Crystal Palace vs. Southampton match thread

[ex hibitionist]

The general direction of travel under Glasner is going the right way imho, but it was very scrappy at times today. As another poster said there was not much discernable style or approach, we were sharper to the ball and played quick through balls to create several chances, but we gave the ball back to them too often, and with carelessness several times not because of pressure. Eze was awful first half - did two good things in the game - the goal and winning a free kick just outside the box, I can see why there's been negativity about Mitchell. Upside Sarr was good, though not all his flicks and tricks were appropriate or properly executed, Mateta's hold up play was admirable again, though we employed the big boot from Hendo a bit too often, it was like Speroni feeding Jamie Scowcroft back in the Peter Taylor days. Hughes was imperious and while Lerma had an offish day on the ball, the way he was still sprinting up the field to press in injury time was fantastic. We didn't really click but we had enough positivity, quality and fight to come from behind and get the ugly win so happy days. People will think I've lost the plot but if, and it is an enormous if, we get Franca back fit I think his style of play would really suit the left sided attacking role which Eze holds now - our threat first half was froom Mateta, Sarr and Munoz, zilch from Ebs, brilliant winner admittedly but a luxury player in a side that can't afford much luxury. And I am finally losing all hope of Kamada getting up to speed, his ten minute cameo was a like lesson in how not to pass, he's just about run out of excuses for me now.

 

[Hannes]

It was a must-win. Unfortunately, announced must-wins often don't happen. And when they do, most of the ones I've seen have been more of a struggle and cramp. I think people should really just look at the result today and celebrate and not overly criticise the performance of the team, individual players and the manager. Just my opinion.

 

[ex hibitionist]

It was a must-win. Unfortunately, announced must-wins often don't happen. And when they do, most of the ones I've seen have been more of a struggle and cramp. I think people should really just look at the result today and celebrate and not overly criticise the performance of the team, individual players and the manager. Just my opinion.

fair point, a lot of games in quick succession and you can't expect free flowing beautiful football every game, but there are issues which go back further than today's game, though I'm not a fan of people who say individual players and/or the manager aren't good enough based one performance either, point out the shortcomings by all means, but when we've won then the general performance simply is good enough.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Surely Benteke takes that crown with 70m worth of transfer, bonuses and wages

But at least his goals at the start were enough to keep us up. Valerian Ishmael was our record signing and played 13 games to no effect at all.

 

[esox lucius]

Not pretty, but 3 much needed points made sweeter by those teams around us all dropping points.

On the transfer front I thought Kyle Walker Peters looked their best player and would be a good shout if we are looking for a new LWB, offers a lot more than TM going forward. Nothing against Mitchell but we need better, I would have thought about £10m

 

[DANGERCLOSE]

Not pretty but we got the job done

Onwards and upwards

 

[pssguy]

The 3 points was crucial today, but that is our best 11, bar Wharton, the formation means we play one attacking player less than most teams in the premier, and all the top 10 teams, this isn't the time to change anything much, but i would not spend a fortune in the Jan Window, unless it is a left footed attacking player, use the loan system, 2 spots still available.

Not a Guehi, fan then?

 

[Nicholas91]

Mitchell put us under pressure so many times in the first half with repeated unforced errors. Even in the second half he was filling in on the right side of the back 3 whilst we had an attacking corner / free kick and instead of a simple cushion header to Hughes, who was in acres of space, he headed it straight to the Southampton left sided attacker and they were straight on us with a dangerous attack. Most teams would’ve punished us from that but thankfully Southampton were fairly blunt in attack. Desperately need the LWB position improved.

That’s one example I can recall, and not just Mitchell, there were many instances today which actually prompted somebody near me to make the remark ‘no footballing brains’.

I disagree with that as there were certain instances which would suggest no brain whatsoever was in employment. Some infuriating and bizarre antics today which many other/better teams would have punished.

 

[Gary St.Andrews]

That’s one example I can recall, and not just Mitchell, there were many instances today which actually prompted somebody near me to make the remark ‘no footballing brains’.

I disagree with that as there were certain instances which would suggest no brain whatsoever was in employment. Some infuriating and bizarre antics today which many other/better teams would have punished.

It wasn’t pretty, but we were unlucky not to go in at half time in front!

 

[Nicholas91]

It wasn’t pretty, but we were unlucky not to go in at half time in front!

Yes I agree.

The result is of course the most important thing and the team got the job done.

I did think Soton were very poor though and there was much to be desired from our performance.

Bring on Chelsea I say, and an open window, I still hope for the best all round 🤓

 

[Talvlad]

Well taking this as a mid season review I will remain glass half full...

Transfers are always a bit of a risk and unpredictable but Sarr big plus, Lacroix big plus and personally I'd like to see us sign Trev (let's face it Chelsea hardly want players coming back in next year)

20 points after a slow start

Realistic chance if getting something from home fixtures in second half of year.

Defence fairly solid and good keeper

Eze off form, but still has x factor and I think the majority of clubs in the Prem would be glad to have him if they had the chance

The upside of a thin squad is we will continue to attract the best hungry players from the Championsip / European clubs

Top fans and support

I know things aren't perfect, but for me the plusses outweigh the minuses

Here's to 2025

 

[Talvlad]

Well taking this as a mid season review I will remain glass half full...

Transfers are always a bit of a risk and unpredictable but Sarr big plus, Lacroix big plus and personally I'd like to see us sign Trev (let's face it Chelsea hardly want players coming back in next year)

20 points after a slow start

Realistic chance if getting something from home fixtures in second half of year.

