Player Watch Player Watch: Timo Werner

[hughy]

International break after the Brighton game. Odobert likely to be back soon after that.

Think Richarlison is back on grass too. I know he wont play wide, but it means we won't have to worry about playing the likes of Son, Johnson or Deki out of position if we can finally get Richy back fit.

Probably a big ask but if we can get Solanke, Richarlison, Son, Johnson, Odobert, Werner and Moore all fit at the same time we have some major options between now and January.

 

[E17yid]

This is wishful thinking. I dont think Mikey is anywhere close to TImo. The diff in physicality is vast.
Like other 17yo he doesn't have the body to press a seasoned PL defender.

Really, Werner is a midget and doesn’t exactly scream physical presence.

You can make an argument for mental strength given Werner’s experience but to be honest, as Ange said during the Euros, your instinct most of the times with young players is to protect them but some times they’re so good you’ve just got to throw them in mate.

 

[idontgetit]

A lot of other fans taking the piss out of his finishing but he had a really good game yesterday. The threat he posed created a lot of space for others to run into.

 

[ljinko888]

Somebody else said it but I think it is really spot on and that is when you go from Son to Werner on the left wing you go from having someone who rarely ever misses a one on one with the goalkeeper to someone who rarely ever scores a one on one with the goalkeeper. It's bizarre because he clearly knows what runs to make and keeping onside. It's just that last bit. He doesn't seem to get much luck either because sometimes you can scuff the ball and it actually takes the ball into the far corner or the it hits the keepers legs but not enough to block the shot.

 

[ultimateloner]

Really, Werner is a midget and doesn’t exactly scream physical presence.

You can make an argument for mental strength given Werner’s experience but to be honest, as Ange said during the Euros, your instinct most of the times with young players is to protect them but some times they’re so good you’ve just got to throw them in mate.

Not a matter of height.

Werner is a strong runner. He doesn't get pushed off the ball alot and can put a foot in. That means we can maintain a shape and the RB his side wouldn't feel at ease.

It's unrealistic to expect a 17yo to have that sort of physical presence. In time they may get there but not now. Not everyone is a Rooney.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think this is the timo Werner thread and you should try and debate that in the man united one if it bothers you so much that I heard a talking point on the athletic pod and thought it was an interesting one.

I also think you should know better than to try and call people out based on one result.

Mate I laughed when you said it before yesterday's game and Im laughing even harder now.

Youre just wrong on that, they dont have a better squad than ours.

 

[Finchyid]

Somebody else said it but I think it is really spot on and that is when you go from Son to Werner on the left wing you go from having someone who rarely ever misses a one on one with the goalkeeper to someone who rarely ever scores a one on one with the goalkeeper. It's bizarre because he clearly knows what runs to make and keeping onside. It's just that last bit. He doesn't seem to get much luck either because sometimes you can scuff the ball and it actually takes the ball into the far corner or the it hits the keepers legs but not enough to block the shot.

Err you saw city game?

 

[E17yid]

Not a matter of height.

Werner is a strong runner. He doesn't get pushed off the ball alot and can put a foot in. That means we can maintain a shape and the RB his side wouldn't feel at ease.

It's unrealistic to expect a 17yo to have that sort of physical presence. In time they may get there but not now. Not everyone is a Rooney.

It might be but then it might not. I don’t think anyone is seriously suggesting he should have a run of starts. We were in the perfect scenario (with Son only being out for 1 game and Odobert rumoured to be back after Brighton) so it was only really 1 game which, imho, would’ve been a good opportunity to see if he has the minerals and if he didn’t then no harm.

But look, we won comfortably in the end so those 2 bad misses didn’t matter. I just think Moore looks better from the bits I’ve seen but as I say it’s all moot now anyway as Son and Odobert are almost back (fingers crossed)

 

[KingsDodgyKnee]

My observations of Werner:

Good
1. His positioning and runs are absolutely elite. I don't think I've seen a player so good at running off the shoulder.
2. He's not finishing his chances but he keeps getting himself in the right positions to score.
3. He clearly terrifies defenders. They pull so wide to cut off his runs that it leaves gaping holes for players i.e. Micky, to run through.

Bad
1. His confidence in front of goal is shot.
2. His finishing is woeful (at the moment).

Hopefully he can build on the positives and start scoring or assisting a few.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

On another day we could have just had those two chances that Werner fluffed and we’d end up with fuck all points.

 

[Gb160]

On another day we could have just had those two chances that Werner fluffed and we’d end up with fuck all points.

Jesus that's one incredibly negative way of looking at it.

 

[YB123]

Werner's wide game + Son's finishing and you've got a worldie in this Ange set up

 

[Tucker]

As others have said his technique isn’t in question, but his confidence is. He’s not the dribbly 1v1 winger we really need, but if we can just unlock that door inside him and get him confident again he could really explode.

I know I know, it’s a big IF, but you never know.

 

[Spursmatty87]

Shame about his finishing as I think his overall game was good. We should have strengthened in the summer but that’s not his fault.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Timo's PL stats for the season are quite fun, 4 appearances, 2 shots , shots on target 2, shooting accuracy 100% , big chances missed 2 .

https://www.premierleague.com/players/23599/Timo-Werner/stats?co=1&se=719

 

[snakehipsspurs]

Thought he had a really good first 50 minutes, was making all the right decisions and acting instinctively. Then he started to drop off as fatigue set in, which is understandable considering how little football he’s played this year.

His finishing is obviously maddening and won’t ever improve at this point in his career, but he’s our third/fourth choice LW who’s only playing because of multiple injuries. The quality of performance he showed yesterday is amazing for his level in our squad. Don’t think any other teams in the world bar City or Madrid can expect that level of play from a third/fourth option. Think we all need to be a bit more realistic.

 

[bubble07]

International break after the Brighton game. Odobert likely to be back soon after that.

Even richarlison might br back by then

 

[soflapaul]

As others have pointed out, Timo's contribution to the team with the ball is rather mixed. (the 4 shots taken this season stat is such a head scratcher). His off the ball movement is excellent and it can't be lost how much that helps other players. Even though the percentages of him scoring are low, he still has to be defended and game planned. As SlotBadger said, his problems in front of goal are probably psychological and not fundamentals. We all know that on rare occasions, players "get it" like a switch is flipped and he takes it to another level. The odds of it happening after all this time is miniscule but those slim odds unfortunately create "hope" which is one of the worst strategies to have in football, business or life. I "hope" Ange thinks that switch can be flipped but he needs to set on the bench next season at most if it doesn't.

 

[Krafty]

It’s all fine, it really is.

Renewing his loan was fine - no long term commitment, no short term lack of depth exposure.

His performances are fine, just about - does what the manager asks from him positionally, and in his running habit (stay wide and rarely drift in).

It’s also fine that he isn’t first choice, and gives Moore time to develop and gain experience. As much as it is exciting to see a teenager start, I’m glad Moore is developing under less of a spotlight. He is still getting minutes, and I am expecting he will see more and more minutes as the games come.

if he could finish then he wouldn’t be with us - he’d be too good to be second fiddle. As he can’t finish it’s good he’s not on a 5 yr contract with us at 28.

it’s all fine, Timo is just a small part of our journey, and probably the answer to a quiz question in 10 years time

 

[muppetman]

Jesus that's one incredibly negative way of looking at it.

Glass half empty on SC?????? Nah, can't see it.