Wolves vs. Crystal Palace match thread

[Palacesince64]

This is the best Palace side we’ve had in years and that despite losing our 2 most talented players. All players have their strengths and weaknesses, even Eze and Olise. It’s how they work as a team that makes the difference and this lot are a team for sure. JP’s weakness one on one stands out because it costs us what should be a goal. Daichi is no Will Hughes but is an intelligent hard working player who adds something to our midfield. Mitchell can’t cross or finish line Muñoz but is a much better defender. The fact people are picking over the deficiencies these guys have is probably testament to how good we are with a team that has no superstars. … although Wharton has the potential.

 

[park the bus]

Agree, Mateta is a massively important part of our formation and has been an integral part of our success.
Having said that he has missed a number of easier opportunities this year, sometimes by quite big margins - Millwall last minute, Bournemouth similar, Everton miskick, a number of one on ones etc.

His 8 goals this season looks good, but that does include a few of penalties and goals in the charity shield and the conf league qualifier. Take the 3 away from Bournemouth and he has 3 goals in c15 'proper' games this season and one of these was a pen (v Villa).

I think it is fair to say he has missed more this season than he usually would.

He has 6 in the league, 2 of which were penalties if I'm not mistaken, so 4 in open play. Is that a good ratio given the amount of chances we create and the fact that the midfield doesn't contribute to the tally? He must be frustrated by some of the misses, but it seems to me he is of the character to keep plugging away and his role is fundamental to the way the side is set up, so opportunities will come along.

 

[stevo]

He has 6 in the league, 2 of which were penalties if I'm not mistaken, so 4 in open play. Is that a good ratio given the amount of chances we create and the fact that the midfield doesn't contribute to the tally? He must be frustrated by some of the misses, but it seems to me he is of the character to keep plugging away and his role is fundamental to the way the side is set up, so opportunities will come along.

You've touched on something here that I think we definitely need to improve upon ASAP and that's goals from midfield.

We must average 1-2 goals a season in the league across our midfield 4, not enough IMO.

 

[Uphill]

You've touched on something here that I think we definitely need to improve upon ASAP and that's goals from midfield.

We must average 1-2 goals a season in the league across our midfield 4, not enough IMO.

Something I have been going on about since Eze left. Time for Kamada, Wharton, Richards and Pino to step forward to plug the loss of Eze's goals, at least until Mateta and Sarr start scoring instead of shooting blanks - they are after all getting good chances!

 

[ASCPFC]

Something I have been going on about since Eze left. Time for Kamada, Wharton, Richards and Pino to step forward to plug the loss of Eze's goals, at least until Mateta and Sarr start scoring instead of shooting blanks - they are after all getting good chances!

Richards?

 

[mtp1958]

Clinton is one of our best ever strikers and a personal favourite of mine, I would have never called him lazy either.He was very good at link up play as well, his only weakness was not having a powerful shot hence lots of his goals were scored in the six yard box which like Jimmy Greaves wasn’t a bad thing either.He is a pundit and is payed to comment on what he sees during a match.

don't agree watched him in youth team and senior it was ball to feet only but wouldn't chase a ball , even Warnock said after one match that even Clinton was running up and down the pitch surprisingly , he has had Freedman and Forssell feeding him , and I have seen jimmy greaves run half the pitch with the ball to score , but have tried to think when ive seen Clinton do it lol

 

[MrRobbo]

This is the best Palace side we’ve had in years and that despite losing our 2 most talented players. All players have their strengths and weaknesses, even Eze and Olise. It’s how they work as a team that makes the difference and this lot are a team for sure. JP’s weakness one on one stands out because it costs us what should be a goal. Daichi is no Will Hughes but is an intelligent hard working player who adds something to our midfield. Mitchell can’t cross or finish line Muñoz but is a much better defender. The fact people are picking over the deficiencies these guys have is probably testament to how good we are with a team that has no superstars. … although Wharton has the potential.

V good post.

We are a system team. Its not about individuals but how it all knits together. So completely agree, there is no point moaning about a few qualities seemingly missing in certain players.

Its also easy to get bogged down in some of the detail, but over 2025 we're the 5th best team in the country, with 2 trophies in the cabinet. All with a left back that cant attack, and a CM who is terrible, and a CF that misses more than he scores!