benjii

"And you think you'll get in, with that?" What a plum.

I see Dr Who has found his new hobby then. Not sure it's healthy, mind.

Apparently he's going to be on 24k.hk a week (GWFX).

I don't see any particular reason to back any other team for top 4 (apart from Chelsea and Man City) ahead of us. In fact, I would say we are in a relatively strong position. 16 games left, do or die. We currently have an "injury crisis" although all injured First XI players are expected to be fit by next weekend (excluding Jay Rod and Gallagher who have done nothing this season anyway). I f we continued our form so far we would lose another 3 or 4 games, draw 2, and win 10 or 11. We would finsh with at least 75 or more points and that would very probably be enough for top four. We have two games you would be inclined to write-off (Chelsea and Man City. We have played Arsenal and Man U twice so no more games against the teams in fourth and fifth. We have home matches against the teams in 6th, 7th and 8th. So, on form and fixtures, there is no logical reason to expect us to do badly. Man Utd, for example, still have Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea away and Spurs, City and Arsenal at home. They are bound to drop some points. Arsenal are still in the FA Cup and the Champions League and must have a decent chance of getting past Monaco. I fancy them to finish strongly but even if they get in front of us, that's fine as long as no one else does. Spurs have Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham in February so that's a massive set of fixtures in terms of the chasing pack, as well as a Europa League match sandwiched in between and the League Cup final in March. Liverpool have got at least five matches before we play them on 22 Feb (includiing Europa League quarter final three days before) and if they beat Bolton that will be six; we've got three. Unless they beat us, it's hard to see them overturning the seven point lead we have now. Interestingly, Man U play Arsenal on the penultimate weekend. Could be a key week for us, what with our final game being against City. You might say we are over reliant on one or two players but I'm not sure if that applies to us any more than it does to Man U (de Gea, Carrick), Arsenal (Sanchez) or Spurs (Eriksen, Kane). For us, I gues it would be Pelle and Forster. The key for us is to keep making sure those wins don't turn into draws (ie. we dispatch the "winnable" games) and to ideally avoid defeat to Spurs, Lpool and West Ham. I'm pretty confident.

Or you could just stop worrying about trying to present yourself to the world for a second.

I quite fancy taking up bowls when I am much older. Looks quite easy, to be fair. I reckon I would beat a lot of the old codgers and be the envy of the tea room. How about a martial art, in the meantime, Dr Who? Good for fitness and focus. You will go to classes at fixed times so it won't start ruining your life and causing you sleep deprivation like some of the other suggestions on here.

If realising a few million for Cork means we can sign Schneider or some other impressive player then I'm all for it. Cork's a good player but if he's holding our for a relatively high wage when he's a reserve then the money would be better spent elsewhere. I know we brought in more than we spent in the summer but it's about maintaining control of the wage bill, not just capex. Even with Vic and Morgan out, I would question whether Cork would currently get in the team. Personally, I would go for Reed, Davis and JWP on Sunday.

Ba would be a superb signing if his wages are affordable.

I don't see why he shouldn't be in the squad on Sunday if we want him to come back in short order. He can get a night flight tomorrow to London via Madrid. Chill/sleep on Thursday then training on Fri and Sat. It's not as though he's been sat on his arse, he's been in a tournament so coming back after two days training shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, that's fair enough then. In fact, congratulations.

Pap is sooooo sixth form!

I dunno, he looks pretty crap to me. The least impressive of Palace's front four!

With no Morgan and Vic (i assume) but Maya back, I would go for the 3-5-2. --------------------Forster-------------------- ------Fonte-----Gardos-----Yoshida---- Clyne----------------------------------------Bertrand -----------------------Reed---------------------- ------------------Davis-----JWP------------- ------------------Pelle-----Elia/Tadic------- KD, Targett, Cork, Tadic/Elia, Seager, McCarthy, Isgrove/McQueen

Clyne has the biggest penis apparently.

Didn't the OS say Chaplow was about seven stone whilst he played for us? Take those stats with a pinch of salt.

Now they've just got to get rid of the arch tosser Tyldesley and they might manage to broadcast a game of football without annoying me.

Arthur Boratch, obviously.

He was talking about a situation where the Liebherrs wanted out. Obviously he could never force them to sell if they didn't want to and he never said he could. Sorry that doesn't fit with your current act but no doubt your chum Fry will be along soon to hold your hand.

People who say he's "good but not that good", need to pause and ask themselves how many central midfielders were better at his age. He's only 20. Morgan wasn't as good at that age. To put a bit more context on this he's younger than: Ross Barkley John Stones Danny Ings Harry Kane Jack Butland He needs to develop in a chosen position and I think we're seeing signs that he's doing that in the advanced role. Look at his movement and vision in the link up with Pelle for the first goal against Newcastle. He spotted the gap, made a late run and told Pelle where to put the ball. Cracking play. He doesn't put in crunching tackles or bamboozle defenders with step-overs but neither does Fabregas. He needs to keep developing and try to emulate him and, as people have said, add a few goals but I guarantee he will play his whole career in the upper echelons of a top league and will get a load of England caps.

------------------------Davis----------------------- McCarthy--- Font---Gardos---Targett --------------Reed-------------Cork------------ -------------------------JWP--------------------- Long-----------------Pelle----------------Elia Bench: FF, Clyne, Bertrand, Davis, Isgrove, McQueen, Seager I'd give Tadic the week off. I'm convinced he's playing within himself and something's still not right physically.

His touch to JWP for the first goal yesterday was brilliant. And he had to react to JWP making a late run. I am more worried about him not playing than about what he does when he does play.

Home games are key. 8 of those. Need 18 points at least I expect, avoiding defeat to Spurs and Liverpool, ideally. If we do that then an away record of 3-2-3 would probably be enough.

Playing 352, which we probably won't do against Newcastle. You need to do your research sonny.

This, with the only possible variables being Cork for Reed and Long for Tadic. The other nine are no-brainers IMO.

Bit gratuitous to put a ball-bag on his head though?