After our loss to Tottenham a week ago, Alan Pardew said the next two games were important and that we needed to get back to winning ways.
Fast forward a week and we are sitting seventh in the Premier League and we have progressed to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup after defeating Charlton convincingly.
Our win against Watford further underlines the strength in depth we now possess at the club. Wilfried Zaha transformed the game for us at Vicarage Road against a team that have not shifted too many goals under Quique Sanchez Flores this season.
There were many pleasing aspects of our game last Sunday. Yohan Cabaye playing further forward was a good decision by Pardew, and bringing Joe Ledley in for James McArthur who has been superb all season was a big call, but it was a call Pardew got spot on. With Damien Delaney missing, Brede Hangeland stepped into the breach and showed us that there is nothing wrong with a bit of experience in the ranks.
There are a few things I want to talk about in this week’s edition. Firstly Joe Ledley and Wayne Hennessey, two guys who could have a big impact in the coming weeks. Also I want to focus on Hangeland in a little more depth and finally, the improved contract for Yannick Bolasie which I feel shows the new-found ambition our club has adopted.
We have a trio of Welshman at the club, one of them is our young and promising Jonny Williams who is currently on a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. The other two, Ledley and Hennessey, have both shown with their recent performances that they could be very important to the club this season.
In the Charlton game Ledley was quietly brilliant. He does not the showboating of Zaha or Bolasie. He quietly goes about his business by breaking up play and keeping the ball ticking over. Against Watford, playing in the deeper role he kept their flair players at arm’s length. If his current performances continue he is going to give Pardew a selection headache for the middle of midfield which is certainly not a bad thing.
Our other Welshman who could now force his way into the first team picture is Hennessey. He started in the Capital One Cup game, and apart from the Charlton goal which he should have dealt with a lot better than he did, was hardly tested. He has obviously shown Pardew something for him to pick him ahead of Alex McCarthy who has so far this season been our number one although there were suggestions that the former QPR man was carrying a slight knock.
Hennessey made some good saves at Vicarage Road and with that, put himself in the picture. It is now up to him to keep McCarthy behind in the pecking order.
Delaney was not involved last Sunday but we had an able replacement in Hangeland who has proven over the past couple games that old is no problem in the Premier League if you have quality. The big Norwegian has been around long enough to know how the top flight works. In his time at Fulham he captained a side that excelled under Roy Hodgson and reached the UEFA Cup final so he is well aware of the rigours of top level football. In the absence of Delaney, I think our fans can be more than satisfied that Hangeland is capable of filling the void.
Finally, we all know what Bolasie brings to the table. We have seen him time and time again terrorise top class full backs with his silky skills, raw pace and power. We know the lad has everything to develop into a special talent and the only thing that is holding him back is his end product.
The news of his contract extension was welcomed by all Palace fans. It came out of nowhere but it is news every fan wants to hear, one of their best players getting tied down to a longer contract even if contracts do not mean that much these days.
For the Palace to retain players such as Bolasie shows what direction the club is facing. We are no longer thinking of the possibility of relegation. The aim is to now do something marvellous with this bunch of players. If we are to break down barriers and the proverbial glass ceiling, Bolasie will be integral to that.
Next we move on to a home game against West Bromwich Albion. It has been confirmed this week that it will be another sell out for the return of one of our former managers Tony Pulis.
You all know what to do. Be LOUD, Be PROUD, Be PALACE!
