Hmmm stating the obvious Patrick

But How ?
And Who ?

Forever Palace Proud

Took a look at our expected goals earlier (xG) I know it's just stats but it's interesting/ worrying to see we have the third lowest and have scored only 2 less than our expected amount. This doesn't point towards strikers continuously missing sitters but highlights the real problem, that we all know, that we create very, very little.

Edouard and Mateta might not be the best, and obviously some of their play contributes to the lack of decent chances that we are creating, however I do feel like they're also feeding off of absolute scraps.

I'd say the bigger worry is our approach play rather than being clinical. Most chances that we've had recently are just a result of fortunate circumstances, snap shots and half chances.

I'd personally just stick with Edouard as I think he's a fairly decent finisher and sort out the players behind him whose job it is to create. Fingers crossed it all clicks tomorrow but I won't hold my breath.

Hear Hear.

For sure at that level you would think effort, energy & the ability to take the game to the opposition would be pretty much a minimum requirement - additionally when a stat comes out that we run the least distances per game in our league its difficult to defend the stat if the appearance of our labours reinforces the stat - obviously its different if your whole game plan relies upon counter attack & are successful / clinical in your attacks at goal & are picking up points almost every game (which we are not)

This is a point I’ve been making for a long time, it’s why I used to dislike Benteke so much, good strikers should be a real handful up front, breaking their backs and sweating blood to rattle defenders and try to make something happen, also attacking the ball in the penalty area and not waiting for it on a plate. Even Mateta and Edouard seem to amble around waiting for the ball to come to them or waiting aimlessly for something to happen

Also can you imagine Lewis Dunk having the time on the ball he did last week up against Wright and Bright?? I don’t think so, they would’ve put him in the stand and Andy Johnson or Clinton would’ve been up him like a rat up a drainpipe!!

Edited by monkey (18 Feb 2023 9.31am)

When you say it like that regarding wright bright Morrison and Johnson it really does put it into perspective and I totally agree with you !

“This is a crisis, a large crisis.... in fact if you have a moment, it’s a 12 storey crisis, magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24 hour portage , and an enormous sign on the roof saying “This , is a large crisis” - Edmund Blackadder