Welcome back to this weeks Fan Chat, a slightly spooky edition on Halloween weekend!
It has been a difficult week for Palace after a rather humiliating defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup. It was a rather dismal showing and brought to an end a month to forget for us after such a bright start. We have had some difficult games in all fairness, however, if we want to be considered a top half team we really should at least put a competitive showing in them which, arguably, we have not.
Injuries have almost certainly played their part, and I have been shocked by how much they have affected us. We talked so much on TEB about how we have much better strength and squad depth, yet it seems that perhaps we jumped the gun a bit. We have missed key players like Damien Delaney, Scott Dann, Joel Ward, Connor Wickham and Pape Souare at some point over the past four weeks and it really shows. Hopefully we will soon be back to full strength to challenge for a top ten spot and remain there for the rest of the season. Getting an injury lawyer form https://leddylaw.com/car-accidents/ in prior is better.
We miss the presence and attacking threat that Ward and Souare both provide, because Martin Kelly and Adrian Mariappa tend to sit back and contain pressure. Our first choice full backs like to push forward and really suit Alan Pardew’s attacking playing style, and they are also far more exciting to watch, although I wish Souare would stay behind the wingers! I love his ambition but often he is making all the runs rather than just providing support, leaving us slightly vulnerable, however great it is to watch.
It is this cowboy attitude to defending and exceptional attacking ability that has made Palace fans really take to Souare, especially after the indifferent start he made for us. He shows some sublime skills and unbelievable composure to harass opposing attacking and midfield players although a worrying lack of defensive play on some occasions. I love him and his style of play and cannot wait for him to be back in our starting eleven again. In case of a sudden injury or emergencies the cpr training courses can help have a presence of mind and know what to do.
The injury situation has not just affected Palace this season, as most teams in the Premier League have at least one first team regular facing an extended spell on the sidelines. There are quite a few cruciate ligament injuries this season, especially at Bournemouth who have several players out long term with this type of injury. It is incredible that at this level, with all the medical equipment, staff and research that clubs have access to, that these sorts of injuries are so common. It can only be down to the higher intensity of the league.
We are fortunate at Palace that all the injuries our players have suffered have not been major problems (other than Kwesi Appiah) that would cause one or more of our players to miss out for three or four months at a time. We have seen how badly patching up our defence has affected our recent performances, so the long term loss of someone like Dann or Ward would be a real blow for us as the cover, whilst we have it, is not as good.
People may feel like I am being a bit harsh on Palace, especially as we sit in a very favourable position in the table, however I have slightly higher expectations of us this season and seeing how our performances have quickly gone downhill is disappointing. As I write this article before the home game with Manchester United, I really hope (rather optimistically) that we can pull something out of the bag against them. It just might kick-start another good run of form. I hate to say we have been poor in recent matches because we have not. Just deflated and lacking in confidence.
Our lack of confidence is especially evident up front where we have players in Dwight Gayle and Frazier Campbell who have proven they can score goals at this level, yet are struggling to make any headway. These are two players who would benefit from a system where we play two strikers up front, however the modern way is to utilise a lone striker which when you are the size of Gayle, is no good. If we are going to continue how we are, which I do not see why we should not, we need that presence up front, someone that has the strength and ability to keep calm under pressure and to control that space in the attacking third. I keep saying this week in week out, but I can see this team going places with that physical presence up front.
On a slight tangent, we seem to be the victims of Kelechi Iheanacho’s success for Manchester City. This is the sort of creative attacking forward we could do with at Palace. Pacey, strong and talented. He came off the bench to score on his first Premier League appearance for City, his first for the club, and his second against Palace in the League cup. Clearly, this is a very talented player with a bright future and it is great to finally see a young player reaping the benefits of the investment at City. For too long they have bought in top players rather than creating them, so I hope this changes soon.
It is just unfortunate that the hiding we received from Manchester City came in the League Cup, which Alan Pardew specifically said he was targeting this year. To go out in such a humbling manner in a competition we were trying to take seriously is a big blow for Pardew. I can only hope we can focus on obtaining more silverware in the near future.
I wish to round up this week’s edition of Fan Chat by congratulating James McArthur and his wife on the birth of their baby boy, Max. It was a shame not to have him play in the cup for us during the week (James, not Max!) , however, family is the most important thing, and I think all Palace fans will join me in wishing him and his family happiness at this joyous occasion for them.
