Player Watch Player Watch: Timo Werner

[Stuart Leathercock]

Noticed more than one occasion last night where Maddison was getting really frustrated with Timo losing the ball or making a poor pass.

In the end he stopped passing to him.

That is a really poor reflection on Maddison if true. If our players stopped passing to Maddison because he'd lost the ball a few times then he would barely get a touch of the ball.

 

[McFlash]

It's a strange one because he does some things really well and some things, not so well.
I'm still torn because while I do like him, his age concerns me a bit in that he's not going to improve his weak areas and I don't really want us to get stuck with another squad player.

I suppose it comes down to what we'll have to spend this summer and what we can get for the money.
I'm glad it's not me having to make the decision because I want him one day, then don't the next!
He's a good player but I'm not sure if he's good enough.

 

[Barmby Army]

Part of the issue with Werner IMO is that he looks like he's *this* close to being a superstar. The number of chances he misses, the number of times his final ball isn't quite right...with just a little bit more composure, he'd be one of the best in the league. Understandably, people judge him based on what they feel he could be, rather than what he is.

A player who is nowhere near as good at getting into those promising positions, but is clinical when he does get there, wouldn't be treated with anywhere near as much suspicion even though they're equally 'legitimate' skill sets that vary from player to player. A 7/10 player who was never going to be anything more than a 7/10 player is a lot easier to value than a 7/10 player who frustrates you because you think he could be a 9/10 player.

Long story short, I think he's been a good addition who does a lot of the less visible things (movement, work rate, link-up play) very well while lacking in the most obvious areas. If the wages are reasonable I'd definitely get him signed.

 

[bigfrooj]

There seems to be an element of panic to his play that leads to poor decisions. I'm sure he's worked with sports psychologists at his age but it's something that can also be worked out with experience. Time is ticking for him but he is so close to being a brilliant player. I just don't know.

 

[DannyNZ]

That is a really poor reflection on Maddison if true. If our players stopped passing to Maddison because he'd lost the ball a few times then he would barely get a touch of the ball.

I think the reality is after Werner exposed them down their right in those early moments West Ham shuffled across and never allowed that type of space thereafter.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

It's a strange one because he does some things really well and some things, not so well.
I'm still torn because while I do like him, his age concerns me a bit in that he's not going to improve his weak areas and I don't really want us to get stuck with another squad player.

I suppose it comes down to what we'll have to spend this summer and what we can get for the money.
I'm glad it's not me having to make the decision because I want him one day, then don't the next!
He's a good player but I'm not sure if he's good enough.

I’ve watched him a lot over the years and at the age of 28 i don’t think that inconsistency is ever going to go away. He will get into purple patches where he scores a few games in a row but then he will forget where the goal is. Considering where he is in his development I think one has to just accept who he is at this point. What we are seeing with him now is exactly what I thought we would get.

For what it’s worth I think these tactics certainly suit him and will bring out the best of him but I’d be very surprised if he were to go up a level. Unfortunately his finishing technique has always been erratic as has his decision making in the final third.

One has to give him credit as his numbers since he has been here are very impressive for a loan player. Considering his price I can certainly see a logic in retaining him. On the other hand considering his age im not sure I can see him being here longer than 2 seasons. But maybe that’s fine considering we have Mikey Moore coming through who will be 18 by that point.

The price is obviously very appealing although he’d have to significantly lower his contract demands. Which he may not want to. Even 100k p/w I’d find pushing it considering the numbers of the rest of the team. As has been well covered I think it also ties into what happens to Solomon and who else we bring in this summer. Personally I’m sort of indifferent, wouldn’t be upset if we signed him but wouldn’t really care if we didn’t. I think personally I’d prefer to go for a younger player with more potential to be our back up but I also realise that the outlay would likely be greater and the immediate G/A return might not be as significant.

What’s for certain he shouldn’t be a starter going into next season if he stays.

 

[McFlash]

I’ve watched him a lot over the years and at the age of 28 i don’t think that inconsistency is ever going to go away. He will get into purple patches where he scores a few games in a row but then he will forget where the goal is. Considering where he is in his development I think one has to just accept who he is at this point. What we are seeing with him now is exactly what I thought we would get.

For what it’s worth I think these tactics certainly suit him and will bring out the best of him but I’d be very surprised if he were to go up a level. Unfortunately his finishing technique has always been erratic as has his decision making in the final third.

One has to give him credit as his numbers since he has been here are very impressive for a loan player. Considering his price I can certainly see a logic in retaining him. On the other hand considering his age im not sure I can see him being here longer than 2 seasons. But maybe that’s fine considering we have Mikey Moore coming through who will be 18 by that point.

