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.

 

[Eagle1978]

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.

Good post. There is no doubt that losing Eze will be a headache for Glasner and it will be up to him to adapt the system. But I have no doubt he is a manager who is well capable of getting the best out of the players we have. I would imagine a lot of attacking responsibility will be on JPM to link up the attacking play.

 

[dreamwaverider]

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.

El Kahnouss or will Spurs now trump us?

 

[Ex Dubai Eagle]

Good post. There is no doubt that losing Eze will be a headache for Glasner and it will be up to him to adapt the system. But I have no doubt he is a manager who is well capable of getting the best out of the players we have. I would imagine a lot of attacking responsibility will be on JPM to link up the attacking play.

85th minute, Guehi spreads it out wide & Mitchell or Sosa (whichever is on the pitch at the time) to supply the match winning cross from the left where the Forest defence are marking JP & Sarr with Munoz stealing in at the far post unmarked to slide it home.

 

[Willo]

El Kahnouss or will Spurs now trump us?

El Khannouss was not included in the Leicester squad against Charlton yesterday.
He did not provided me with a "Wow" last season but he was ploughing his furrow in a side that got relegated.

 

[Palacesince64]

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

I was disappointed he didn’t try something different like Esse or Rak-Sakyi. I’ve always argued that while he is wedded to 5 at the back he uses the formation flexibly. The other night the team reflected the manager. Both a bit flat after Eze refused to play.

 

[PatrickA]

I was disappointed he didn’t try something different like Esse or Rak-Sakyi. I’ve always argued that while he is wedded to 5 at the back he uses the formation flexibly. The other night the team reflected the manager. Both a bit flat after Eze refused to play.

Glasner will only use JRS if all other possibilities are exhausted and even the tea lady is unavailable.
He’s been told to find another club as has Edouard.
The fact they are both in the squad as unwanted players with no future at Palace speaks volumes about our recruitment.

 

[mileend]

I was disappointed he didn’t try something different like Esse or Rak-Sakyi. I’ve always argued that while he is wedded to 5 at the back he uses the formation flexibly. The other night the team reflected the manager. Both a bit flat after Eze refused to play.

I was shocked. The new fangled sound system seem to have developed a malfunction. I had to take a look at the programme, which meant doing something I really hate at the football which is getting my reading glasses out, to verify that the number 22 that just came on was indeed Edouard.

He delivered entirely on my expectations.

 

[JHB]

We will still be ok against teams that have possession and we counter against but it’s difficult to see where we create chances if teams sit back. In fairness that was true last season even with Eze. That’s why Sterling, for all his many faults, wouldn’t be the worst loan option. Takes people on which nobody in the current squad does.

JRS clearly isn’t the answer and nor is Esse in OG’s mind.

 

[rikz]

We were top last season for goals from set pieces, we're great without the ball, probably won't be as effective on the counter without Eze, untill we get more quality we just have to grind out results. Just a shame Mateta is not better in the air

 

[dreamwaverider]

Glasner will only use JRS if all other possibilities are exhausted and even the tea lady is unavailable.
He’s been told to find another club as has Edouard.
The fact they are both in the squad as unwanted players with no future at Palace speaks volumes about our recruitment.

We all knew both Eze and Guehi were looking beyond so surely we could have secured the funds to secure some early bird transfers to keep the manager sweet.
Or reviewed our players wages to ensure our stars signed up to deliver our future