Ollie Watkins

[Dave]

Played the Heskey role brilliantly today, and should rightfully get the plaudits given how well it all fitted together.

Would be good if the times when we want him to play the Bent role came off equally well these days.

[tony scott]

Played quite well today, I’m sure he’ll start scoring soon, I couldn’t help thinking how envious of Malans goal today, he must have been

[paul_e]

Played quite well today, I’m sure he’ll start scoring soon, I couldn’t help thinking how envious of Malans goal today, he must have been

He had a very similar chance but he was closer and the keeper managed to smother it without really knowing much about it.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I can't believe they gave him man of the match on Sky but again a decent display today.

Who was the co-commentator?

Bronté!

On a more serious note, the only thing I can see as to why Watkins isn't scoring is he's forgotten his greatest skill, being in the right place at the right time. Over the last few games, maybe more, he's going to the back stick which automatically reducing the chance of the ball ever reaching him. It makes little to no sense unless and can only think Unai has instructed him to go there, drag defenders with him and allow our more technical players to arrive for the ball back and score worldies from outside the box.

Watkins in no man's land is where the wide 10s should be arriving not your main striker and certainly not playing to his strengths.

[Drummond]

It's working.

[eye digress]

I can't believe they gave him man of the match on Sky but again a decent display today.

Who was the co-commentator?

Bronté!

On a more serious note, the only thing I can see as to why Watkins isn't scoring is he's forgotten his greatest skill, being in the right place at the right time. Over the last few games, maybe more, he's going to the back stick which automatically reducing the chance of the ball ever reaching him. It makes little to no sense unless and can only think Unai has instructed him to go there, drag defenders with him and allow our more technical players to arrive for the ball back and score worldies from outside the box.

Watkins in no man's land is where the wide 10s should be arriving not your main striker and certainly not playing to his strengths.

Also, he's literally "lost" half a yard. On two or three occasions in recent games, that half yard has cost him chances.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It's working.

What, the site? The results? Granted but we all want to see him with a smile on his face and achieving his ambition of making the England World Cup squad. Other than the results if you're looking for positives you could say he's not missing as many chances as he normally does but as I've tried to point out, he's not getting those chances and whilst service certainly plays a part, his positioning, the only thing really world class about his play, is all messed up.

Losing half a yard is easily ignored if you're in the right place to begin with.

[paul_e]

It's working.

What, the site? The results? Granted but we all want to see him with a smile on his face and achieving his ambition of making the England World Cup squad. Other than the results if you're looking for positives you could say he's not missing as many chances as he normally does but as I've tried to point out, he's not getting those chances and whilst service certainly plays a part, his positioning, the only thing really world class about his play, is all messed up.

Losing half a yard is easily ignored if you're in the right place to begin with.

I agree and, for what its worth, I don't think he's lost pace, I think he's struggling with his confidence and it's got him 2nd guessing himself so he looks off the pace. Being decisive in your movement makes a huge difference at the highest level, it's why some players just seem to have more time than anyone else.

[Smithy]

It's working.

What, the site? The results? Granted but we all want to see him with a smile on his face and achieving his ambition of making the England World Cup squad. Other than the results if you're looking for positives you could say he's not missing as many chances as he normally does but as I've tried to point out, he's not getting those chances and whilst service certainly plays a part, his positioning, the only thing really world class about his play, is all messed up.

Losing half a yard is easily ignored if you're in the right place to begin with.

I agree and, for what its worth, I don't think he's lost pace, I think he's struggling with his confidence and it's got him 2nd guessing himself so he looks off the pace. Being decisive in your movement makes a huge difference at the highest level, it's why some players just seem to have more time than anyone else.

There is also the cryptic Tuchel comments about him playing in discomfort, so it's possible he's been managing an injury of some sort, which might explain why he's not quite been at it recently.  This break might help fix that.  If he's able to play at 95%, it's something Unai would probably choose given how important he is to the way we play.  But that missing 5% could be the difference between goals and misses.

[LeeB]

Malen looks to be running hot now and although he's not a like for like replacement he does give us the ball in behind and a pretty lethal presence in the box, plus we're not really playing like we need a traditional centre forward, so to speak to be at our best.
If he is nursing an injury it would prbably be a good tme to have a little break, and then maybe gices us a chance to look at Guessand through the middle in the last 20 mins.

[Drummond]

He's got a two-week break now hasn't he? I'm sure that'll be sufficient rest.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Indeed. He had that knock early in the season and we don't know how fully fit he's been since then. That's the problem of only having one recognised striker. Despite the disappointment of not being called up to the England squad, not scoring in god knows how long, if he can put that behind him and remain focused on his own game he's got the perfect few games coming up whereby he can get himself back in the headlines.

[ChicagoLion]

I think Tuchel cryptic comment probably backs up other concerns he has. He is not injured.

[Smirker]

So we've moved on from "we're not creating anything" to "he's injured and needs a rest".

The amount of excuses for this player is genuinely hilarious. He's not nursing an injury. He's been terrible for 18 months.

The sooner he's sold and replaced the sooner we can progress.

I'd like to see Ivan Toney come in.

[VILLA MOLE]

I love Ollie but he doesn't look sharp at the moment whether some of that is confidence or injury I don't know.

But when Malen came on there was definitely an improvement on movement