So Who Will Be Our Game Changers?

[Brinscalleagle2]

So we had Eze and Olise and Zaha and Bolasie in recent times and the likes of Tambling and Rogers going back who when things were not going our way could do something special and turn the game in our favour. We have always been blessed with a player that could do something with flair. With the departure of Eze where is our traditional flair player going to come from?

 

[eaglesdare]

Perhaps this team is moving away from "flair" and more a direct approach?

One could argue that Franca and Esse were the replacements for Eze and Olise....but they have not quite worked out the way we would have hoped.

 

[maddog]

So we had Eze and Olise and Zaha and Bolasie in recent times and the likes of Tambling and Rogers going back who when things were not going our way could do something special and turn the game in our favour. We have always been blessed with a player that could do something with flair. With the departure of Eze where is our traditional flair player going to come from?

That’s the point - we have a whole team of them now! Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mateta, Sarr any of these could create something. Gone are the days when we relied on Zaha or Bolasie to work magic all on their own.

 

[pssguy]

That’s the point - we have a whole team of them now! Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mateta, Sarr any of these could create something. Gone are the days when we relied on Zaha or Bolasie to work magic all on their own.

But as the game in the week showed, against a low block we definitely missed someone with a bit of trickery - especially as we will now be significantly less of a threat from long-range shots. TBH, I would say Mateta is the only one who can do something unexpected with his backflicks, which often fool his teammates as much as the opposition. We were desparate for someone to run at the opposition in the Conference tie but Glasner obviously will not even try Esse or Rak-Sayki

 

[CT Charlie]

But as the game in the week showed, against a low block we definitely missed someone with a bit of trickery - especially as we will now be significantly less of a threat from long-range shots. TBH, I would say Mateta is the only one who can do something unexpected with his backflicks, which often fool his teammates as much as the opposition. We were desparate for someone to run at the opposition in the Conference tie but Glasner obviously will not even try Esse or Rak-Sayki

Well, with their half-billion squad of tricksters Citeh couldn't find enough magic against Spurs, so perhaps the trickery factor is overvalued. Against Forest and the Norwegians, I'd just like to see us play disciplined defense, press hard, force turnovers, pass to teammates in better positions, and keep our shots on target. And let Mateta or Devenny take our PKs.

 

[PatrickA]

Losing Eze means that we carry no threat on our left side at all.
He occupied 2 or 3 defenders, had the ability to cut in and switch the play to the right or link up with Mateta, or get shots away.

That’s all gone.

Stop Munoz and Sarr down the right and block Wharton’s passing angles and you stop Palace.
If teams leave space on their left side it’s still possible for Munoz to exploit this area though.

I think our best current hope of a goal is through a set piece or the hope that Mateta will be clinical if a chance comes his way.

Our biggest strength at the moment is our organised defence.
We allow teams to cross the ball reasoning that our defence will successfully defend our penalty area.
I hope it works today as Wood is a throwback centre forward who thrives on crosses and can finish with both feet and head.

Our biggest need in the window will be for a player who can provide attacking impetus down our left to balance out the team.