Fulham vs. Crystal Palace League Cup match thread

Henderson got lucky a couple of times when he was slow to collect the ball and weirdly punched one ball when he was unchallenged. Hopefully that's cleared his head for Saturday, when he'll likely face some actual shots that are not straight at him. Given the uncertainty of his performance, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Benitez started.

It was not a classic performance, but having players like Hughes and Lerma in the team who have a bit more bite seemed key at this time when confidence is low. Mingueza had his best game in a Palace shirt (not hard) and could now push Khalaili for that starting spot. Honest made one big mistake but got let off. I don't see a huge difference between him and Canvot, so we might as well focus on developing our own young prospect. Richards was an absolute beast though. I can remember at least three blocks that prevented shots on goal and a couple of crunching tackles. He's been off it this season, but that was a player really fighting for his manager and his team.

Osario did some nice things, like nutmegging one of their players, but he'll need to learn to deal with the physicality of the English game (and referees offering no protection unless you're a big six team). It was the same for Pino last season, and he's now starting to show he can be the player we hoped he'd be.

This is how you win cups: stumble through the early rounds and save your best performances for when it matters!
 
Palacesince64 said:
Well done lads! Much better defensive performance. Richards was everywhere and Lerma was steady. Ahanor did ok. Mingueza much better than Khalaili. Great to see Ducoure getting an hour and Osorio getting a run. Hughes did well to last the game. Nketiah, well what can you say. Jogs around. Can’t hold the ball up dreadful first touch except for a great finish. Subs did well although Kamada should have scored and Wharton still looks off it. The negative for the night was Guessand who is no footballer.
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Have to agree - Guessand was so disappointing and i can now see why he is struggling to even make the bench.

Given his chance and he looked disinterested, was muscled off the ball too easily by players smaller than him, and generally didn't seem to know his position in the team and just wandered around. If we can end that loan early it will be in everyone's interest.

Was hoping for more from Osorio, however, it was a difficult game for him as he barely got the ball, especially in the 1st half, so i'll give him time.

Eddie N is such an enigma. Terrible as a No 9 - can't hold onto the ball, gives away stupid free kicks and yet scored a goal out of nothing (Andersen looked very slow!).
 
MrRobbo said:
Must have been watching a different game to some.

1st half was probably the most disjointed half I've ever seen Palace play. Luckily Fulham were very passive.

The passing was terrible. Actually beyond terrible. Would be surprised if we strung 3 together. Hughes and Doucoure might have tried, but had absolutely zero control on the game.

I dont want to be too critical of Doucoure though, given the context of the last couple of years. He was on the grass, and relatively tidy. A long way to go though.

Chilwell was beyond awful, dribbled the ball off the pitch on 2 occasions.

Very hard to criticise the attackers in the first half as they didn't get the ball very often. But Both Osario and Gussand both had the odd purposeful touch. Nketiah took his goal brilliantly, and won lots in the air against Anderson.

As you'd expect, Wharton, Kamada, McNeil, Mitchel and Pino made a huge difference. Pino in particular, his vision and weight of pass was pretty impressive.

Great to have Deno back too, a few saves but 2 very important ones. Cant help feeling Benitez would have let one in last night.
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1st half was terrible - totally agree. How professionals cannot pass the ball between themselves is a mystery to me. We had less than 20% possession as whenever we did get the ball we gave it straight back to them.

Yes it was a changed side but all are well paid seasoned professionals so should do better.

Have to mention our set piece defending. Absolute joke. Fulham won every first ball and when Tete missed early on he was completely unmarked at the back post. Overloading that back post is such an obvious tactic against us as we only put one man there, regardless of how the opposition set up.
What is our set piece coach not seeing?
 
MrRobbo said:
Yep of course. And I wouldn't want to be overly critical of Doucoure. The fact that he was out there is massive.

Personally was most disappointed with Chillwell. Supposed to be our more offensive, cultured LWB, but made lots of in possession mistakes.

Hopefully Nketiah's goal might turn round some of the detractors. He didnt really have any right to get onto that cross, let alone score.

Hopefully it will also get us crossing a bit more. Sometimes I think we can overwork things, but I'd be in favour of us just swinging it in a little earlier sometimes. Both Eddie and JSL have show that this can turn nothing into something.
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A proper striker's goal - not only got to it but angled to the only place he could beat the keeper. Still hasn't changed my original disappointment when we bought him.
 
palace99 said:
1st half was terrible - totally agree. How professionals cannot pass the ball between themselves is a mystery to me. We had less than 20% possession as whenever we did get the ball we gave it straight back to them.

Yes it was a changed side but all are well paid seasoned professionals so should do better.

Have to mention our set piece defending. Absolute joke. Fulham won every first ball and when Tete missed early on he was completely unmarked at the back post. Overloading that back post is such an obvious tactic against us as we only put one man there, regardless of how the opposition set up.
What is our set piece coach not seeing?
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Apart from that Mrs Lincoln how did you enjoy the play?
 
taylors lovechild said:
Henderson got lucky a couple of times when he was slow to collect the ball and weirdly punched one ball when he was unchallenged. Hopefully that's cleared his head for Saturday, when he'll likely face some actual shots that are not straight at him. Given the uncertainty of his performance, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Benitez started.

