Size of Task at Hand Obvious as Pulis’s Reign Starts with Defeat at Norwich!

Tony Pulis’s record of never having been relegated in his twenty one year managerial career looks to be in danger as he tries to steer Palace to Premier League survival. A first half Gary Hooper goal gave Norwich all three points sealing this tight encounter at Carrow Road. Norwich dominated the early exchanges and Johan Elmander hit the crossbar from the impressive Nathan Redmond’s free kick, and on half an hour Norwich made their pressure count when ex Celtic striker Gary Hooper scored with a low shot converting Wes Hoolihan’s cross.

Palace could have equalised soon after going behind but Norwich defender Olsson managed to get the slightest deflection on a Barry Bannan shot to divert it onto the crossbar. Palace continued to pressurise after the break in what was a tightly fought, close win for Norwich. It put the two sides level historically on forty three wins each and seventeen draws in a fixture that has been contested on one hundred and three occasions.

In the second half Palace was nearly level when Dean Moxey produced a dangerous low cross that was very nearly sliced into his own net by Canneries defender Sebastian Bassong. Later in the second half Palace freshened up the attack with Gayle replacing Chemakh, Williams replacing Bannan, and Kebe replacing Puncheon. The substitutions nearly had the desired effect as Williams combined well with KG Dikgacoi and Gayle laid the ball off to Kebe who shot narrowly wide from eighteen yards in the closing stages.

Tony Pulis was left reflecting on missed opportunities that could have led to a draw or better as Norwich shaded a 1 – 0 victory in what was a tight and scrappy game at the bottom of the Premier League. Pulis’s task is now all the clearer going into a home game against West Ham Utd on Tuesday night. Palace will need to take their chances if they want to take anything out of the match points wise, but fortunately all is not lost thanks to the three points picked up at Hull last week. Yet Crystal Palace’s relegation threatened black hole will be a lot deeper if they don’t pick up the home points available from the next two fixtures against West Ham Utd on Tuesday and Cardiff City on Saturday.

Tony Pulis remains upbeat about Palace’s chances. Possession was again good for long spells against Norwich Palace simply lacked the experience to take their chances. That is something Pulis will try to alter in the January transfer window hopefully adding some killer instinct and experience to get Palace over the line. Regardless of what magic Pulis finds in January the key objective of keeping Palace in the Premier League remains in December an elusive prize.      

Pulis Becomes Palace Manager as Keith Millen Signs Off with First Away Win of Season Against Hull!

Following defeat away to West Bromwich Albion and a hard earned home point against Everton, Keith Millen signed off his spell as caretaker manager with an excellent battling performance to defeat Hull 1 – 0 with ten men. Tony Pulis was appointed manager on the morning of the match and took up a watching brief from the stand as the prolonged appointment process came to an end.

Crystal Palace made one change from the draw against Everton with Dwight Gayle replacing Jerome Thomas who was injured to play in the hole behind Maroane Chemakh. Palace started well with Keith Millen setting the team up to be compact and press high up the pitch whilst being hard to beat. It was Jedinak’s role to break up play in midfield alongside KG and Barry Bannan with Yannick Bolasie making marauding runs down the wing.

The prolonged managerial recruitment process that had lasted exactly a month gave Millen the time to implant some of his personality into the team, and they responded showing great fight led by Delaney, Bannan, and Jedinak. Improved performances followed and Hull was no exception even the much maligned Chemakh put himself about enough to sustain a head wound. This led to him being replaced when at his most effective by an equally committed Cameron Jerome.

Indeed watching from the stands Tony Pulis would have got a good idea of the task at hand to keep Palace up as well as the quality of the tools at his disposal to complete the task. He would have no doubt followed Palace’s fortunes closely over the last month knowing he was likely to eventually take over as he was one of Steve Parish’s first targets of the whole drawn out recruitment saga. He would of had to be confident of being able to do the job of keeping Palace up to put his record of never having been relegated on the line.

The players responded well to Keith Millen in his last game in charge. They were set up to be hard to beat and in the first half Hull struggled to have enough quality to break Palace down and they were restricted to half chances with the majority of play in the midfield with Palace breaking on Hull. Bannan was effective in midfield setting up runs for Bolasie that Chamakh and Gayle could feed off on the break.

