From the point that Pulis took over at Palace many were relatively happy to take what we could get in the way of points up until the January transfer window opened.
This was a period to manage our expectations and take the odd point here and there in order to not be cut off from the pack. This was also the period where the “track-suited, cap wearing, sprints to the changing room at full time” Mr Pulis had to try and make the best out of what Holloway (and Freedman before him) had shaped at Selhurst Park.
With regards to the last two characters. Seriously! What have they done? I need not go on….
Anyway, back to matters Palace. The current (and hopefully not so crazy) transfer window will surely be one where Pulis could have the opportunity to re-look at the team since taking over and make some new signings to add strength and depth where required.
The other option is to perhaps loan out or end the loan periods of some of the “also rans” that came in during the last window whilst perhaps bringing back some of the guys we put out on loan for Tony to have another butchers hook at. Also, with having such a good academy, we also have the option of letting the young guys have a go in the big time such as was the case with Boateng having a great performance at West Brom.
The obvious areas to strengthen appear to be another striker, another central midfielder and a centre back. However, lately the question of a left back and even a goalkeeper have come into the equation. Anyway, what is the point in speculation in the transfer window as it is normally a period where twitter (at times) and Sky Sports News is to be avoided. Transfer speculation is often no more than tittle-tattle and no better than some of the gossip in those trashy female magazines.
We will see what happens but you have to be a great deal more relaxed with Pulis, Moody and indeed Millen choosing from the selection box this time around.
As we have moved into the New Year and this transfer window then maybe it is surely a time to look at what we have achieved since the appointment of Pulis.
Holloway left the club on the Wednesday after our darkest day this season with the home defeat to Fulham. Keith Millen then took charge for the games after this and managed to steady the ship, get a bit of belief back in the players heads and hearts and put the roots in place for better and more secure defensive performances.
Pulis himself officially took over and was announced on the 23 November with his first game in charge against Norwich where we lost by the single goal. Pulis was however watching on from the stands for the previous game under Millen against Hull where Bannan secured the three points for Palace with a late goal.
The key games where Pulis and Millen have been in charge are as follows (in reverse order) :-
West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 1-1 Norwich
Man City 1-0 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa 0-1 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 0-3 Newcastle
Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 2-0 Cardiff
Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham
Norwich 1-0 Crystal Palace
Hull 0-1 Crystal Palace
In these games Palace have managed to secure thirteen points (from nine league games) and have only conceded eight goals including the FA Cup win at West Brom. We have lost four times in the last ten games and have scored nine goals. Three of the losses have been against three top sides (and Norwich). All four losses have been by a single on three occassions in arguably very tight matches with the exception of Newcastle.
With regards to dropped points and losses, we also need to bear in mind that two were away at Chelsea and Manchester City where we were actually very unlucky in both not to get at least a point. The only real disappointing result was against Newcastle where we all hoped that we could get something out of the game but were outclassed by a great passing performance from the Geordie ‘French’ revolution.
This under any fans expectations makes pretty good reading with new additions due in the coming month and where even the most “cup half empty” Palace fan must feel an air of optimism in that we could actually survive this season against all of the odds.
Palace currently sit on seventeen points and third from bottom but with many around us going through some very bad form. No disrespect to Palace (of course) but you seriously have to believe that there are probably at least three teams that are worse than Palace and maybe as many as six in this division.
So with this positive mental attitude next we ask the question around whether we have been bored and frustrated at the expected style of play that is normally tagged onto “brand Pulis” and his type of football.
When Pulis was appointed many were concerned about the style of football that we may adopt mainly around target men and direct route one football but at present this tag appears to be a little unfair.
Although some of the expected traits of being more direct with a target man have been obvious at times we have also seen a major positive from his style of play and organisation in that we have a number of clean sheets to our name. Of the ten games listed above, five of them have been clean sheets with a couple more during Millen’s period in charge before that.
It has actually been quite pleasing to see that despite having the option of the long ball up to the target man we are also playing some good stuff on the ground so perhaps we are getting the best of both worlds at the moment.
On top of these points, the main thing that the appointment of Pulis has bought to the club is togetherness, heart, desire and spirit which has not really been there at this level seen since the end of last season.
We now move onto Tottenham in a game that we may have feared at the beginning of the season with all of their posh new signings but Palace will surely go to White Hart Lane with a real belief that we can get something from that game.
With Chamakh really showing his class and work-rate, Dwight Gayle’s pace and natural goal scoring instincts, Ward’s ability to play anywhere, Speroni’s recent great performances in particular, Puncheon improving each game and a general good and robust performance from the team then we surely have a good chance in this game and also for this season generally.
We have great options on the bench with the likes of Bannan either coming on or starting, Williams available, SOK available and Bolasie strutting his stuff. The future actually looks bright. With a few new faces coming in to compliment what we have then we have to believe that we can do it this season. And maybe win the FA Cup to boot.
Now that would be an amazing year!
Article written by Paul Price
