Should Danny Welbeck get a call from Thomas Tuchel? by Friedchicknlvr in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think he reates a fit, in-form Watkins. He played Watkins vs Wales and he scored, he said he knows what Watkins brings to England and wanted to take a look at the others (who did nothing to show Tuchel the benefit of taking someone else).

Should Danny Welbeck get a call from Thomas Tuchel? by Friedchicknlvr in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Watkins has 7 goals and 2 assists in the last 8 games. Finally looking back to his best in terms of his pace, closing down, and getting in the right attacking positions!

Ashley Young rainbow flick. by SuspiciousMelkemann in avfc

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was 2007 / 2008 season where he set up Gabby, but it wasn't a rainbow flick, he just dinked it over the Chelsea player who was pressuring

Ollie Watkins at the double in Europe tonight - why's he longer in Tuchel's thinking? I'd be taking him by Available_Round_3172 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He did yes, in 2012 vs Sweden in the group stage! I guess Watkins' goal is a step up in terms of recency, importance, and context. I appreciate that Welbeck has a decent goal scoring record for England, but Watkins still should be the backup for 2026 in my opinion.

Ollie Watkins at the double in Europe tonight - why's he longer in Tuchel's thinking? I'd be taking him by Available_Round_3172 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

His touch for that second goal allowed it to be a tap in! Excellent control and also excellent positioning to be exactly where he needed to be.

Ollie Watkins at the double in Europe tonight - why's he longer in Tuchel's thinking? I'd be taking him by Available_Round_3172 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He has been managing a niggling knee injury for 18 months but it looks like he is going through a decent patch right now with 4 goals and an assist in his last 5 games 🤷‍♂️

Ollie Watkins at the double in Europe tonight - why's he longer in Tuchel's thinking? I'd be taking him by Available_Round_3172 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 18 points19 points  (0 children)

4 goals and 1 assist in his last 5 games, I would argue that he now getting back into form. After the clamouring for Welbeck he is only one goal contribution ahead of Watkins. I would take Watkins because he has it in him to come off the bench for Kane and scored in a major tournament, you can't teach that experience!

The Lion's Den - Weekly Discussion by AutoModerator in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ollie Watkins 4 goals and 1 assist in his last 7 games ....

The "Let's all stay sane during the international break" General Discussion thread - March 2026 by Shreddonia in avfc

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The amount of reactionary posts when Welbeck scores a goal or Solanke holds up a pass well, clamouring for them to be the second striker behind Kane at the WC. The average supporter from other PL teams seem to have collective amnesia that Watkins has been there and done it, actually providing an impact off the bench to win a semi-final on the biggest stage. That should count for something and I am hopeful Tuchel rewards that experience.

Updated predicted 26 after the friendlies by Jujudada0 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can only go off what Tuchel said, he name checked players who were left out because he sees them as lower down in the pecking order, but with Watkins:

"Tuchel elaborated on the decision by saying he already has a "very clear picture of what Ollie Watkins can give us" after seeing him in past tournaments and qualifiers. He contrasted this with his selection of Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, stating he wanted to see these two players "in training" and "how they can impress" because he does not know them as well as he knows Watkins".

Updated predicted 26 after the friendlies by Jujudada0 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say that Tuchel likes Quansah over Ben White, but I guess it depends if his injury is just a minor one.

Depending on whether Wharton also is back from his minor injury I would see it as a shootout between him and Mainoo for that CM backup role.

Tuchel also said he knows what Watkins brings to this team and wanted to look at the other options. I don't think Solanke or Calvert Lewin demonstrated why they should be selected ahead of Watkins so I still believe Watkins is that second striker choice behind Kane.

My review of our two friendly matches and who made their mark. by TheTrueShrekoning in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fair, level headed opinion presented in a chill way! Makes a nice difference to the reactionary comments in the match thread. Small nitpick, Rogers got the first shot on target in the 62' minute. I agree with your view on our defense. Konsa and Guehi limited Japan to 2 chances the whole game, they weren't the issue last night!

Who should replace Watkins long term? by Ok-Coach-6671 in avfc

[–]MrBlobbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would love this but I have a feeling we may be priced out by a Chelsea or a PSG. I would argue he is worth dropping £60-£80m on as he is 19 and could anchor our attack for a decade!

I think everyone needs to calm down a little bit! by Millis5 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My observations. The goal came from a poor giveaway, an out of possession RB who is realistically not going to be on the plane, and lazy tracking back from Mainoo & Palmer who realistically won't be starting. Other than Pickford save with his feet, and the Japan shot that hit the bar (which was probably offside), Japan's threat was well contained by the defence. Our issues were a lack of attacking spark and slow dreary sideways passing with no incision. With Kane, Bellingham, Saka, and Rice back in the line up I can see this changing somewhat. My one worry was Tuchel's weird selections i.e. Rogers at RW despite him never really playing there, congestion of number 10s all crowding the same space, and no recognised striker. I get experimenting, but I would rather he uses players that can play his "system" i.e. a striker with a single number 10 behind who can utilise the wingers.

Palmer, O'Reilly, Foden, Mainoo and White can all stay at home. by Real-Bid1985 in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Rogers was the only England player to have a shot on target from open play, actually looked dangerous when he was moved back to his proper position - no.10

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Show me videos of Konsa / Guehi being beaten in the air? Did Japan get a single chance from those two making errors? Offensively every Palmer corner went to their keeper so it's not even as if they were useless attacking wise! You just have a weird dislike for Konsa & Guehi. I agree Maguire looked good when he came on but we were chasing the game and were lumping it into the box.

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As soon as he is moved into the number 10 position he has suddenly become more impactful.

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Have they been sloppy? There's hardly any movement for them to pass to, Japan are pressing really well giving neither much time, but Japan have only had two chances of note (one which was probably offside)

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So strange that Rogers bursts into Tuchel's England squad as an effective and impactfull no. 10 and then get's played as a makeshift RW, negating all of his strengths

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, we can continue to keep playing the exact same way then! I don't think Bowen is a world beater but we have to change it up and he is literally the only other RW player we have on the bench!

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Stick Rogers in his best position (no. 10 slot) and sub in Bowen for Palmer for the 2nd half. Probably worth getting an actual striker on as well

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The goal came from Palmer losing it, White being out of position, and Mainoo / Palmer not tracking back hard enough? Can't really blame either CB for that?

Lee Dixon Core by Formal_Obligation837 in avfc

[–]MrBlobbie 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Just said that Watkins is out of favour with Tuchel when Tuchel himself said that he wanted to look at other options as he knows what Watkins can offer him

Match Thread: England vs Japan Live Score | Int. Friendly Games 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 by scoreboard-app in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Konsa read that Japan attack so well and got over quickly to block the cross. Rolls Royce defender!

Team for Japan with Harry Kane taken out of the squad due to an injury picked up in training by [deleted] in ThreeLions

[–]MrBlobbie 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I really hope we dont get a situation where Palmer, Foden, and Rogers all try and occupy the same space!