Ollie Watkins

[Ian.]

We’re in the bottom three for all the attacking/chance creation stats. Most centre-forwards would have struggled in our team so far this season.

This is the most relevant point I think.

Exactly and if we’re going to get that we would want out of this season we’re going to have to start consistently creating “simple” chances. Otherwise we’re just not going to win enough games.

Yep and isn’t this what we’ve been saying, as well as Ollie being a little off form, we’re not creating enough. Ollie has always been involved with plenty of assists as well as a fairly good return of goals although patchy, but something has changed in the dynamics going forward. Missing Tielemans, Asensio, Rashford and Bailey is the obvious answer. That’s some quality, who wouldn’t miss those?

[eamonn]

You forgot Ramsey.

[Ian.]

I was going to mention him, but he’s hardly featured for the last 15 months, but yes a fit Ramsey charging through is sorely missed. I thought him and Maatsen would have been a brilliant combo given a good run in the team together.

[London Villan]

He got some abuse from someone in the Lower Trinity last night. They, in turn, were given a load of abuse back. The last thing Watkins needs are his own fans abusing him.

[Somniloquism]

Not called up in the latest squad.

[Rigadon]

We’re in the bottom three for all the attacking/chance creation stats. Most centre-forwards would have struggled in our team so far this season.

There's definitely some truth to this, but he is playing with what looks like an injury or a severe lack of confidence.  He was put through last night, I think by McGinn,  and it all just seemed to happen too quickly for him.  Based on comments in the past from SJM and Unai, he is a player who needs the arm round his shoulders, rather than a kick up the arse.  Players like that are usually confidence players.  He has none it would seem.

Our problem is that, Malen aside, we have no options at all up front.  Malen is more of a wide forward (like Salah but obvs not as good) than a proper CF. 

[Walmley_Villa]

Won't do his confidence any good. We aren't creating much for him but Tielemans might help resolve that

[danno]

Tielemans could make a massive difference, Sky had a graphic the other night before the Everton Sunderland game, showing “line breaking passes” per ninety minutes. All the names you’d expect Fernandes Guimares Rice etc.

Even yesterday he showed us what we’d been missing in ten minutes, because he can receive the ball from Torres or Konsa and quickly get us up the pitch. Onana and Bogarde did OK but they don’t take the ball on the half turn, they get the ball, trap it, then turn, then look for the pass.

[Smirker]

People didn't actually think he'd be selected did they?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

  Malen is more of a wide forward (like Salah but obvs not as good) than a proper CF. 

If you take away gift wrapped presents, then Malen has scored twice as many league goals as Salah this season. 

[aj2k77]

Hopefully being dropped by England in a world cup year is the kick up the arse he needs because he's been shite this season and there still feels an air of sulkiness around him.

[SaddVillan]

I know he works the channels and runs his knackers off, but in front of goal he's been absolutely shite all season.

Woeful.

Tellingly, cf is the one position where we don't have any competition at all.

If he doesn't pull his socks up and get say 12-14 goals between now and the season end (28 league games, 6 games and at least 1 FA Cup - 35 as bare minimum) then should we consider moving him on and find a replacement?

[Dave]

Tellingly, cf is the one position where we don't have any competition at all.

Isn't Malen that competition now? Don't think he's appeared on the right since that terrible Palace game.

[kippaxvilla2]

I don’t think he runs his knackers off anymore either to be honest. 

[oldhill_avfc]

Yep - make or break for him until next transfer window - not saying he would go then or a direct replacement will be found but there might be some movement of a loan or agree to buy in the summer kind of deal.

I think the above also ought to apply to Malen, Sancho and Guessand.

The whole attack needs a rethink.