Ollie Watkins

[Nunkin1965]

And I completely agree with that. As long as you also recognise that the amount he creates for the team, clearly negates his lack of killer instinct in front of goal.

Without him we’d be half the team.

Yes exactly, nice one Ollie.
You've just helped Villa get into the last 16 of the Champions league!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

You missed the penalty?

No. Ollie did.

Watch and learn, Monty.

[paul_e]

Yep he's an average finisher, just like most strikers in the top leagues.

[Rory]

I love Ollie and think some of the criticism of him is ridiculous, but I also think the penalty miss was at least partially his fault.

It wasn't as simple as the turf giving way - he clearly over-extends and doesn't plant his non-striking foot properly.

Not the end of the world, we still won, he was a vital part of us winning, and I still love him.

[ozzjim]

He's slipped before taking a pen. We do need a reliable penalty taker.

[paul_e]

I love Ollie and think some of the criticism of him is ridiculous, but I also think the penalty miss was at least partially his fault.

It wasn't as simple as the turf giving way - he clearly over-extends and doesn't plant his non-striking foot properly.

Not the end of the world, we still won, he was a vital part of us winning, and I still love him.

To a degree maybe but a premier league pitch shouldn't rip up that easily.

[PeterWithesShin]

Same happened to Rooney and Beckham as examples. It happens. Also amusingly to EBJT.

I would prefer a proper penalty taker though.

[Ian.]

Every time I watch Liverpool Salah is either guilty of being greedy and taking one too many, he misses penalties, sometimes makes the wrong decision and doesn’t always score from his chances. But the way he plays he keeps on scoring goals and getting assists. In fact he reminds me a little bit like Ollie, but with a slightly higher conversion rate.

[Rory]

I love Ollie and think some of the criticism of him is ridiculous, but I also think the penalty miss was at least partially his fault.

It wasn't as simple as the turf giving way - he clearly over-extends and doesn't plant his non-striking foot properly.

Not the end of the world, we still won, he was a vital part of us winning, and I still love him.

To a degree maybe but a premier league pitch shouldn't rip up that easily.

I'm not sure it would've done if he hadn't landed on the side of his boot, Paul.

But I'm not going to obsess over it. Just that, to me, that was the only 'sitter' he actually missed tonight, of the five cited.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Same happened to Rooney and Beckham as examples. It happens. Also amusingly to EBJT.

I would prefer a proper penalty taker though.

His previous penalty was superb. I didn't call him a donkey when he buried that one.

[Rory]

Same happened to Rooney and Beckham as examples. It happens. Also amusingly to EBJT.

I would prefer a proper penalty taker though.

From memory, all of those were legitimate foot-long slips. Ollie looks as much like he goes over on his ankle as slipping.

Just playing devil's advocate.

[AV84]

I suppose he'd just scored a goal so no reason not to give it to him, but I was a little surprised they didn't let Rogers take it, given he was on a hat trick, and we were already winning.

[paul_e]

I love Ollie and think some of the criticism of him is ridiculous, but I also think the penalty miss was at least partially his fault.

It wasn't as simple as the turf giving way - he clearly over-extends and doesn't plant his non-striking foot properly.

Not the end of the world, we still won, he was a vital part of us winning, and I still love him.

To a degree maybe but a premier league pitch shouldn't rip up that easily.

I'm not sure it would've done if he hadn't landed on the side of his boot, Paul.

But I'm not going to obsess over it. Just that, to me, that was the only 'sitter' he actually missed tonight, of the five cited.

For me it looked like his foot landed ok and then slipped onto the side as it took his weight, as if his studs just didn't get any grip.

But agreed I'm not going to worry over it because I think it's a bit of both.

[Ian.]

Same happened to Rooney and Beckham as examples. It happens. Also amusingly to EBJT.

I would prefer a proper penalty taker though.

From memory, all of those were legitimate foot-long slips. Ollie looks as much like he goes over on his ankle as slipping.

Just playing devil's advocate.

I reckon the Arsenal fans went early and started an Ollie Watkins thread and the football gods made his foot slip.

[brontebilly]

Even after that farce, he still puts in a fair old shift to the end and sets up a tap in for Rogers at the end. Watkins is an unflappable sort. Old dog for the hard road. He will be delighted Duran has pissed off too.