It was not a classic performance, but having players like Hughes and Lerma in the team who have a bit more bite seemed key at this time when confidence is low. Mingueza had his best game in a Palace shirt (not hard) and could now push Khalaili for that starting spot. Honest made one big mistake but got let off. I don't see a huge difference between him and Canvot, so we might as well focus on developing our own young prospect. Richards was an absolute beast though. I can remember at least three blocks that prevented shots on goal and a couple of crunching tackles. He's been off it this season, but that was a player really fighting for his manager and his team.

Osario did some nice things, like nutmegging one of their players, but he'll need to learn to deal with the physicality of the English game (and referees offering no protection unless you're a big six team). It was the same for Pino last season, and he's now starting to show he can be the player we hoped he'd be.

This is how you win cups: stumble through the early rounds and save your best performances for when it matters!
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  1. I think Henderson will play Saturday simply because I believe his presence gives the defence confidence whereas I'm not sure Benitez's does.
  2. Mingueza hadn't previously impressed me when he's played, but better last night and may prove to be the better option if we play a more low block game on Saturday.
  3. I agree re Ahanor and Canvot but I do wonder if we might not be better off with Lerma whose heading ability is far superior.
  4. Re Richards, a solid performance but how much of it was down to Henderson being there, I wonder?
  5. I like the little I've seen of Osorio but he will need to learn fast that it's pointless falling over just because an opponent has touched you in a tackle. He certainly offers more than Guessand and at a slightly less price. I read, even on Transfermarkt that the loan is with an obligation - I thought it was only with an option. Can anyone confirm?
 
palace99 said:
1st half was terrible - totally agree. How professionals cannot pass the ball between themselves is a mystery to me. We had less than 20% possession as whenever we did get the ball we gave it straight back to them.

Yes it was a changed side but all are well paid seasoned professionals so should do better.

Have to mention our set piece defending. Absolute joke. Fulham won every first ball and when Tete missed early on he was completely unmarked at the back post. Overloading that back post is such an obvious tactic against us as we only put one man there, regardless of how the opposition set up.
What is our set piece coach not seeing?
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We haven't got a clue about defending corners. All of our deliveries are generally poor too. Do we have a set piece coach? Is he a genuine specialist?
 
I think Sage and the Palace team have not done anything to change the dire trajectory we're on.

These were two very bad sides producing precious little in terms of quality.

Yes, we won: in a Milky Bar Cup tie against a poor side and, even then, might well have lost on the night.

Not good.
 
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A good chance for our reserves to play but not great for our already busy schedule.
We won’t win it but it will give the fans a chance to access our squad options.

The stand outs were Doucoure being fit again. Guessand being hopeless and the return of Henderson. Osario looks like he has potential, Nketiah is too limited and Chilwell has no strength or pace for playing as a wing back.
If the game proved anything it is that we need to be more defensive with our current squad and stop conceding goals first and foremost. Obvious really.
 
Only just managed to watch the extended highlights, but my thoughts are:
Seemed like Sage told us to go out and treat it like a defence training session. do not let them score. No attacking required.
We seemed organised in shape, and selected defensive/midfield players who were solid rather than creative.
Good blocking skills On display but we're woeful at dealing with crosses, still leaving players wide open in the box.
In many respects this reminded me of the Forest game; Rode our luck, and somehow ended up on top.

It doesn't really change my mind re: Sage. clean sheet looks good, but still not convinced.

Gold star for Nketiah whose run to get in front of the defender was excellent.
Nice to see Doucoure back.
 
CrazyBadger said:
Only just managed to watch the extended highlights, but my thoughts are:
Seemed like Sage told us to go out and treat it like a defence training session. do not let them score. No attacking required.
We seemed organised in shape, and selected defensive/midfield players who were solid rather than creative.
Good blocking skills On display but we're woeful at dealing with crosses, still leaving players wide open in the box.
In many respects this reminded me of the Forest game; Rode our luck, and somehow ended up on top.

It doesn't really change my mind re: Sage. clean sheet looks good, but still not convinced.

Gold star for Nketiah whose run to get in front of the defender was excellent.
Nice to see Doucoure back.
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Watched the highlights as well and agree with your comments. Fulham missed some absolute sitter headers with players unmarked six yards out. No sign there that we’ve made any improvements in marking in the box.
 
CrazyBadger said:
Only just managed to watch the extended highlights, but my thoughts are:
Seemed like Sage told us to go out and treat it like a defence training session. do not let them score. No attacking required.
We seemed organised in shape, and selected defensive/midfield players who were solid rather than creative.
Good blocking skills On display but we're woeful at dealing with crosses, still leaving players wide open in the box.
In many respects this reminded me of the Forest game; Rode our luck, and somehow ended up on top.

It doesn't really change my mind re: Sage. clean sheet looks good, but still not convinced.

Gold star for Nketiah whose run to get in front of the defender was excellent.
Nice to see Doucoure back.
Click to expand...
He finished with his aplomb but Andersen never covered himself in glory with his defending.
Credit to Mingueza for his thrust down the right and his delivery into the box.
 
I was at the game, but just watching the highlights I hadn't appreciated the 5 free headers that we gave them during the match.
Great to win of course , but it would be misleading to assume a clean sheet means that the defensive issues have gone away.
Far too much space to opponents is still being given in the box.
 
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