The dust settles on yet another managerial departure. We are becoming far to accustomed to this manager merry-go round.
Neil Warnock has gone after four months in charge. He claimed he had unfinished business. The only business he will be sorting out is the finer details of his sacking.
Was I surprised? Yes. I thought the owners would have given him more time but with only one win in the last thirteen games they clearly felt that they needed to make a change.
As ever, the timing was impeccable. No, really it was impeccable. For all the wrong reasons. Why sack Warnock on the eve of what was a massive game. The trip to Loftus Road had an awful lot riding on it.
It seems to be a recurring cycle, a cycle we have put ourselves in far too often.
Southampton Defeat
Southampton came. They conquered. They left.
It was a professional display from a very good outfit. Not many thought Southampton would be where they are now after all the high profile players leaving in the summer. That is the calibre we need to aim for.
There is a lot I want to talk about here and I have three points which need to take priority.
Home Form
Last season it was fortress Selhurst. This season it has been anything but. Our record at home has been dismal although there have been some pleasing performances.
Our first season back in the Premier League saw eight homes wins. Compare that to our current campaign in which we have only notched up two so far. That is relegation form.
Not wanting to depress readers of this article you at this cheerful time of year but it has to be done. We have only won once since the end of September. During Warnock’s tenure we had one win in thirteen games with four of them draws and the rest defeats.
A clubs home form keeps them up, simple as that. Something has happened at Selhurst Park, we just do not perform to our maximum. Southampton came and taught us a lesson. Aston Villa grinded out a result, as did Sunderland. Someone needs to resurrect Fortress Selhurst.
Wrong Tactics
A contributing factor to the defeat on Boxing Day were the tactics Warnock employed. I felt he gave a classy side the freedom of Selhurst. One player in particular was at home.
Make no mistake, it was nice to see Nathaniel Clyne return to SE25 but my word, he wandered up and down the right flank mostly unchallenged.
Clyne is progressing into a talented right back. He will be the next the England right back for sure, he is better than our current crop of performers in that position. We of all people should know his style. The way he started and joined in with attacks was alarming to be frank.
Palace perform best when they press as a team and stay compact. These last few weeks we have seen nothing of that. We need to regain a defensive base and build from there. Whoever comes in defensive solidity has to be priority.
Relegation Fear
It was the first time I had seen Palace this season and I thought that we are credible candidates for relegation. Our recent form has just not been good enough. We can groan about the lack of luck but ultimately it comes down to taking your chances. At this moment in time we do not have that sort of striker.
The team we have is certainly better than other teams in our position but they just looked dejected against Southampton and they gave up after the second goal. We need fresh impetus, something that will give us kick. I am hoping new signings and a new manager will give us just that.
QPR Draw
Loftus Road was always going to be a tough place to go and considering our form at the moment, it was a good point.
The hosts have enjoyed playing at home, they always tend to win. With a striker like Charlie Austin in their ranks they will always have a chance. The former Swindon Town player is currently the leading English goal scorer with eleven goals.
On another day we might have walked away from West London with all three points. Jason Puncheon hit the post in the first half with a curling effort. We probably should have got a penalty too. Wilfried Zaha was bundled over by Richard Dunne but the referee waived away the Palace protests.
A point is a point in the Barclays Premier League. It could be a vital one in our quest to avoid relegation. Keith Millen as always stepped in and got the lads to produce a performance.
With Alan Pardew set to take over I really do hope Keith Millen will continue in some capacity. He has done a lot for the club and those sorts of people are invaluable.
The board has acted quickly and identified their man. Pardew is the one they feel will steer us from relegation. I think he will but this has to be an appointment with the long term future in mind.
We need stability.
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