Crystal Palace FC Thread + Championship Chat

[Marky147]

anyone read Ant's posts?

In other news, we had the highest attendance in England today

Can't knock Ant's love for the game, I always read them even if it takes a while longer than I'd like

[Sheriff Fatman]

There are loads of things about today's game that could be analysed, but the way i word myself I think I haven't got enough time in the day to get into it all. Will keep this as succinct as i can!

First and foremost I would have to say Barnsley were excellent at containing us. I was very impressed by their attitude, and they didn't let us breathe at the back with the ball with us trying to go forward, and they wouldn't let us have a clear cut chance without someone making it really really difficult for us. I support Ireland as my Mum is from there and their performance, for basically the last 80 mins (first 10 mins Jason Scotland could well have put you 1-0 up and you were troubling us), was much like how Trappatoni would have the Greens set up, soak up all the pressure and try and hit on the break.

You always did the move of hitting O'Grady with the long ball and I am not sure I have seen anyone win so many headers, you would fancy Ramage, Jedinak, or Delaney to have his number half of the time, but I am nearly certain he won about 90% of the headers, and you had one guy planted off him looking for the knock down. And with that hoof and knock down you would have quite often eased the pressure your backline was feeling and have a quick and effective way up the field. Was impressed with O'Grady just for his strength and heading. Then I thought your white/blonde haired small guy in centre midfield did very well defensively. He had Zaha's number on a few occasions, but it did help that he was the second man, in what you did all day of, as soon as you saw Zaha running with the ball, two men were there to close down. He was less effective for it and you had other tricks up your sleeves to really frustrate us all day. Another was how you must have studied Zaha, he does a certain cut back, which one of your men had basically tackled before he did it and completely owned him. One more time, Zaha was in the penno box and looking to get past one of your men and he rather nonchalantly took the ball off Zaha the instant he tried to step in behind, as if he was no threat at all. Saying that though Zaha did have his way a lot of the time with your men, but had much more trouble than with any other team that has been to Selhurst recently.

Aside from the above compliments though, we should have won the game, but appreciate the fact you worked so hard for the draw. Murray had a decent chance that Steele, saved excellently, really waited until the last minute to drop to the floor, but at all times left his body upright to inhibit the possibility of the cheeky dink over him. Steele also did excellently in saving a great free kick from Moritz. I was studying Steele before the free kick, he clearly knew how dangerous Moritz was and where he would likely go. He positioned himself in the middle of the goal where other keepers would be covering the post laid bare by the wall, it was the anticipation that gave him a chance to save a free kick so well placed. But if Moritz went the other way, tricked him, he just would have made Steele look a little silly in my opinion but maybe I am wrong.

Bolasie was exceptional today and I was miffed to see him subbed off. He is great at getting past players in more of a bulldozer fashion with skill rather than the outright flair of Zaha, and he had a great time in getting past your players, but I have never seen a player frustrate me as much as him. Gets himself into superb positions and then completely fluffs any shot on goal from range. I think he has had close to 60 shots with only three goals all season, and someone has got to lock him up in the training ground and just get him on the shooting practice! His final ball was lacking too, but so was Murray generally. Today we too saw one of the rare times he has been taken off with 10 mins to go when we were still in a contest.

He was pretty dire. He hasn't scored in at least 4 games now and he was looking generally anonymous. If a chance falls to him though, his finishing isn't bad, but I don't know if he is doing enough to create chances for himself. I believe most of his goals have been tap ins after him getting great service but him also being on the same wavelength as a lot of our crossing providers. At the moment, we are smacking balls into the back post when he has run into the front and vice versa. So with this miscommunication going on, Murray is rendered a little useless.

I saw that when Wilbrahim came on to take his place. The guy was only on for 10 mins and had three chances that most probably arose from his own ingenuity. He was unlucky with a tame effort outside the box after fending off one of the centre backs, had a pretty easy looking header he glanced wide and then a cut back which he had to twist a little for making it a little awkward which he ballooned over the bar. The reaction from the stands was that Wilbrahim was useless, how could he squander all those chances? I would say match practice, but a lot of the fans probably didn't stop to think that he had 3 solid chances in 10 mins whereas Murray had one in 80. I would like to see Wilbrahim start the next game and just see what he could be about. His finishing could come and it could work, if not to serve as a reminder to Murray his place isn't cemented in the team.

Phillips, had a chance that he ballooned over too. We had a freekick in the dying embers of the game which was aggravatingly taken, a little touch by Williams before Dobbie had a crack, but by then their man was on top of him.

