Not sure about Mateta playing up front on his own. He's not shown any obvious pace to run behind, and he hasn't sparkled yet with his back to goal either. If we can get him chances, or even just on the ball in the box he seems to have a languid, casual style I like. Shades of Kanu about him perhaps. Very different type to what we've had before.

Might all change of course, and plenty of players have needed time to adjust to the Premier league, but he might need help outside the box, and I would be interested to see him and Benteke together if we go back to a 442.

I've been thinking about formations that get Zaha, Eze and Mateta in the team, but don't leave us overrun in midfield.

Eze on the left with the other two up top might work but both Zaha and Mateta want it to feet, and neither runs behind off the ball. That's where we desperately miss Schlupp. Not a brilliant player but he runs forward off the ball a lot. Even so, thats a 442 and we've not really got the midfield energy for that perhaps.

A 433 with Zaha and Eze either side, floating around might work, but that means both of them have to track back. I can't see any midfield three we could pick having the mobility to cover for them.

Eze, Zaha and a n other behind Mateta in a 4231 sounds good, but that's just 451 by another name, especially when we lose the ball, so again at least one of them has to track back.

No reason why every player shouldn't do their defensive work of course, but it might not get the best out of Eze and Zaha, plus they're pretty bad at it, especially Eze.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (23 Feb 2021 10.41pm)

Something that many calling for.

Let's look at the stats for games Andros has played on the left in recently

1 Game
1 Cross
1 Assist.

Now let's look at his stats on the right.

Loads of games
Loads of wayward shots
No goals or assists.

We could also look at Benteke's stats.

Goals from crosses 4.
Other goals 0.

In fairness, I've used a faily loose definition of crosses for any purist.

Sorry to be pedantic but Andros did stand up the ball from the right for Wilf's goal in the Soton game and a beautiful cross it was too, and, of course he was there to score our first goal against Man U, but since those opening two games against half-cooked opposition you're not wrong Jeeagles.

Yes, I'd play him deep to be able to hold up play and release our attack, but the goal he scored has made my season.