coalman

Oh how we'll laugh when Big Les goes back to Chelsea because Martin wouldn't play him

Yeesh that was close

Finally get a decision

This is exactly the kind of situation ABK might do well in.

Hughes is so deeply unlikeable

Palace have learned they can get as physical as they like

So it's ok to push the keeper out of the way now?

Sort it out VAR

Oh come on ref

Get in

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4grpyrk6r7o As of early October we had 2nd fewest sprints made.

Which statistics does fitness show itself perfectly in?

At Fulham we were hard(er) to score against and didn't create much. Against West Ham we made more chances than we have in ages but couldn't put them away and didn't give away easy chances. Hoping to continue this progression as IJ gets to grips with things.

Juric needs to pull his finger out. Out of the three managers this season his league PPG is 0 compared to Martin's 0.31 and Rusk's 1.0. Seriously though 2-1 to Saints.

10 minutes added

Ask me that again at 5pm today 😉

No longer Russell Martin's plucky part timers. We run the risk of having a team of elite level athletes participating in professional sport again.

If Martin was doing two days off after a game they'd have had no training days since Sunday's game

Merry Christmas y'all

He looks like he's quite enjoying himself already.

And we didn't have Jack Stephens.

Witness the reaction when the keeper kicked it long. Either you bought into the "philosophy" or you didn't play. Which, from a manager perspective is fair enough I suppose - you want players following your tactics (to an extent) though I'd argue you also want them empowered to take responsibility themselves rather than waiting for you to micromanage them from the touchline. Just another sign that Martin was prepared to sacrifice everything in pursuit of the purity of his system.

When ABK joined he was an absolute beast at times. I'd love that player in the starting line up. He was also prone to injury. Not sure if that has changed. Don't blame him for wanting out after we got relegated. That season was a shit show. Can also see how easy it would be to lose motivation if your manager only picks his besties. Knowing you're sixth choice behind Stephens is going to be a dark place. Also have no idea how he's handled himself during that situation. Doubt he's going to walk back into the side but at least with IJ there's a new beginning.