Strasbourg vs. Crystal Palace match thread

[OneStevePerrin]

I agree with the diagnosis Uphill, but not so sure on the solution.

I still don't think a maverick will go down well with Glasner as he wants players to fit his system (Uche/Esse for example). JPM has proved that he can score goals, albeit he is (naturally) prone to bad performances here and there.

I think our issue is goals outside of JPM. Sarr gets a few, albeit was equally horrendous as everyone else yesterday. Nketiah only ever really has cameos and is usually a replacement for JPM, but Pino/Wharton/Kamada/Lerma/Hughes etc??? Not many if many goals there. I think of Munoz as our next biggest attacking threat, with Mitchell getting our goal yesterday. Our two full backs.

We need goals from midfield. Without them, we've got a very limited supply and goals win you games.

Yes we could do with whoever is picked in our midfield 2 to score more goals but as been pointed out they are holding / defending midfielders and won’t get into scoring positions unlike Munoz, Mitchell, Pino, Sarr and Mateta. These are the players that should be scoring more. Yes, Wharton should have scored last night but I’m more concerned that Sarr missed a sitter than him. As for Pino he definitely isn’t an Eza for weighing in with goals and often misses a pass to a player in a position to score as he did last night at the end of the match by blasting it over / wide when Nketia was in a better position. Not sure we are going to correct this problem without replacing Pino?

 

[CT Charlie]

We're a team whose strength is its teamwork, effort, and organization rather than its scoring. The whole, which greater than the sum of its parts, has landed us 5th in the table. We're on a pace to earn over 60 points on the season.

When the stars don't align, we'll endure nights like yesterday. It's frustrating but, without players like Olise and Eze – now known world-wide for their scoring magic – we'll lose games we ought to win.

 

[Nicholas91]

Yes we could do with whoever is picked in our midfield 2 to score more goals but as been pointed out they are holding / defending midfielders and won’t get into scoring positions unlike Munoz, Mitchell, Pino, Sarr and Mateta. These are the players that should be scoring more. Yes, Wharton should have scored last night but I’m more concerned that Sarr missed a sitter than him. As for Pino he definitely isn’t an Eza for weighing in with goals and often misses a pass to a player in a position to score as he did last night at the end of the match by blasting it over / wide when Nketia was in a better position. Not sure we are going to correct this problem without replacing Pino?

Sadly, I think this is a fair assertion OSP. I agree with your other observations too.

It may be a case of Pino stepping up quickly or we are going to have to find competition/a replacement for him.

 

[Penge Eagle]

I thought it was very nice stadium (from the home end) with an excellent atmosphere!

 

[PatrickA]

At the time of the proposed Eze sale Glasner was rumoured to be interested in the supposedly unsettled Trossard as part of the deal.
In the event, Trossard signed a new deal at Arsenal anyway.
At the time of the Trossard rumour I was keen as I saw him.as somebody who could immediately contribute goals and assists from that left sided position.
He's genuinely two footed, hard working and a good finisher.
Others felt he was too old and suggested we should buy for the future.
Any other Trossard types out there ?
He wouldn't be missing those chances that we create.
I've always liked Hamer at Sheffield United, although he's unproven at Premier League level.
Although Glasner seems a little unsure of maverick types, he'd certainly be an option from the bench.

 

[Willo]

At the time of the proposed Eze sale Glasner was rumoured to be interested in the supposedly unsettled Trossard as part of the deal.
In the event, Trossard signed a new deal at Arsenal anyway.
At the time of the Trossard rumour I was keen as I saw him.as somebody who could immediately contribute goals and assists from that left sided position.
He's genuinely two footed, hard working and a good finisher.
Others felt he was too old and suggested we should buy for the future.
Any other Trossard types out there ?
He wouldn't be missing those chances that we create.
I've always liked Hamer at Sheffield United, although he's unproven at Premier League level.
Although Glasner seems a little unsure of maverick types, he'd certainly be an option from the bench.

Coventry tracked Hamer for 18 months before Mark Robins signed him for a fee of up to £2 Million.
He did play for Sheff Utd in the PL, he didn't score many goals but he was playing for a team that got relegated that season.
He is no stranger to yellow cards.

 

[PatrickA]

I only mention Hamer because he's a low cost experienced short term option who wouldn't be demanding a first team place and he could be a good option from the bench where we need a goal or a piece of skill.
His skill levels have always seemed to me to be of a higher level than where he plies his trade.
If we had plenty of funds I would be looking elsewhere.

 

[Uphill]

I only mention Hamer because he's a low cost experienced short term option who wouldn't be demanding a first team place and he could be a good option from the bench where we need a goal or a piece of skill.
His skill levels have always seemed to me to be of a higher level than where he plies his trade.
If we had plenty of funds I would be looking elsewhere.

