Last weekend was a welcome point in what has been a tough run of form but with Norwich City coming to Selhurst this weekend the time is now to get our first league win of the year.
This game is bigger than our FA Cup semi-final against Watford. There is much more at stake against Norwich. If we lose we will be dragged into a relegation fight, one which the team at TEB including myself have said we will not entertain.
If we lose on Saturday we are in for an uncomfortable last few weeks of the season, that much is certain.
In saying that, there is certainly enough about us to go and do the business against Alex Neil’s side, and with Yohan Cabaye and Connor Wickham returning we will have more to our arsenal than we did last week when we played a good West Ham United side.
It was a good performance last weekend. We battled hard, and had to show some resilience in coming back to grab a draw and with Dwight Gayle scoring the equaliser, I am hoping his scoring boots will return in what is now ‘crunch time.’
There are two things I want to pick up on this week, and they stem from the fabulous time I had taking over the TEB twitter account this week. Firstly, it is time for Pardew to change approach, starting with upfront. Secondly, nerves will play a part in the remainder of the season, and Palace have to manage that and not shirk from responsibility.
On Tuesday night I posed the question on whether fans would start either Wickham, Gayle, or Emmanuel Adebayor up top against the Canaries. After much interaction the vote was unanimous – the fans want Wickham and Gayle together, and I must say, I agree.
I have cried out lots of times on here, and nine times out of ten my pleas are not answered, but I have always thought Gayle with a target man like Wickham could work perfectly. Obviously, this would be the first time we really see what such a partnership could potentially do.
With Wickham’s power and Gayle’s speed and cool finishing we could be onto a winner, but first we will have to see if Alan Pardew opts for that approach this weekend.
Some will say it is not the weekend to be trying new approaches, but then again we need to take a risk to try and get what will be a huge three points against a side that is certainly beatable.
Ever since getting to the Premier League we have struggled for goals, and whoever we have signed or put up front has not worked, but with Gayle in the side we have a player that will score goals if given the opportunity, and if played in the correct system.
Now with key personnel fit, the time is to play with two natural strikers up top to see what the results could be. I believe it could be the start of a blossoming partnership.
Nerves will naturally play a part this weekend, as it is a huge game. Whoever wins will be the one who knuckles down to their football and tries to banish those nerves.
It is something that I have noticed with Palace more in this dreadful run. The nerves have become more apparent. I was at the Bournemouth game a couple of months ago, and you could see they were present as soon as the Cherries got back into the game, and as a result, it hindered our performance and stopped us from getting a result.
Palace always play better when they play off the cuff and if we can just play without fear on Saturday, I feel it will do us a world of good and hopefully give us the right result.
So please, on Saturday, be LOUD, be PROUD, be PALACE and cheers the boys to three huge points.