Frustrating all around. Jedinak is running at 75% and I can't quite put my finger on why, I think he is jaded. When he is going great guns we do so much better, but for at least 3 games now he really hasn't been his normal self. As he is currently I would not rate him in the same way as I have done before at all!

I think we needed that really lucky goal, to open the floodgates of the mental fatigue that we probably have now of not scoring in 4 games. Maybe if we get one, everything clicks and we will feel a bit more confident going up front.

As it stands though I worry a lot about our position in the play offs. The goal for us has to come and we need to get on top of this drought quickly, and if necessary luckily, and then build from that. But well done to Barnsley, they looked like such a better outfit for wearing our kit too, and I want them to stay up and I think it will be with ease if they play with as much tenacity as that.

Thanks for that - well worth reading.  Wasn't sure how easily you'd cope with identifying our team if the shirts were done a short notice (not sure if they'd have our names on them).

O'Grady has been a revelation for us doing exactly the role you've described.  Strong, good in the air, and great at holding up the ball.  So kind of Wednesday to loan him to us.  Presumably they didn't utilise him in the same way there in order for him to fall out of favour.

The most pleasing thing today was the fact we kept a clean sheet with a makeshift back four, as we lost our best CB (Crainie) to injury in the last game, so we played 2nd choice players in 3 of the back 4 positions today.

Any chance you'd allow me to C&P your report onto the Barnsley forum?  It's a very balanced report and I think it'd be of interest to those who couldn't make it today.

I was hoping we'd get a point between today and Tuesday at Cardiff, so we're effectively freerolling that game now (especially as we've not dropped down the league today with the draw).

[Sheriff Fatman]

Wonder if Holloway has managed to blame the loan system for Palace not winning today.  After all there were loaned shirts all over the pitch and in the dugout for the opposition today.  Definitely more than 5 (and worse still, they were yellow!)

 

[horseplayer]

for all ants faults that is one of the better posts on this thread

nice report ant

[The Camel]

for all ants faults that is one of the better posts on this thread

nice report ant

I don't think Ant has any faults.

Great poster imo.

[horseplayer]

agreed

seems to get a fair bit of stick i enjoy is passion and his posts today which show he can analyse the game very well


 

[Ant040689]

There are loads of things about today's game that could be analysed, but the way i word myself I think I haven't got enough time in the day to get into it all. Will keep this as succinct as i can!

First and foremost I would have to say Barnsley were excellent at containing us. I was very impressed by their attitude, and they didn't let us breathe at the back with the ball with us trying to go forward, and they wouldn't let us have a clear cut chance without someone making it really really difficult for us. I support Ireland as my Mum is from there and their performance, for basically the last 80 mins (first 10 mins Jason Scotland could well have put you 1-0 up and you were troubling us), was much like how Trappatoni would have the Greens set up, soak up all the pressure and try and hit on the break.

You always did the move of hitting O'Grady with the long ball and I am not sure I have seen anyone win so many headers, you would fancy Ramage, Jedinak, or Delaney to have his number half of the time, but I am nearly certain he won about 90% of the headers, and you had one guy planted off him looking for the knock down. And with that hoof and knock down you would have quite often eased the pressure your backline was feeling and have a quick and effective way up the field. Was impressed with O'Grady just for his strength and heading. Then I thought your white/blonde haired small guy in centre midfield did very well defensively. He had Zaha's number on a few occasions, but it did help that he was the second man, in what you did all day of, as soon as you saw Zaha running with the ball, two men were there to close down. He was less effective for it and you had other tricks up your sleeves to really frustrate us all day. Another was how you must have studied Zaha, he does a certain cut back, which one of your men had basically tackled before he did it and completely owned him. One more time, Zaha was in the penno box and looking to get past one of your men and he rather nonchalantly took the ball off Zaha the instant he tried to step in behind, as if he was no threat at all. Saying that though Zaha did have his way a lot of the time with your men, but had much more trouble than with any other team that has been to Selhurst recently.

Aside from the above compliments though, we should have won the game, but appreciate the fact you worked so hard for the draw. Murray had a decent chance that Steele, saved excellently, really waited until the last minute to drop to the floor, but at all times left his body upright to inhibit the possibility of the cheeky dink over him. Steele also did excellently in saving a great free kick from Moritz. I was studying Steele before the free kick, he clearly knew how dangerous Moritz was and where he would likely go. He positioned himself in the middle of the goal where other keepers would be covering the post laid bare by the wall, it was the anticipation that gave him a chance to save a free kick so well placed. But if Moritz went the other way, tricked him, he just would have made Steele look a little silly in my opinion but maybe I am wrong.

