Ollie Watkins

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The other thing was when he scored the goal away at Leicester He had defenders both sides of him and managed to slot the ball away
Now in the past he would have been nudged off the ball through not being strong enough, but not this time it’s actually my favourite goal of his so far because he basically kept his head and outmuscled the two defenders and goalkeeper to score a great goal,
there have been times in the past when I wouldn’t have believed he could have done that, so fair play to him I love it when I’m proved wrong in these situations

My favourite was on Saturday, Watkins demonstrated a level of skill and technique I never thought he had. Last season or the first half of this season I'd have expected the ball to bounce off his leg and end up down the tunnel. If Haaland had scored that goal the media would have been gushing for weeks. Right now the only thing missing from his game is a cooler head, the confidence to look up and play somebody else in rather than shooting on sight when the angle is impossible. He actually did that on Saturday too, sliding the ball to Ramsey when a shot in a crowded box was on.

Credit to him and the coaching team. He's unrecognisable in such a short amount of time. Hopefully he can finish the season strongly and we can really cash in.. or not.

[Lastfootstamper]

I liked the Leicester one. The actual finishing touch was slightly reminiscent of Bert's against the bitters, how he started it off almost sideways and the forward momentum of the ball gently curled it towards the bottom corner.

[hipkiss92]

The other thing was when he scored the goal away at Leicester He had defenders both sides of him and managed to slot the ball away
Now in the past he would have been nudged off the ball through not being strong enough, but not this time it’s actually my favourite goal of his so far because he basically kept his head and outmuscled the two defenders and goalkeeper to score a great goal,
there have been times in the past when I wouldn’t have believed he could have done that, so fair play to him I love it when I’m proved wrong in these situations

My favourite was on Saturday, Watkins demonstrated a level of skill and technique I never thought he had. Last season or the first half of this season I'd have expected the ball to bounce off his leg and end up down the tunnel. If Haaland had scored that goal the media would have been gushing for weeks. Right now the only thing missing from his game is a cooler head, the confidence to look up and play somebody else in rather than shooting on sight when the angle is impossible. He actually did that on Saturday too, sliding the ball to Ramsey when a shot in a crowded box was on.

Credit to him and the coaching team. He's unrecognisable in such a short amount of time. Hopefully he can finish the season strongly and we can really cash in.. or not.

I've only had one look at Match of the Day, but his shot in the first half when the ball bounced to him from their defender clearing it is potentially a good example of that. Keen to shoot early on his right foot, when cutting in onto his left or playing someone in might have been better.

From the Holte, I did think he should have shot earlier though when he got in the penalty box before passing to Ramsey, so what do I know.

[PaulTheVillan]

A few months ago the goal v Forest he would have hit straight at the keeper. I'm loving his improvement. I worried for a while that Watkins & McGinn were not good enough to take us top 8. The problem was Gerrard.

[brontebilly]

Thought his goal against Arsenal was elite centre forward play, the kind of goal Kane would be lauded for. From memory most of his goals for Brentford were penalty box efforts, good to see him bringing these into his game for us. Left foot, right foot, headers, just being in the right place at right time. Great to see. The supporting cast still not doing enough though.

[LeeB]

He seems to have time when he gets the ball now, not under pressure directly as he's either already bullied the defender out the way or they're just shiteing it and backing away voluntarily, he's got a proper centre forwards aura now.

[RamboandBruno]

Ollie against Botman will be a tussle and a half on Saturday

[Dante Lavelli]

Watkins strikes me a a pretty perfect pupil for Emery’s infamously long analysis sessions. Clinton Morrison said he was the hardest trainer he’d encountered in his career (or words to that effect), so maybe his improvement is because he now has a manager that’s given him specific instructions and areas to improve. 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think I read the other day we have a Player Performance Coach that has been working with Watkins. Whatever they're doing with him it appears to be working.

[eamonn]

Maybe it's Clinton Morrison 

[rooboy316]

Confidence plays such a big role in his finishing. In the leaner patches, he would seem a lot more desperate for goals… snatch at shots, try things that weren’t there. Even his technique would betray urgency. Now he’s bagged a few, there’s a calm assuredness about his finishing.

[ChicagoLion]

Confidence plays such a big role in his finishing. In the leaner patches, he would seem a lot more desperate for goals… snatch at shots, try things that weren’t there. Even his technique would betray urgency. Now he’s bagged a few, there’s a calm assuredness about his finishing.

except when there is not.
Like the wild swing in front of the North Stand when through on goal.

[bob]

Ollie has ousted Joachim from my 'Top 10 Villa strikers in the Premier League era' and is fast-approaching top 5!

[brontebilly]

Confidence plays such a big role in his finishing. In the leaner patches, he would seem a lot more desperate for goals… snatch at shots, try things that weren’t there. Even his technique would betray urgency. Now he’s bagged a few, there’s a calm assuredness about his finishing.

It's improved for sure but I don't think he will ever be elite when it comes to finishing. All the top forwards miss sitters but even at that his miss against was it Palace? was scarcely believable. The little dink finish the last day was great but I think he also needs to get more comfortable going around the keeper Dwight Yorke style.

[Ian.]

Ollie Watkins has just put such an absolute perfect shift in today, that’s a 10 out of 10 performance, he absolutely destroyed Newcastle today. The fella is on fire!