Welcome back to this week’s edition of Fan Chat which comes after an undeniably important win against a solid Watford side, and a totally dominant performance against a lacklustre West Bromwich Albion.
Two very contrasting performances from a Crystal Palace team that are proving to the doubters that we can clearly adapt to the unique challenges of the Premier League.
Against Watford we were lucky to claim all three points, especially in the first half where both teams looked solid at the back but poor going forward. An incident in the second half, eerily similar to that of that play-off final, meant that Palace were able to get the points, with Wilfried Zaha winning a penalty on the left side of the box, and Yohan Cabaye stepping up to sink a strong and defiant Watford side. The whole incident had more than a whiff of deja vu about it.
This was a game in which we battled hard to secure a valuable three points after two consecutive and slightly demoralising single goal losses in the league. It did prove that whilst our midfield is up there with the best in the Premier League, our threat in the final third is minimal. I am not convinced Dwight Gayle is the right player for us to be playing as a lone striker. There is a reason he scores lots of goals in the cup against lower league teams, and not as many in the Premier League.
I trust the judgement of Alan Pardew along with Steve Parish and I am sure a decision will be made before or during the January transfer window about bringing in a prolific striker. Someone like Loic Remy from Chelsea would be lovely if either are reading this article!
Just think though, with a prolific striker we would be a real force in the Premier League. With Zaha and Yannick Bolasie performing like they did on the wings against West Brom, and Cabaye bossing the center, we are one player from a strong, youthful, attacking side. I know I keep saying this, but it really is a very exciting time to be a Palace fan right now. Couple that with a league in which anyone can beat anyone, we have an opportunity to become a force to be reckoned with.
Moving on to this week, and wow, what a performance against West Brom. From start to finish Palace were in control, barely leaving the visitors half the entire game. I do not recall a game, certainly in the Premier League, where we have been that dominant, had that much possession, and created so many clear cut chances. Yet we were left frustrated in the first fifty minutes of the game, by a resilient West Brom and Pulis-esque defence, which could not be penetrated by our ineffective strike-force. It was a game where you could see how dominant we were, but at the back of your mind, you might have thought it would be the perfect opportunity for a smash and grab win for the side from the Hawthorns.
However, it was a diabolical performance in midfield and attack by the visitors, and they were clearly outplayed by Palace. It feels fantastic and makes me feel a bit better about the loss we suffered to them at home last season. It is just very frustrating to see us struggle up front especially with the attacking talent we have in midfield and out wide.
Keeping it out wide, it has been a tough couple of weeks for Bakary Sako who has put in a few disjointed performances for us and was subsequently benched in favour of Zaha who has been in spectacular form. Sako has an absolute bullet of a left foot, but does not quite have the skill and intricacy of Zaha and Bolasie which is what makes us such a threat. If we could combine the shooting power and quality of Sako with the pace and trickery of Bolasie, you would have the perfect attacking winger. Such a player would not come cheap however so we will have to be content with what we have got, which in itself is no bad thing.
Zaha is in blistering form at the moment and it is hard to play against him when he has games like he did on Saturday and as a second half substitute last week. It was a truly dominant and commanding performance from him, and it is now that I think he is finally back to his best after that disappointing spell at Manchester United. Some of the skills and footwork on display from him were phenomenal, and it is so good to see him smiling whilst playing again.
The public criticism of Zaha by Pardew after the Spurs game, which I would normally condemn a manager for doing, has worked wonders. Having been benched for the start of the Watford game, he came on with something to prove, and has shown what he is capable of. Pardew really has his man-management skills on point, and has brought Zaha back to his best.
On a side note, it was obviously very sad to read of the passing of Yannick Bolasie’s father recently, and after learning it was his funeral on Thursday, I am so happy to see him score today. It was like it was one final gift to the man who obviously meant so much to him. Without wishing to bring in fate to my columns, perhaps it was fitting that he would end his 1005 day goal drought at Selhurst Park this week in particular. I am sure every fan will join me in wishing him and his family the very best for the future.
I wish to end on a brighter note, and it is this. We have fifteen points after eight games. Last season and the season prior to that, we did not reach this milestone until near Christmas, so we are two months ahead of schedule. Just let that sink in whilst you enjoy watching the highlights of Saturdays game.
Thank you for reading my thoughts, and as always, stay loud, stay proud, and most importantly, always be Palace!
UP THE EAGLES!
