LittlePuma
Key Player
No, but it might not be the most fair look at him as he has not had any regular playing time for a while.
Crystal Palace
- Thread starter Yankee_Jack
- Start date
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Some food for thought from that game. I wonder what Potter took from it. Obviously we didn’t care about the result. James showed more in that game than McKay has done.
Encouraging display from the youngsters with some neat and tidy play. For me, Palace always looked that much stronger with more purpose to their play. But then they had some experienced guys out there against what were basically our kids. And some of those kids showed a lot of promise.
As I expected, and posted, Palace finished the game stronger. Football is a 90 minute game and it's no good running out of steam after the 70th minute. That's been a consistent fault with us for a long time and it has to stop. I'm talking more about the first team here because the kids are still developing their strength from late adolescence into adulthood when they naturally begin to develop more muscle power, endurance and start to harden up.
I think our future is in good hands with the youngsters but they WILL need some hardened, experienced pros to teach them the ropes and guide them through games. Loaning in a 20 year old striker, even if he is from Real Madrid, won't cut it - he's still learning the game himself. Bony and Fer can both take the role of 'father figures' but we need more to help the kids grow in confidence and flourish.
As for tonight, I think their effort and performance did merit a penalty shoot out but it wasn't to be and they far from disgraced themselves, so a well done to them.
As I expected, and posted, Palace finished the game stronger. Football is a 90 minute game and it's no good running out of steam after the 70th minute. That's been a consistent fault with us for a long time and it has to stop. I'm talking more about the first team here because the kids are still developing their strength from late adolescence into adulthood when they naturally begin to develop more muscle power, endurance and start to harden up.
I think our future is in good hands with the youngsters but they WILL need some hardened, experienced pros to teach them the ropes and guide them through games. Loaning in a 20 year old striker, even if he is from Real Madrid, won't cut it - he's still learning the game himself. Bony and Fer can both take the role of 'father figures' but we need more to help the kids grow in confidence and flourish.
As for tonight, I think their effort and performance did merit a penalty shoot out but it wasn't to be and they far from disgraced themselves, so a well done to them.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Where do we go from here. Did John show enough to challenge Olsson. Did Byers, James and Grimes show enough to force Carroll and McKay to the side lines.
I thought Harries and Cooper did a good job. Good enough to displace Rodon? Perhaps not, but they looked comfortable and worked well together.
I thought Harries and Cooper did a good job. Good enough to displace Rodon? Perhaps not, but they looked comfortable and worked well together.
LittlePuma
Key Player
I’d like to see John and James get a start in a league match soon. John wasn’t prolific going forward and didn’t seem eager to take anyone on but he was an improvement on the defensive end and closed their wingers better than Olsson does. James was a constant threat all night, albeit the threats were empty. I think we have to hope he can start making something of his dangerous passages.
LittlePuma
Key Player
There’s some reports out there that we are trying hard to sign defensive midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu. He would certainly fit the role you are describing.
Stats were: Possession 50-50, Shots: 10-20, OT: 3-6, Corners: 2-7, Fouls: 16-8
Should be noted that with both teams sharing possession, Palace had twice as many shots, twice as many on target whilst we committed twice as many fouls. This is not a criticism, more an observation, but it's obvious that Palace made far better use of their possession and our foul count indicates that we were under far more pressure. This something we see in the first team and something that Potter and his coaching staff MUST work on. Neat build up play is useless without end product.
Should be noted that with both teams sharing possession, Palace had twice as many shots, twice as many on target whilst we committed twice as many fouls. This is not a criticism, more an observation, but it's obvious that Palace made far better use of their possession and our foul count indicates that we were under far more pressure. This something we see in the first team and something that Potter and his coaching staff MUST work on. Neat build up play is useless without end product.
CroJack
Key Player
One of the things that impressed me was the speed at which we got into their final third, a great step forward from previous managers,obviously when there we lacked finishing power,but it was still encouraging to see the forward play,having said that we had our chances to take an early lead. All in all an encouraging display that would have caused quite a few Ch/ship sides problems.
I've no problem with committing fouls when we have to as you know, but I was just pointing out that there was a NEED to commit fouls because we were under pressure. Also, fouling someone is often an indication that a player doesn't have the strength to win the ball fairly in a tussle. Seen it all too often. But I thought that we did play some good football as well until we ran out of steam in the last 20.We were more physical !!! We showed them what a Championship team look like.
On a tangent, there were times when I thought that Dec John gave me a horrible reminder of Neil Taylor. He would break forward but instead of trying to beat his man and take the ball on, he would check then side foot the ball sideways or backwards. Of course, he's been out for a while so is behind the others in fitness and game time. I'm sure he will improve.
Overall, I thought the young lads did us proud and all put in a shift playing their football. Good to see.
Behindthegoal
Key Player
The foul ratio would have evened up if we had been as crafty in execution as Palace and if we had not tried carry on when tackled.
As every one knows all PL teams spend one day a week practising falling over and writhing in agony.
As every one knows all PL teams spend one day a week practising falling over and writhing in agony.
CroJack
Key Player
I was joking. Palarse players went down like flowers under heavy rain.
I did detect the irony.
Behindthegoal
Key Player
I don't like to say this but subbing on Townsend changed the game in their favour. What a pity we didn't have an ageing winger on the bench.
BTG leaves the room.
BTG leaves the room.
CroJack
Key Player
WOL say Dyer, Narsingh and Routs want to stay.
Borini
Key Player
Guaranteed a fat pay cheque!!!
I thought Johnny Williams looked like a Prima ballerina - his dives were as spectacular as they were theatrical - dirty git.
What was nice to see was Fer with his whole family there to cheer the chaps on what wasn’t so nice to note was that the three amigos were conspicuous by their absence - at least Mr Pearlman was ther but wtf??!!! What message is that sending out? Besides if I can turn up where tf was everyone else??!!!
what wasn’t so nice to note was that the three amigos were conspicuous by their absence - at least Mr Pearlman was ther but wtf??!!! What message is that sending out? Besides if I can turn up where tf was everyone else??!!!