Ollie Watkins

[LeeB]

In his productive seasons he was scoring far more with his head than somebody of his size normally would do. This season I don't really recall him even having a headed chance.

Whether that's through accident (Guessand / Sancho / Malen etc being rubbish at crossing) or design (playing more through the middle and shooting more from distance), I reckon that's where a big part of his drop-off has come from.

Sancho for all his faults has laid two absoulte sitters on a plate for him (Sunderland and Go Ahead Eagles)

[UK Redsox]

Last season or maybe the one before, I read that Ollice had been told to not to make his runs wider than the 18 yard box.

This season (and noticeably last night) he’s making wider runs. Which isn’t working.

[Drummond]

Agreed. Against good opposition that isn’t Malen’s role. He’s far more of a support striker - that’s not a criticism, but lone frontman isn’t Malen’s game.

Then we need to give Wilson a shot or buy a striker immediately in January.

We can't go on like this.

Yeah, winning games is shit.

[Smirker]

Agreed. Against good opposition that isn’t Malen’s role. He’s far more of a support striker - that’s not a criticism, but lone frontman isn’t Malen’s game.

Then we need to give Wilson a shot or buy a striker immediately in January.

We can't go on like this.

Yeah, winning games is shit.

In spite of. Not because of. And we've lost three in the league already. Could have got points from those had he not played.

We won by one goal last night, had we started our 1 goal in 18 apps striker there's a solid chance we would have dropped points again.

Needs to be dropped. You all know it as well.

[Drummond]

His confidence has gone and he's not fully fit. It's a tough place to be. But he's playing his part in our current run.

Our xG is the worst in the division, so we're not creating chances for him to score from (and he's not creating either), the lack of output from the wings is a big part of the problem.

[brontebilly]

In his productive seasons he was scoring far more with his head than somebody of his size normally would do. This season I don't really recall him even having a headed chance.

Whether that's through accident (Guessand / Sancho / Malen etc being rubbish at crossing) or design (playing more through the middle and shooting more from distance), I reckon that's where a big part of his drop-off has come from.

Definitely not getting many crosses in but Ollie had a couple of very good chances in the air recently, Man City was one and was it Leeds just after half time when McGinn put one in? Ollie was just lost anyway, body position all wrong and couldn't even jump. That's just self belief at rock bottom.

We don't do as many cut backs to the penalty spot this season. Asensio picked up goals from a few of them last season. Ollie did one for Buendia v Fulham. That Fulham goal hasn't kicked any kind of revival into Ollie unfortunately.

Emerys going to have to start Malen v Wolves but he might try both of them like he did v Burnley.

[Brend'Watkins]

Surely he can’t be declining at just under 30? He’s playing for a team riding high in the league and strong in the Europa, he’s also got the England squad for the WC in his sights. Don’t throw it all away Ollie. If Danny Wellbeck at 35 is touted as aback up striker now and it becomes a thing that could be it for him.

[Sexual Ealing]

I wouldn't be surprised if there's something in the thought that he might be sulking because he didn't get a move. We know he enjoys a lovely sulk.

[brontebilly]

Surely he can’t be declining at just under 30? He’s playing for a team riding high in the league and strong in the Europa, he’s also got the England squad for the WC in his sights. Don’t throw it all away Ollie. If Danny Wellbeck at 35 is touted as aback up striker now and it becomes a thing that could be it for him.

Does seem a bit early but Ollie has never had the strongest technical skills compared to Kane for example. Until he retires Kane will always have an elite first touch and outstanding ball striking ability. If the eye test is correct and Ollie has lost half a yard of acceleration then he's done at the top level unfortunately. His back to goal play is still strong but forwards are judged going the other way.

Financial restrictions aside, the club have been open to letting him go for 12 months.