Somewhat misleading stats, I'm afraid Lanzo.

In his WHOLE Palace career, Mateta has only started 18 times so he hasn't had a run of 19 continual games starting. He has come on as a sub on 28 occasions. Sadly his longest continuous run of league starts is a meagre 4 (Yes four) last season during a run that saw us beat Wolves away, draw at home to Citeh, beat Arsenal and lose to Leicester. He scored in both the Wolves and Arsenal games.

As for Edouard, he's had 30 league starts in total and 18 sub appearances. Last season, he had one 7 match starting run in which he scored 3 and assisted 3 and he's had two 6 match starting runs (one last year with 1 goal and one this year with 3 goals and 1 assist).

As I see it, when they have been given a run, their goal and (in the case of Edouard) assists have been decent. if you don't give a striker a decent run of games you can't expect to get the best out of him.

Neither are top class strikers but neither IMO has been given a decent ruN to show what they can do - especially Mateta.

Data btw is from Transfermarkt.

Edited by doombear (07 Feb 2023 8.08pm)

I agree one of them needed a run, it didnt happen, next up will probably be Schlupp, who may get at least 3 in a row, or maybe not.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

So far this season we've played 21 league games and seen Edouard, Mateta, Wilf and even Ayew start through the middle. What chance has any of them got? Indeed, what chance have the other attacking players got of knowing where to play the ball from week to week? All four 'strikers' are different and will want the ball played into them in a different way.

I just wish PV would pick Edouard or Mateta and stick with that player until he starts to deliver or shows he's nit up to it.

Edited by doombear (07 Feb 2023 8.43pm)

My view is that Palace has become a graveyard for strikers because we simply don't create enough chances for them. Despite often playing with 2 wingers we are not getting dangerous crosses into the box, but instead the wingers normally cut inside and shoot themselves. Simplistic I know, but I don't think we are giving our strikers a chance. Having said that I don't believe Mateta is a PL standard player, but I think Edouard could be.

The solution is obvious - play Olise on the left wing.
He will be less tempted to cut inside and ought to cross the ball more often.

Whether there will be anyone around to take a header is another matter.