn't you be pissed at Wenger, who, you know, actually negotiated and paid the fee?

Not "everyone's" down on Wiltord. Some people recognize him for his versatility, work rate, positive attitude, and clutch contributions. And as far as I'm concerned, if he never scores another goal for Arsenal, what he's done for the club the last two seasons justifies his transfer fee.

[asfoolasiam]

Originally posted by dwinkler
Not "everyone's" down on Wiltord. Some people recognize him for his versatility, work rate, positive attitude, and clutch contributions. And as far as I'm concerned, if he never scores another goal for Arsenal, what he's done for the club the last two seasons justifies his transfer fee.

I could be wrong here, but I think what fuels people's frustration with Wiltord is not that he's talentless, but that he's so inconsistent. I like Wiltord, but it seems like he can completely fade away for games at a time. He may well have the talent to bend a game to his will, but it often seems he lacks the mentality.

Just my $0.02.

[442]

DWink-

Great point. People often site his high cost for their disappointment, as if he put a gun to Arsenal's head and said "pay me this much." He got an offer and took it. I also agree that he's provided plenty of results during the last two seasons. Does he do work off the ball that many don't see? Yes. Does he often make a silly error or do something maddening? Yes. Does he sometimes not do much for 85 minutes then bang one in, off his shin, to win the game? Yes.

[fox point fury]

Originally posted by dwinkler

And how's that his fault? Shouldn't you be pissed at Wenger, who, you know, actually negotiated and paid the fee?

Not "everyone's" down on Wiltord. Some people recognize him for his versatility, work rate, positive attitude, and clutch contributions. And as far as I'm concerned, if he never scores another goal for Arsenal, what he's done for the club the last two seasons justifies his transfer fee.

Relax, I was just trying to answer dogface's pondering. You and Rick are completely right, Wiltord shouldn't be condemned for his transfer fee; in fact, he should be commended for being valued so highly.

You're also right that not "everyone" is down on Wiltord, but that doesn't mean that those who are don't recognize his talents. It may just mean that they find those talents short of what they'd like out of a record transfer.