As a good friend would say, we have had a week to ‘chew the fat’ since our last gasp defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
After all our exertions in that game, we fully deserved a point against a vastly different and improved City side. We may even have deserved all three points depending on how you look at the game. We certainly had chances to score, and on another day they would have gone in.
There were lots of talking points but first, I want to focus on our game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. After the heroics last season the expectation of the whole club has shifted this year, and the way we view games such as Spurs has also changed this year.
From browsing social media, the general consensus from Palace fans is that they would be deeply disappointed if we left White Hart Lane with anything other than three points. It just shows how Palace are evolving in the Premier League. As for Spurs you could say they are slightly stagnating at the moment.
Just have a read of the article from Danielle Lowe this week, and you will get that losing to Spurs this week would be hard to take on our current form.
I love that approach from our fans, it is refreshing that we ‘expect’ all three points at Spurs. Let us face it, the side from North London are not the team of the Harry Redknapp era, but they have dangerous players that still pose a threat, so we will have to beware. If we play our cards right they are certainly beatable.
They have not started the season in particularly sparkling form, and the form guide suggests that Palace would go into the match as favourites. If it is any consolation Paul Merson has tipped us to surprise our hosts.
It will be an interesting match, but one I am positive about.
Next I want to speak about Yohan Cabaye and how he is proving to be an integral part of our setup. As we were all aware when we signed our French wonder that he would fit in seamlessly and provide a silky approach to our raw pace and power. He is certainly doing that and more.
I read the other day that he has more interceptions in the Premier League at the moment with 21 which proves to many the other aspects to his game that maybe we did not think he had.
If you look at last Saturday the job he done on Yaya Toure, one of the best midfielders in the world was impressive. He nullified the threat the Ivorian carries and in the process, setting up our attacks time and time again. He is a top drawer player, and we are very lucky to have someone of his calibre. The contribution from the Frenchman this season could be the difference.
Looking ahead to Spurs, he really could be the difference as Mauricio Pochettino is missing key midfielders in the shape of Ryan Mason and Moussa Dembele. If Cabaye can orchestrate and dictate the middle of the park we have such a good chance of coming away with the right result.
Well, I think that will be all for this week. Palace have an important week coming up. Next at Selhurst is a big South London derby game in the Capital One Cup third round against Charlton Athletic. I for one cannot wait to go, it has been a long time since we have had our near neighbours come to visit us. The atmosphere should be cracking.
I am fully aware that it is a potential banana skin, and it is a banana skin that we do not want to fall victim to.