Bolasie was exceptional today and I was miffed to see him subbed off. He is great at getting past players in more of a bulldozer fashion with skill rather than the outright flair of Zaha, and he had a great time in getting past your players, but I have never seen a player frustrate me as much as him. Gets himself into superb positions and then completely fluffs any shot on goal from range. I think he has had close to 60 shots with only three goals all season, and someone has got to lock him up in the training ground and just get him on the shooting practice! His final ball was lacking too, but so was Murray generally. Today we too saw one of the rare times he has been taken off with 10 mins to go when we were still in a contest.

He was pretty dire. He hasn't scored in at least 4 games now and he was looking generally anonymous. If a chance falls to him though, his finishing isn't bad, but I don't know if he is doing enough to create chances for himself. I believe most of his goals have been tap ins after him getting great service but him also being on the same wavelength as a lot of our crossing providers. At the moment, we are smacking balls into the back post when he has run into the front and vice versa. So with this miscommunication going on, Murray is rendered a little useless.

I saw that when Wilbrahim came on to take his place. The guy was only on for 10 mins and had three chances that most probably arose from his own ingenuity. He was unlucky with a tame effort outside the box after fending off one of the centre backs, had a pretty easy looking header he glanced wide and then a cut back which he had to twist a little for making it a little awkward which he ballooned over the bar. The reaction from the stands was that Wilbrahim was useless, how could he squander all those chances? I would say match practice, but a lot of the fans probably didn't stop to think that he had 3 solid chances in 10 mins whereas Murray had one in 80. I would like to see Wilbrahim start the next game and just see what he could be about. His finishing could come and it could work, if not to serve as a reminder to Murray his place isn't cemented in the team.

Phillips, had a chance that he ballooned over too. We had a freekick in the dying embers of the game which was aggravatingly taken, a little touch by Williams before Dobbie had a crack, but by then their man was on top of him.

Frustrating all around. Jedinak is running at 75% and I can't quite put my finger on why, I think he is jaded. When he is going great guns we do so much better, but for at least 3 games now he really hasn't been his normal self. As he is currently I would not rate him in the same way as I have done before at all!

I think we needed that really lucky goal, to open the floodgates of the mental fatigue that we probably have now of not scoring in 4 games. Maybe if we get one, everything clicks and we will feel a bit more confident going up front.

As it stands though I worry a lot about our position in the play offs. The goal for us has to come and we need to get on top of this drought quickly, and if necessary luckily, and then build from that. But well done to Barnsley, they looked like such a better outfit for wearing our kit too, and I want them to stay up and I think it will be with ease if they play with as much tenacity as that.

Thanks for that - well worth reading.  Wasn't sure how easily you'd cope with identifying our team if the shirts were done a short notice (not sure if they'd have our names on them).

O'Grady has been a revelation for us doing exactly the role you've described.  Strong, good in the air, and great at holding up the ball.  So kind of Wednesday to loan him to us.  Presumably they didn't utilise him in the same way there in order for him to fall out of favour.

The most pleasing thing today was the fact we kept a clean sheet with a makeshift back four, as we lost our best CB (Crainie) to injury in the last game, so we played 2nd choice players in 3 of the back 4 positions today.

Any chance you'd allow me to C&P your report onto the Barnsley forum?  It's a very balanced report and I think it'd be of interest to those who couldn't make it today.

I was hoping we'd get a point between today and Tuesday at Cardiff, so we're effectively freerolling that game now (especially as we've not dropped down the league today with the draw).

Use it how you please Sheriff, all fine by me I am happy you found it balanced of all words you could have used, must have took my rose tinted glasses off!

And cheers for the kind words everyone.

[rfgqqabc]

for all ants faults that is one of the better posts on this thread

nice report ant

After his first few lump on Palace posts Top post, seems like a very good judge of a side/match!

[RickBFA]

Saw Wednesday play Blackburn on saturday.

Two shocking defensive displays. We were lucky to win but seem to be grinding out results.

I've got mixed feelings about Blackburn's chancing of staying up.

Going forward they have some quality players and look a threat but confidence is shot and their defence is awful. Rhodes is a very good player, has the knack of drifting off the shoulder of a centre half and creating space for himself.

[luther101]

Fair play to Cardiff (grrrrrrrrrrrrrr), they did a high class pro job on Watford - packed the midfield, and essentially closed the pitch 'down to size'    ....    game 'managed' - job done!

They've been the most consistent team in the Championship for the entire season - Malky got a good head start as Zola had to meld his Foreign Legion and Watford Whippersnappers into a team - not the most exciting team to watch, but the BlueRedbirds have nearly ground it out.