Defence fairly solid and good keeper

Eze off form, but still has x factor and I think the majority of clubs in the Prem would be glad to have him if they had the chance

The upside of a thin squad is we will continue to attract the best hungry players from the Championsip / European clubs

Top fans and support

I know things aren't perfect, but for me the plusses outweigh the minuses

Here's to 2025

No wait, Wharton still to come back

 

[PatrickA]

My main observation from today is that Sarr’s understanding of his role and positioning has improved significantly.
He plays closer to Mateta in the way that Glasner expects from the outside players in the front 3 when we are in possession.
He’s starting to appreciate the space that Munoz needs for his raids down the right side.
Munoz should have scored again today from that right sided position.

Sarr also showed some good defensive discipline when Southampton attempted to hit us on the break and Sarr made an excellent recovery run to cover our left side and see off the danger.
I think he’s benefiting from the coaching and getting a better understanding with his teammates.

Sadly I don’t think the same can be said for Mitchell.
He’s a fine defensive left back but his first tendency when in advanced positions is to pass backwards as opposed to clipping in first time crosses (when this is an option).
I lost count of the times today when the ball ended up with the keeper when Mitchell received the ball over the halfway line.
The issue is compounded by fact that Eze is receiving the ball with his back to goal and invariably passes backwards means that between Mitchell and Eze we currently carry almost zero threat down our left side.
We would definitely benefit from having more thrust down our left side.

 

[Frenchaigle]

Interesting quote from Glasner regarding first goal .
In Europe it would be a foul but the Premier league its not, my thoughts exactly .
For far too long goalkeepers have been overprotected .

 

[Phil’s Barber]

Just watched our game on MOTD.

I’m glad VAR and the pundits said no foul by Mateta. Ramsdale had both hands on Mateta and was trying to push him out the way. He just wasn’t strong enough and Mateta stood his ground, which left Ramsdale flapping at thin air!

 

[viveasheagle]

A deserved and needed win. Don't think Southampton offered much after we took the lead and we saw out the win without to many issues - similarly to how did the same to get he point at Bournemouth. Thought that Benderak should have been booked a lot earlier and certainly in the first half and this would have freed up Mateta who caused a lot of problems for them in the first half. There were signs of sloppiness at times but for the most part it was when we had the ball forward.
Thought Chalobah had one of his best games. He offered quite a lot going forward and generally defended well. Everyone else sort of played around 7 out of 10 - not bad but could have done a bit better at times!!

 

[ASCPFC]

My main observation from today is that Sarr’s understanding of his role and positioning has improved significantly.
He plays closer to Mateta in the way that Glasner expects from the outside players in the front 3 when we are in possession.
He’s starting to appreciate the space that Munoz needs for his raids down the right side.
Munoz should have scored again today from that right sided position.

Sarr also showed some good defensive discipline when Southampton attempted to hit us on the break and Sarr made an excellent recovery run to cover our left side and see off the danger.
I think he’s benefiting from the coaching and getting a better understanding with his teammates.

Sadly I don’t think the same can be said for Mitchell.
He’s a fine defensive left back but his first tendency when in advanced positions is to pass backwards as opposed to clipping in first time crosses (when this is an option).
I lost count of the times today when the ball ended up with the keeper when Mitchell received the ball over the halfway line.
The issue is compounded by fact that Eze is receiving the ball with his back to goal and invariably passes backwards means that between Mitchell and Eze we currently carry almost zero threat down our left side.
We would definitely benefit from having more thrust down our left side.

Didn't Mitchell lay a goal on a plate in this match with a perfect pass - yet we fluffed it? Was it Munoz? Can't remember already. However, sure Mitchell made a good run and a good ball in and should have had an assist. I'd say he's got about three assists this season and Eze has a few too, so we are offering something down the left.
We need strengthening, however, in basically all of the attacking midfield/winger and wing back positions.
It's getting ludicrous watching Mitchell play a full 90 of every game.

 

[Eaglecoops]

Didn't Mitchell lay a goal on a plate in this match with a perfect pass - yet we fluffed it? Was it Munoz? Can't remember already. However, sure Mitchell made a good run and a good ball in and should have had an assist. I'd say he's got about three assists this season and Eze has a few too, so we are offering something down the left.
We need strengthening, however, in basically all of the attacking midfield/winger and wing back positions.
It's getting ludicrous watching Mitchell play a full 90 of every game.

I would hazard a guess that Mitchell has played the most minutes of any outfield player in the PL this season.

I recall the cross and think it was Sarr who failed to get on the end of it. There was also the Munoz shot which came off the back of Walker-Peter’s heel but not sure if that was from a Mitchell cross.

It would appear that OG has made it pretty clear that Mitchell is a good defender but doesn’t offer as much as Munoz going forward and that we need to improve that area. I would expect an acquisition ideally this window, but if not in the summer.

 

[TrickyboyVn]

Whilst I fully acknowledge that Kamada's confidence must be hurting, and that we should always (try and) support all palace players, in the last few games when OG has brought on Kamada, its literally like going down to 10 men.

We've had plenty of players over our history who just haven't worked, but this lad seems to be a total novice. He can't tackle, can't pass, can't read the game and looks completely lost out there. Its actually quite sad to watch.

However, how on earth did he get bought and on such ridiculous wages?

This is a real embarrassment for our recruitment team and OG should admit when its not the deal he thought it would be.

Just so unfair on others and if I was other players knowing his deal, this must surely destabilize moral?

Time to put out to reserves and got shot to save wages asap.

Im sorry Kamada. But this is PL.

 

[park the bus]

Mitchell's fine. What he needs is a genuine left sided player in front of him - Munoz has Sarr on the right and it works, Mitchell has Eze, not a natural left sided player. I agree with Lanzo here, Eze should be plying his trade centrally, please note his positioning for his goal. Because of Glasner's tactical approach, some players don't seem a natural fit.