Crystal Palace (H) Thread

Hoedt out Bertrand and Pied in. Stephens & Yoshida dream team in centre. 3pts a must or fans will be alittle upset. COYR.

Is Hoedt injured?

Benteke would beast Yoshi & Stephens.

Hoedt out Bertrand and Pied in. Stephens & Yoshida dream team in centre. 3pts a must or fans will be alittle upset. COYR.

I was thinking that a specialist RB would be necessary to defend against Zaha. Pied must have been wondering what he has to do to get a game.

If Bertrand is fit to start that is excellent news. Dropping Hoedt makes no sense to me unless he’s knackered or injured.

It may just be another example of MP always looking at the game after next rather than the one in hand. Really hacks me off.

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I thought Hoedt has looked pretty good up to now.

Hoedt out Bertrand and Pied in. Stephens & Yoshida dream team in centre. 3pts a must or fans will be alittle upset. COYR.

Surprised at Hoedt not playing.

Bertrand back is a bonus though.

This constant changing of the CB pairing is the most risky. Unless Hoedt is injured it’s madness

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My [decidedly amateur] thoughts:

----------Gabbiadini--------

------------Boufal-----------

---Tadic---Lemina---Hojbjerg

-----------Romeu------------

Bertrand--Yoshi--Stephens--Pied (no Hoedt??)

-----------McCarthy-----------

subs: Forster, McQueen, Targett, Davis, JWP, Redmond (I suppose), Long.

I also wonder if Bednarek, Sims or Hesketh might find a space on the bench for this one?

This assumes Bertrand & Lemina are fit. If not, then stick in McQueen & JWP (wide right, with Hoj central) respectively.

Maybe put Yoshi on Zaha, man-marking job? He may not be our best defender, but he's quick enough to stay with him & be a nuisance. Or is man-marking a bit '1966'?

Boufal/Gabbi front 2, with Boufal in the linking role. He & Tadic could also interchange, to confuse their defence.

Unless Hoedt is injured that is bizarre.

Why? He got MOTM: reward is not playing next game, right? Or is that just us?

Hoedt is out injured with concussion.

 

Sturridge mentioned (not for this game)

 

Getting stressy over at the transfers thread.

Sturridge a possible arrival then?

What do you mean ref Sturridge ?

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Hoedt is out injured with concussion. .

That all adds up. Also concussion and the damaged caused is a cumulative thing, so after the clash with Lukaku it seems a wise move.

Hoedt is out injured with concussion.

 

Sturridge mentioned (not for this game)

 

Getting stressy over at the transfers thread.

That makes sense. It also means he played through most of the Man U game with a concussion, assuming it came from the clash of heads with Lukaku.

Hoedt out is a blow. Should be a young CB on the bench then.

Hoedt out is a blow. Should be a young CB on the bench then.

Bednarek was on the bench at Old Trafford.

Bednarek was on the bench at Old Trafford.

Oh, was he! Didn't even notice. Well spotted..

Start Pied? Bertrand Yoshida Stephens Pied?

Is Hoedt injured?

 

Benteke would beast Yoshi & Stephens.

You can bet your house on Benteke getting at least one.

You can bet your house on Benteke getting at least one.

OK - what's the bet? I am happy to take one with you via PayPal. As you are so sure, but I am feeling the generous festive spirit - how about 2 to 1 against Benteke not scoring at all, say £50? To be clear that means, if he scores I pay you £50, and if he does not you pay me £100. #

Agree?

OK - what's the bet? I am happy to take one with you via PayPal. As you are so sure, but I am feeling the generous festive spirit - how about 2 to 1 against Benteke not scoring at all, say £50? To be clear that means, if he scores I pay you £50, and if he does not you pay me £100. #

 

Agree?

No, you can only bet your house.

Is Hoedt injured?

 

Benteke would beast Yoshi & Stephens.

Yeah I remember him doing that last season at home against jack and Maya when we walked away 3-1 winners..

That makes sense. It also means he played through most of the Man U game with a concussion, assuming it came from the clash of heads with Lukaku.

You can have delayed concussion. I did once. It's why they keep. you under observation in hospital sometimes if you've had a knock, as I did when I was knocked off my motorbike. He will be missed.

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Has anyone got info on Palace team news?

Going to be a tough game, chance to do the double over them (didn’t we fail to do that against anyone last year?) not surprisingly low ticket sales for this game, which is what you’d expect for a cold damp midweek game at the start of January when we are in such bad form.

