Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesJean-Philippe Mateta is one of the most in form players in the Premier League at the moment. He has scored 10 goals in his last 12 Premier League games and continues to win the hearts of Crystal Palace fans.
Not only does he have supporters shout ‘boom’ when he kicks the corner flag with his trademark celebration, he has started to shout ‘fantastic’ into the club’s camera after each win which the club post on their social media channels.
The Eagles have won five of their last six games so Mateta has been able to do it a lot in that time. I recently sat down to interview him and he told me the funny story about how Ray Lewington, Roy Hodgson’s assistant inspired the shout.
“When Ray would do meetings he would say ‘this is fantastic lads’ and he used to say this, always in training I say it to the goalkeeping coach for fun Dean Kiely, and Paddy (McCarthy) and they’re laughing at this.” Mateta said.
“I just like when the atmosphere is good around the dressing room. We do the best job in the world. You can’t be sad or angry all the time.
“Yes, when you lose ok. But when you’re with your teammate or the gaffer and everyone, for me the atmosphere has to be good.”
Read the full interview with Mateta here.
