It's funny, earlier this year absolutely nothing was working for Watkins and I came to the sad conclusion it's pointless getting frustrated with him, he's finished. He can't do it any more, nothing works, it's cruel to keep playing him, the poor fella is finished. Time to hang up your boots - certainly at this level. Fast forward to the middle of March and the complete reserve happens, step by step he starts finding his form and by the end of the season I honestly believe he was playing the best football of his life.
What happened? Some may think it was Tuchel dropping him from the England squads, a point to prove? Others may point to an injury he supposedly had but he was still very mobile throughout. The fans home and away never gave up on him so I don't think it was that. Tammy joining us didn't change anything, Watkins still got selected every week no matter how he played the in previous games, so he knew Unai still rated him.
I really think the 180º change happened inside his head. Those words of SJM a month or two back where he thanked each Villa manager for contributing to making him the player he is, could well ring true with Watkins and for the first time all the doubts were lifted and he finally really believed he belonged. It was like a massive cloud suddenly disappearing. Every aspect of his game improved, it was bloody weird yet wonderful to watch. It really was like watching a new player, a much better player.
He mentions in that interview with Rio Ferdinand that he calls Michael Owen rather than speak to a Sports Psychologist. I really think he would have benefited from professional help but he appears to have finally worked it out by himself. Long may it continue and hopefully interviewers stop asking him about his long climb up the leagues and his bloody time at Exeter. He is where he is and he belongs..
Apologises for the long post but like Watkins, I had something playing on my mind and was growing tired of screaming "FFS Watkins!" numerous times at the TV every bloody game.
