Confidence Players

Gervinho and Walcott are both confidence players, not terrible players. People go way over board saying Gervinho can't shoot or pass, he wouldn't have all the stats at Lille if this was the case. Just because Ligue 1 is an easier league doesn't mean that the process of kicking the ball into the goal is any different and if you see some of the goals he's scored you can see he does have the ability to finish and score goals. His confidence is completely shot after the missed penalty in the ACoN and anyone who has ever played football will know that when your confidence has gone you are never certain of what you want to do in the final third which is why we see him madly looking round looking to pass the buck and then scuffing a weak shot towards the goal. When players are full of confidence they aren't scared to drill the ball at the goal or go for an audacious chip because they don't think it's going to go wide or over, whereas you can tell Gervinho just tries to get the ball on target to avoid embarrassment and disappointment.

I know it's not an ideal thing to have in our team at the moment but this boy is raw and when he hits his stride he will be a special player. His technique is not always there but it never is when your head is down. When he gets a good run going you'll see him shine. Bookmark this if you'd like, I just think he's suffering with a lack of confidence.