Ollie Watkins

[PhilVill]

Watkins is a sulker, he can't handle competition for places, he's stropped when Ings came in and Gerrard moved him wider, he didn't like Duran getting games, and now he's threw his dummy out when Rashford gets picked - which I can understan, but he needs to be taking more chances than he does - don't get me wrong, he's been really good for us, and we've been really good for him. I think he'll leave, which is ok, if we replace properly - I also think he won't get that record.

Good post and yes, he does seem to just like to be the main man with no competition.

That interview after the Newcastle game cheesed me off and pretty much seemed like a 'come and get me' statement, so I'm sure the management weren't too pleased either.

[ROBBO]

No self respecting player accepts being left out gracefully, He's done very well for us but I have always belived he is not a natural finisher, I believe he started as a winger early days.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think he'll break Gabby's record, not that it really means anything especially if we fail to get CL again. What I have found strange these last few games is Watkins' positioning, normally it's his greatest strength, getting into goalscoring positions, he's an absolute natural, one of the best around yet now when the ball is coming in from the left he'll go to the far post, the same when it comes in from the right. He's basically reducing the chance of the ball ever reaching him.

I can only think he's doing it under strict instruction from Unai to allow Rogers, Asensio or Ramsey the chance to hit the near post or more central position. For our top goalscorer/centre forward to be hiding at the far post makes absolutely no sense.

[VillaTim]

Just my opinion but I think his heads been turned .

[Somniloquism]

Both of them?

[Brend'Watkins]

Just my opinion but I think his heads been turned .

It wasn’t turned too much when Arsenal were after him for the umpteenth time but it has now? How can you possibly know this? You don’t do you? You’re just guessing based on a possibility born out of nothing.

[PhilVill]

To be fair, it was just an opinion. However, we'll soon find out in the next few months and based on nothing but a feeling, I don't think he'll be here come mid August.

[Brend'Watkins]

To be fair, it was just an opinion. However, we'll soon find out in the next few months and based on nothing but a feeling, I don't think he'll be here come mid August.

An opinion has to be based on something more than “I think”

[villa for life]

To be fair, it was just an opinion. However, we'll soon find out in the next few months and based on nothing but a feeling, I don't think he'll be here come mid August.

An opinion has to be based on something more than “I think”

Not really.
“In my opinion” is almost synonymous with “I think”, isn’t it?

[ozzjim]

Of course it is. If opinion has to be based on any actual rationale Trump would be toast by 7.30am every day. You can express an opinion with little basis, it's kinda the point of talking about stuff.

The head turned one is interesting, I think it was turned in Jan by Arsenal, and I don't think it's every really focused back on Villa. He's put some of his worst displays in since for us. At the same time, pre Emery he has had spells of a few months where he's looked a shadow of the player he can be.

We could really do with him turning up the last 3, he could make the difference, but whatever happens I think he's going come the summer. He's very replaceable, we need a sale and he's pushing 30. His simple chances missed this season needs addressing.

[ChicagoLion]

Based on Arsenal making a bid which he knew and probably gave the green light to, his age ,his affinity with them, PSR, his obvious annoyance at missing out on PSG and the fact that Emery left him out of the starting X1.
It’s not the most fanciful prediction.

[AV82EC]

Based on Arsenal making a bid which he knew and probably gave the green light to, his age ,his affinity with them, PSR, his obvious annoyance at missing out on PSG and the fact that Emery left him out of the starting X1.
It’s not the most fanciful prediction.

Not having a go CL but what you’ve stated is the very definition of a fanciful prediction. You couldn’t back any of it up with hard facts and it would appear to me to be based on people adding 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5.

Will he go, possibly, but that won’t be because of any of the factors you’ve listed above, none of which anyone on here can prove one way or another. The only person who gets to make the decision is Emery himself unless Watkins asks for the move.

I of course speak from a pro-Ollie perspective as I think he’s a key cog in how we currently play. That doesn’t mean however that if Emery feels he can get better results with a different player we shouldn’t sell him and I’d back the Manager if he decides thats the way we go.

[ChicagoLion]

Based on Arsenal making a bid which he knew and probably gave the green light to, his age ,his affinity with them, PSR, his obvious annoyance at missing out on PSG and the fact that Emery left him out of the starting X1.
It’s not the most fanciful prediction.

Not having a go CL but what you’ve stated is the very definition of a fanciful prediction. You couldn’t back any of it up with hard facts and it would appear to me to be based on people adding 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5.

Will he go, possibly, but that won’t be because of any of the factors you’ve listed above, none of which anyone on here can prove one way or another. The only person who gets to make the decision is Emery himself unless Watkins asks for the move.

I of course speak from a pro-Ollie perspective as I think he’s a key cog in how we currently play. That doesn’t mean however that if Emery feels he can get better results with a different player we shouldn’t sell him and I’d back the Manager if he decides thats the way we go.

Well there was a bid ( Emery confirmed it) he did get dropped, he was quoted as not being happy and he was/ is an Arsenal fan.
Are you claiming these are not hard facts. Also I have not predicted anything I just stated that” it's not a fanciful prediction “ ie it is not without some merit.

[ozzjim]

He also did an interview post Newcastle where he admitted he was fuming with not starting vs PSG having been one of the players to get us into the champions league in the first place. It is clear he isn't a happy bunny.

[SamTheMouse]

He looks distinctly unenthused by everything most of the time though, so it's hard to tell.