Ollie’s the Bees knees
THOMAS FRANK has backed Ollie Watkins to take over from Neal Maupay as the Brentford talisman.
The highly rated forward netted his second goal of the season to earn the
Bees a point.
With Frenchman Maupay leaving for Brighton, the pressure is on Watkins to keep his run going.
But boss Frank reckons Watkins, wanted by Crystal Palace this summer, has the tools to emulate Maupay.
The Bees chief said: “Ollie is our No.9, he showed that in the second half.
“You can’t score a more beautiful goal. He was running in between the two centre-backs, exactly where we wanted him.
“It was a deflection off the keeper, but that’s what you need from a striker.
“He needs to learn, no matter if he plays as a striker or at No.10. But the two goals he’s scored in the last two games, it shows he has an instinct in him.
“I haven’t set him a target, just as many goals as possible.
“This game, it was disappointing first half without being a disaster, because we want to hit the highest levels. Today we just lacked that little bit of the team clicking.”
Hull were fair value for their point. Kevin Stewart shot from the edge of the box on 24 minutes, forcing home keeper David Raya to tip over.
Sergi Canos pressed Tigers shot-stopper George Long into action, while Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo headed wide from a Henrik Dalsgaard cross.
Brentford started brightly after the restart and Watkins put an effort off-target on 48 minutes.
However, Hull soon took the lead as Bowen found space in the box and drilled the ball past Raya.
Brentford equalised through Watkins on 72 minutes when he bundled home past Long from a Canos delivery.
Long made amends two minutes later when he did well to block an effort from the goalscorer.
Kamil Grosicki hit the post with a free-kick six minutes before the end, but Hull manager Grant
Mccann felt his side deserved more.
Mccann said: “We’re very disappointed because the Brentford goal is a yard offside, and you don’t expect that standard of officiating.
“We were excellent.
We’ve had three very good 45-minute performances over the first three games. Today I thought we had a complete performance.
“I thought we were outstanding from start to finish. We’ve come to a team who everyone fancies.
“And I’m sure Brentford will be in the top six.” BRENTFORD HULL 4 ........ Shots on Target .........4 7 ........ Shots off Target .........8 5 ................Corners .................4 18................. Fouls................... 11 0 ............... Offsides ................. 2 78.7 .. Passing Success ... 70.7 451 ....... Total Passes ........ 355 55.9........Possession ......... 44.1 42.7 .. Territorial Adv%... 57.3