Ollie Watkins

[VillaTim]

I think that whenever we buy a striker we should then put a bolt in their head abattoir style, just so Ollie knows he is the main man. That goal at the Euros seemed to make people in the media state that he was this ultra clinical striker but he never has been, I've never understood it. I can't fault his effort, though, I still think he'll get a decent haul.

Give him 3 great chances and he will score 1 of them generally speaking .

[Risso]

They don't start him when he is in the middle of a 19 goal scoring season and then start him when he is in the worst form of his time with us.

England play with one striker and the guy ahead of him was in the middle of a 48 goal scoring season.

Kane's got 17 in 16 games this season.

[Dave]

Which is why I don't think anyone could *really* complain if Kane were playing tonight instead of Watkins.

Or any other time when he's scoring loads more goals than him.

[Risso]

I suppose it comes down to the old argument of getting some time in back up players for those occasions when Kane is injured or out of form. Those occasions usually coinciding with the finals of major international tournaments.

[VillaTim]

Kane is also Captain which makes dropping him even harder

[Demitri_C]

Which is why I don't think anyone could *really* complain if Kane were playing tonight instead of Watkins.

Or any other time when he's scoring loads more goals than him.

I wouldnt.  Ollies been in very form this season so would be understandable if he wasnt playing/starting

[Dave]

I suppose it comes down to the old argument of getting some time in back up players for those occasions when Kane is injured or out of form. Those occasions usually coinciding with the finals of major international tournaments.

Which is also a perfectly sound position. And it's what's been happening already really, given Watkins started four of the eight games England played before the last Euros. For the couple of years before that, there was more talk on here about who we should be replacing Watkins with, rather than consternation about why he wasn't starting ahead of Harry Kane for England. So I think I'd argue that Watkins has been given all (or at least most) of the opportunities for England that he's deserved.

To be honest, if I were in charge and gave a toss about England I'd probably bin both Watkins and Solanke off entirely, and chuck all my energy into giving as much experience as possible to the post-Harry Kane future. Tell Liam Delap that he's England's new back-up striker until someone better comes along.

[john e]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

[Rigadon]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Interesting.  Do you honestly think Duran is a better striker?

[john e]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Interesting.  Do you honestly think Duran is a better striker?

Honestly i do, not dissing Watkins he’s been brilliant for us but right now for me Duran is the best striker we have at the club, and it’s not a problem having more than one top striker

Duran is better -

Finishing
In the air
Holding the ball up
Stronger on the ball
Receiving the ball with his back to goal

Watkins is better -

Work rate
Running onto a ball played forward
Attitude
Professionalism

[RamboandBruno]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Interesting.  Do you honestly think Duran is a better striker?

Honestly i do, not dissing Watkins he’s been brilliant for us but right now for me Duran is the best striker we have at the club, and it’s not a problem having more than one top striker

Duran is better -

Finishing
In the air
Holding the ball up
Stronger on the ball
Receiving the ball with his back to goal

Watkins is better -

Work rate
Running onto a ball played forward
Attitude
Professionalism

Duran changes the way we play when he starts, not for the better in my opinion at the moment, although things can change. He doesnt press as well or as intelligently as Ollie, I also dont have much memory of him holding the ball up. This is all pre-faced by not counting anyones form over the last week or two.

Duran is definitely more explosive and unique, Ollie would not have even tried that shot against Bayern. Id say very different players rather than better or worse

[SaddVillan]

Greece 0-1 England

Ollieeeee!

50 yard volley into the top corner from the halfway line!

Not really

[Accent Guy]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Watkins is definitely our best striker. Not even close imo.

[The Edge]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Watkins is definitely our best striker. Not even close imo.

It has to be said that most of Durans big moments have come when he's been brought on after Ollie has softened them up for an hour. When starting a game he's nowhere near as effective as Watkins. The potential is obviously there in big Jhon and it's up to our coaches to bring the best out of him for 90 minutes.

[VillaTim]

Ollie’s not even the best striker at Villa never mind all of England

Watkins is definitely our best striker. Not even close imo.

Unless we are measuring it on a shoot on sight policy from wherever you are I agree .