Can't remember which thread it was but I commented on Mateta. I'm afraid people look at him through rose tinted spectacles because he scored v's the weed.

Other than that he has shown to be very below par. Ball control and strength are non existent.

the though of JP Mateta is better than the reality of JP Mateta. Others argued against me claiming his past glories (Although they seemed to ignore the fact is in reality he had one good season and then got injured and has struggled to recover any sort of form since). I'm getting the impression from what I'm hearing from todays match that I am somewhat vindicated.

Mateta had a decent scoring record in the Bundesliga for Mainz team a bottom-half team.
For us, 2 starts and 1 goal in one of those starts and we all know who he scored against!
We have not seen much of him but in the games he has played (7 in all) he has not impressed one iota.

Edited by Willo (24 Jul 2021 5.21pm)

Our starting X1 Mateta aside looked worryingly familiar. We need new blood and quick

Well our only signings have included a backup goalkeeper and a player who is injured.

However there are 3 weeks before the PL season starts and over 5 weeks before the Transfer Window closes.

These early friendliest are never completely reliable for coming to solid conclusions.
Much of what we have seen has been encouraging, in so much as we have dominated the opposition in a mannner we should as with all due respect they are two or three leagues under us.
Having watched both games, it would appear we are still toothless,
As ever Zaha, busies himself until he forces a goal, but quiet honestly everyone else couldn’t hit a barn door. And if you took him out a goal probably wasn’t on. Admittedly it’s practice, but Palace even in league games , so often look like making chances is all you need, finishing them doesn’t seem that important.
Today the finishing was laughable, that’s my only worry, because it’s not a new problem.