I was drinking with some of their fans boyos after the match (most of whom appeared to have had considerable reconstructive facial surgery in days of yore - and being of a 'certain age' where their 'fashionable clothing' made them look slightly ridiculous     ....     Loofah deduced they were members of the 'Tiger Bay Smokey Robinson Appreciation Society').

Well, there was considerable shock to the guffaws from the locals when they attempted to beatify Mr Mackay, and the comments, "you're phuqqin welcome to him". We sent our rather confused Welsh cousins on their way (without need for a pitched battle) safe in the knowledge that we'd supplied them with the string of dull monotone excuses Malky will trot out when it all goes tits up next year     ....   

I've talked to many sets of fans over the years who are on the cusp of the Prembore - and the ones whose teams have never been there are usually rather deluded about what they're walking into. Cardiff will have to bring in so many players to give them any chance of survival, bar Wittingham, there's not that much quality in that squad     ....     they ain't no Naaaarrich, nor Southampton.

Good luck to them - points mean prizes - I just think they may be in for an almighty reality check, and I don't think Malky will come up with the solutions     ....     gone by Xmas!

[Ant040689]

I've talked to many sets of fans over the years who are on the cusp of the Prembore - and the ones whose teams have never been there are usually rather deluded about what they're walking into. Cardiff will have to bring in so many players to give them any chance of survival, bar Wittingham, there's not that much quality in that squad     ....     they ain't no Naaaarrich, nor Southampton.

Good luck to them - points mean prizes - I just think they may be in for an almighty reality check, and I don't think Malky will come up with the solutions     ....     gone by Xmas!

The flipside to that surely is that you may only ever really know how a good championship will fare in the premiership once they are playing week in and week out there. Did Swansea and Southampton and Norwich change their teams much from their championship days? Was the main core of players still there, but they stepped it up. Or is it quite easy to predict, from past teams that have been promoted, that if you think they aren't good enough in the Championship, they nearly certainly aren't in the Premiership when they play?

I am asking these questions from a lack of knowledge rather than having a go. I really have just concentrated harshly on Palace for a while now, but broadening my football horizons as we speak. Making sure though that those first few steps don't manifest themselves in misplaced confidence with my new found knowledge in certain sports, and in other sections of football, that may result in bad bets.

Even with the bet with Camel I put the money on Palace maintaining or improving upon our 10 point gap we had at the time, with only knowledge of Palace and sort of next to none on Brighton. Could have picked Leicester/Middlesbrough to have me winning the bet with ease, but was very hasty. Maybe their downfall couldn't have been predicted, I don't know. Would like to think I am maturing anyway through continually breaking down the walls of ignorance I have had set up. So I am looking back at some of my comments on Palace with dismay, there was positive intent there though, just need to wade it in a little.

Gonna just randomly give you my predictions of how many points I think Palace will get: 5 games left, I think 6 points. Means Leicester or Bolton would need 12 from 5 games to put our playoff place under threat. So think we will be fine. But with the way our morale is I couldn't disagree with the possibility of a huge cockup of ridiculous proportions.

[Ant040689]

Saw Wednesday play Blackburn on saturday.

Two shocking defensive displays. We were lucky to win but seem to be grinding out results.

I've got mixed feelings about Blackburn's chancing of staying up.

Going forward they have some quality players and look a threat but confidence is shot and their defence is awful. Rhodes is a very good player, has the knack of drifting off the shoulder of a centre half and creating space for himself.

Blackburn could easily capitulate with an inexperienced manager going through some of the most testing times in that clubs recent history. I couldn't judge it properly myself though and have no real idea who is going down aside from Bristol City.

You are Wednesday RickBFA? What do you think of your chances of staying up? What will need to go right/wrong etc?

[anthonyl]

Think palarse are safe bet for making play offs. The last two seasons we haven't won in our last five games.

Expect the same this time and I actually think we will draw all five games!

Wow at Luther Southampton post.

They spent 7th most in the world? That's why they are comfortable. But only because there are some poor sides this year. Expect Norwich to go down next season too.

No teams from champ will survive. But probably intentionally not strengthen like reading just to get 80m extra to have a really strong side next year.

[Chompy]

Blackburn were 12/1 to get relegated not long ago! Amazing scenes.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Another precious point away at Cardiff.

Listening to the commentary, we showed no ambition until going a goal down and then somehow snatched an equaliser deep into injury time.

[Grits teeth] Great win for Wednesday too at Millwall, although provided it's not at our expense, I'd like them to stay up (plus have Donny and Sheff Utd come up too).  Probably need one more win to be sure but they've surely pulled themselves clear of it now.  Interesting to see them above Leeds in the table though.