The final visitors to Selhurst Park this season are Stoke City so we had a chat with Elliot Hackney from The Bear Pit TV ahead of the two sides meeting for the third time this season.
Q. How has your season been since we last met in the Premier League?
It has all gone to shite, if I am being honest. We all had gloriously high hopes of reaching the promised land of Europe and injuries to our main players meant it all fell apart. I am not one to blame injuries as an excuse usually, but we have had seventy this season, well above the average.
Q. This will be the third time the two teams have faced each other this season so what did you make of the previous two meetings?
Well I did not enjoy either of them as we lost both games! Both were below par performances where we should have done much better. The win in the FA Cup hurt the most because we were so hopeful of a strong cup run, we had one in the Capital One Cup, but I literally feel like we could be in your shoes for the final. What really irks me about losing to you guys is that Pardew gets all the attention, not the players. He is one gloriously indulgent bloke, and I imagine he celebrated both those wins like a lad who has just got his first student loan. But I am sure you guys love him.
Q. At one point it looked like Stoke City were going to challenge the top six, so has there been anything in particular that has seen you fall away?
Injuries. We have had so many, key players have dropped like flies. As soon as one is fit again another is injured. The main two being Ryan Shawcross and Jack Butland. Those fellas stop goals, and it is no coincidence we ship tons when they are not there.
Q. Are the fans still content with Mark Hughes in charge?
Personally I am. There is a very small minority currently calling for change, but I think with what injuries Sparky has faced there is not much he could have done differently. Apart from the substitutions, there has been some very weird changes made during games.
Q. What expectations do you have ahead of the summer and for next season?
Next season we have to get rid of the deadwood and spend some serious money. If we do that, then I think Europa League and a good cup run should be a minimum requirement.
Q. Which Stoke City player has impressed you most this season?
Marko Arnautovic. He has upped his game to the next level and is at the heart of every goal we score, almost. He is our top scorer which is a massive improvement on his previous tally of three, and I just hope we can keep hold of him. At the moment there is a rumbling saga about him signing a new deal because he only has a year left to run. We have to keep hold of him if we want to keep going forward in my eyes.
Q. What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
Palace started very well, then what the hell happened 2016 onwards in the league? It was like Pardew’s New Years Eve hangover went on forever. There is the very slim chance that you guys could still be relegated, which is crazy, you should be nowhere near any of that. But of course the FA Cup final is a huge achievement, and you would probably throw in getting relegated for a chance to win that trophy.
Q. Name a player that you think Palace should be concerned about.
Arnautovic (Arnie) again. He is our play-maker, and if you want to stop us then you have to stop him.
Q. Your prediction?
My prediction is more pain, but a suntan that will sting come Monday.
Q. Please tell us a little about what you do and share anything that you are currently working on.
Well I am Elliot from The Bear Pit TV. We are Stoke City’s number one fan channel. We will be doing a big away day video for the game at the weekend and if you spot us with the microphone at the ground come and say hello, we always love having opposition fans opinions.
