Ollie Watkins

[danno]

Callum Wilson isn't a better striker than Watkins, he's a better goalscorer but if you think that's all that's needed to be a top class striker for most teams then you're about 20 out of date.

The problem with Watkins is that, like a few other players in our squad, he needs something to go for him to kick him up a level, that's why he's quite streaky as a goalscorer.

To address that we can either replace him with someone who adds a few extra goals to the team and doesn't weaken us in terms of off the ball running and work rate.
OR
We bring in players around him who can score more goals and reduce the burden on him to win us games.

We seem to have decided on the latter and 5 different goalscorers in 2 games is a big step in the right direction.

Callum Wilson is a better striker than Watkins.  His fitness lets him down and so he wouldn't be a viable replacement, but when fit there's no doubt he's a better striker.

There is doubt. Your not speaking for me on this Chris.

I didn't say I was.  Opinions are like arseholes.

In need of refreshing as circumstances dictate?

[Brend'Watkins]

Wonder if Ollie has lost the penalty taking responsibility? If so, that will not do his confidence any good.

I thought the same.  However, no room for sentiment as Watkins isn't great at them and I'm in favour of our manager addressing the problem swiftly.

Dougie's pen is the sort of penalty I like.  Hard and low into the corner.  It doesn't matter how quick or agile the keeper is he's never getting a hand on it with that pace and direction.

[LeeB]

Wonder if Ollie has lost the penalty taking responsibility? If so, that will not do his confidence any good.

I thought the same.  However, no room for sentiment as Watkins isn't great at them and I'm in favour of our manager addressing the problem swiftly.

Dougie's pen is the sort of penalty I like.  Hard and low into the corner.  It doesn't matter how quick or agile the keeper is he's never getting a hand on it with that pace and direction.

It was a perfect penalty but a keeper without t-rex arms might fare better.

[JUAN PABLO]

Watkins looked happy enough celebrating Dougies Penalty so see no problem with Watkins being sulky .

Not sure how many pens Watkins got last season , so dont know what his final goal tally would be without pens scored thou he did miss a couple .

[85kota]

It was a perfect penalty, I was thrilled for us and for Dougie. What a player he is.

Says something about Watkins that we can't trust him to kick a dead ball from 12 yards. That being said I didn't think Watkins was that bad yesterday. His movement was really good but his touch let him down, as it often does.

I think we have been trying to upgrade but there aren't too many options for us at this time.

Possibly why we haven't signed Ascencio or Felix but had to take a bit more risk with Zaniolo.

[AV84]

For McGinn's goal yesterday Watkins had pulled 3 or 4 Everton players across to the other post leaving lots of space in the box. Before the penalty if Pickford hadn't clattered him he'd probably have made a better connection or been able to follow that ball up and keep it in the net. Maybe it even crossed the line as it was. Probably should have finished his other big chance better, but even on days where he doesn't score he's doing the work that allows others to.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd say missing penalties would dent Ollie's confidence more than not taking them.

[danno]

Well taken hat trick, could have scored five but no striker scores every chance they get.

[Mortimer's Bear]

I thought his third yesterday was a great finish.

[Villan82]

What a signing he has been. Great business. I hope we have him for years to come- he will smash various modern day records.

[pauliewalnuts]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e6c2d43a-426f-11ee-8b31-3c9c533abb75?shareToken=b65ce0562fb9fc80231cf18c71c45ded

[edgysatsuma89]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e6c2d43a-426f-11ee-8b31-3c9c533abb75?shareToken=b65ce0562fb9fc80231cf18c71c45ded

“It definitely did help me,” he says. “Before, I used to think if I had a bad game was Ingsy going to start the next game, and there was always that doubt that if I hadn’t scored after 60 minutes he was going to come on. It didn’t work out that way but it was creeping in the back of my mind.”

I mean I get that it would be comforting to know you're 'the main man' but I'm hoping his mental fortitude will be tested at some point in the near future with someone challenging him. Being challenged for your place is the plight of 99% of footballers and he'll need to handle it better when it happens again. We can't be worried about how it'll affect Watkins just by bringing someone in.

[AV84]

I can understand that mindset and I don't think it's really a problem as long as he keeps scoring regularly. If he can get to 20+ goals this season purely because he knows he's the main man then we can't complain.

If his form is very patchy and he's only scoring every 4th or 5th game then you'd have to say tough shit, Ollie, we're bringing someone else in, either score more or get out of the way.

As things are though I'm fine with him being the main man.

[nick harper]

What a signing he has been. Great business. I hope we have him for years to come- he will smash various modern day records.

If he signs a new contract he will have a chance to be the first player to score 100 goals for the club since Peter McParland. Astonishing that it is more than 60 years since anyone achieved that feat.

[Dave]

What a signing he has been. Great business. I hope we have him for years to come- he will smash various modern day records.

If he signs a new contract he will have a chance to be the first player to score 100 goals for the club since Peter McParland. Astonishing that it is more than 60 years since anyone achieved that feat.

This season should easily see him overtake Barry, Benteke, Angel and Dublin for goals scored Since Football Began, with only Yorke and Gabby ahead of him. Pretty great return - particularly when you see the strikers who have been bought for comparable money in time he's been with us.