Ollie Watkins

[ChicagoLion]

Yesterday was a perfect example of where he's not up to it.

We got the full repertoire of faults, failure to control the ball being front and centre.

Isn't it the (vast) coaching team's responsibility to work on things like this with players?

I don't rate him, but he just looks utterly dejected and bereft of confidence at the moment and I suspect week after week without a breather is making it worse for him.

The lack of touch is down to the player to practice, 1 hour a day kicking the ball against a wall.

[Rigadon]

The shot he had yesterday when it literally went out for a throw-in...  But he works his nuts off too.  Such a frustrating player.

[AV82EC]

He absolutely tore Chalobah apart for 60 minutes but had absolutely no end product.

[manic-road]

The shot he had yesterday when it literally went out for a throw-in...  But he works his nuts off too.  Such a frustrating player.

Working his nuts off should be a given for any player at proffesional level.

[nick harper]

He absolutely tore Chalobah apart for 60 minutes but had absolutely no end product.

Apart from the run and pass to McGinn that he hit straight at the keeper. I thought he put in a shift for the team but is struggling with self belief. His work rate will keep him in the side - he needs a bit of luck in front of goal.

[Drummond]

I think he needs to sit down with a psychologist and get a proper coach in to work with him.

[villadelph]

I think he needs to sit down with a psychologist and get a proper coach in to work with him.

He needs to go spend a year with the Dortmund U-18s and learn how to control a ball.

[KevinGage]

Yesterday was a perfect example of where he's not up to it.

We got the full repertoire of faults, failure to control the ball being front and centre.

Isn't it the (vast) coaching team's responsibility to work on things like this with players?

I don't rate him, but he just looks utterly dejected and bereft of confidence at the moment and I suspect week after week without a breather is making it worse for him.

The lack of touch is down to the player to practice, 1 hour a day kicking the ball against a wall.

His first touch has never been Messi or even Merson-eque.  But it was plenty good enough in his first season and even at times last year.

It's a confidence thing.

If it's one or two players off colour > it's usually down to the player.  8-9 players off form = usually down to the coaching.

[pauliewalnuts]

He absolutely tore Chalobah apart for 60 minutes but had absolutely no end product.

Certainly gave him a night to remember.

*internal jukebox hell returns*

[paul_e]

Working hard it’s an absolute minimum, the bloke is so low on confidence it’s unbelievable - and his ability to control the ball is getting worse by the week - in an ideal world he’d be taken out of the team but that isn’t happening.

If the work rate he puts in was just the bare minimum that you'd expect of everyone it wouldn't get mentioned as a positive thing about him by almost everyone. His workrate is a strength and it is well above average.

If it's one or two players off colour > it's usually down to the player.  8-9 players off form = usually down to the coaching.

100% this.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Pleased for Ollie getting his goal today!
26 premier league goals now. He’ll easily break into the 30’s this season if the team continues to play like it did today.

[Aldridge Villa]

Should hope so. 4 goals in the next 26 not too much to ask for surely.

[astonvilla82]

Really pleased today, that's the Watkins we all know

[Lastfootstamper]

Really pleased today, that's the Watkins we all know

What, needs four goes to put one chance away? *winky thing*

[ozzjim]

Exactly the Watkins we know. Missed many chances and worked his guts out.