Crystal Palace vs. AEK Larnaka match thread

[BromleyMonkey]

I think it just reinforces that we have good starting 11, outside of that there is precious little else. So we either play the first 11 into the ground every game or accept these resuits with the squad players. Chelsea won the competition playing effectively the youth team, we dont have that luxery.

Glasner has european experience so he knew what the game would be like.

Fair point, Canvot clearly has a long way to go, I was hoping he was going to be Guehi’s replacement, but even before his mistake that lead to the goal he kept giving the ball away.
Shame because physically he looks a solid enough lad

We were that bad last night, I was actually glad to see Kamada come on😳

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

Just when you start thinking we are getting ahead of the game, a result comes along that reinforces our fragility at the top level.

Despite our overall season on season improvement you have to admit this was a typical Palace performance, more particularly when an entirely different outcome was anticipated and more to the point, expected.

It was also typical of the kind of tactics we have used in the not so distant past against teams obviously better than us. Defend the box with numbers and effort and hope for a break at the other end.

 

[park the bus]

Much earlier in the thread I spoke about our midfielders. Our central midfielders don't score due to the system as much as anything else. They're not going to get anything other than long shots as they cannot get into the area due to being two holding midfielders. Hence we see the odd speculative long shot go nowhere. It's a symptom of the two holding central midfielders system.

Yes, I was thinking this myself: why don't our midfielders time their appearances on the edge of the box to pick up the occasional shooting opportunity? And it is as you say, the system isn't built for them to do this.

 

[Willo]

On reflection…

First of all, the young kid. It was a mistake, let’s not crush the kid. We all learn far more from our mistakes than our successes. MG is leaving at the end if the season at the latest, giving this kid and Riad when’s fit time is a must where we can as we are not likely going out and getting a £50 million centre back any time soon to replace him.

It was a bad night no question. But that is also part of the learning curve. We will all have to get used to these tactics against us, I’m talking about the diving like they’ve been shot, time wadying keepers etc etc and least we forget we won an FA cup by doing exactly that. That said… my god they were at it big time last night.

Here’s the thing, we did everything except put the ball in the net. Tactically we did get through them. Wright and Bright come away from our last few games each with a hat trick each.

The biggest and most worrying problem we have is our strikers missing sitters and I do mean sitters and the complete lack of goals from the midfield (we must have the least amount of goals from midfield in any league?)

Our defence cannot be expected to keep a clean sheet every game. The strikers need to sort themselves out along with the midfielders.

I understand the comments regarding our 'Holding' midfielders not getting the opportunity to score in the system.
I will add that throughout their careers Wharton, Hughes, Lerma and to a lesser extent Kamada have hardly hit the back of the net.

 

[Willo]

Fair point, Canvot clearly has a long way to go, I was hoping he was going to be Guehi’s replacement, but even before his mistake that lead to the goal he kept giving the ball away.
Shame because physically he looks a solid enough lad

We were that bad last night, I was actually glad to see Kamada come on😳

He has only played 1 season in the French League, making only 18 appearances. Vastly inexperienced and not the player to replace Guehi.
Like Esse, another one of those 'Potential' purchases.

 

[Eaglecoops]

A lot of concern expressed here about our midfielders not scoring goals. Holding midfielders are not normally noted for scoring but we don’t just have one attacker, we have a CF and two 10s, so if blame is to be attached it’s that there are not enough goals coming from Yeremy and Sarr.

If we want our midfielders involved in attacking then we would need to change our formation to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.

As a commentator stated last night, one of our main reasons for playing the way we do is to get the best out of Munoz in the attacking third.

 

[OneStevePerrin]

A lot of concern expressed here about our midfielders not scoring goals. Holding midfielders are not normally noted for scoring but we don’t just have one attacker, we have a CF and two 10s, so if blame is to be attached it’s that there are not enough goals coming from Yeremy and Sarr.

If we want our midfielders involved in attacking then we would need to change our formation to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.

As a commentator stated last night, one of our main reasons for playing the way we do is to get the best out of Munoz in the attacking third.

Like you I’m not concerned about our two holding midfielders not scoring. It’s the 3 alongside and up front not getting enough (Mateta aside) plus an occasional goal from the defenders (Munoz aside) would help as well.

 

[Frenchaigle]

the wind played a big factor , I hated playing in the wind your double guessing what the ball is going to do , we was inchs away from getting that telling touch in front of goal a number of times ,
I dont know if we won the toss we should have changed ends and had wind 2nd half , Mistake by the young lad in a dangerous position lesson to learn , should have played full first team 1st half ,
It wasnt our night , the Ref protected there keeper big time and all there players was hitting the deck to easy and ref brought it ,
so Arsenal sunday different game they wont read to much into that result from last night , we have lost twice in games we should have won and people already pointing fingers and going were doomed , doesnt take long for people to get on the manager and players backs on this site

Agree ,incredible the amount of people pointing fingers .
Yeah Pino was ineffective it happens ,so was Eze for many games .Pino is a good player in my opinion .
As if Guehi never made a mistake aged 19 .
Should be getting behind Canvot .
Glasner needed to rotate ,and he had to choose one of the three games.It didn’t work out .
I’m confident we will get into top 8 of conference .
Argentina lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia looked what happened to them .

