The Exeter City winger produced one of the most impressive individual displays of the season – and it’s no surprise Derby County are backed to bring him in.
If you’re wondering why Steve McClaren would consider headhunting a lesser known League Two player to light the fires on Derby County’s promotion challenge, then just take a quick glance at Ollie Watkins dazzling individual performance on Saturday.
Bet Victor slashed the odds of the Exeter City winger signing on at the iPro to just 2/1 on Tuesday and you can see why Derby’s interest may have intensified.
Watkins’ name may not be found on the scoresheet after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Colchester United but the 21-year-old’s display was something of a breakout performance. One that will surely make Championship cheque-writers sit up and take notice.
After all, it’s not often a player contributes three assists in a single game of football.
But that’s exactly what Watkins did at St James’ Park at the weekend. Dancing through a sea of legs to lay on the opener, the youngster set up two more in the second half courtesy of perfectly weighted passes.
In fact, Derby’s most regular goal creators, Tom Ince and Will Hughes, have produced just three assists all season. Watkins matched that tally in a single afternoon. The question is; will he be fighting them for a place in the squad by the end of the month?
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