The turning point of the match came in the second half with Hull still struggling to break Palace down with Steve Bruce’s side been restricted to relatively few clear cut opportunities. The former Palace managerial incumbent remained the but of many a Palace fans terrace jibe. Indeed for much of the match most of the entertainment took the form of terrace banter in the crowd as Palace fans mocked the locals over Hull’s name change to the Tigers. When Palace did attack Bolasie became most effective, feeding off balls from Bannan and Jedinak to supply Gayle and substitute Cameron Jerome as Hull’s home crowd became increasingly frustrated.

On Eighty three minutes Bolasie broke again fed by Bannan, he turned inside, and in trying to make room for a shot engaged the defender again and as the Hull player tried to tackle Bolasie he miss controlled the ball and overcommitted to the tackle. The referee judged the tackle to be out of control and showed Bolasie a red card.  The sending off frustrated Crystal Palace and incensed their supporters but instead of giving up the incident galvanised the team and showed the watching Pulis the team spirit of his new charges. Three minutes later on eighty six minutes Jerome held the ball up in attack, skilfully turned his man and fired the ball low across the box for the on rushing Bannan to slot the ball home putting Palace 1 – 0 up sending the travelling fans into raptures.

Palace had to hold on despite a Hull onslaught for the final five minutes that saw Liam Rosenior hit the post. Few could argue Palace deserved the win at the final whistle in what was a tight and scrappy game. Keith Millen got a huge ovation on full time as the Palace faithful saluted his efforts in masterminding what was Palace’s first away points of this campaign.

The size of the task at hand for Tony Pulis is no doubt clear and it will not be easy but a platform for progress has been laid down by Millen as Palace on seven points next play Norwich with a real opportunity to make further progress. It is over to Tony Pulis and what he can do to keep Palace in touch with other teams at the bottom of the Premier League. How can Pulis rescue a campaign left for him by old friend Ian Holloway and given new momentum by Keith Millen.   

Crystal Palace 1 – 4 Fulham; Palace suffer Premier League Reality Check as Four Star Fulham Crush Palace!

A world class strike from Fulham’s Pajtam Kasami against the run of play and a strike from Steve Sidwell on halftime cancelled out Adrian Miriappa’s opener to give Fulham a 2 – 1 lead at halftime. Things went from bad to worse for Palace at the start of the second half as Dmitar Birbatov was left unmarked to head home a third, and Philippe Senderos completed the hammering with a forth, volleying home a corner ten minutes into the second half.

Reality is biting hard for the Palace faithful as the size of the task at hand Palace have to stay in the Premier League becomes all the more stark. Even Fulham despite their poor form put four goals past a haphazard Palace defence.

It started so differently for Palace. Yannick Bolasie was making his first Premier League start of the season combined well with Jason Puncheon on the opposite flank and Palace’s Young Spanish Midfielder Jose Campana caused Fulham problems with their pace. A goal from Adrian Miriappa gave Palace a deserved lead on seven minutes. What followed showed the quality of the Premier League as Palace’s progress towards a second home win was blitzed and derailed by two quality and world class strikes.

Kasami’s equaliser for Fulham came out of nothing and brought comparisons with Marco Van Bastan’s world class volley for Holland at Euro 88. Palace was left reeling and still recovering when a free kick for Fulham deflected off the wall back to Steve Sidwell who shot an unbelievable drive into the top corner to give the cottagers a halftime lead against the run of play.

Palace had the fight taken out of them by halftime as in the second half the ruthless finishing of the Premier League was drummed into Palace as even a team struggling in the league such as Fulham was still ruthless enough to drub four goals past the Palace backline.

The reality is this is not a very good Palace side and within forty eight hours they would have cost Ian Holloway his job as the manager fell on his sword with true dignity as he felt unable to continue in his post. The fact is the unquestionable team spirit that had lifted Palace in to the Premier League was missing this campaign and Holloway’s decision to bring in fifteen new faces in the transfer window had back fired as he did not know his best team and his decision to bring in journeymen and mercenaries had lost him the dressing room.

