Crystal Palace vs. AEK Larnaka match thread

Games like this is all about taking one of your early chances as it'll then force the opposition to come out. Unfortunately we've not done that yet and is a similar pattern to our other European games so far. But with the changes we're doing ok, and it's a learning process. Can't expect too much too soon. I'm sure there'll be some tweaks at halftime.

COYP
 
Games like this is all about taking one of your early chances as it'll then force the opposition to come out. Unfortunately we've not done that yet and is a similar pattern to our other European games so far. But with the changes we're doing ok, and it's a learning process. Can't expect too much too soon. I'm sure there'll be some tweaks at halftime.

COYP
 
Glasner's ability to break down low blocks against inferior teams strikes again. He cannot play any football outside counter attacking.
I don't think it's only down to the manager, I think we don't have the players to boss a game. We don't have creative midfielders to play a passing game, we have the sitting mids and quick wings to counter attack.
In the PL we have 40% of possession, against these small teams we have to change our game, but it's difficult doing that.
We surely are one of, if not the best team in the competition, but it will be more difficult than we think winning the trophy.
 
We could do with much better delivery of corners and free kicks. We need to find someone to whip the ball in rather than float it. Hughes is slightly better than Kamada but I still don't think he's ideal. I wonder what Pino can do frankly?
 
Not that easy to play against the so called "minnows". Their sole strategy when the come to a PL-side is to keep it 0-0 until the final whistle or 0-1 until the final 10 min, when they go all-in. As long as you aren't 2 up it's a patience game.
 
Not very good. Loads of possession but no cut and thrust. The Cypriots are no mugs but they are not
Premier League standard. Pino is not as good as his reputation and Mateta has no finish. Hughes working hard but I think we need Wharton on to provide balls that the opposition won't be prepared for. A moot point if we bring on Nketiah for Mateta or make them a twosome up front.
One thing for sure - we need to improve.
 
We simply have to be more ruthless.

At the start of the game it all looked too easy and the spurned opportunities didn’t really seem to worry the players, but Larnaca have played their way back into the game and look comfortable blocking our attacks.

OG needs to change up how we attack them because our attempt to pass through the middle is not working. Could be a good opportunity to bring Nketiah on, push Yeremy and Sarr wide and play 4-4-2. We need to suck their defence out wide and leave more space in the middle for Mateta and Nketiah to work in.

It will be interesting to see what OG does.
 
I don't think it's only down to the manager, I think we don't have the players to boss a game. We don't have creative midfielders to play a passing game, we have the sitting mids and quick wings to counter attack.
In the PL we have 40% of possession, against these small teams we have to change our game, but it's difficult doing that.
We surely are one of, if not the best team in the competition, but it will be more difficult than we think winning the trophy.
Fair enough - I can see the points in this, particularly in the Premier League. However, how will holding midfielders ever be in the box to score, for example? Hence we get no goals from central midfield - and we lament the long shots. They're not going to get other scoring opportunities except from set pieces.
Then, for creativity in our system we're relying on our wide players. Pino, Mitchell, Sarr, Munoz here - yet we realise Mitchell is not really hugely creative although a good player. Pino is new and could be creative. Munoz has been good but seems not quite 100% and how many crosses does he do? Then Sarr is more of a scorer but does link up ok with Munoz or Mateta. It won't be a surprise when the goal comes from the right - but my point is we're lacking creative options in this formation. Another playmaker in midfield and we would be more creative and still fine at the back with four against "lesser" opposition. I believe Munoz could still go forward and Mitchell stay defensive. We have a couple we could play in a kind of attacking midfield or creative role. Give the other two the holding duties. Stick with a similar front three. This is where I feel we're a bit inflexible.
 
Glasner's ability to break down low blocks against inferior teams strikes again. He cannot play any football outside counter attacking.
Yes, this was pathetic yet predictable. And more misses from Mateta. Without incisive passing from on-the-bench Wharton or Pino playing like he did in the first Conference game (and he has been far from that) then it is difficult to see how this lineup makes clearcut chances.
Sarr is patently wasted against a low block and we really need a firing Esse to attack players but I suspect it will be Nketiah - which might work
Hughes has been the best Palace player by some distance
 

Holmesdale Online Shop

Back
Top