Chris Waddle is an embittered imbecile
Add comment October 16th, 2008
There is nothing worse than watching a game on television when one of the commentators clearly has an axe to grind, or a grudge to bear. Watching England take on Belarus on Setanta Sport, I was subjected to the exhausting rants of a certain Chris Waddle.
Waddle made a fool of himself last week when he suggested dropping England’s hatrick hero of Zagreb, Theo Walcott. The former England winger was widely mocked across a variety of phone-ins and other football media, and is obviously feeling bitter about it. During the game this evening, every touch Walcott had was scrutinised, and even when the sprightly winger embarked on a couple of impressive runs, his final ball and shots were criticised, despite being of more than acceptable quality.
Before half-time, with England all-square at 1-1, Waddle suggested he would replace Walcott with Wright-Phillips at half-time. What a surprise. But why? I like Wrighty’s son, but what would he offer that Theo couldn’t?
Eventually, a fading Walcott was withdrawn for Wright-Phillips. At this point, Waddle’s lunacy reached its nadir. He claimed that Walcott didn’t deserve a starting spot, and as a backup for his argument pointed out that goals aside, Wayne Rooney had been the better player in Zagreb.
So what? Did he have a bet on Rooney to be voted man of the match in that game, or something? What’s more, a huge part of the reason Rooney looked so good in that game was because he had Walcott’s runs to find from deep – I’m sure the United man would admit that himself.
Walcott will have games where he doesn’t impress. He will over-run the ball, miscue crosses, and miss chances. But he is also the quickest English player I have ever seen, with occasionally exceptional timing of his runs. On those occasions, he provides a cutting edge that a more consistent player like Wright-Phillips is incapable of offering. Fabio Capello has proven himself to be no fool. He knows he has plenty of solid footsoldiers in the midfield. He picks Walcott because when he gets it right, he can be the difference.
Most of the country accept that Walcott cannot score a hatrick in every game. They recognise that he is the best option for the right-wing in the build-up to 2010, and are prepared to give him the neccessary time to find the consistency required. Meanwhile, Walcott’s presence is hardly damaging England’s results, is it?
I don’t know what Waddle’s got such a bee in his bonnet about. Maybe it’s the fact that in one game in Zagreb, Theo scored half as many goals as Waddle managed in more than sixty caps.
Time to get over yourself Chris. As Walcott improves, you’re only going to look sillier.