Who next then for Palace? I thought Holloway’s tenure would be eventful and exciting if not long. So it proved with him delivering Freedmans’ team to the Premier League. Ultimately his decision to dispense with the players who got him there like Garvan and Dobbie cost him the team spirit and the dressing room. Tony Pulis is a frontrunner to be the new boss his disciplined and direct style would make Palace difficult to beat and may ultimately give Palace the best chance to stay in the division.

Pulis’s hard taskmaster reputation may drill the team kicking certain mercenaries’ backsides into actually putting in performances for the team. Another manager on Palace’s radar whose star is on the wane could well be Martin O’ Neil his success at Wycombe and Leicester showed he liked a certain style of football, even though he spent a lot of money at Aston Villa and was less successful at Sunderland.

The choice for Steve Parish and the board of directors may be an unexpected one given how keen they were to hold onto Holloway’s services. Yet both sides can hold their heads up high as both came out with great dignity as Holloway accepted he had lost the dressing room and Parish conceded Palace did not have the infrastructure in place to make Holloway’s tenure a more successful one.

Up next for Palace is Arsenal on Saturday with Keith Millen, Holloway’s assistant in temporary charge. Things do not get any easier in the Premier League, but with thirty games left there is enough time and points available for Holloway’s successor whoever that may be to make a real impression.

The question remains over Palace’s next manager. It is that question that may well decide Palace’s fate this season and into the next campaign. The choice over the next manager may decide whether has any long term legacy or is simply setting up a strong squad for a promotion campaign in the Championship in 2014/2015.   

Palace Blog into 2014; into the Premier League.

Due to illness my blog has taken an extended hiatus this preseason and into Premier league campaign 13/14. Probably a good thing given Palace’s slow and difficult start to the season. As for the much hyped deadline day business Palace was busy bringing in sixteen new faces including Dwight Gayle from Peterborough, Cameron Jerome from Stoke, Jimmy Kebe and Adrian Mariappa from Reading and Adlene Guediara from Forest, and probably the most high profile loan signing from Arsenal of striker Marouane Chemakh. Given Palace’s start to the season it could be said Chemakh has been disappointing so far.

Palace with a mere three points going into October’s international break sees the Eagles in nineteenth place in the premier league with only Sunderland, defeated 3 – 1 at Selhurst Park below us bottom of the league. Last Saturday I made only my second away trip of the season to Liverpool’s Anfield. It was only my second trip to the stadium having seen Palace downed 3 – 2 in 2005. 2013’s version of events proved not to be very different as Palace was defeated 3 – 1. We could at least console ourselves for the journey home with the second half display winning it as we did courtesy of a Dwight Gayle glancing header his second goal of the season.

It strikes me disappointed though we may be with the start to our season can we really be that surprised. Missing as we are Murray and Williams to long term injuries with Bolasie only just available to face Liverpool and Jonathan Parr still struggling and as a result the threadbare nature of the squad even with the new recruitment policy can barely be expected to compete with others at the top level in the Premier League. The recruitment policy adds little more than confusion as Holloway struggles to bed down the new signings and find his best team.

This threadbare hand to mouth approach to recruitment and rotation in order to find the best team has got the short shrift it deserved in the early part of the season; an 0 – 2 home loss to Swansea, where we were fortunate to get nil was followed up by 2 – 0 defeats on the road at Old Trafford and Southampton. Outplayed on both occasions even if refereeing performances are poor and we were on the wrong end of some truly atrocious decisions at Manchester United we lost the right to complain when Chemakh dived against Southampton in another lacklustre display. Oh for the simpler days of Wilbraham, Andrew or Easter, Progress!

One thing I admire about our return to the top flight is the sense of excitement generated by each home and away match as each game is an event and each opponent a big game. With Fulham and Arsenal on the horizon it is hard to know which match is bigger; Arsenal, or Fulham because of its potential as a season defining fixture at the bottom of the league. Either way Selhurst will be packed to the rafters, the world and its dog in attendance simply due to the mass marketing appeal of the Premier League. No doubt the Holmesdale Fanatics will add to the unique atmosphere with the cracking display of pyrotechnics and fire crackers.

