Ollie Watkins

[Ian.]

Excellent post Smithy

[dave shelley]

A fabulously timed run leaving the defence dead to execute an equally super classic downard header from a tremendous cross from Digne.  That goal needs a bit more credit from the media than they're giving it.  Oh, and the BBC can fuck off.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yes, the problem with Watkins is the BBC!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A large part of his problem is as this team have evolved our passing can be so slick, we retain the ball so well, moving it at will, tidy one-twos in and around the box, Watkins really sticks out, the ball is not his friend. Whilst he's never been the most technical player, he's never been this poor with the ball. Unfortunately we have to accept it in the hope he can regain a bit of form and rely on his effort and goals as compensation. I do wonder how much is down to confidence. His run to meet the cross of Digne yesterday was first class, he really turned on the turbo chargers to get in the right spot which allowed him to get some real power in the header. Where he gets his energy levels so late in the game I've no idea.

He's not alone in lamely giving the ball away. A certain Morgan Rogers can also do it and in worse positions, yesterday outside our own box which must have had Unai screaming at him. These failures in the basics really stand out in games, it's not a good look especially when you dream of going to the World Cup which is something for numerous reasons I really want Watkins to achieve.

[WassallVillain]

Tonali shoots against Martinez’s legs = great save
Watkins shoots against Popes legs = terrible miss

One misplaced pass. When, in my opinion I think Sancho was running in a bit narrow and one mis control with a long ball coming over his shoulder is all I would criticise yesterday.  A great team player in a team better than the sum of its parts delivering results against the odds like yesterday should not be receiving the ire he does. All strikers, even Harry Kane, have shots saved they’re not all misses.

[LeeB]

He won a long ball under a lot of pressure and won a throw in their half midway through the second half, little Emi was bigging him up for it, and he seemed to get some belief back. The run and very well hit shot followed and by the time Digne bought that ball down he was in the zone, physically and metaphorically.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He won a long ball under a lot of pressure and won a throw in their half midway through the second half, little Emi was bigging him up for it, and he seemed to get some belief back. The run and very well hit shit followed and by the time Digne bought that ball down he was in the zone, physically and metaphorically.

I must have missed that one, Lee.

[LeeB]

Freudian slip

[Dante Lavelli]

Imagine being so obsessed with one player that after we've won you spend most of your time moaning about a goalscorer.

Discussion isn't moaning though. And it hasn't all been negative either.

It’s pretty tedious when one thread is monopolised by one person. What you’re saying isn’t revolutionary or even hard to grasp, therefore is the repetition and labouring of your point needed?

[kippaxvilla2]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

[Smithy]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

I guarantee there will be comments about his eventual replacement like: "I like that he scores goals pretty regularly, and sure, we all have confidence when he gets a chance, but would it kill him to work a bit harder up top? Imagine the player he'd be if he worked half as hard as Ollie used to..."

[LeeB]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

I guarantee there will be comments about his eventual replacement like: "I like that he scores goals pretty regularly, and sure, we all have confidence when he gets a chance, but would it kill him to work a bit harder up top? Imagine the player he'd be if he worked half as hard as Ollie used to..."

Or "yeah, he's a better player but he misses a lot of games in comparison"

[Rudy Can't Fail]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

I guarantee there will be comments about his eventual replacement like: "I like that he scores goals pretty regularly, and sure, we all have confidence when he gets a chance, but would it kill him to work a bit harder up top? Imagine the player he'd be if he worked half as hard as Ollie used to..."

Or "yeah, he's a better player but he misses a lot of games in comparison"

I think that's the more likely, his record is incredible since he's joined us. Malen was putting in the yards before he left so I'm not too concerned on that point. Unai won't accept anything less.

[Smirker]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

I guarantee there will be comments about his eventual replacement like: "I like that he scores goals pretty regularly, and sure, we all have confidence when he gets a chance, but would it kill him to work a bit harder up top? Imagine the player he'd be if he worked half as hard as Ollie used to..."

No, we'll get an actual striker who can finish and it'll be:

"As much as I loved Ollie this guy is on another level. Reminds me almost of someone like van Nistelrooy how he's so deadly with half a chance. A proper striker. Can you imagine if that chance fell to Ollie? He could have 100 attempts and not score it."

This is what will happen.

[VILLA MOLE]

When he goes Ollie will be a regular discussion around the ‘we’ve never really replaced Ollie’ category.

I guarantee there will be comments about his eventual replacement like: "I like that he scores goals pretty regularly, and sure, we all have confidence when he gets a chance, but would it kill him to work a bit harder up top? Imagine the player he'd be if he worked half as hard as Ollie used to..."

No, we'll get an actual striker who can finish and it'll be:

"As much as I loved Ollie this guy is on another level. Reminds me almost of someone like van Nistelrooy how he's so deadly with half a chance. A proper striker. Can you imagine if that chance fell to Ollie? He could have 100 attempts and not score it."

This is what will happen.

or 

This guy can do that better than Ollie but we miss this part of his game