Ollie Watkins

[Monty]

Fine cameo apart from the times he lost the ball randomly looking like he wasn't altogether certain what it was for.

[PeterWithesShin]

People go on about that Yamal chap but Ollie had THE European performance of the week, if not the season.

[Smirker]

Really did look good when he came on.

More evidence that he's better off the bench as an impact sub and shouldn't be starting.

[Dave]

Really did look good when he came on.

More evidence that he's better off the bench as an impact sub and shouldn't be starting.

I think that there's a lot of evidence that under Emery the starting striker is on a bit of a hiding to nothing, and the substitute striker is going to be the one who looks good.

There's probably a way to make it look more comfortable for everyone watching and playing (Duran replacing Watkins eighteen months ago being the time when everyone involved was happiest with it), but Watkins tonight did what he always does, but it all looked better against defenders that were a bit stretched and a bit tired.

Maybe we should keep him and that's his role for us in future, but all it means is (presumably) Abraham will be yelled at six weeks into next season because he's spending the first hour doing what Watkins is doing most weeks now.

Like he does now when he starts

[brontebilly]

Really did look good when he came on.

More evidence that he's better off the bench as an impact sub and shouldn't be starting.
[/quote

Timing was perfect to come on. His movement was excellent to be fair, got an assist for himself and somehow messed up another one from a yard or so.

Starting at home against West Ham who will camp in their box will be a different challenge entirely. Recent evidence suggests (Leeds, Wolves, Man United) that he struggles badly without that space to pull into. If it's going to be tight then Tammy might be a better bet to start. Unfortunately Tammy seems like he's on a different planet to our other attacking players currently.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Agree in part with that Dave especially the starting striker but what you miss is that both Tammy and especially Duran are far superior footballers to Watkins. An off the bench Watkins would also be ideal practice for the World Cup should he (hopefully) be selected.

Delighted Watkins chose to give the assist to Bailey tonight. Shows again he can be a team player and avoids him being crucified had he tried and failed to score himself. Tonight he's smiling.

[Steve67]

Played well, was busy and set up Bailey. Still messes stuff up but a better performance.

[brontebilly]

Agree in part with that Dave especially the starting striker but what you miss is that both Tammy and especially Duran are far superior footballers to Watkins. An off the bench Watkins would also be ideal practice for the World Cup should he (hopefully) be selected.

Delighted Watkins chose to give the assist to Bailey tonight. Shows again he can be a team player and avoids him being crucified had he tried and failed to score himself. Tonight he's smiling.

Only his second assist this season if transfermarkt is to be believed, one for Buendia v Fulham the other. That side of his game has dropped off a cliff this season, three seasons before then under Emery - 14, 15, 15.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Agree in part with that Dave especially the starting striker but what you miss is that both Tammy and especially Duran are far superior footballers to Watkins. An off the bench Watkins would also be ideal practice for the World Cup should he (hopefully) be selected.

Delighted Watkins chose to give the assist to Bailey tonight. Shows again he can be a team player and avoids him being crucified had he tried and failed to score himself. Tonight he's smiling.

I don't think that Tammy is a far superior player to Watkins, and that's one of the problems.

[PeterWithesShin]

Tammy is better in the box, and far worse than Ollie outside of it. Duran had a cannon of a shot and was exciting as feck, he was also bonkers with a dodgy attitude and erratic work rate.

JD has by far the highest potential ceiling of the e but I doubt will reach it consistently, while Ollie is having a far better career than Tammy.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Oh I agree, I just think you could have prime R9 upfront and he would struggle in this setup.