I was unable to go last night to the game. I did see it though on Sky. The first half was the worst I've seen since Hillsborough. I am a ST holder and see as many away games as possible. We really missed Macarthur and Puncheon in midfield protecting the back 4. The whole team were half paced. 4-4-2 with no creative midfield against the worst team in the division - bar their front 3 who exploited this, was at best, suicidal.
What really troubled me though was the lack of passion and urgency by the whole team in the first half. No exceptions. It really shocked me. Even on our return to the PL, the team that lost 9 of the first 10 games had some passion every game - with an inferior squad.
It was a different team entirely to the one that turned Spurs over the previous week.
We are in relegation form right now. We are free falling into a relegation fight. We need 3 wins from somewhere. Tuesday night is out BIGGEST game this season - no doubt. This game and Norwich at home represent our best chance of 3 points per game this season.
I am going to ignore the usual complaints about a ref that did miss two stick on pens in the second half for a push on Dann by McAuley and a foul on Bolasie by Gardner. Wickham was our best player yesterday and had a decent second half.
Pardew really needs to counteract teams that "nobble" Wilf and Cabaye. It happened again yesterday. Even Sky said that Wilf has had the most fouls committed against him this season in the PL. Most importantly, and tactically, we need to perhaps stiffen our defensive resolve now, and get midfield to protect the back 4 better. Also, perhaps, Pardew should revert to 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 as this works better for our counter attacking style. To survive in the PL this season may mean compromising on our maverick style a bit. The FA Cup is different and we can play without fear and with freedom. PL survival is critical.
I'm sure many fans watching the game last night were really as troubled as me and really upset at the performance.
Palace is family and it felt like a member passed away last night. Sorry if this sounds melodramatic but that is how I feel and I love this club.
The whole squad needs to turn up and perform and get a result on Tuesday and then against the bindippers next Sunday to improve morale and confidence of the squad, management and all fans. This has been a tough few months to endure in the PL.
On a final note, we have not won in the PL since the American investment. Superstitious Coincidence?
What really troubled me though was the lack of passion and urgency by the whole team in the first half. No exceptions. It really shocked me. Even on our return to the PL, the team that lost 9 of the first 10 games had some passion every game - with an inferior squad.
It was a different team entirely to the one that turned Spurs over the previous week.
We are in relegation form right now. We are free falling into a relegation fight. We need 3 wins from somewhere. Tuesday night is out BIGGEST game this season - no doubt. This game and Norwich at home represent our best chance of 3 points per game this season.
I am going to ignore the usual complaints about a ref that did miss two stick on pens in the second half for a push on Dann by McAuley and a foul on Bolasie by Gardner. Wickham was our best player yesterday and had a decent second half.
Pardew really needs to counteract teams that "nobble" Wilf and Cabaye. It happened again yesterday. Even Sky said that Wilf has had the most fouls committed against him this season in the PL. Most importantly, and tactically, we need to perhaps stiffen our defensive resolve now, and get midfield to protect the back 4 better. Also, perhaps, Pardew should revert to 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 as this works better for our counter attacking style. To survive in the PL this season may mean compromising on our maverick style a bit. The FA Cup is different and we can play without fear and with freedom. PL survival is critical.
I'm sure many fans watching the game last night were really as troubled as me and really upset at the performance.
Palace is family and it felt like a member passed away last night. Sorry if this sounds melodramatic but that is how I feel and I love this club.
The whole squad needs to turn up and perform and get a result on Tuesday and then against the bindippers next Sunday to improve morale and confidence of the squad, management and all fans. This has been a tough few months to endure in the PL.
On a final note, we have not won in the PL since the American investment. Superstitious Coincidence?
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire