A midweek trip to the South Coast beckons for Palace as there is a quick return to Premier League duty to take on AFC Bournemouth.
The fixture dubbed the ‘Mansion Derby’ is a direct result of both clubs being sponsored by Mansion, an online gambling company that operates online casino and poker websites. So we had a chat with the guys at Tales From The South Stand to find out more about how they have got on so far this season.
Q. The last time we met, Palace snatched a late draw at Selhurst – perhaps you could share your thoughts on the game?
That was way back in August. All we can remember is that we scored, you missed a penalty, we were the best team in the first half and you were in the second. Disappointed we didn’t get the three points and that you scored so late.
Q. How has the season gone for you since then?
Up and down. Just when we thought we were going to shift up a gear or two, we went and lost to a pretty poor Sunderland side. Ever since then it has been much of the same. Ups – single goal wins, last gasp victories, clean sheets. Downs – conceding three goals far too often, losing to teams we thought we might beat.
Q. What would be considered a good season for Bournemouth considering the position you are currently in?
Staying up for the second season in a row. We would almost be Premier League veterans if we stay up, which we will. Anywhere above where we finished last season, 10th or 11th would be a very good season for us.
Q. Are you expecting much from the transfer window and if so, what areas need to be addressed?
I don’t see much in the way of players coming in, but maybe a few going out (on loan or sold). We could really do with at least one more central defender. Simon Francis three-match ban has shown how thin we are on the ground with quality defenders.
Q. Do you think the standard of refereeing is getting worse and if so, how can it be improved?
I don’t think the standard of refereeing is getting any worse. There are good referees (one’s that the fans like most of the time) and bad referees (those that stick exactly to the rules and lack common sense). Each season more rules are introduced and what annoys me, and most fans probably, is consistency. If a player is going to get penalised for a foul in one match and another player gets away with a very similar foul on the same day in another match then something is wrong. Is there big team bias? It seems so, but I expect the statistics to paint a different story and no need for us to worry on Tuesday.
Q. Who is your choice to win the Premier League this season and three teams to go down?
I don’t care who wins the Premier League. It won’t be AFC Bournemouth, probably won’t be Palace either. Someone apart from the the usual suspects (like Leicester) is a much better story. It is also inevtiable it will be one of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. It’s boring unless you support one of those teams.
Q. What is your view on the decision to appoint Sam Allardyce as the new Palace manager?
I say England’s loss is Palace’s gain. I think Sam Allardyce is a great and a very under-rated manager. He was my choice for the England job and I think he will do a good job at Palace, eventually. He kept Sunderland up and that is no mean feat.
Q. Name one player from each team that the opposition should be concerned about?
The obvious choice for Palace would have to be Christian Beneteke, but we need to stop the supply to his head. We are not that good at defending crosses, so the fewer Palace put in the better. So this means we need to stop Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend among others. Scott Dann scores a few from corners so he’s another man we need to watch out for.
Jack Wilshire and Benik Afobe are the danger men for Palace to watch out for. Wilshire is sublime and he will run the midfield and push Bournemouth forward. If Ryan Fraser plays watch for the ‘Wee Man’. He wins free-kicks and penalties and if you don’t tackle him he will set up a chance or score one.
Q. Prediction?
Two teams in not great form. Not sure what to expect from the game. It’ s hard to look past a draw, but the extra few days rest might help, or it can have the opposite effect and we will be slow to start. As we are home it’s about time we had a win. Captain Francis is back so we should be better in defence. Going for a 2-1 home win.
