The last week pitted us with two tough away games. We prevailed at Upton Park and at St. Mary’s we were narrowly beaten.
It was just another indication that under Alan Pardew we can seriously go somewhere. It just depends what dizzying heights this little South London club of ours can grasp on to. The future is certainly bright.
West Ham United
It was a terrific performance at Upton Park. Three points were needed and the team delivered to make it five away games unbeaten, until Southampton turned us over. If only we can replicate that form at Selhurst.
There were many pleasing aspects of the display in the East End of London. It was a bittersweet day for Glenn Murray scoring two before getting sent off but it was encouraging to see him taking his chance considering the injuries we have at the top end of the field.
Are we more suited to playing away from home?
This year we have struggled at Selhurst. In the second half of last season that certainly was not the case. Under Tony Pulis we flourished and our reward at the end of the season was survival.
Since the departure of the Welshman, we have struggled to find our feet in SE25. Under Neil Warnock we had some good days but we also had our bad days. That is what playing in the Premier League does to teams. To a certain extent we have improved at home under Pardew but more has still has to be made.
Our home form is one of those enigmas that us fans cannot get our head around. Some will say we need to take more risks but I think we need to strike that balance. Pardew has certainly taken risks at home. That was typified against Arsenal, but for whatever reason we seem to thrive playing away from home.
At this moment we are better suited playing on the counter attack. With players like Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha, and Jason Puncheon they can all hurt teams on the break. With any two or three from Mile Jedinak, James McArthur, Joe Ledley and Jordan Mutch across the midfield we have a base on which we can cause teams problems.
There is no hiding that we have to improve our home form but I think the turnaround will have something to do with the summer transfer window.
Pardew bought one player to Newcastle United that changed the dynamic of their team. It was that purchase that helped them finish fifth in the Premier League. That man was Yohan Cabaye.
We need that creativity in midfield. Pardew identified Mutch who has not set Selhurst Park alight just yet. He will come good, he has qualities that we do not have elsewhere in the side. A higher calibre of creativity is what we are after.
If we could find a midfielder that could pull the strings and chip in and score a few goals would be perfect. Now with the new television deal that was announced a couple of week’s back, the money that will be available to Premier League teams is laughable. If we can stay in the Premier League I am sure Pardew will look to bolster his squad with even more fresh faces. Let us just hope it is a creative number ten.
I do not wish to end this segment on a downer but the news that our captain Mile Jedinak has been handed a four game ban is disappointing. I have seen it several times and I am still on the fence. His elbow did not have to be in that position and I think Jedinak accepting the ban says a lot.
Ever since the Aussie arrived at the club, his style is combative and on numerous occasions I have seen him lead with his elbow and not get punished. The timing of it is terrible. We are at such a crucial stage of the season. Three big games are coming up before we host Manchester City but we have coped without him before, so we will just have to do it again.
Southampton
It was a cruel loss after what was a competent performance.
The manner of the goal was disappointing. Julian Speroni should have done better but before that Dwight Gayle and then Scott Dann should have dealt with the situation better than they did.
I played at a decent level of football before University. It obviously was not the Premier League but sometimes you have to game manage. For all that Dann has done and will continue to do for Palace I just feel he should have taken one for the team and foul Ward-Prowse and worry about the consequences later.
I did it on numerous occasions in my heyday, giving away professional fouls but I am afraid it is a trick in the book. However, before Ward-Prowse even had a chance to run at Dann, Dwight Gayle should have defended better out wide than he did.
A point would have been a great result, but we have to move on and focus on Queens Park Rangers at home.
Let us not forget that we had chances against an organised side. Ronald Koeman’s Saints are not the free flowing side that we faced in the FA Cup in January. They are going through a sticky patch and those three points are massive if they still have any hope of finishing in the top four.
Wilfried Zaha hit the post and towards the end we created situations which we should have done better from, most notably Yannick Bolasie right at the death.
The week or so lay off will help. QPR travel to SE25 in what is another London derby and another big three points is needed from it for the Eagles.
