Edouard did not play well today but even Messi would struggle playing against three centre backs with no support or teammates getting close to support him.
Vieira identified a major problem in the post match interview that Edouard had been left too isolated.
Edouard thrives on short passes into the penalty area so he can use his clever footwork to get a shot away or set up an opening.
I can’t recall more than a couple of these instances today and it’s valid to question whether the current system will enable him to flourish in the central role.
Vieira seems to have concluded that Benteke is not the answer as he has not recently even been used as an option when we’re struggling to threaten.
That leaves Mateta who is more mobile, runs in behind and seems to suit the current system at least in the lone central role currently employed.
However, the jury is out as to whether he has enough quality to be the solution.
On the limited occasions that Mateta and Edouard have featured as a pairing the team has looked more threatening.
This does not appear to fit in with the preferred 433 system.

On the money mate, can’t disagree.

The problem is without Macca, our midfield is dire. Who is going to pass the ball through to our CFs? We have no one to do that. And we've seen that for weeks. We abandon the middle of the field, and every attack goes up the touchlines, usually to Zaha's side.

I don't rate Edouard, but no one was capable of passing a ball to him today. To make this system work, we need 2-3 midfielders who are comfortable on the ball, able to beat defenders, and able to pass. We don't have any of those.

In the meantime, PV would be better off playing Benteke, and hoofing the ball up to him occasionally. It couldn't be any worse than what we saw with Edouard today, or Mateta last week.

It's frustrating that we've been watching this failed strategy for weeks now, and nothing ever changes.

2017 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Middlesboro
2018 Jan. (Sako) Palace 1 - 0 Burnley
2019 May (Batshuayi, Batshuayi, OG, Van Aanholt, Townsend) Palace 5 - 3 Bournemouth
2020 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Newcastle

He's certainly not suited to central midfield. What he is doing in the hub of the midfield only Vieira knows. It's this one tactical detail that has had me doubt Vieira's credentials.

Edited by southnorwoodhill (14 Feb 2022 4.42am)

Is it with four sitting on the bench and none on the pitch do you think PV doesn't rate any of them, i cant understand why he wouldn't play them, he seems to have taken a dislike of Edouard especially.

“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