This weekend we welcome Bournemouth to Selhurst Park so we had a chat with the guys at fan site Tales From The South End.
Q. What are your hopes and dreams for the new season?
To follow in the footsteps of Leicester City and win the title. Baring that happening, staying in the Premier League for another season. Hopefully we will finish higher than last season, but I would still be happen with seventeenth.
Q. Have the club done enough business this summer in the transfer window?
We have done some decent business, but not sure we have done enough. We are short of defensive cover and I would still like to see Eddie Howe bring in another experienced central defender.
Q. Is there a feeling among fans that this season may be tougher than the last campaign?
There is no doubt that this season is going to be tough. Will it be tougher than last season? I think it probably will be. We are not quite the surprise package we were last season, so need to step up and make sure that we compete. It is a cliche but there are no easy teams in the league and we need to find our feet and pick up points very quickly.
Q. Who do you think will be your most important player this season?
There is not one player that is going to be more important than the others, but we do need key players to be at their best. We are struggling to score goals, so hopefully Josh King and Callum Wilson company can switch back into form very soon. Defensively we need to stay strong and not give away cheap goals like we have so far this season
Q. Is Eddie Howe worthy of being touted as a potential England manager?
There is no doubt he is a very talented manager and being English he would seem like a good candidate. There are currently better options with more experience but give him another ten years in management and he could well be ready to be the top man for the 2028 World Cup
Q. What do you make of the rule changes for this season?
To be honest, I have not really paid much attention to them, much like Harry Arter it would seem. Respect for the officials is critical for the game. I find it really irritating when players surround an official. They may be getting it wrong but the players need to learn self control. Perhaps the captain should be the only player allowed to approach the referee
Q. Perhaps you could share your views on Palace from the outside looking in?
I like Pardew, I think he is a good manager who has done a decent job wherever he has been. He started well last season, but fell away towards the end of the season. I think Palace fans need to believe in him and with a few new additions to the squad will have no problem finishing in the top half of the table.
Q. Names one player from each team that the opposition should be concerned about.
At the moment no-one sticks out for Bournemouth. We seem to be lacking our usual cut and thrust and I expect to see changes against Palace. King is looking like our most threatening goal threat. For Palace, surely it will have to be Christian Benteke though I am not convinced that he is that good. He has not done anything since he was at Villa. He is almost guaranteed to score now I have said that!
Q. Your prediction?
With neither team picking up any points so far this season both will be desperate to get something from the game. So desperate that the points will be shared. 1-1
Q. Tell us a little about your fan group and anything that you wish to promote.
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