It was funny invading the sedate grounds of the prawn sandwich brigade of the North West Anfield and Old Trafford with smoke bombs and flairs, as I am not if these libraries had ever seen such brazen an invasion of loud supporters backing a team sadly so hopelessly outplayed on the pitch! Still at least we can enjoy ourselves off the field with witty song and banter and a truly unique cracking atmosphere produced by brilliantly loyal fan base home or away.

It is also great though from a footballing point of view to see world class quality players close up on the field in front of you. Swansea’s movement a fortnight ago at Selhurst was something to behold. Palace could do nothing but admire the speed of passing as they cut through our defences like a knife through butter leaving our midfield totally static. Even Jedi and KG were out of there depths. Watching players in close quarters like Sturridge, Gerrard, and Suarez is something to behold their skill and speed of thought and ability to finish world class. My only disappointment was not seeing Zaha line up for United again I fail to see why David Moyes refuses to use such a talent in a struggling side. Brilliant ex Eagles Routledge, Fonte, Clyne and Moses did line up against us for Swansea, Southampton and Liverpool respectively.

It has been a tough start to the season but the second half at Anfield offered real hope for more of a fight during the new season as new players bed in. Combination play between Kebe and Bolasie on the wings looked good and Jose Campana looks a class act in midfield, a real complement to hard tackling Jedinak and KG. The frontline though remains a concern. We miss Murray out till after Christmas, Cameron Jerome tries hard and Gayle shows courage and promise spurred on by the odd goal. The only unfortunate yet to settle being the expensive Chemakh, the less said the better suffice to say the jury is still out.

It was great to have Bolasie back in a Palace shirt again Vs Liverpool just in time for what is shaping up to be a season defining match against struggling Fulham before a classy Arsenal outfit come to town before the month of October is rounded off with an away trip to West Bromwich Albion. Now we only need Jonathan Parr and Glenn Murray and Jonny Williams to make speedy first team returns. One thing that is certain is that this Palace side will have to show commitment to the final day of the season against Fulham in the return fixture at Craven Cottage. This is not Palace’s best ever Premier League squad and given we have been relegated at the end of all our previous Premiership campaigns a strong work ethic alongside luck is going to be a necessity.

Ian Holloway will drum it home to his players the need to fight and scrap for every point never giving up. With Holloway’s passion, ability, and unerring positive beliefs one thing is certain this season will not be boring. The remainder of Palace’s 2013/14 will be memorable rather than boring and certainly will not be allowed to peter out without a bang.   

End of Season Thank You...

Thank you for reading my blog. It will return more regularly in Crystal Palace’s first Premier League Season in 8 years during 2013/14. In the meantime do explore the back posts of the blog. A twitter page may follow in the future but if you wish to contact Samuel Burch directly please email me @ srb105@hotmail.com

A radio production blog with examples of football related chat may follow in due course over the summer in the meantime... Enjoy the summer!

EAGLES!!

Thanks to John and Stu the Royal!!, Mandy, Karen, and all my carers over the season.

PLAYOFF FINAL WEMBLEY 2013; King Kev’s Wembley Penalty Lifts Eagles Out Of Championship As Zaha Leaves Parting Gift Of Premier League Legacy!

A 1 – 0 extra time victory over Watford at Wembley Stadium courtesy of a Zaha inspired Phillips penalty fired Palace into the Premier League... And dreamland! A crowd in excess 82,000 of which 35,000 were Palace fans witnessed the game it could be argued changed Crystal Palace’s history and future.

Billed as a £120,000,000 game this Wembley final was the climax to an epic Palace season. Team Spirit, hard work, raw emotion and determination to succeed typified this palace campaign. It was my first trip to new Wembley but I was fortunate enough to witness both the 1996 and 1997 Playoff finals at Wembley as a teenager. This was the first match I have ever witnessed in the gods of a stadium, (apart from Newcastle). It was like watching a giant Subbuteo match played on a carpet. It was fantastic to follow passages of play and sharp passes with an aerial perspective to mapping the game. It was also great to get this perspective on Wilfried Zaha’s last game for the club. Viewing his silky skills, turns, and mesmerising talent one last time from the air.

