The Prem Relegation Dogfight

[ASCPFC]

I've never read such rubbish in my life.

You've never read Guardian opinion pieces?

 

[PatrickA]

Have another gander at the table. Our goals against is actually pretty fair. Defence is not the issue, as annoying as some of the 17 we have conceded this season testify.

And it is not wholly in attack either, despite the fact we have only scored 10. Our attack is pretty effective and our attempts within range of what it ought to be.

The issue is finishing. Converting attacks to goals. I dunno, a bit more spent in target practice?

I have to say this is an extremely generous interpretation.
For every goal we're scoring, we are conceding roughly two.
That form will see you relegated if it continues.

 

[palace chick]

Injuries and bad luck together with missed chances have certainly got us into a difficult position this season meaning relegation is a strong possibility. What also doesn’t help is that those teams around us aren’t playing that badly themselves. Ipswich recently won at Spurs as did Wolves this weekend. Even Southampton could have got something yesterday and haven’t looked that bad this season. Leicester are another who haven’t looked like they can’t give a good account of themselves and that probably goes for everyone around us. We need not only a settled team putting our chances away but also able to defend better throughout the 11 selected. Then we require a bench where we can bring quality players on that can play in their positions that benefit them and the team. I mean by that Clyne and Richard’s who came on and either played out of position or meant others within the remaining team had to play out of position to accommodate them. Mateta was knackered Saturday, yet there was no one on the bench to replace him? It’s going to be hard to stay up with this present squad unless we get reinforcement's in the January window even with injuries back :-(

 

[silvertop]

I have to say this is an extremely generous interpretation.
For every goal we're scoring, we are conceding roughly two.
That form will see you relegated if it continues.

Key words.

The changes that will occur.

1. Returning players. We beat Fulham 9-1... in absences. 4 of whom played the same spot! We should be close to full match fit compliment next month.

2. Depth of squad. Much discussed. Could and should be better. But still better than some in this division. And it is their relative weakness that will stretch them badly with the December fixture congestion and see their form plummet come the New Year. We will rise out of danger simply by holding our form.

3. Time. Forging a new defensive partnership, adjusting to a loss of Olise etc. Glasner's teams take half a season to season. On who...

4. Glasner. He who did what he did end last season doesn't suddenly stop being him.

5. January buys. Probably the worst argument as this window is usually disappointing and rival teams may do better; but Dougie has wielded his magic at this time before...

 

[PatrickA]

Key words.

The changes that will occur.

1. Returning players. We beat Fulham 9-1... in absences. 4 of whom played the same spot! We should be close to full match fit compliment next month.

2. Depth of squad. Much discussed. Could and should be better. But still better than some in this division. And it is their relative weakness that will stretch them badly with the December fixture congestion and see their form plummet come the New Year. We will rise out of danger simply by holding our form.

3. Time. Forging a new defensive partnership, adjusting to a loss of Olise etc. Glasner's teams take half a season to season. On who...

4. Glasner. He who did what he did end last season doesn't suddenly stop being him.

5. January buys. Probably the worst argument as this window is usually disappointing and rival teams may do better; but Dougie has wielded his magic at this time before...

I agree that we may see improvement but a lot of what you say is a projection on 'what may happen.'
For example, how often do we have 'a full complement' of players?
Long term injuries to the likes of Doucoure, Eze, Olise and Franca are par for the course.

It may be seen as negativity, but my approach is more evidence based .
The fact remains that Glasner has had just two wins without Olise in twenty or so games .

I'm hopeful that we will still manage to stay up, but much will depend on keeping key players fit and our results against fellow strugglers.

 

[ASCPFC]

I don't think this team is up for a fight - we need to get clear soon as this is not a mentally tough group of players.

 

[BromleyMonkey]

I don't think this team is up for a fight - we need to get clear soon as this is not a mentally tough group of players.

That’s not a bad point, there’s no Clint Hill, Jedinak or Delaney in the side that’s for sure. Although I think Munoz always looks like he’s up for a scrap.

 

[Painter]

We've kept 2 clean sheets all season and are conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game.

It's like starting each game with a minus 1.5 goals which we have to claw back.
It's true that no team has dominated us or thrashed us and we have been competitive in every game.

It's also true that we have good players at the back.

Nonetheless, can anybody feel truly confident that we'll put a run of clean sheets together?
We continue to be vulnerable to teams breaking fast on us and to crosses and corners.
We're not conceding 4 or 5 in a game, but teams know they have a good chance of scoring a couple as there are always mistakes in us, even if the players concerned have generally played well.

Sadly, I don't see that changing moving forward which means we're often going to have to outscore teams to win games as we don't keep clean sheets.

Only 7 teams have more than 2 clean sheets this season, so that isnt the issue. Considering we are 19th in the league, its scoring goals that's the problem.

 

[HKOwen]

IMHO we are dogfight central and it's going to be a long, somewhat unenjoyable fight for survival. I was hoping this season we would be safe with a few weeks to go.

OG made a passing reference in the presser to something like " our ppossession stats so far this season very similar to the last seven games of last season ".

