It was a long wait for Crystal Palace to play, and when it came, we blew it. We crashed and burned with a whimper. It was disappointing to say the least.
Sunderland travelled to Selhurst Park with the worst record in the league for conceding goals. Seventeen. They also had the worst record in the league for scoring goals. Nine. We should have taken advantage. We did not.
It is hard to pin-point exactly what is going wrong at the moment. We have to give credit to Sunderland for their game plan which was executed and punishing our defensive frailties.
Lack Of Defensive Solidity
When Palace were on top during the game we did not push home that momentum. The first thirty minutes of the second half was pleasing, encouraging and full of zip.
We got the first goal but we could not find that elusive second. That was the real problem on Monday night. If we had managed a second goal I would be sitting here writing about a Palace victory.
Our defensive displays worry me. We are not the same solid unit we were under Tony Pulis. All three goals conceded on Monday were avoidable. It came down to individual errors. It happens, we move on.
The first goal was a nightmare. Experienced defender Brede Hangeland should have never been in that position. I do not know what possessed him to wander there. He is 6ft tall! Go and mark Fletcher and cut out the threat. Stop the goal. Instead, he looks behind to see if the Scotsman is offside. Shabby defending at its finest.
I have referred to it once but we need to get back to that defensive solidity, we are not working as a unit. When we achieved that last season it was a team effort, the midfield stayed compact, as did the defence.
The midfield lacked a little tactical nous, just when Sunderland were feeling their way back into the game. Midfielders Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley were pushing on to find that second goal. Captain Jedinak capped off another frustrating week, his challenge at West Brom resulted in an equaliser and then on Monday his second yellow card was silly. A player of his quality and class should not be kicking out. He will be missed.
We needed the composure, Jedinak should have sat deep, stopped the threat, stopped the increasing momentum. Then you notch it up again. Then you get Palace on the front foot after containing. It did not work. Sunderland pushed and got their just rewards.
Does Warnock Have Premier League Acumen?
Neil Warnock can moan and grumble all he likes, some of his complaints are justified but I have to say they do get on my nerves at times.
Quite rightly we should have had a penalty in the opening minute of the game. Referee Phil Dowd saw it and decided against a spot kick. Move on, Warnock does not. He dwells in the past too often. His comments after the game:
I think everybody knows it is a penalty. The referee did not see it, but he is in a great position. On another night, decisions change games, major decisions. In the last couple of weeks we have had major decisions go against us. It does feel cruel.
I know, decisions have gone against us, but Warnock has to forget about it. Instead of moaning, do something about it. With that last comment, I move on to my next question. Can Warnock cut it in this division?
I was speaking to a friend, and out of nowhere he said: ‘I don’t think Neil Warnock will last’. I had to think, it was a big question. There is something in the back of my mind that feels Neil Warnock does not have the nous for the Premier League. He is a superb Championship manager, he has proved it on numerous occasions, but when it comes to the ‘big-time’ he does not usually succeed.
Does he have the ability to influence parts of the game from the sidelines, like the top managers do? Does he have the mettle to make the big decisions?
Take Brendan Rodgers last night, a Champions League night at the Bernabeu. It is one of those nights players live for. What does he go and do? Leaves out Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and Mario Balotelli. The core of their squad. If they succeed against Chelsea on Saturday and progress from their group, it will be seen as a masterstroke. Could Warnock do that?
If things are going poorly, as they are now, does he have the acumen to make the big calls? It is an answer we will find out in the coming months. With Manchester United and Liverpool on the horizon, we face a difficult couple of weeks. But with the unpredictable nature United are showing we could go there and spring a surprise but we have to get the basics right.
This only comes out in testing times.
Be LOUD, Be PROUD, Be PALACE!
