Our defence

[PaulWinch again]

Watkins annoyed me with his recent comments about being happy when Ings was sold and how he likes to be the only striker. Score some bloody goals then, 1 in 11 and none this season is a poor return if you've got that high a sense of self importance.

It rankles but it is his poor self confidence, really, that seems to be the problem. Either way, UE's decision to not get a back-up striker seemingly just to protect Watkins mental fragility rankles even more.

I’m not sure there’s evidence that Emery’s decision is based on what Watkins said. I suppose it’s possible, but I suspect it’s more about how he likes his squad to be set up.

[Risso]

Surely no manager honestly wants just one striker in the squad? Who did he have at Villarreal? Moreno and Danjuma that I can think of.

[PaulWinch again]

No, but I wonder if he views some of the other forwards as options there. Plus he might see Duran as a developmental option. Personally I would have another striker, but I doubt it’s just down to Watkins’ confidence.

[chrisw1]

Surely no manager honestly wants just one striker in the squad? Who did he have at Villarreal? Moreno and Danjuma that I can think of.

Don't worry Risso, sometimes the players you want just aren't available.  And the summer window isn't always the best time to sign players, just calm down and wait until January, we'll be fine...

[PaulWinch again]

Surely no manager honestly wants just one striker in the squad? Who did he have at Villarreal? Moreno and Danjuma that I can think of.

Don't worry Risso, sometimes the players you want just aren't available.  And the summer window isn't always the best time to sign players, just calm down and wait until January, we'll be fine...

I’ve got annoyed about that justification in the past. I think it’s a bit more tolerable when it’s only one position you’re short, or perceived to be short, but you’ve made good progress in the other areas of the team. I think that’s the case with the last window, where overall I think we did a very good job.

[Clampy]

I think if Emery really wanted another striker, him and Monchi would have bought one in.

[Risso]

Surely no manager honestly wants just one striker in the squad? Who did he have at Villarreal? Moreno and Danjuma that I can think of.

Don't worry Risso, sometimes the players you want just aren't available.  And the summer window isn't always the best time to sign players, just calm down and wait until January, we'll be fine...

I’ve got annoyed about that justification in the past. I think it’s a bit more tolerable when it’s only one position you’re short, or perceived to be short, but you’ve made good progress in the other areas of the team. I think that’s the case with the last window, where overall I think we did a very good job.

It's annoying when you've got a glaring weakness there, which has been there for a while. We were all told in January when we "kept our powder dry" that it would be sorted in the summer, and it wasn't.

[Clampy]

We've scored 8 goals in four games this season plus another 8 against Hibs. Up front wasn't the only problem on Saturday. And I stand correct on this but that must be the first time in a while we haven't scored under Emery.

[chrisw1]

We've scored 8 goals in four games this season plus another 8 against Hibs. Up front wasn't the only problem on Saturday. And I stand correct on this but that must be the first time in a while we haven't scored under Emery.

Agreed Clampy, we do look dangerous going forward and Diaby looks very good.  But the frustration is the lack of depth up front and our seeming inability to address it over two windows whilst letting goalscorers leave.

[chrisw1]

It feels to me like it's more than just up front that we're light.  We've started the season compromising on the left.  Once Ramsey is fit we will still be light there.  I also think people will get very tired of Konsa at right back very quickly if Cash picks up an injury. 

It's just hard to get your head round it when our net spend is so low, and yes I understand the Grealish money drops off FFP next season and wages have increased, but even so...

[Risso]

I wonder if we'll see Moreno on the left at times, with Digne behind him?

[oldhill_avfc]

I don’t think he’s actually physically weak, I just think he’s been getting his positioning slightly wrong. That’s how he was turned against Burnley.

You don’t excel in Europe or do well for Spain if you have no defensive capability, irrespective of your passing attributes. He’ll be fine. And for all the nice things said about Ty, he’s had absolute pelters at times. The manager who has got genuine, consistent, quality out of him is Emery so I’m confident he knows what he’s doing and Torres is a player he really wanted.

We were totally outclassed down the left.   Torres and Digne were awful and McGinn wasn't far behind. 

Feel we're missing JJ more than many thought.

[Chris Smith]

I don’t think he’s actually physically weak, I just think he’s been getting his positioning slightly wrong. That’s how he was turned against Burnley.

You don’t excel in Europe or do well for Spain if you have no defensive capability, irrespective of your passing attributes. He’ll be fine. And for all the nice things said about Ty, he’s had absolute pelters at times. The manager who has got genuine, consistent, quality out of him is Emery so I’m confident he knows what he’s doing and Torres is a player he really wanted.

We were totally outclassed down the left.   Torres and Digne were awful and McGinn wasn't far behind. 

Feel we're missing JJ more than many thought.

We’re missing him and Moreno. The opposition left back is put under far more pressure defensively with those two in the team.

[London Villan]

But Emery has changed the formation to play 3 attacking players, Watkins/Bailey/Diaby which hasn't helped with the balance of the team either.

[SamTheMouse]

Surely no manager honestly wants just one striker in the squad? Who did he have at Villarreal? Moreno and Danjuma that I can think of.

Don't worry Risso, sometimes the players you want just aren't available.  And the summer window isn't always the best time to sign players, just calm down and wait until January, we'll be fine...

I’ve got annoyed about that justification in the past. I think it’s a bit more tolerable when it’s only one position you’re short, or perceived to be short, but you’ve made good progress in the other areas of the team. I think that’s the case with the last window, where overall I think we did a very good job.

It's annoying when you've got a glaring weakness there, which has been there for a while. We were all told in January when we "kept our powder dry" that it would be sorted in the summer, and it wasn't.

I'm not convinced Emery even wants a striker who can potentially compete for a starting spot up front, for the reasons Watkins himself gave in the recent interview where he said he felt threatened by Ings' arrival. Maybe he feels that bringing someone else in would compromise Ollie's form to the extent that it wouldn't be worth it. Unless the replacement was vastly superior, but then elite strikers are a bit thin on the ground lately.

It looks like the manager has decided to put all his eggs in the Watkins basket for now, and hope that the player responds the way he did last season.

Edit: as others have already said. Duh, I really need to read these threads through before posting.