Is 'rhubarb' still available? I have used it once or twice before!

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

I get the feeling PV is giving OE a fair crack to see if can be the main man before the transfer window closes. So far in my book he is failing his audition. He will get his last chance to dance against Brentford.

No. There'll still be 2 whole days to get a new striker in plus all the other players we crave! The window closes at 11pm on Thursday.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

What a surprise.

Edouard has had more opportunities this season and sadly I don’t think he will be the answer as the central striker in Vieira’s preferred 4-3-3..
This is not a criticism of Edouard , but more an observation that he has a different skill set to that required for the role.
Either we have to change the style of play to accommodate his strengths or accept he’s going to be a bit part player.
As I see it the central striker in Vieira’s system requires someone who is mobile, presses the opposition’s defence, links play for the team and coverts a reasonable proportion of the limited chances that we create.
Edouard has good footwork and can work openings in the opposition penalty area, but he rarely gets an opportunity to display these attributes in our system.
Our build up tends to be quite laboured and he doesn’t get the early and quick service he probably needs.
The model for what Vieira’s system requires for the central striker is Jesus at Arsenal and obviously we can’t afford that class of player.
For different reasons Benteke and Mateta probably didn’t/don’t have the required skill set either.
I’m not suggesting Vieira should change all his tactical plans to accommodate Edouard, but just acknowledging that the player may well not be the answer through no fault of his own.

I think a Firminho type player is another example; someone who comes deeper and plays the wingers in, rather than the other way round. Mateta's first touch is awful for a PL player, but he looks more dangerous in the 18-yard box. Edouard has good feet, but seems to want too long on the ball and has so far seemed to struggle with the speed and physicality of the PL. Neither have shone, but Mateta always looks more likely to score out of the two. I am starting to wonder whether Ayew should go back in the middle as he presses well, has lots of energy and retains possession, even if he can't score.