Go figure

 

[PatrickA]

Only 7 teams have more than 2 clean sheets this season, so that isnt the issue. Considering we are 19th in the league, its scoring goals that's the problem.

We didn't score many under Pulis, but we had a mean defence which enabled us eke out narrow wins and achieve an 11th place finish.
In contrast we're currently conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game which inevitably means we have to better this in our goalscoring to achieve results.
This in a team not replete with goalscorers.

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

We didn't score many under Pulis, but we had a mean defence which enabled us eke out narrow wins and achieve an 11th place finish.
In contrast we're currently conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game which inevitably means we have to better this in our goalscoring to achieve results.
This in a team not replete with goalscorers.

You're right there. Mateta should have scored from Sarr's cross on Saturday, but fortunately Devenny was behind him to put it home.

 

[Nicholas91]

I do not consider myself 'Master' of anything.
I am just an aged duffer (72 this week) and one of life's modest trundlers.

Happy Birthday when it arrives Willo.

As things stand, we are well in the 'relegation dogfight'. Only results will see us move out of it for all the prophecies.

We have the players and manager to do so however things don't always work out as they look on paper. Apparently we'll be very busy in January, which I sincerely hope, but a lot remains yet to be seen.

An eventful season for us is on the cards. Not perhaps the events we hoped for but circumstances we should be familiar with as a club and as fans. I'll just keep hoping and cheering for now with my strong inclination to moan suppressed.

COYP

 

[silvertop]

That’s not a bad point, there’s no Clint Hill, Jedinak or Delaney in the side that’s for sure. Although I think Munoz always looks like he’s up for a scrap.

Hughes?

 

[RubinsCube]

IMHO we are dogfight central and it's going to be a long, somewhat unenjoyable fight for survival. I was hoping this season we would be safe with a few weeks to go.

OG made a passing reference in the presser to something like " our ppossession stats so far this season very similar to the last seven games of last season ".

Go figure

This brings to mind a darts match where one player has a much higher three dart average than his opponent but nonetheless gets slaughtered. "Trebles for show, doubles for dough".

We need to be more clinical with the chances we are making and making it harder for opponents to get through the thirds. Simple to diagnose but less easy to implement.

 

[Painter]

This is the first time in 6 years we are in the bottom 3, it brings a lot more excitement to the season. We have been lower midtable in recent seasons with no danger of going down or reaching European spots, a bit boring.
The Bookies who dont often get things wrong, dont think we are going down and place us at 6th favourites to drop.

 

[BromleyMonkey]

Hughes?

Munoz and Hughes then 👍

 

[Davepalace707]

This is the first time in 6 years we are in the bottom 3, it brings a lot more excitement to the season. We have been lower midtable in recent seasons with no danger of going down or reaching European spots, a bit boring.
The Bookies who dont often get things wrong, dont think we are going down and place us at 6th favourites to drop.

Well it’s looking like two from us, Everton, Leicester & Ipswich. Watching Wet Spam tonight don’t know how anyone can think we are more likely to finish above them.

 

[PatrickA]

Well it’s looking like two from us, Everton, Leicester & Ipswich. Watching Wet Spam tonight don’t know how anyone can think we are more likely to finish above them.

It would appear that a touch of realism is now settling in amongst fans.

 

[Palacesince64]

I can give it a go.
Playing with wing backs high up the field leaves space down the sides which opposition can exploit .
This has been evident from the early part of the season in goals conceded v Brentford and West Ham and the vulnerability continues.
The two man central midfield only works when you succesfully press teams high and pin them in.
We have not done this well this season and the opposition has bypassed our midfield with ease to have a clear run at our defence.
For corners and crosses we don't have a Scott Dann to thump clearing headers.
We also used to station Benteke at the near post to clear (arguably this would have prevented Berkeley's goal on Saturday).
It doesn't help when Guehi etc don't get off the ground to compete aerially.

In conclusion Glasner's system can work,with less pressure on the defence, but all components have to come together as they did v Tottenham.
With returning players we just have to hope that performance is replicated more frequently.

I see Danny Murphy has said something similar about the new Manure system with 3 at the back and reckons it only works if you’re 2 DMs are super athletes and mobile- fit versions of Wharton and Doucoure come to mind. Out back 3 haven’t had that cover so far this season, but hopefully both will be back soon.
Lacroix has looked decent in the air unlike Guehi so it was disappointing to lose a goal to a set piece. JP has generally filled the Benteke front post role this season and done quite well.

 

[dreamwaverider]

I see Danny Murphy has said something similar about the new Manure system with 3 at the back and reckons it only works if you’re 2 DMs are super athletes and mobile- fit versions of Wharton and Doucoure come to mind. Out back 3 haven’t had that cover so far this season, but hopefully both will be back soon.
Lacroix has looked decent in the air unlike Guehi so it was disappointing to lose a goal to a set piece. JP has generally filled the Benteke front post role this season and done quite well.

Berkley was completely unmarked for their second. I think Lerma had just come on and wasn't ready.