Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DAVIS MAKES ALFIE PLEA
Watkins in the driving seat as Bees’ BMW comes roaring up behind Baggies
STEVEN DAVIS insists the sky is the limit for Alfredo Morelos - but only if he continues to develop in the Light Blue of Rangers.
Northern Irishman Davis believes the in-demand Colombian is still a work progress and his career will be better served by another season in
Glasgow. Lazio are reportedly leading the chase for the striker and Gers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted he can give no guarantees his prize asset will remain at Ibrox.
But Davis said: “Even in my time here, his all-round game has improved ten-fold. And he still has a
OLLIE WATKINS was the Bees’ knees again as Brentford closed to within a point of heaven. If West Brom can bear to look in the rear view mirror, they will see Thomas Frank’s coveted BMW coming up fast towards the automatic promotion spots. While the Baggies are lurching towards the chequered flag, Brentford’s 57-goal front three – Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins – look unstoppable. Although the Bees were not at their best, eight consecutive wins and Watkins leading the Championship’s scoring charts speaks for itself. Preston were tenacious, and home keeper David Raya made a flying save to keep out Darnell Fisher’s thunderous free-kick, but defeat all but ended their play-off hopes. Brentford are now within touching distance of a dream farewell to Griffin Park after 116 years next week and christening their new stadium at Kew Bridge as a Premier League club. Boss Frank said: “We are already in the play-offs, so why not give it a shot for direct promotion? “Eight wins in a row – in a division they call the most even league in the world, that is quite remarkable. There are two games to go, we are one point behind West Brom, we are on a high and if we can make it nine in a row, it would be even more remarkable.” Frank had special praise for Watkins, who has now matched Neal Maupay’s 25 goals last season. Frank joked: “I produce 25-goal strikers each season – only kidding. Ollie deserves all the praise, he’s a joy to work with.” The winner came inside four minutes. Emiliano Marcondes supplied the exquisite pass and Watkins devoured it. Preston boss Alex Neil refused to give up on a play-off spot. He said: “We will try to win the next game and if it goes down to the last one, and results go our way, then great. Stranger things have happened.”