Crystal Palace was unchanged from the starting line up of the second leg of the semi final against Brighton playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ward Delaney Moxey and Gabbidon at the back. Aaron Wilbraham played a lone role upfront with Zaha lining up alongside Williams on the flanks for the last time. KG, Garvan and Jedinak lined up across the middle of midfield. Watford matched up in a 3-5-2 formation with semi final hero Deeney partnering Vydra upfront.

The first half was tight and scrappy passing relatively quickly. The key moment of the half, indeed possibly the match was the injury to KG Dikgacoi and the introduction of his replacement Stuart O’Keefe. O’Keefe who had played so well in another big match at Old Trafford in 2011 fitted seamlessly alongside Jedinak in midfield leaving Palace’s momentum unaffected. He marked his arrival into the game with a crunching tackle on Jonathan Hogg. Later in the second half he was lucky not to be sent off for kicking the ball at Abdi’s face after the Watford player made a bad tackle. O’Keefe played the midfield role well and was unlucky not to score after drawing a fantastic save from the excellent Manual Almunia in the Watford goal.

A village atmosphere existed around Wembley prior to kick off. A potent mix of nervous tension and excitement among the 35,000 Palace fans excitement at the prospect of Zaha’s final bow for Palace on the biggest stage of all. Both sides mixed well and could have sold a lot more tickets but for the stupid Club Wembley ticketing system that deprived both teams of more fans in the stadium. Large swathes of the centre of the stadium were empty but they were engulfed by colour and noise red, blue, yellow and black from either end behind the goals.

I was relieved not to be playing Leicester after the pain of the 2 – 1 Wembley defeat in 1996. Steve Claridge’s shin had caused untold emotional pain and frustration on a then fourteen year olds football psyche in the 120^th minute of that match. Yet however that changed Palace’s history then, it was about to be rewritten again now. Not just because of the cruel fashion of Leicester City’s semi final defeat to Watford in 2013, but because of the magic in twenty year olds Wilfried Zaha’s feet and the penalty Prowess of a forty year old ageless superhero.... Kevin Phillips!

In the second half defences remained on top. Both goalkeepers pulled off some superb saves especially Speroni. Gabbidon and Delaney showed the defensive understanding that had propelled Palace to the top of the league in the autumn. Again Palace played the match not the occasion but this time they were roared on by 35,000 Palace fans, not the 2,000 they were restricted to at the AMMEX. Watford could not live with the Eagles energy and determination present in abundance for the final hurdle. Despite Watford taking the match into extra time substitutions again proved crucial for Ian Holloway. Wilbraham worked tirelessly without reward, but the timings of the introduction of Phillips and Moritz for Williams and Garvan gave Palace the platform to make the breakthrough.

Zaha in his final appearance for Crystal Palace before joining up with his Manchester United team mates was unplayable. He rose to the big occasion his skill and ability unlocking the door to the Premier League for Crystal Palace.  Supported by the hard work and off the ball running, tracking back, closing down and commitment from his team mates as Jedinak, O’ Keefe and Ward was immense at covering ground feeding Phillips.

The breakthrough came on 105 minutes when Zaha’s skill and Palace pressure forced Cassetti to concede a penalty. Kevin Phillips duly dispatched an unstoppable shot into the top corner. A place in the Premier League was fifteen minutes away. Seventeen years to the exact date and Memories of Leicester in 1996 were been wiped away by the boot of a forty year old Phillips. When Joel Ward cleared a last minute Forestieri shot off the line with his head, Steve Claridge’s shin punt disappeared into the ether of time and Palace won the £120 million game to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

Wembley and South London rose to acclaim the fairytale of the old and the young. Thanks to Zaha, Phillips, and the foresight of the CPFC 2010 group Crystal Palace have returned back where they belong in the top flight. The dream of a legacy of sustainability and stability now is within the grasp of the Crystal Palace Football Club family as a parting gift from Wilfried Zaha!!!

