Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland match thread

[PatrickA]

It is a tad disappointing that we have played 2 games at Home in the PL this season and failed to win either.
We only narrow defeated Fredrikstad who are considered minnows when compared with the elite teams.

I think this is fair comment, but the true assessment can be made in a few weeks, when hopefully Wharton, Sarr and Nketiah return and Pino and Uche have had more time with the squad and set up.
Hopefully we'll have plenty of options and will not have to rely on Devenny and Kamada being played out of postion, or Mateta having to play every minute .

 

[JRW2]

Horrific performance from the ref. Just didn't get the game at all and his pedanticness on where the throws were taken despite not being able to see the awful playacting and diving from the Sunderlands players. Gave them every single petty foul which they lapped up every time.
Why do we always get the worst refs at Selhurst?

I for one (maybe the only one) was pleased to see that. If players steal yards, they're taking an unfair - and for all I know illegal* - advantage, particularly when, as in this case, they have a long throw specialist. And I was equally pleased to see the Sunderland goalie getting a card for refusing to take a free kick from the right spot.

* No doubt someone on this site will be able to quote the relevant rule.

 

[park the bus]

At the business end, players who were integral and practiced in OG's tactical approach were out, Eze gone, and Sarr injured. Add Wharton into the mix and the newcomers will clearly take a few games to get fully up to speed, but from what we've seen things will be just fine.