How to get Theo Walcott performing as a Poacher

[llama3]

I am currently managing Arsenal (yeah I know, shock of the century hey?). We are doing fairly well in the league, however I would like a plan B option as well. Here is my first choice team and tactics:

So I need some help trying to get Theo Walcott to perform as a Poacher in attack.

I have trained him to break offside trap, and currently training him to place his shots.

So far I have had no luck whatsoever with him in the role. My players simply do not try playing him in behind, and do not take advantage of it. I have tried the following to no avail:

• Setting as Target Man with supply Run Onto Ball
  
• Switching from 4-5-1 to 4-2-3-1
  
• Having Advanced Playmaker Attack to Support
  
• Switching to Support Wingers
  
• Tried in Counter, Control and Attack Strategies
  
• Tried shouts: Get Ball Forward, Pass into Space, Play Through Defence, Exploit Middle (in combinations and individually)

He simply does not perform there. But I know he can - so I need some help in setting the team up to do that. Now the ONLY prerequisite is that he plays as a lone forward. Plan B is an alternative to Giroud, and to allow him rest. So playing him in a pair is very counter-productive. Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gervinho all play wide for me. So a 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 (wide with MCs), 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 formations.

[swallow1050]

Im wondering if your very high line is affecting the space behind the defence, also he doesn't have the highest oftb rating for a premiership player does he? maybe he isn't making the runs very often or timing them right?

[cyborgscouse]

His composure at 12 seems quite low for someone wanting to be a striker, and I'm not sure it will increase that much over time either. I know you've mentioned the team not setting him up for it, but even if he gets those chances will he be putting them away?

[ri916]

Train him on 'takes ball round the keeper'.

[llama3]

My problem is he isn't even getting the chances in the first place. So composure and off the ball ratings are already in hand, but I need a plan B, and an alternative to Giroud. Walcott simply will not fit Giroud's role in the team either. The high line I had thought of, and had used the shout to drop it deeper too. Again, not much luck.

[Cleon]

Have you thought about Cazorla being the DLF? And use Walcott as an IF behind him?

I know its not what you wanted but its deffo a plan B.

[llama3]

Certainly not what I wanted. Something to try in pre-season maybe. But for now, due to them both playing in awkward positions to achieve that I think i'll persist. On the old patch Marouane Chamakh used to be a good reserve for Giroud - he is a similar style and has same PPMs, but regretably it is not an option anymore.

I have fancied trying Walcott as the forward for a while.

[ShirazS]

I played Robert Lewandowski as an AF-Attack in a 4-2-3-1 and he scored 40 goals in 1 season.

The setup was:

       GK-D
FB-S CD-C CD-X FB-S
    CM-D DLP-S 
W-A    AP-S    IF-A
       AF-A

Also, furiousuk's 4-1-2-2-1 thread has a good example here - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/311627-The-FM-41221-(433-451-WoW)

I understand that these examples are as an AF and not a Poacher but I think that they perform a similar role and with a lone striker, AF would be the better option

[llama3]

An Advanced Forward is a very worthwhile suggestion. I wanted to try a Poacher first due to Walcott's limitations. However can't hurt to try a slightly more expansive role.

[agentvinz]

In previous FM Walcott is beast at striker because of his pure pace so he can race for the through ball and score consistently, but in this year's ME is limiting lone striker that he can't easily run through the defence easily anymore. Ironically his form is depending on the opposition, if they're playing with high line he will get lots of chance, but if they're playing deep line he will struggle to get chances.

I know it's annoying that playing lone striker like Walcott who heavily relies on his pace doesn't work anymore like previous FM, but it's more realistic that way, just like Walcott IRL

[vasilli07]

Maybe you can try AMR/AML as an IF. You may need another player upfront to distract a defender or 2 off Walcott.

[llama3]

Tried him in those roles, but the point is having Walcott up front so I can rest/rotate Giroud.

[Cleon]

I know he doesn't have all the attributes to play as a DLF but have you tried him in the role? A bit like how I played Adebayor/Defoe as the Treq. They all played the role differently and offered different kinds of play depending on which one I used in the role.

[Los_Culés]

I would say that to make Walcott effective your opposition has to play a high line. I can imagine that as you being Arsenal, not many opponents actually doing that. Also the PPM "tries to break an offside trap" is a bit problematic, as his anticipation is "only" 13. Clever defenders can make him off-side easily and this can destroy your precious moves. It all depends on the kind of football you want to play in a particular match. If you face a weaker opposition, which is most of the time, I would not play him and look for other "plans B" instead. If you face somebody like Barca who play high-line all the time, then Walcott can be your "plan B".

[llama3]

I like your thoughts the Los Culés - the high line issue had crossed my mind, although it had not stopped me trying it. But it is worthwhile seeing the alternatives.

Cleon, I have tried him in short bursts there, but very little game time. Will add to the list for FA Cup 5th Round tie at Middlesbrough to experiment a little.

[JackInDerBox]

Your own defensive line could be causing an issue as well, with such a high line it is likely the gaps between your team will be small, to get the best out of a striker as limited as Walcott I think maybe dropping deeper and using pass into space + Play through defence could help. Advanced Forward with crossing set to rarely is also a good option.

[tommonufc]

The tactical set-up of the poacher, in this instance Walcott, I'd suggest isn't the issue.

If the wider team framework is set up to get the best from a player playing in a poacher role, you will get the rewards up to the ability of the player in question.

Looking at your tactical post in the OP, I would instantly lean to the fact you may not be getting the ball into forward positions quick enough; and due to Walcott's limited off the ball movement, and other attributes for a PL poacher - he's just being played out of the game too easily.

I've turned Adam Campbell, at Newcastle, into nearly the ideal poacher stat wise, and obviously he is scoring plenty due to his ability - but it's more down to the sort of goals he's scoring. He's scoring from the work of wide players getting to the byline etc. as you would expect, but from playing with an attacking, aggressive style, I'm creating the openings for the player to score, and then let their ability do the rest.

Have you tried moving away from Normal, and slow passing?

There shouldn't be much wrong with playing a high line. That can be a very effective way to defend, and can also see you winning the ball back higher up the field, and therefore launching attacks quicker on to the opposition. In doing this your be making good use of Walcott's speed to get into those attacking areas, in line with the rest of the team, that should be set-up primarly to provide for this player, who will attack quickly and in a direct approach.

Defending deeper, may give Walcott space to run into - but that will be negated by his poor off the ball movement, and anticipation. I'd say you need to be defending high, winning the ball back early, getting the ball into Walcott quickly, who can then run with the ball over those short bursts and get those goalscoring opportunities - not relying on defending deep, and playing Walcott off the shoulder of the last man. Wouldn't say he has the abilities for that, and in a wider context, doing this, your probably not going to be getting other players in those advanced areas either.

Or alternatively, not answering your Walcott/Poacher question, but my first approach would be to play a player that is fit to be a Premier League poacher!