JSL

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think JSl has been a good buy. It’s just when we signed Johnson an empty taxi turned up at Selhurst and he got out.

Haha! Absolutely brilliant!


To be fair, though, as a player Johnson is a magician: he can disappear before your very eyes.
 
Alan Lee was an old-school combative striker who at one stage was no stranger to card.
He was all hustle and bustle and relished a physical battle.
His manager at Rotherham joked that Lee spent more time on the ground than Joe Bugner !
Neil Warnock signed him for our club.
I think it’s fair to say Alan Lee came under the cult hero category, because he was a donkey otherwise 🤣
 
While JSL needs to put himself about a bit more, that can be taught. The art of finishing is far harder to achieve and JSL is already our best finisher, on the ground and in the air, outside of maybe Sarr. JSL ( and Nketiah ) are both far ahead of Mateta in finishing. JPM is a fantastic hold up man but dismal between the posts.

Given that we are starting to finally look like the kind of team which treats strikers the way strikers should be treated -as the tip of the spear rather than a hold up player -then JSL and even Nketiah can do a job. I'm certain JSL will get 15+ goals this season if he is the mainstay striker and I'll bet Nketiah gets to high single figures as well, just as a sub, provided both stay fit. That's entirely acceptable. There may even be games where Nketiah is the best starting option, certainly against CBs who are slow on the turn.

The most interesting question is whether we start a fit Mateta. He does have pace and power to run onto and contest through balls so may be the best option, in a passing team, to physically win opportunities, even if he will miss more than he takes. Problem is, JPM wants out and we need at least one successor bedded in. I'd be tempted to start JSL and bring Mateta or Nketiah on against tiring defenders.
 
While JSL needs to put himself about a bit more, that can be taught. The art of finishing is far harder to achieve and JSL is already our best finisher, on the ground and in the air, outside of maybe Sarr. JSL ( and Nketiah ) are both far ahead of Mateta in finishing. JPM is a fantastic hold up man but dismal between the posts.

Given that we are starting to finally look like the kind of team which treats strikers the way strikers should be treated -as the tip of the spear rather than a hold up player -then JSL and even Nketiah can do a job. I'm certain JSL will get 15+ goals this season if he is the mainstay striker and I'll bet Nketiah gets to high single figures as well, just as a sub, provided both stay fit. That's entirely acceptable. There may even be games where Nketiah is the best starting option, certainly against CBs who are slow on the turn.

The most interesting question is whether we start a fit Mateta. He does have pace and power to run onto and contest through balls so may be the best option, in a passing team, to physically win opportunities, even if he will miss more than he takes. Problem is, JPM wants out and we need at least one successor bedded in. I'd be tempted to start JSL and bring Mateta or Nketiah on against tiring defenders.
Unless JPM signs a new contract we start with a fit JSL. We are not here to do favours to want away players. JPM will be a good sub until he gets his dream move.
 
Unless JPM signs a new contract we start with a fit JSL. We are not here to do favours to want away players. JPM will be a good sub until he gets his dream move.
Completely agree. JPM will want to put himself in the shop window for January (as will Palace) but giving him 30 mins at the end of a game is enough to do that. We have to look at our own team and prioritize that not panda to a stroppy player that has tried everything he can think of to leave the club.
 
Sorry, used the wrong spelling for 'pander' I have no doubt someone that doesn't have a life will point that out!
 
Good post. Although for me there is no scenario where nketiah would be a good starting option.
While JSL needs to put himself about a bit more, that can be taught. The art of finishing is far harder to achieve and JSL is already our best finisher, on the ground and in the air, outside of maybe Sarr. JSL ( and Nketiah ) are both far ahead of Mateta in finishing. JPM is a fantastic hold up man but dismal between the posts.

Given that we are starting to finally look like the kind of team which treats strikers the way strikers should be treated -as the tip of the spear rather than a hold up player -then JSL and even Nketiah can do a job. I'm certain JSL will get 15+ goals this season if he is the mainstay striker and I'll bet Nketiah gets to high single figures as well, just as a sub, provided both stay fit. That's entirely acceptable. There may even be games where Nketiah is the best starting option, certainly against CBs who are slow on the turn.

The most interesting question is whether we start a fit Mateta. He does have pace and power to run onto and contest through balls so may be the best option, in a passing team, to physically win opportunities, even if he will miss more than he takes. Problem is, JPM wants out and we need at least one successor bedded in. I'd be tempted to start JSL and bring Mateta or Nketiah on against tiring defenders.
 
While JSL needs to put himself about a bit more, that can be taught. The art of finishing is far harder to achieve and JSL is already our best finisher, on the ground and in the air, outside of maybe Sarr. JSL ( and Nketiah ) are both far ahead of Mateta in finishing. JPM is a fantastic hold up man but dismal between the posts.

Given that we are starting to finally look like the kind of team which treats strikers the way strikers should be treated -as the tip of the spear rather than a hold up player -then JSL and even Nketiah can do a job. I'm certain JSL will get 15+ goals this season if he is the mainstay striker and I'll bet Nketiah gets to high single figures as well, just as a sub, provided both stay fit. That's entirely acceptable. There may even be games where Nketiah is the best starting option, certainly against CBs who are slow on the turn.

The most interesting question is whether we start a fit Mateta. He does have pace and power to run onto and contest through balls so may be the best option, in a passing team, to physically win opportunities, even if he will miss more than he takes. Problem is, JPM wants out and we need at least one successor bedded in. I'd be tempted to start JSL and bring Mateta or Nketiah on against tiring defenders.

Couldn't agree more
 
The real question is...

You're on a life raft, you can only save one, who do you pull out the freezing water?

JSL or Nketiah?
 
I am tempted to say neither. The thing about Mateta is that he is a menace and his misses are often because he hits it straight at the goalkeeper and is 0/20 for clean through on goal opportunities. Alan Shearer rates him and that is actually high praise. I but realistically, back to your question, it would have to be JSL as he is a decent finisher and I think if we just send crosses in, he will find the back of the net.
 
For me Mateta is better than Larsen in all aspects of the game other than attacking crosses in the air.
Mateta has more power, physical strength and better hold up play.
Larsen loses the majority of his physical duels .
Mateta's goal record for Palace has been exceptional.
He misses chances, but this is not an uncommon trait in strikers.
Some people's views on Mateta may have been tainted because of his desire to leave, but I'm looking at it from a footballing perspective only.
I'm not going to argue with Glasner who regards Glasner very highly.

Screenshot_20261009_101312_Chrome.webp
 
For me Mateta is better than Larsen in all aspects of the game other than attacking crosses in the air.
Mateta has more power, physical strength and better hold up play.
Larsen loses the majority of his physical duels .
Mateta's goal record for Palace has been exceptional.
He misses chances, but this is not an uncommon trait in strikers.
Some people's views on Mateta may have been tainted because of his desire to leave, but I'm looking at it from a footballing perspective only.
I'm not going to argue with Glasner who regards Glasner very highly.

View attachment 4407
Of course Glasner rates Glasner highly.
Should read Glasner rates Mateta highly.
 

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