 

[mtp1958]

Look cheer up , should have done what I did when I got home watched the blues brothers,

it was a windy night gusting at 30+ its a great leveler hence passing and touchs going wrong , if you have played in them conditions you know what I'm talking about

 

[mtp1958]

Look cheer up , should have done what I did when I got home watched the blues brothers,

it was a windy night gusting at 30+ its a great leveler hence passing and touchs going wrong , if you have played in them conditions you know what I'm talking about

 

[DenTyler]

A lot of concern expressed here about our midfielders not scoring goals. Holding midfielders are not normally noted for scoring but we don’t just have one attacker, we have a CF and two 10s, so if blame is to be attached it’s that there are not enough goals coming from Yeremy and Sarr.

If we want our midfielders involved in attacking then we would need to change our formation to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.

As a commentator stated last night, one of our main reasons for playing the way we do is to get the best out of Munoz in the attacking third.

I do agree, it was clear when Eddie came on that Ollie signalled 442. At half time I would have made that change as I don’t think we needed that much at the back and we were definitely on top more and looked a threat after that change. Easy to say but I would have done the change at half time put Eddie up top with jp and Wharton in next to hughes. I think we win that game then.

 

[TrickyboyVn]

Summary (or my take)

- Mateta just can't get going and score and its really costing us.
- I feel the Everton game has damaged us and whole team lost the belief a bit
- Don't blame Canvot - just one error and the rest I thought he looked good for new guy
- All forwards need to score more - not good enough return at present
- This might be a blessing and get them focussed - or it might be beginning of an unconfident patch
- Some things for Ollie and team to work on ...

 

[OneStevePerrin]

I do agree, it was clear when Eddie came on that Ollie signalled 442. At half time I would have made that change as I don’t think we needed that much at the back and we were definitely on top more and looked a threat after that change. Easy to say but I would have done the change at half time put Eddie up top with jp and Wharton in next to hughes. I think we win that game then.

Agreed, half time changes and the win was almost guaranteed. Sadly we aren’t the manager and only have hindsight ;-)

 

[Sportyteacher]

Both Glasner and the squad will feel this defeat acutely and learn/ bounce back from it. Depth of squad is everything within a markedly increased congested season with key players out for international duty then the fight and labour to rescue Bournemouth result etc. We lack alternative provision up front especially if Mateta and Nketiah are misfiring - other Premiership teams competing in Europe plan ahead by way of squad rotation. Zach Marsh anybody? Ahamada, Rodney etc? If they are not good enough then why are they not being loaned out as opposed to occupying Squad positions? Men Squad - Crystal Palace F.C.

 

[Willo]

A lot of concern expressed here about our midfielders not scoring goals. Holding midfielders are not normally noted for scoring but we don’t just have one attacker, we have a CF and two 10s, so if blame is to be attached it’s that there are not enough goals coming from Yeremy and Sarr.

If we want our midfielders involved in attacking then we would need to change our formation to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.

As a commentator stated last night, one of our main reasons for playing the way we do is to get the best out of Munoz in the attacking third.

You have made some insightful comments and I agree with the sentiments.
Apropos Pino, he never came to our club as a goalscorer, in 5 full seasons in Spain he scored 17 goals.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

Agree ,incredible the amount of people pointing fingers .
Yeah Pino was ineffective it happens ,so was Eze for many games .Pino is a good player in my opinion .
As if Guehi never made a mistake aged 19 .
Should be getting behind Canvot .
Glasner needed to rotate ,and he had to choose one of the three games.It didn’t work out .
I’m confident we will get into top 8 of conference .
Argentina lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia looked what happened to them .

Judging by his performance last night, he is nowhere near ready to play at this level. Remember, we were playing a bang average team who rarely got in our half.

He was playing because we have no experienced cover for CBs who need a rest. Hopefully that will change a little if Riad stays fit.
I suspect he might need a loan next season unless he is on a very steep learning curve. There is no room for sentiment in the Premier League. The players and manager will stick together publically but results come first.

 

[Willo]

Judging by his performance last night, he is nowhere near ready to play at this level. Remember, we were playing a bang average team who rarely got in our half.

He was playing because we have no experienced cover for CBs who need a rest. Hopefully that will change a little if Riad stays fit.
I suspect he might need a loan next season unless he is on a very steep learning curve. There is no room for sentiment in the Premier League. The players and manager will stick together publically but results come first.

I suppose Lerma could have been deployed in the back three, perhaps even Clyne, but Canvot needs some first team experience.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

You have made some insightful comments and I agree with the sentiments.
Apropos Pino, he never came to our club as a goalscorer, in 5 full seasons in Spain he scored 17 goals.

Pino is undoubtedly a skillful player but looks a little light weight in the Premier League. He needs to adapt to the physical demands.

We are used to the likes of Zaha, Bolasie and Eze who are both strong and tricky. Pino relies on quick movement, but is vulnerable when he is holding.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

I suppose Lerma could have been deployed in the back three, perhaps even Clyne, but Canvot needs some first team experience.

Clyne is not a centre half, but I'd have played Lerma and started Wharton.

That game had 1-0 written all over it. An early goal and we could have rested Wharton in the second half.

It's hard when you want to win in every competition. Something has to give. Canvot is the victim, not the villain.

 

[Willo]

Clyne is not a centre half, but I'd have played Lerma and started Wharton.

That game had 1-0 written all over it. An early goal and we could have rested Wharton in the second half.

It's hard when you want to win in every competition. Something has to give. Canvot is the victim, not the villain.

Not a traditional centre-half but has been deployed briefly in a back-three.
I had taken by positivity medication and predicted 1-0 to us, in contrast to those who believed we would win more comfortably. After last night's shock result I shall return to normal service !