Our article today comes from guest blogger Jack Edwards who gives us his thoughts on games against Tottenham, Stoke and the season ahead. Let us have your views in the usual way and you can contact Jack on Twitter here @jackisbazza.
Well, what can I say? We started our first Premier League campaign for eight years with a defeat that, in reality, was expected but unjust. My feelings throughout most of the game were that we could get a draw and at times maybe even steal a win. Until a tough but correct decision to give a handball decision against Dean Moxey and his trailing arm. I knew with players we were playing we wouldn’t score two goals and at this rate we would be lucky to get a single goal. The players were battling hard but not creating opportunities.
Ian Holloway then made changes and Jonny Williams, Kevin Phillips and Marouane Chamakh made their appearances and we looked a much stronger team that would score goals. Chances were created but sadly no goals came. Pride was the main feeling after the game from me and what appeared to be every other Palace supporter I spoke to.
What can we expect from this weekend’s game? Stoke City also lost in their opening game of the season to Liverpool and by the same score line. However they missed a penalty after Jon Walters shot was saved. We went to Stoke in January in an FA cup replay and the score line after regulation time was a goal a piece which is what I would have taken when I woke up this morning. However, now I know we can win this game, Yes the Britannia stadium is not the easiest place to go but Mark Hughes is in charge now and there is a different feel around the place. If at full time we do draw then that is a good result because some of the big teams in the league will go there and suffer a defeat. But I will be disappointed if we do not win this game.
We all know this season will be tough for everyone involved with Crystal Palace football club. We will not always see success but what we will see is passion, determination and belief. Can we survive? Only time will tell, but what I will say is if we play to our maximum then we will give it a good go. Who knows what the future holds. Holloway and the board will be hoping to bring new players to SE25 and no matter what, we represent the club like the fans we are. Loud and passionate. If the remaining games are like the opener then we will do our bit.