The best short term option to converting all the missed chances is Zaha.
I shall get shot down in flames but can anybody suggest a better?

 

[the silurian]

The best short term option to converting all the missed chances is Zaha.
I shall get shot down in flames but can anybody suggest a better?

that ship has long since sailed, we had the best of Zaha, get over it!!

 

[Willo]

I only mention Hamer because he's a low cost experienced short term option who wouldn't be demanding a first team place and he could be a good option from the bench where we need a goal or a piece of skill.
His skill levels have always seemed to me to be of a higher level than where he plies his trade.
If we had plenty of funds I would be looking elsewhere.

I have seen Hamer on a few occasions.
He can score free kicks over a wall and is an excellent technician delivering free kicks into the box.
He possesses a good range of passing and likes to play one-touch and give and goes.
He is certainly not afraid to shoot and has a real thwack from outside the area.
He does like a tackle and I have seen him put in high-energy performances.

 

[park the bus]

The best short term option to converting all the missed chances is Zaha.
I shall get shot down in flames but can anybody suggest a better?

Just.... no. Imagine him in the dressing room, moody as f***, thinking he's the saviour. Jesus.

 

[Uphill]

Just.... no. Imagine him in the dressing room, moody as f***, thinking he's the saviour. Jesus.

Exactly what I was expecting.

I did underline 'short term'
He'd soon knuckle down (or die) under Glasner and probably be glad to finish his career where it started.

Again, can anybody suggest the solution to our present misfiring (and over rated) so called 'strikers' ?

 

[Willo]

Exactly what I was expecting.

I did underline 'short term'
He'd soon knuckle down (or die) under Glasner and probably be glad to finish his career where it started.

Again, can anybody suggest the solution to our present misfiring (and over rated) so called 'strikers' ?

I am certain our 'Scouting' department have been working assiduously using all the modern tools and technology at their disposal. 👍 👍 😛

 

[park the bus]

Exactly what I was expecting.

I did underline 'short term'
He'd soon knuckle down (or die) under Glasner and probably be glad to finish his career where it started.

Again, can anybody suggest the solution to our present misfiring (and over rated) so called 'strikers' ?

Odsonne Edouard. Just as likely to return as Wilfried Zaha. 5 goals in 9 games for his new club Lens so far.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

Exactly what I was expecting.

I did underline 'short term'
He'd soon knuckle down (or die) under Glasner and probably be glad to finish his career where it started.

Again, can anybody suggest the solution to our present misfiring (and over rated) so called 'strikers' ?

Sterling

 

[Willo]

Sterling

He has not played a single game this season.
He last scored in September last year against Bolton in the League Cup.

 

[pssguy]

I wouldn't have all that much faith that an attacking minded player joining in January will have much impact this season. Of those purchased under Glasner, none of Nketiah, Esse, Uche, Pino or Kamada can be termed an unqualified success. Only Sarr fits the bill, and he took time to adjust to the system

 

[PatrickA]

I wouldn't have all that much faith that an attacking minded player joining in January will have much impact this season. Of those purchased under Glasner, none of Nketiah, Esse, Uche, Pino or Kamada can be termed an unqualified success. Only Sarr fits the bill, and he took time to adjust to the system

I can see the point you are making.

Nonetheless, Glasner has specifically asked for a player like Sarr in January, in his words 'someone who can run in behind. '
I think most fans would endorse this view.

It also indicates that Glasner does not see either Esse or Uche fitting the bill (or JRS or Franca before them).

Will the board satisfy his request?
It may be advisable for the board to check with Glasner whether he'll select the player first!!

 

[dreamwaverider]

I remember Wenger saying the only thing Olise needed to do was score more goals. He was right and Olise has since obliged. Mitchell is now on the case as is Sarr. Pino may just work it out and Wharton had one of his first shots for Palace last night! Maybe we need to start taking a bit more of a risk in front of goal and having more shots. Pino clearly isn't scared to. Hughes has the odd pop as does Lerma and Kamada. They are all bloody awful marksmen. Maybe they should spend more time in training shooting. Its like they all seem reluctant to have a go.

 

[Eaglecoops]

Why are some of you guys so set on getting players of football pension age to play for us, in some cases again.

They are nearly always on stupid wages, often bring personal baggage with them and tend to see their own abilities through rose tinted glasses.

Someone like Hamer who has already been mentioned would be far better and probably cost no more overall.

The only older one who was a real miss by us and would have been a perfect like for like for Eze is Grealish who has been superb this season. All in my opinion of course but surely Zaha is past it at this level.