The pundits seem to be settling on a description of Mateta as 'awkward' or 'leggy' or 'giving the defenders a problem' - I doubt many see him as an exceptional talent, or what to make of him.

But what I quite like about Mateta is that he really believes he can and will score.. While Benteke really doesn't give me the impression he thinks he will ever hit the back of the net.

I thoroughly agree.

Benteke has something to offer but his behaviour in front of goal reminds me of that song with the line ‘to reach the unreachable star’. Mateta acts as though he is owed a goal, which is a huge difference.

One defence for Big Ben may be however his pregame briefing has gone far beyond ‘just stick it in the back over the net’ in years past, hence his mentality/approach may have altered.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Thé Impossible Dream.
The difference is that Mateta is busy climbing the hill whereas Big Ben is now sliding down the other side.

As you all know I've been a big critic of Mateta, but fair play to him, he's come on leaps and bounds. Ability wise, he's still the worst of our strikers by a mile, but he's working hard and making PV keep him in there. So fair play.

I don't really even understand what that emoji is doing....? You know I'm eating humble pie to a degree, right? Thought you'd be over the moon.

Sorloth was long gone before PV came. In any case, I would venture to say 'unlikely' as IMO Sorloth has far too high an opinion of himself and isn't quick or nimble enough for the style we now try to play.