Has anyone got info on Palace team news?

 

Going to be a tough game, chance to do the double over them (didn’t we fail to do that against anyone last year?) not surprisingly low ticket sales for this game, which is what you’d expect for a cold damp midweek game at the start of January when we are in such bad form.

We did the double over Middlesbrough I believe.

Has anyone got info on Palace team news?

 

Going to be a tough game, chance to do the double over them (didn’t we fail to do that against anyone last year?) not surprisingly low ticket sales for this game, which is what you’d expect for a cold damp midweek game at the start of January when we are in such bad form.

Puncheon out for the season apparently

Has anyone got info on Palace team news?

 

Going to be a tough game, chance to do the double over them (didn’t we fail to do that against anyone last year?) not surprisingly low ticket sales for this game, which is what you’d expect for a cold damp midweek game at the start of January when we are in such bad form.

No surprise really first day back at work for many, Christmas is over for many, like you say being pretty pants no doubt has an influence obviously.

TV has really pigged up Christmas Fixtures Spurs played Boxing Day then nothing until tonight! then again Thursday!! Think West Ham are similar.

No surprise really first day back at work for many, Christmas is over for many, like you say being pretty pants no doubt has an influence obviously.

TV has really pigged up Christmas Fixtures Spurs played Boxing Day then nothing until tonight! then again Thursday!! Think West Ham are similar.

Not that they give one iota about it.

Puncheon out for the season apparently

Think so yeah, didn't he do it putting in that grim tackle on De Bruyne (as did Scott Dann)?

Not a good few weeks for him really, what with the weapons charge too.

Still, he does s**t where he wants

Has anyone got info on Palace team news?

 

Going to be a tough game, chance to do the double over them (didn’t we fail to do that against anyone last year?) not surprisingly low ticket sales for this game, which is what you’d expect for a cold damp midweek game at the start of January when we are in such bad form.

Scott Dann and Puncheon out for sure. They're also still without Joel Ward (you skate b****d) and Mammadou Sakho - so will likely be a bit of a mismatch back 4 with Kelly switching to CB alongside Tomkins.

Scott Dann and Puncheon out for sure. They're also still without Joel Ward (you skate b****d) and Mammadou Sakho - so will likely be a bit of a mismatch back 4 with Kelly switching to CB alongside Tomkins.

Need to play positively and ensure we dominate possession - if they are patched up at the back we must put them under pressure. Worry for me if we don't is we allow Zaha to get on the ball and he'll cause us all sorts of problems.

Need to play positively and ensure we dominate possession - if they are patched up at the back we must put them under pressure. Worry for me if we don't is we allow Zaha to get on the ball and he'll cause us all sorts of problems.

Absolutely. The other bonus is that they bust their gut against City, some of their players were out on their legs on 80mins. The injuries they have will mean quite a few of their players will have to go again.....they've been doubt a crap hand with this fixture timing for sure.

Scott Dann and Puncheon out for sure. They're also still without Joel Ward (you skate b****d) and Mammadou Sakho - so will likely be a bit of a mismatch back 4 with Kelly switching to CB alongside Tomkins.

Hope so, Kelly had a poor game at SMS in the spring when they lost 3-1 and got slated on their forum big time. Not much pace there either, would start with Long (if he is able post-OT exertions) and Gabi. Very concerning if Saints can't manage to get on the scoresheet a couple of times given that makeshift backline. Mind you, we said the same at Stoke...hope that appalling defeat doesn't cost us in May.

Punch is having a bit of a time of it isn't he?

That all adds up. Also concussion and the damaged caused is a cumulative thing, so after the clash with Lukaku it seems a wise move.

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

Chris Nicholl wouldn't have played 50 games for us if this was the case back then.

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

 

Chris Nicholl wouldn't have played 50 games for us if this was the case back then.

Its Tuesday.

Need to play positively and ensure we dominate possession - if they are patched up at the back we must put them under pressure. Worry for me if we don't is we allow Zaha to get on the ball and he'll cause us all sorts of problems.

the key is to kick him, right from the very first minute. I know that is prehistoric football talk, but kick him up in the air and he loses focus, starts crying and before you know it he has completely lost it. Very good player, but if you let him dictate he will run you ragged. I recall us beating Palace at their place in the Championship and I think it was Lallana that effectively double teamed him with Fox. Probably Fox's best game in a Saints shirt, but also excellent management recognising Zaha's threat and nullifying it. Recognising how good a player Zaha was, I'd be surprised if Adkins didn't try to sign Zaha that summer, but he if course went to Manure for shed loads of cash.

