Ollie Watkins

[Olneythelonely]

Having said that, Watkins has to score his chance yesterday. It was poor and added to the pressure towards the end. I thought his 2nd half performance was pretty good though.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Ollie is clearly a good player and has been very important for us, but should we find ourselves - again - in a situation where we are screwed by PSR this summer and in desperate need of raising a lot of cash to be able to stay legit / improve the wider squad, and assuming Duran isn't flouncing about moving somewhere else (and that's a big 'if' tbh) then I would not be at all surprised if Ollie was the one we moved on.

That a question of age / value / value going forward / pressure of PSR, and not one about him being 'shit' or us not deserving two top level strikers (which we clearly do), it's just the way I think they'd be thinking.

All valid points. I think even if Watkins were to go for those reasons Duran isn’t a long term option for us. I just get the impression he’ll never be content and we’d be looking for another #1 striker in a season or two.

[Ian.]

All these folk who seem to think Ollie is not good enough anymore, if that’s true, maybe so do all the other clubs with money to spend, so why would they offer anything worth us taking money on and leaving us short?

[The Edge]

Whatever the exact distance the fact is Ollie missed a gilt edged chance to put the game to bed in an almost identical time and place to the one against Brighton where he could of won the game for us. His technique was the same too. Awful. Leaning back and getting a horrible connection. Duran nets both of those chances imo and our season would be looking a bit more rosy.

Jhon Duran. The footballer who scores every chance he doesn’t have.

Good Lord anyone criticises the Sainted Duran for every chance he’s missed this year as well. Fuck me it’s as if he’s the second coming of a Yorke/Benteke hybrid. He’s a fucking good footballer but infallible with a 100% conversion rate, I don’t think so.

All I'm saying is in my opinion Duran would of taken both those chances.

So let’s use the hypothetical if my auntie had ball's she’d be my uncle as a stick to beat Ollie Watkins with. OK.

Lets not. Like I said it's my opinion. This is a place where we speculate and voice our opinions. No need for sarcasm mate. And for clarity I'm a big admirer of Ollie Watkins. He's been instrumental in our rise from championship football to champions league football.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I’m firmly in the Ollie Watkins fan club.

[Paul.S]

Watkins lead the line really well in the second half. I thought he did the same against Brighton as well. He’s missing some chances this season but offers a lot when he’s not scoring and never hides.
The goals will come.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Watkins lead the line really well in the second half. I thought he did the same against Brighton as well. He’s missing some chances this season but offers a lot when he’s not scoring and never hides.
The goals will come.

Agreed!
He put a lovely cross in, during the 1st half that Bailey should have done more with, if he'd shown commitment.
For our 2nd goal Ollie closed down their keeper, when the defender was looking for an outball, resulting in the defender gifting the ball to us.

[PaulWinch again]

Once he got the ball showed his value. Brilliant in the second goal and creating the effort JJ hit the post with.

[paul_e]

Once he got the ball showed his value. Brilliant in the second goal and creating the effort JJ hit the post with.

The entire move for the second was exceptional but Watkins seemed a foot taller after that.

[Olneythelonely]

Another assist. Think Watkins in behind the Everton defence might be better than starting Duran. Duran against Arsenal.

[Beard82]

Another assist. Think Watkins in behind the Everton defence might be better than starting Duran. Duran against Arsenal.

I agree - think he suits it better for what will be a game similar to tonight and it needs him at his tireless best - can always give Duran the last 20 mins.

Dont think anyone will say hes been good the last 3 games - but still has 2 assist and a goal.  Christ - it wasnt that long ago we having to decide if Davis or Samatta might be the least bad option

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Another great assist tonight!
Ollie and Morgan are a great combo.

[Paul.S]

Excellent from Ollie second half. He pressed, closed down and encouraged the team up the pitch.

[Somniloquism]

Just to mention Maatsen's shot might have been in the keepers control but Watkins diverted it last second so it hit him and bounced off and Onana knocked it in.

[Keeno]

He really led from the front tonight in the second half. Willed the whole team up the pitch with his work rate, led the press and got a well-earned assist.

Even when he's low on confidence and missing chances, its really hard to dislike him as he always gives his all.