Striker Debate: Should it now be Watkins, Malen or both?

[PaulWinch again]

Definitely not both….

[Dante Lavelli]

Can we agree, “not both” that was awful second half.

[dorsetvillian]

Very odd that we can't make the two up top work for maybe 20 mins at the end of a game. Surely they have worked on this in training as in theory it gives us a very flexible system to play as plan B or C.

[brontebilly]

Very odd that we can't make the two up top work for maybe 20 mins at the end of a game. Surely they have worked on this in training as in theory it gives us a very flexible system to play as plan B or C.

You could spend a month working on it without success. Both occupy the same space and want to be the striker up top by themselves. It's a tough one for Emery to manage but obvious decision was to start Duran tonight as Watkins has a lot of football played in recent weeks.

[ChicagoLion]

He should use both but not together.

[dorsetvillian]

Agree, Duran should have started. Its been a very costly experiment tonight in more ways than one 

[tony scott]

Flog one of them make sure it’s the right one.

[Footy-Vill]

Duran and Watkins seemed to play as an actual two up top.
I feel there's some scope for wide role Watkins when Duran but really of the two v Monaco Watkins did okay and at least adapted I thought Duran struggled in the two.

Both positioning and discipline.
He came on in 55 mins or so touched 11 times fould twice , gave away 3 times and had his speculative shot.

Watkins played a lovely ball in with outside of right foot which was heading straight for Duran in the box but was just cleared away.
If that had reached Duran be talking about great link up but of the two Watkins has shown he's  more cohesive with the team play when they are both on the pitch.

[tony scott]

Watkins is imo the better all round player Duran is a better finisher take your pick

[Footy-Vill]

Take your pick all round  I think there's 5 players who make the team and then 6 for interchange

I found the strongest starting 11 thread so putting that debate there.

[Footy-Vill]

Watkins is imo the better all round player Duran is a better finisher take your pick

I would say Duran is a more spectacular finisher.

[ROBBO]

Neither player is going to settle for being a cover, we would get a lot more for Duran.

[Monty]

I feel like it's 2010 but - you can't play two out and out strikers in a 4-4-2 these days unless you want to sit deep and counterattack like a relegation candidate.

[LeeB]

I'm not sure last night is any evidence of them not being able to play together, but it sure was evidence that the rest of the team haven't got a fucking clue how to play in that scenario.

[ROBBO]

He has tried it a few times with no success, previous former managers have tried the two strikers format same result.