Crystal Palace vs. Millwall match thread

[ASCPFC]

As Esse is not responding too the manager then one of the older team members should try and find out what the problem is. He is not short of ability but has zero confidence / self belief, some one at the club needs to find out why that is and see what the way forward can be.

Presumably comes from never playing.

 

[Palacesince64]

Some times it takes a different approach. I am well aware of the support they can get if the need it but it appears that he may not be responding so we need to look out of the box.

When he came on as sub in the previous match I think it was Will Hughes who had a quiet word and put an arm round his shoulder. Felt like he was saying “keep it simple and don’t go wandering off and you’ll be fine”.

 

[Casual]

One of my mates knows Esse well (managed him in the millwall youth team) and is assistant manager at a championship club and was saying they’d be interested in a loan.

 

[Jim_Cannon]

did they announce the attendance during the game - can't find it anywhere, home crowd looked a bit sparse

Looked like it was between 15-17k. Holmesdale appeared pretty full. Whitehorse end was deserted, although you can understand families not wanting to attend with the Millwall fans directing their diatribe at that end

 

[Stirlingsays]

Talent is obviously the most important aspect of reaching the top levels in football.

But the mental side of the game isn't far off.

What seems apparent to me is that Esse hasn't matured at the necessary speed to play in top football sides. Adapting to different styles and requirements, fitting in and all the rest of it. We see it in ordinary day to day life in all work environments......some are square pegs trying to fit into circle holes.

Some players never quite cope with the pressures of top football and different environments and managers......it's just how it is.

 

[Casual]

Esse was poor first half, but most of them were , apart from Hughes. Pino played like he’s didn’t know what a football was and JPM was like he was 2 years ago.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Esse , before yesterday.

 

[viapalace]

Esse was poor first half, but most of them were , apart from Hughes. Pino played like he’s didn’t know what a football was and JPM was like he was 2 years ago.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Esse , before yesterday.

If hughes had a bit of pace he’d be holding it down in barcalonas midfield

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

It did look on tv like mateta's right foot does slip a tad which makes him stretch with his left.

Only got 2 goals from open play though since netting at home v the weed.

I have to say that, purely from an armchair fan's perspective these days, Mateta has looked decidedly below par so far this season.

When he first joined Palace there were many folk on here critical of him and even suggesting that Edouard was the better player. Maybe I haven't seen enough of him, but to me he looks more like his old self. His holding play has looked OK although his sharpness in front of goal is falling short. Perhaps he is missing some of Ebs' pinpoint passes.

 

[ASCPFC]

I have to say that, purely from an armchair fan's perspective these days, Mateta has looked decidedly below par so far this season.

When he first joined Palace there were many folk on here critical of him and even suggesting that Edouard was the better player. Maybe I haven't seen enough of him, but to me he looks more like his old self. His holding play has looked OK although his sharpness in front of goal is falling short. Perhaps he is missing some of Ebs' pinpoint passes.

Last season Mateta had the Olympics first. I don't think we had enough pre season games, frankly. He also never quite got back to himself fully after his headgear last season but I don't want to be a jinx. I think he'll come good again.

 

[Spindle]

Talent is obviously the most important aspect of reaching the top levels in football.

But the mental side of the game isn't far off.

What seems apparent to me is that Esse hasn't matured at the necessary speed to play in top football sides. Adapting to different styles and requirements, fitting in and all the rest of it. We see it in ordinary day to day life in all work environments......some are square pegs trying to fit into circle holes.

Some players never quite cope with the pressures of top football and different environments and managers......it's just how it is.

The biggest thing he could've done was to sprint about, do it until he was knackered. Then it wouldn't have exposed the rest of his game nearly as much. I was amazed the amount of jogging he was doing especially when we turned the ball over. If I was on the pitch and a young player was jogging about I'd have been screaming at him.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

The biggest thing he could've done was to sprint about, do it until he was knackered. Then it wouldn't have exposed the rest of his game nearly as much. I was amazed the amount of jogging he was doing especially when we turned the ball over. If I was on the pitch and a young player was jogging about I'd have been screaming at him.

There was one pass in particular when he made no movement towards the ball at all but waited for it to cross his body, got clattered by his marker and gave the ball away. When (if?) he plays again he needs to spend some time out on the wing because at the moment he's not suited to midfield.

 

[Painter]

There was one pass in particular when he made no movement towards the ball at all but waited for it to cross his body, got clattered by his marker and gave the ball away. When (if?) he plays again he needs to spend some time out on the wing because at the moment he's not suited to midfield.

As Glasner doesn't play wingers, he is going to have to adapt his game, if he wants any game time.

 

[dreamwaverider]

When he came on as sub in the previous match I think it was Will Hughes who had a quiet word and put an arm round his shoulder. Felt like he was saying “keep it simple and don’t go wandering off and you’ll be fine”.

Last night, at one point Mateta was leading Esse by the arm into the area. Not sure why, but clearly trying to help him.

 

[JHB]

As Glasner doesn't play wingers, he is going to have to adapt his game, if he wants any game time.

I think the position is an issue. Last night he kept drifting into the centre. As a result we lost our shape and Munoz couldn’t overlap. Looked like a winger trying to adapt to a different position and getting it wrong. He’s been here 9 months now though so really should have learned where to be tactically.

As others have said he has lots of ability but clearly there is something not working. Still early days so I hope he can adapt and come good.

 

[kevlee]

Last night, at one point Mateta was leading Esse by the arm into the area. Not sure why, but clearly trying to help him.

Clyne would have been a better option up front than Esse.

 

[sprites]

They are not, you want the guy to do bad.

Maybe just reflect on the fact that Glasner keeps picking him, and he will be in our first choice midfield all season. You are clearly missing something.

Firstly, it's not unheard of for manager's to have blind spots for previous players, you know. Secondly, honestly, you've read me wrong. I never want a Palace player to do badly. Entire in-law side is Japanese too, so in fact I have an extra soft spot for Daichi. But the facts are he spent most of last year underperforming. That's not even up for debate. Towards the end of the season, he started looking like he belonged more, which is encouraging. Right now, there's no way he's a better option than Wharton/Hughes. But I would be thrilled if he starts playing well enough to dislodge that partnership...which he's showing signs of.

Anyway, bored of that now. I think Esse is worth persisting with...you can train the other stuff...the tactical understanding and the pressing triggers etc...what you can't necessarily train is that raw ability he has, which hardly any players do these days.