shurlock

Guess you weren't at the Watford or Ipswich games where we hit Lee very early - though, strangely, we didn't do it against Barnsley. We do get the ball early -we just get it to Lambert, not down the flanks. When SDR played close to Lambert (Cardiff away), he did very well.

Any plans to watch the WHU game at a pub nearby after the match?

TBF, Punch has put in a proper defensive shift whenever he's started - just it hasn't quite clicked at the other end (tho do like him down the middle). Got a hat-trick last time he played palace. Think he'll shine back in his native bandit country.

I would love to try: Davis Frazer Fonte Jos Fox Puncheon Hammond Cork Lallana SDR Lambert Giving SDR, Punch and Lallana licence to interchange. Palace's CBs are slow as f**k. However, expect it to be the same team that faced the skates after Morgan went off. If Lambert is out, Guly goes up top and maybe Puncheon/SDR right.

Like who? Our bench yesterday showed how shallow our squad is - we're unlikely to change the defense since our squad players are relatively weak; with Morgan's injury we've lost whatever cover we had in CM; and attacking wise, we only really have a mix of SDR, Punch, Chaplow and Barny -and three of those players are eyeing the same spot.

Best ballwinners I've seen against us this season must be Clayton at Leeds, Fernandes at Leicester (and he's gone) and Bartley at Burnley.

Why does Chaplow have to be in? Talk about putting a run-of-the-mill player on a pedestal. He has trouble making the subs bench and for good reason.

Dont think fitness had as much to do with things as people claim. He had a tough time at their place where he was well-marshaled and it was the same story today. Ref also let a lot of small, cynical challenges go. Sharp didn't really help - wasn't really a threat in his own right which put greater responsibility on Lambert.

To hits those balls requires a ridiculously good midfielder-i cant think of many players in the championship let alone England that can regularly split defenses in that way. Instead what you get are balls down the channels which are either too hopeful or too flat. As I say, the way we set up around the ball to Lambert down the middle makes us narrow unless he's peeling off to the sides.

Yep totally agree. Needs to be closer to Lambert and use his pace/directness off him.

He does but that's after the second phase -after we've collected the knock down from Lambert by which time defenders have had time to regroup. If that gives anyone space it's the FBs from deep. Very different from hitting first time balls from deepish midfield into the channels. That wont happen as long as our first instinct is to hit Lambert -which, after all, is effective alot of the time..

Don't think it would make a massive difference as long as all the play is attracted to the centre of the pitch where Lambert is.

Agree but that's a result of our narrow diamond and going direct to Lambert down the middle which sucks players inside to pick up the layoffs and knock downs. Not really going to change as long as we rely on Lambert in the way we do. That's why I'd rather see SDR down the middle closer to Lambert where he will be involved more.

Did it even need a dink? Couldn't he just have driven it early rather than running with the ball and making the angle tighter. From the other side of the ground, it didn't seem he needed to be so elaborate.

From where I was sat, I was surprised he didn't take the shot on - easier than attempting to go round the keeper.

Today's performance and Blackpool were totally different. Blackpool exposed us with width whereas skates played a diamond packing the midfield. Today was a day for width/pace to take advantage of their narrowness- yet we have none or it's too inconsistent. We went long with balls to a semi-fit lambert (though I wouldn't place too much on his fitness or lack of it-they also did a good job in shackling him at fratton). But in doing so,we sucked our AMs into the middle, making us even more narrow. Despite his goals, I didn't think sharp was all that good. Didn't look very penetrating -more so than say Connolly; but unlike Connolly didn't have the touch to bring others in. Given Lambert was occupying two CBs, the game was set up for the second striker to make a difference. Schneiderlin's departure made little difference for me IMO. His class is on the road and that will be sorely missed in the last three away games.

This.

...and the f**king darts music.

Despicable fans.

Tinpot gypo.

Knee was out.definite foul.

Got to admire warnock.

Leeds looked good to that point as well.

F**k me:first time I've ever cheered michael brown.

A tenner on that double returns you roughly £26.50 on skybet.