Quote from: paul_e on January 26, 2022, 09:09:39 PMpretty much this, I think you have to judge the attack as a unit when it comes to goals, if the mix of Watkins, Ings, Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey and Traore get 35-40 and we get 20ish from the rest of the team then we'll be in the mix for Europe. Our problem right now is that the whole group is behind on that target, goals from defence and midfield are fine though and I suspect we'll make that 20 easily.Hmmm, no so sure.The forwards are really going to have to go some to get anywhere near that. So far with 21 games out of 38 down, as a bunch they're on 14. Even to get the low end of that estimate (35), they would need 21 goals out of 17 games. I reckon Watkins will end up on about 9 or 10, so 4 or 5 more, Coutinho could get half a dozen maybe when up to speed, and Buendia another 3 or 4. Obviously Bailey is anuknown at this stage depending on if/when he's fit again.The problem area is midfield. 3 each for McGinn and Ramsey, and that's it. Not too bad for them personally, but we could do with the midfield as a whole at least doubling that. It's why we need that holding midfielder, to let the attacking midfielders (and the other forwards) do a lot more attacking.
pretty much this, I think you have to judge the attack as a unit when it comes to goals, if the mix of Watkins, Ings, Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey and Traore get 35-40 and we get 20ish from the rest of the team then we'll be in the mix for Europe. Our problem right now is that the whole group is behind on that target, goals from defence and midfield are fine though and I suspect we'll make that 20 easily.
I just don't know where the Watkins of last season has gone as we now have a clone who looks totally out of touch!Ings certainly couldn't have done any worse.
Quote from: achilles on February 09, 2022, 11:16:21 PMI just don't know where the Watkins of last season has gone as we now have a clone who looks totally out of touch!Ings certainly couldn't have done any worse.Ings has been dreadful for us though. He hardly got a kick when he came on v Everton, granted we had stopped trying to play at that point. Any game he played up top with Watkins he had very little impact.His best game for us was v Brentford I think, combined very well with Buendia. Watkins was that bad again tonight I think Gerrard has to go with Ings the next day. But it's getting to the stage where we need to look at other options.
As crap as Watkins has been this season and let's face it, he's been utter crap, he's hardly had a great deal of service. He's a greedy striker who when he's not scoring isn't happy. Yes he runs around a lot but then so does my sister's labrador.
Does not seem to be on the same wavelength as other player around him. Often not in the correct position, lacking anticipation and too slow to react to a developing situation. There is something wrong with him at the moment.
Quote from: olaftab on February 10, 2022, 12:41:10 AMDoes not seem to be on the same wavelength as other player around him. Often not in the correct position, lacking anticipation and too slow to react to a developing situation. There is something wrong with him at the moment. Whilst JJ have clicked with Phil straight away, Ollie doesn’t seem to be able to read what Phil’s going to do
Watkins is not just poor this season but he seems to actively resent anyone else scoring.