Ollie Watkins

[AV82EC]

Lacked consistency and durability, but for sheer talent, Dalian is up there with Little, Gray, Shaw, Withe, Yorke and Benteke. Watkins yet to join that club for me. He’s only been THAT good since Unai came in. I think he’ll get there though.

I saw Atkinson was never a top scorer so I can see there was a consistency issue but I have seen he scored one of the best ever Premier League goals , a Goal of the season.
Was Saunders keeping Atkinson out the team back then ? Because Saunders was the top scorer

No, they were a partnership. Saunders made the most of his ability, but Dalian had ability that Saunders could only dream of.

Atkinson could have had it all, he was as good as John Barnes in his pomp imv but lacked consistency, had a questionable attitude. When he was on it though, he was a frightening prospect and I liked him. RIP Dalian.

[KevinGage]

The durability factor shouldn't be overlooked in this topic.

Dalian, Collywobbles, Shaw and Little all had far more natural ability. But couldn't get on the field long enough to truly fulfill their potential.

Dalian's nickname in the old fanzine was Sicknote, and that persisted even between 1992-94, which were his most productive years for the club.

Benteke was no stranger to the treatment table during his stint with us.  We were less than half a team without him.

One outstanding season shouldn't really put Ollie in the conversation - yet. But hopefully in 2/3 years there will be more merit to it.

[Footy-Vill]

I've heard this said about players and strikers in particular.
That some may not be the greatest players but their main ability was be able to score a goal.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ollie is already there, even when he was getting absolutely pasted on here he was hitting double figures and providing assists. First 3 seasons Benteke 42, Ollie 40. Benteke had some injuries but also had spells where he looked pretty disinterested. Ollie's attitude has always been spot on.

[Footy-Vill]

Is Atkinson in any way comparable to Agbonlahor?

Agbonlahor showed some amazing attributes but didn't seem to have a strikers instinct.
At his peak he was very effective and it the sheer longevity his career that he's the top scorer in Premier League era.  Of course has his moments but he could have made more. I don't think though he was the most skilled and likes of Abraham, Kodja and even Ayew probably more skilled footballers!

Gabby must have had something other than pace to be a top scorer for some seasons.

[KevinGage]

Totally different players.

Gabby was a sprinter who got into football relatively late.

Dalian was a natural, scoring goals like this in the Nou Camp in his early 20s:

&t=58s

[Footy-Vill]

The durability factor shouldn't be overlooked in this topic.

Dalian, Collywobbles, Shaw and Little all had far more natural ability. But couldn't get on the field long enough to truly fulfill their potential.

Dalian's nickname in the old fanzine was Sicknote, and that persisted even between 1992-94, which were his most productive years for the club.

Benteke was no stranger to the treatment table during his stint with us.  We were less than half a team without him.

One outstanding season shouldn't really put Ollie in the conversation - yet. But hopefully in 2/3 years there will be more merit to it.

Wow that's really interest stuff on our top strikers and players from history
I think Watkins has done well each and every Prem season but perhaps it can be argued it needs more goals over more seasons to be in conversation though I have him as number one in Prem

On Shaw and Little . Shaw was a winger/ second striker and Little as a number 10 support striker?

I believe Emery is attempting to develop all of the non-strikers' goal-scoring instincts, and it is clear that he has succeeded.
Shaw and Little would likely thrive in Emery's system under ability and footy intelligence though would Shaw take instructions?

I'm sure I heard a tale where he scored the goal of the season and was yelled at by the gaffer. Saunders instructed him to pass it or something, but he disobeyed the instructions and dribbled past several players before a banger into the top corner!

[Footy-Vill]

Totally different players.

Gabby was a sprinter who got into football relatively late.

Dalian was a natural, scoring goals like this in the Nou Camp in his early 20s:

&t=58s

Impressive! Against Koeman aswell !!
God bless Atkinson.

[PeterWithesShin]

[KevinGage]

Think that was Tony Morley.

Difficult to truly compare eras with the difference in training and quality of pitches etc. But Shaw, Little et al were team players first and foremost, to go with that natural ability. So I think they'd fit in quite well.

I couldn't see Andy Gray or some of the others having any patience for video analysis etc.

[Footy-Vill]

That is some insight !
Strikes ball magnificently!
Half volley goals are a thing of beauty.
So that was Atkinson, Saunders and Yorke mentioned and two of those were top goal scorers
No wonder nearly won the Prem league!

I think these days need at least one other player of calibre to score 15 to 20+ goal scorer in the team. Diaby and Bailey and Rodgers all showing that goal scoring potential. Very exciting indeed!
Even if Watkins is getting 25+ next season the other attacking players will certainly be expected to improve numbers.

Captain Ginny shown that this season in fairness as has Luiz.

[Footy-Vill]

Think that was Tony Morley.

Difficult to truly compare eras with the difference in training and quality of pitches etc. But Shaw, Little et al were team players first and foremost, to go with that natural ability. So I think they'd fit in quite well.

I couldn't see Andy Gray or some of the others having any patience for video analysis etc.

The irony is that now Andy Gray knows for footy analysis for Sky Sports and Bein Sports

Tell you what, this read-through and watch of strikers - fantastic!
Thank you so much to you for your insights and contributions, and colleagues H and V! Glorious acknowledgement to Gage and Withe doing their names proud.

Watkins is joining the finest company as am I everytime I interact with the expertise of others here!
Now that's insight!

Up the Villa and wishing for a Watkins hat trick and goal of the season tonight !

[dave.woodhall]

Modern players are different to the old days. Ask Pongo or even Brian Little to run as much as Watkins does and you'd get a right earful.

As for the others, Hitchens by all accounts was the man, Hateley suffered by being his eventual replacement. Andy Gray was ludicrously brave but perhaps a bit one-dimensional. Withe was a great all-rounder with a lot more skill than he was credited with. Gary Shaw was a goalpoacher whereas Little was more of an old-fashioned inside-forward who would have done well in a front three now.

Atkinson had it all except commitment. Saunders ran around a lot but didn't score enough. Percy summed up Darren Bent by saying him in the team was like being a goal up and a player short. Benteke put in some of the best all-round centre-forward performances I've ever seen.

[Hillbilly]

I reckon JPA would have done alright under Emery. Savo would be a flip of a coin. The big challenge would be Balaban - could Emery have got him to cross the white line onto the pitch without tripping over the chalk?

[Lastfootstamper]

I reckon Nilis would've thrived.