Martin O’Neill questions Troy Deeney’s managerial expertise after Ollie Watkins comments

Martin O’Neill believes Troy Deeney’s comments about Ollie Watkins showed why the Watford legend did not last long at Forest Green.

Deeney was sacked as Forest Green Rovers manager in January after going six games without a win in charge of the League Two side.

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He now appears as a pundit on talkSPORT and recently issued a bold claim saying Aston Villa star Watkins is ‘a winger trying to be a striker.’

After scoring his 19th Premier League goal of the season in his side’s 2-0 win at Arsenal, Watkins hit back at the former Birmingham City man on Instagram, saying: “Not bad for a winger trying to be a striker.”

And speaking on White and Jordan, ex-Villa manager O’Neill appeared to suggest that Deeney’s lack of success as a manager means he isn’t able to identify Watkins’ best role.

“Maybe that’s why Troy lasted six games as a manager, maybe he just didn’t recognise a winger or a striker,” O’Neill said.

“Ollie Watkins has had a phenomenal season, absolutely phenomenal. I think it’s, what is it, 19 league goals, 20 league goals?

“The next couple of seasons, I think, will determine if Ollie Watkins is the centre-forward that Aston Villa fans think he is at this minute, but he’s been terrific.”

O’Neill then added: “I think the manager [Unai Emery] has helped him greatly, he’s said to him don’t do a lot of needless running.

“Maybe this is the point Troy was making, he found himself out on the wing a lot at times when he shouldn’t have been. If he’s going to be a centre-forward, this is where the goals are going to be scored.”

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Forest Green’s decision to sack Deeney came just hours after he was handed a four-match ban by the EFL for improper conduct and using abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official.

Club owner Dale Vince then told talkSPORT that the Watford legend’s post-match outburst after defeat to Hartlepool was a factor in his decision.

Deeney’s evaluation of Watkins came after he said he’d prefer to start Brentford’s Ivan Toney over the Villa man for England if need be.

His comments also came during the international break two weeks ago but Watkins had clearly not forgotten what he said.

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The 28-year-old now sits on 26 goals in all competitions this season for Villa, his best scoring tally for the club since he joined in 2020.

Watkins’ goal against Arsenal encapsulated his quality – a perfectly executed chip over David Raya after outmuscling Emile Smith Rowe.

His efforts have helped guide Villa to fourth in the Premier League as they eye a Champions League return for the first time since 1983.

England boss Gareth Southgate could also reward him with a spot in his squad for Euro 2024 this summer, with Watkins coming to the end of an excellent season.