THE SECRET SCOUT

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. He’ll bring you his verdict in Sportsmail.

OLLIE WATKINS

AGE: 21 CLUB: Exeter City POSITION: Attacking midfielder VALUE: £750,000 2016-17 APPS: 42 GOALS: 14

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

THIS midfielder-cum-attacker has caught my eye with his performances for Exeter City, who have advanced into a play-off position after a terrible start to the season. Watkins (below) is a smooth mover with a comfortable running style. In a game I watched, he was involved in a foot race against a centre half chasing a through pass and he showed a turn of pace that ended with him colliding with the goalkeeper. So he is clearly brave, too. That day he flitted between the midfield and the front and also darted side to side. It was almost as though the manager had given him the opportunity to take up positions as he saw fit. That is a sign of confidence in the player. His passing was straightforward — he did not attempt anything too difficult but kept the ball moving well. Once he made me sit up with a short, angled pass to a colleague. He then followed up by racing around on the blind side to make a two-on-one overload. That is the kind of imagination you don’t often see at lower-league level. He has a good height and build, his control is good and he has the clear vision to see where his opponents are. In tight situations he is composed and can use the ball effectively at close quarters. His fitness is good and he does his work out of possession.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

WHEN he moved ahead of the ball and received it with his back to goal he was outmuscled and robbed. Watkins is certainly better running on to the ball. He must improve further when taking the ball on the half-turn and opening the play wide by changing direction. With no disrespect to Exeter’s well-coached squad, I feel Watkins will improve quickly with a higher quality of player around him. He has youth and a run of consistent appearances under his belt. His goal record — he has scored 14 times this season — is also a good return for an attacking midfielder.