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

You did see the recent Alan Shearer documentary on the subject right? Our understanding of concussion has moved on a little since Chris Nicholl played. You might want to watch the movie `Concussion' starring Will Smith. Very interesting subject.

May have nothing to do with concussion at all but also the interview with Chris Nicholl before our LC semi last season (last one was v Liverpool as well when he was manager) one of the papers did. Was in a really bad way apparently.

the key is to kick him, right from the very first minute. I know that is prehistoric football talk, but kick him up in the air and he loses focus, starts crying and before you know it he has completely lost it. Very good player, but if you let him dictate he will run you ragged. I recall us beating Palace at their place in the Championship and I think it was Lallana that effectively double teamed him with Fox. Probably Fox's best game in a Saints shirt, but also excellent management recognising Zaha's threat and nullifying it. Recognising how good a player Zaha was, I'd be surprised if Adkins didn't try to sign Zaha that summer, but he if course went to Manure for shed loads of cash.

Seem to remember he lost it a bit last year, claiming he was fouled before our equaliser just before half time.

Wasn't the same in the second half.

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

 

Chris Nicholl wouldn't have played 50 games for us if this was the case back then.

Utterly moronic.

Lose this and Pellegrino will go. But I think we'll win 2-1 - Bertrand and Tadic. Townsend will, of course, score a Townsend Goal because we seemingly have no concept of closing down players well known for 25-yarders when they're just outside the box.

Hoedt is a massive loss for this game, especially against someone so physically dominating as Benteke. Assuming that will mean Stephens will move into the center and Pied will come in at RB

They may have a dismantled back 4, but we have a number of forwards who can't score.

Feel like the power and pace of their front 3 will be too much for us and I can't see anything other than a Palace win. Which is concerning and would surely mean that MP needs to go.

right well Phil Merson has predicted Palace to win 2-0.

Mark Lawrenson has predicted Saints to win 1-0.

I've placed £30 on Palace to win or draw double chance- think tonight will be crucial in the grand scheme of things come the end of season.

We just have to beat a depleted Palace team who played just 2 days ago.

Hoedt is a massive loss for this game, especially against someone so physically dominating as Benteke. Assuming that will mean Stephens will move into the center and Pied will come in at RB. This shows why we need to replace VvD....

They may have a dismantled back 4, but we have a number of forwards who can't score.

Feel like the power and pace of their front 3 will be too much for us and I can't see anything other than a Palace win. Which is concerning and would surely mean that MP needs to go.

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

 

Chris Nicholl wouldn't have played 50 games for us if this was the case back then.

Fortunately we have moved on from those days. This is a very sensible precaution.

I saw Jeff Astle's name mentioned last night on a quiz. His case is a timely reminder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Astle#Retirement,_death_and_legacy

Seems a daft move to me. Banged his head on Saturday, can't play on Wednesday! We really are a nation of softies.

 

Chris Nicholl wouldn't have played 50 games for us if this was the case back then.

Not the best example, Nicholl suffered brain damage from a career of heading a ball (like Jeff Astle and others), other than that I'd agree with you about the "nation of softies"/over-pampered footballers.

Draw best I can imagine for us tonight.

I'm going to go way out on the limb here and predict a 0-0 tie.

18 more 0-0 ties and we stay up!

Really hope they actually go for it tonight. You know, actually attack with purpose. If he sets them up all cautious and on the back foot we'll lose

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I'm going to go way out on the limb here and predict a 0-0 tie.

18 more 0-0 ties and we stay up!

But we only have 17 games left...

Its Tuesday.

So it is! Must have been that bang in the head I got on Friday.

Fortunately we have moved on from those days. This is a very sensible precaution.

 

I saw Jeff Astle's name mentioned last night on a quiz. His case is a timely reminder.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Astle#Retirement,_death_and_legacy

Jeff Astle is indeed a very sad story. But he spent a whole career heading a very heavy laced ball that would get even heavier when wet.

The earlier comment regarding concussion of American footballers is a warning to the dangers of head injuries in sport. Those affected players were running into walls in every game they played.