What can we expect from new signing Andros Townsend?
Well, we got in touch with two people that have seen enough to pass comment on the new addition to the Palace ranks.
Kevin De Vries – Spurs fan, TEB writer and host of the EPL Roundtable
The Townsend signing is a strange one. With Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha already entrenched on the wings it may not be easy for the new signing to push his way through. Yes, Zaha was inconsistent last year, but Townsend is not exactly reliable either. While his pace and touch are both impressive he will need to improve his decision making if he is to make a significant impact for Palace this season. However, it does seem as though he has improved his crossing and finishing since leaving Tottenham. Palace had the second most successful crosses last season so Townsend should fit stylistically and could genuinely thrive if a physically imposing forward, like Christian Benteke, was to join.
Jake Jackman – Newcastle fan and EPL Index writer
There was initial scepticism about the signing of Townsend, as we needed quality players with the right attitude to stop us from being relegated.
He had a poor reputation due to being criticised on social media whenever he was included in the England squad, and we did not know if he was the type of character that we needed. There were rumours that he fell out with the staff at Tottenham and this was why he was ostracised at the club. We already had enough questionable characters in the squad, who only turned it on when they wanted to and we thought Townsend would be similar.
We were very much mistaken. Under Steve McClaren, Townsend gave his all and was a threat, without having too much of an end product. He was selfish at times, and looked to be trying too hard to drag us out of the relegation fight on his own. This is where his intelligence was questioned, as he often went to shoot instead of passing to a team-mate in a better position. However, the effort was there and he was one of the few who was not leaving anything in the dressing room. His late consolation against Chelsea in a game in which we were beaten easily showed his never-say-die attitude and this really struck a chord with supporters.
It was under Rafael Benitez that he really developed his game in a short amount of time, and was arguably one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league over the last six or seven matches. The Spaniard helped Townsend become a lot more threatening in the final third, and it was evident that he had been told to mix up his attacking play. Instead of always looking for the shot, Townsend often went outside his full back to cross. He also floated infield at times and became a lot less predictable. His transformation under Benitez is why he was considering staying at the club despite relegation, as he knows the Spaniard was key in getting him an England recall.
Townsend has all the attributes to be a great Premier League and England winger. He developed a lot over a short time with us, and improved the areas of his game that were holding him back. He still needs to work on his decision making in the final third, but he became less predictable and that was a huge step in the right direction. He is also a good set piece taker and is a threat from direct free kicks, as Palace fans will already know. At Spurs, he did not develop as well as he would have liked after breaking into the England set up, and that may have been down to him thinking he had already made it. However, when he joined us, he put everything into improving his game and was unlucky not to go to the Euros with England.
I think he is a great addition for Palace and I would be surprised if he does not get into your starting eleven considering the money you have paid for him. His arrival should also improve the performances of Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie as increased competition is needed in the modern game. He is a direct winger with plenty of pace and has a good final ball, which continues to develop.
As a fanbase, we have not fully agreed on a player since Yohan Cabaye, but the entire Newcastle support loved Andros Townsend and the fact he is leaving was a big disappointment. However, it is the reality of our situation as we no longer have Premier League football and Andros wants to break into the England squad. I wish him all the best and I am certain he will be successful with Palace.
