Expectation is a funny old thing.
We Palace fans have rarely experienced such expectation that has surrounded our club during this pre-season.
Today our team embark on their third consecutive season in England’s top football division. The last few seasons have been a total thrill ride. But now it is odd hearing and reading all this talk of Palace reaching heights which in 2010 seemed a real long shot.
Many pundits have tipped Palace to do well this season under our chief ‘Super‘ Alan Pardew. After last season’s top ten finish a wave of optimism has rippled through the club, and expectation among the fans has suddenly shot up, and to top it all off the signings the club has made have reinforced the view that we are in store for a special season.
Yohan Cabaye, Connor Wickham, Alex McCarthy and the recent arrival of Bakary Sako have strengthened the view that Palace can challenge well in the league but also in the cup competitions.
Firstly, we cannott look past Norwich City at Carrow Road in what is our opening fixture of the Premier League season.
A key theme of the Red And Blue Report this week is expectation, and the question I want to pose is this. What can we really expect from this Palace side in terms of playing style this season?
I am not a fan of predicting a sides starting eleven (partly because I always get it wrong), but I am going to break the rule for one time only, so saying that I feel Pardew will set up something along these lines in the opener:
W. Hennessey, P. Souare, S. Dann, D. Delaney, J. Ward, M. Jedinak (c), J. Puncheon, Y. Cabaye, W. Zaha, Y. Bolasie, G. Murray
Given Julian Speroni is injured I reckon Wayne Hennessey will be given the chance. The most notable addition in the side is Cabaye. I really cannot wait to see what this Frenchman will do in a Palace shirt, he really is an exciting signing.
In terms of playing style I feel it will be very similar but with the options from the bench that give us many options in terms of tactical flexibility.
Under Neil Warnock in the early part of last season we were conservative, and under Pardew we were a ‘gung-ho’ team that wanted to attack. I think we will keep that same approach, but with a closer eye on protecting our defence.
One player I feel was vital in protecting the defence was James McArthur. He is not necessarily a defensive midfielder but his all round energy was crucial to our success last season. Same again please Mr McArthur!
Again our wing play will be crucial this season, in Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha we have two exciting wingers that like to commit defenders and make things happen. And with the service coming from the likes of Jason Puncheon and Cabaye, I expect them to add more goals to their armoury.
I have been reading Four Four Two season preview this week and I thought the way they described the addition of Cabaye was perfect – ‘The arrival of record signing Yohan Cabaye adds direction to Palace’s pace and drive.‘
As I said last season, it was madness at times when we were attacking but with the calming influence I hope Cabaye will bring, I am hoping our attacking play will morph into ‘organised chaos’ with the Frenchman conducting the orchestra.
Whatever happens this season I am sure it will be blast. Palace are currently riding on a crest of a wave at the moment. With that comes heightened expectations, but we should embrace and see where it takes us.
Here at TEB HQ we would be interested to see what our readers are expecting from this Palace side this year. As always you can get in contact through all the usual channels – on here, on Twitter, and on Facebook. We are on all the social networking sites, so go on, have your say …
