Ollie Watkins

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The fact from all but one camera angle loses the ball off screen demonstrates how high was the lob.

[dave shelley]

The more I watch that goal the more I appreciate just how well executed it was.  The pass from Digne knowing Ollie would chase it down was right on a sixpence; and  Ollie's strength and tenacity to win the ball.  Ollie was actually on the penalty spot, a distance of twelve yards, when he made his attempt  on goal, the amazing thing for me was the elevation he got on the ball and how he judged how it would drop in such a short distance still has me shaking my head.

[rob_bridge]

It was a quite brilliant goal

[brontebilly]

The more I watch that goal the more I appreciate just how well executed it was.  The pass from Digne knowing Ollie would chase it down was right on a sixpence; and  Ollie's strength and tenacity to win the ball.  Ollie was actually on the penalty spot, a distance of twelve yards, when he made his attempt  on goal, the amazing thing for me was the elevation he got on the ball and how he judged how it would drop in such a short distance still has me shaking my head.

I think when Ollie hasn't time to think he's at his best in front of goal. Keeper coming out like that so he had no option but to go over and it worked out perfectly. With the first ball I thought the defending was shocking really from their centre back, was it Anderson? No PL centre back should be getting done like that with a ball from the back.

Not sure if he technically got the assist for Buendia but that's excellent play from Watkins too. Cut the ball back to around the penalty spot. Should be full of confidence again tonight.

[Smirker]

Didn't do much again today.

1 goal in 10 apps this season.

[PaulWinch again]

I would say the more pertinent point from today is once he wasn’t on we lost the ability to hold the ball up and lost control of the game.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Smirker, as funny as it is to watch, you need to hold back a few minutes on your trolling.
Not his best game, not his worst. He can have no complaints being subbed and really should have scored at least one.

[Smirker]

Smirker, as funny as it is to watch, you need to hold back a few minutes on your trolling.
Not his best game, not his worst. He can have no complaints being subbed and really should have scored at least one.

Genuinely just posting as normal. Posted in The Don's thread before this one.

Great finishing from The Don today btw.

[brontebilly]

Missed him when he went off. Not sure how we ended up with Barkley and Rogers as our furthest two forward.

[cdbearsfan]

Missed one decent chance but generally played well today, I thought. Linked up nicely with Malen, nice to see that playing the two of them together can be an option.

[eamonn]

Would "The Don" have scored twice without Ollie doing the selfless shi' of occupying defenders and making unspotted runs?

[PaulWinch again]

Almost certainly not, and that’s entirely the point with him. He does so much more than just score goals.

[paul_e]

Yep, the 'problem' Malen has had in other games is that he really doesn't want to engage with defenders, he wants the space to run off the shoulder and he's found it really difficult to find the space for that. By playing him off Watkins and letting Ollie do that side of things Malen found it easier to find the gaps he wants.

[usav]

Also good to see Ollie celebrating the goals today when someone else scores - something he hasn’t always done.

[Smirker]

Almost certainly not, and that’s entirely the point with him. He does so much more than just score goals.

It's still not good enough though come on. Strikers should be making runs. There should be no reason why he can't do his unselfish stuff and score more goals.