The price is obviously very appealing although he’d have to significantly lower his contract demands. Which he may not want to. Even 100k p/w I’d find pushing it considering the numbers of the rest of the team. As has been well covered I think it also ties into what happens to Solomon and who else we bring in this summer. Personally I’m sort of indifferent, wouldn’t be upset if we signed him but wouldn’t really care if we didn’t. I think personally I’d prefer to go for a younger player with more potential to be our back up but I also realise that the outlay would likely be greater and the immediate G/A return might not be as significant.

What’s for certain he shouldn’t be a starter going into next season if he stays.

Yeah, I think that's where I'm at too.
I wouldn't be unhappy if we kept him but also, I wouldn't be unhappy if we didn't.

He's a good player but not a great player so it all really depends on what plans we've got for the summer.
It's been a successful loan though, so that's a positive at least.

 

[theShiznit]

For me he just doesn't offer enough in terms of team play and will only go at his man 1/4 of the time.

Find him quite frustrating TBH.

Annoyingly, I'd say ATM that Johnson is our best option on both wings as he is the most direct/aggressive WF we have...

 

[Gilzeanking]

Annoyingly, I'd say ATM that Johnson is our best option on both wings as he is the most direct/aggressive WF we have...

Slightly surprising imo.

Timo went to the byline and crossed several times...Johnson did great to get into goal scoring positions..but I don't remember him getting past his fullback
and crossing like that. Mebbe I forgot.

 

[theShiznit]

Slightly surprising imo.

Timo went to the byline and crossed several times...Johnson did great to get into goal scoring positions..but I don't remember him getting past his fullback
and crossing like that. Mebbe I forgot.

It's much harder for a right footer to get to the byline on his natural side, as you need much more pace/strength than the fullback, on the left you can use skill and body feigns much more as the defender is pretty much predicting you have to come inside.

In the last few weeks Johnson has shown much more willing to attack his fullback. (on both sides)

 

[bubble07]

The issue is if signing him means we don't sign a better left forward then its a tough call

 

[allatsea]

The issue is if signing him means we don't sign a better left forward then its a tough call

I don't think it is a tough call. He is a decent back up but shouldn't be a regular starter. So if someone better is available then we shouldn't take up the option.

 

[mil1lion]

I don't think it is a tough call. He is a decent back up but shouldn't be a regular starter. So if someone better is available then we shouldn't take up the option.

We'll have to have someone else lined up early then to get them before the Werner option expires

 

[tooey]

If buying him means we don't buy another player for the front 3 positions, I'd rather we didn't and rolled the dice . If he's in addition to another player for the the front 3...take up the option.

If it's the former, we get nobody else in and we end up with Son, Werner, Richarlison, Kulu Johnson and Solomon as our attacking options then I'll be pretty annoyed. With the exception of Son (who's not getting any younger) that's a really average looking attack.

 

[dontcallme]

First half is a good example of the conundrum that is Werner.

Our attack as a whole isn't looking very good and we clearly need another player of real quality to be added to the ranks.

Werner looks one dimensional with some terrible shots and crosses.

But at the same time his pace is always a threat and his ability to get into dangerous positions creates goals.

 

[DannyNZ]

First half is a good example of the conundrum that is Werner.

Our attack as a whole isn't looking very good and we clearly need another player of real quality to be added to the ranks.

Werner looks one dimensional with some terrible shots and crosses.

But at the same time his pace is always a threat and his ability to get into dangerous positions creates goals.

Are you serious he’s been our best player

 

[dontcallme]

Are you serious he’s been our best player

Where did my post compare his performance to others?

 

[BorjeSpurs]

First half is a good example of the conundrum that is Werner.

Our attack as a whole isn't looking very good and we clearly need another player of real quality to be added to the ranks.

Werner looks one dimensional with some terrible shots and crosses.

But at the same time his pace is always a threat and his ability to get into dangerous positions creates goals.

I'll @ you when the Werner highlight vid comes out on twitter.

Was sure the early thread bump was going to be some early praise.

 

[$hoguN]

An important player for us. No-brainer signing him

 

[dontcallme]

I'll @ you when the Werner highlight vid comes out on twitter.

Was sure the early thread bump was going to be some early praise.

I'm not criticising him.

I said our attack as a whole wasn't working in the first half - that's not on him.
I said some of shots and crosses were poor - think that's pretty evident.
I said he gets into dangerous positions and creates goals - that's praise.

I maintain that he's a good fit for us but not a step up in quality overall but our attack looks like it really needs it.

This isn't aimed at you, but the OTT reactions to any criticism, or in this case a balanced view, to our players is getting very tedious.