Ollie Watkins

[Sexual Ealing]

Just out of interest, all those who have never quite liked him, or have ever given him the credit he’s earned, did you all think Angel, Dublin, Saunders, Atkinson, Benteke, Yorke etc were more prolific or productive?

Not relevant. None of those players are going to come in and replace him (although Atkinson, Yorke and Benteke were vastly more gifted than he's ever been). Is he any good to us in 2025/26?

[PeterWithesShin]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

[Mister E]

... In the meantime Unai needs to find a way to get him scoring whilst we keep winning. For me that means Malen on the right, Rogers on the left and Watkins in the middle. If we stick with a double pivot of Bouba and Youri (plus Onana and Bogarde as cover) that leaves either SJM or Buendia (and possibly Youri) fighting for the 10 role.
On paper it may look fine but in practice I don't see many crosses coming in from the right. If only Matty Cash could cross a ball we'd be sorted.

McGinn / Buendia on the left and Rogers at #10, and I'd agree with you.
You're right that we've got to find a way of exploiting his strengths, whilst he's still with us and the best current option upfront. I honestly cannot see him being sold in January.
I do wonder when Wilson is going to be given some gametime for the first team ...
As ever, the killer question is: who could replace Watkins and is available and affordable?

[Brazilian Villain]

We'll be on here in 10 years bemoaning the fact we've not had anyone as good since.

Unlikely, we'll have watched Rory Wilson, Fletcher Boyd, and Oscar Johnson in their prime by then.

[Smirker]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

It's a similar story with Ollie.

[PeterWithesShin]

Difference is Dalian's best was 11 league goals for us, which is Ollie's worst. Mould the talent of Dalian with the fitness and attitude of Ollie and you'd get the proper Ronaldo.

[Mellin]

What Watkins has, and has always had, is footballing intelligence, endeavour and physicality. He's never been a top level technical player, not to say that isn't to a good Premier League standard too, but those three things set him apart and he has made a very good career out of it.

What I'm concerned about, and what I think is happening, is the last two are on the wane, and the first one goes out the door with a drop in confidence. I like the lad and appreciate what he has done, but I'd be looking to replace him now...as in January.

[eye digress]

The PSG Villa Park highlights popped up on YouTube the other day for me, and it reminded me how unplayable Rashford was that night.

The media saying it knocked Ollie's nose out of joint being dropped for that one, but Unai is no mug. No way would Ollie have had the impact Rashford had that night - A league above any player in our squad and why he now plays for Barca.

Watching Rashford warm up prior to kick off at Parc des Princes, I was totally in awe. He was like a different breed. What a player.

[adrenachrome]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

Yep, and a regular poster on this site used to refer to Dion Dublin as "a wardrobe" when he was going through a bad patch.

Going back further, I remember a song about Andy Lochhead saying "he ain't scored a goal since January, February, June or July".