Olivier Giroud

[The Skipper 20,593]

3 hours ago, Pizy said:

Really just need some matches and minutes to sharpen up. The physicality and workrate were there already.

Also goes to show you how a good center forward can immedietly strike up a great understanding with Hazard. Costa, Morata, and now Giroud have just about instantly linked up well with him.

Eto'o too (even if he was OAP).

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

I'm going to dissent a little.

Olivier displayed the great technique we knew about from Arsenal, showed the lack of pace we knew about from Arsenal and gave a clue or two about why he's here not there. He indulged in our 'flicks & tricks' offence that looks great when it comes off, but is low percentage and just an excuse for the lack of genuinely effective attacking options. He also gave the ball away a lot. That is certainly something that can be cured by increasing familiarity with his new teammates but it is far, far too early to declare his debut a roaring success.

Edit: (After the 'like' by DYC) In short, I'm worried that we're at risk of falling into a honeymoon assessment of Olivier's first start. It would be wrong to deny the positives, but just as wrong to ignore the negatives.

[Superblue 6,370]

5 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

I'm going to dissent a little.

Olivier displayed the great technique we knew about from Arsenal, showed the lack of pace we knew about from Arsenal and gave a clue or two about why he's here not there. He indulged in our 'flicks & tricks' offence that looks great when it comes off, but is low percentage and just an excuse for the lack of genuinely effective attacking options. He also gave the ball away a lot. That is certainly something that can be cured by increasing familiarity with his new teammates but it is far, far too early to declare his debut a roaring success.

Agree, I feel as the game wore on he actually got worse. I think this was partly as he tired and there was a period at the start of the second half where West Brom pushed a little bit and we were struggling to get out. He was trying to flick the ball or bring someone into play when really he just needed to hold on to the ball for a few seconds to help us get out and support him.

I like what I saw in the first half though. I think he will score goals and play better as he gets fitter and used to the way we play. It's easy to say he's used to the league but it also takes time for players to get used to a different team in the same league with a different style of play. I think we'll be more receptive to chucking the ball into the box for him at times that Arsenal wouldn't have been prepared to do. I think this will benefit him at times, and also gives us an alternative option.

Also pleased to see Morata back. He was poor before his injury but the rest I think will do him some good and the added competition will push him on and prevent us from flogging him to death.

[the wes 7,212]

 

[LAM09 6,744]

Nice to see him get off the mark for us

[BlueLion. 21,491]

A goal and three assists for us in approximately 130ish(?) minutes of action; that'll do me for our second striker. His hold-up play was great, and he's looking sharper with every game. 

[Special Juan 27,422]

He's a great all round pro, he never moaned at Arsenal playing second fiddle and when he's needed he will give everything. He's fucking hard as nails too, he will not shirk his duty and is a great addition to this side.

[Beigl 1,387]

Seems like we got a great player in Giroud. As it stands now he should start against Barcelona. 

[the wes 7,212]

23 minutes ago, Beigl said:

Seems like we got a great player in Giroud. As it stands now he should start against Barcelona. 

he has to play his link up play better than Morata and he holds up the ball better aswell 

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

Looks like a man with a point to prove, which bodes extremely well for us. Impressed with him against Hull and also quite happy with what I seen of Emerson. Hopefully Barkley can have a positive impact when he comes back too, would be a nice wee boost going into the latter stage of the season. 

[Thor 2,392]

Anyone see the replay of the Willy save? 

Giroud pointed the right way for him as the penalty taker was doing his run up. Must have noticed something and obviously helped Willy in goals. 

[Unionjack 7,531]

I bet OG has not been as happy for ages. I should think he had seen any chances of playing (let alone starting) against someone like Barca all finished.

But what I see is somone hungrier than Morata  right now. I was expecting AM to come on and really wanting to make a show of himself. Yes OG has some drawbacks but we dont have that many lads who dont.

I did think Eden was slightly stand offish after OG assist, Eden went in with the 'low ten slap' and OG thought sod that and gave him a big old hug n kiss.

I hope those top 3 are all full of spunk n vinegar and they seemed up for it at least the last 2 games.Its games like tonight that players dream of and if they cant work themselves up for it then theyre in the wrong sport.

You can bet Barca are a biy worried too by our lads.

Right now we have a dead even record with them of W5 L5 D5 so we got a real fuckin chance I reckon.

[Leif 6,006]

There's surely no doubt that Giroud was confident he'd have to either side-step or step a level down after Arsenal. He probably expected a Dortmund/Roma/Lyon/Sevilla type move. 

To actually upgrade the club he's at is probably a massive compliment in his mind, probably enough to turn him into Drogba for a few games.

[Unionjack 7,531]

3 minutes ago, Leif said:

There's surely no doubt that Giroud was confident he'd have to either side-step or step a level down after Arsenal. He probably expected a Dortmund/Roma/Lyon/Sevilla type move. 

To actually upgrade the club he's at is probably a massive compliment in his mind, probably enough to turn him into Drogba for a few games.

His link up with the lads will only get better. Its a shame we didn't have a few more games to break him in but lifes like that eh. Get lemmons then we make pancakes and stick a load of butter and sugar with it. Makes a complete team.

[Leif 6,006]

 

Essentially the same circumstances as Cech.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Proper display leading the line today. 

 

I didnt want him here when we were linked with him because I didnt feel he would give Morata proper competition. Boy was I wrong. Hopefully he presses on. Need him to be big now that Morata stupidly got suspended. All we have really.

[Jase 43,479]

3 minutes ago, Sir Mikel OBE said:

Proper display leading the line today. 

 

I didnt want him here when we were linked with him because I didnt feel he would give Morata proper competition. Boy was I wrong. Hopefully he presses on. Need him to be big now that Morata stupidly got suspended. All we have really.

No, he isn't. Not yet anyway...

[LAM09 6,744]

Just short of a goal today to round off a very good performance. He should be our leading CF going forward