Playoff Leg 2; Crystal Palace (2) 2 – 0 (0) Brighton & Hove Albion: Palace Are Off To Wembley!!!

For the first time since 1997 and that Hopkin goal, Palace is returning to the spiritual home of football Wembley Stadium. Watford waits for a place in the Premier league in 2013/14. The result that took the Eagles there was secured against their bitterest rivals and in their rival’s back yard making it all the sweeter for the vocal two thousand travelling fans.

These matches were always going to be tight. The size of the prize at stake was always going to cement a historical new chapter in this fierce rivalry. Ambiguous though the nature of the rivalry may be to the rest of the football world, it remained as alive as ever throughout the match. A fact reflected in the ridiculous police presence around both matches. The match was played in the relative comfort of the new Ammex Stadium and with excellent disabled views the ground was ready for the biggest derby match in its young history. Palace was ready for the challenge and disciplined in their approach.

The second leg saw Palace play an unchanged side from the match at Selhurst Park barring an enforced change upfront because of Glenn Murray’s injury. Aaron Wilbraham came into the team with Garvan playing off him. This would be the performance to define Palace’s season reflecting the character of this great Palace team that never give in. This Crystal Palace team was organised and determined playing the game and not the occasion. In finding form that reflected the purple patches of the autumn Brighton did not see it coming and could not react to the knockout punch.

 In the first half despite continuing its tight pattern the match was being controlled from the benches by a tactically astute Ian Holloway. He had learned from the heavy defeat in March. Joel Ward was brilliant at right back. Delaney and Gabbidon were quietly efficient and effective at the back. This win was built on solid organisation nowhere more so than in midfield Jedinak and Garvan breaking up play and creating space for Williams and Zaha to exploit. The timings of Holloway’s substitutions of Moritz and Bolasie on for Garvan and Williams was perfect in exploiting the most out of Brighton’s fatigue and frustration.

Victory came after the substitutions with the brilliance of Wilfried Zaha scoring two goals by carving up the Brighton defence in the last half an hour. Heading home a Bolasie cross after getting in front of Wayne Bridge he stooped to conquer sending all Palace fans wild. On Eighty Eight minutes it was two; Zaha collected a pass from KG to turn Gordon Greer and smash the ball home into the roof of the net.

Crystal Palace’s season now culminates at Wembley on 27^th May 2013 against Watford. Fittingly in the week Crystal Palace academy graduate Ben Watson scored the winning FA Cup Final goal for Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium, Wilfried Zaha’s last Palace match before his much heralded move to the Champions will also be at Wembley. What a tribute to the Crystal Palace academy system. Dreams can come true for smaller clubs but this takes place only alongside hard work and determination. Well done to everyone involved. Enjoyment and celebration will now mix with the final professionalism to get in the Premier League. The first appearance of Crystal Palace Football Club at the new Wembley marks an appropriate sent off for the final match of our current badge on the clubs shirts.

Playoff Leg 1: Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Brighton and Hove Albion.

All is still to be decided in the second leg of this playoff as Palace secured a goalless draw at Selhurst to take to the Ammex on Monday night. An attendance of over 23,000 supporters packed into Selhurst for a pulsating evening under lights ready to witness another historic chapter in the Crystal Palace vs Brighton rivalry. The match was a far tighter affair then either league encounter somewhat reflecting the size of the prize at stake.

Neither team wanted a heavy defeat going into the second leg. Brighton started well, but their neat football was matched by Palace’s endeavour, work rate, and the intense atmosphere inside the ground, an atmosphere stoked by the bitter animosity between the rival fans. Add to this the prize of Wembley and the chance of promotion for the winners and no single set of Palace V Brighton matches has ever had such national attention placed upon its results.

This tie was always going to be decided at the Ammex in the second leg. The first leg was always going to be tactical. A managerial battle of wits between Holloway and Poyet and as such Williams started with Jedinak, KG Dikgacoi, Garvan and Zaha in midfield. Brighton remains Dobbie’s parent club until July 1st and as such he could not play. Yannick Bolasie, Kevin Phillips, and Wilbraham started on the bench as Holloway played Murray as the lone man upfront. Brighton matched up with Palace with the dangerous trio of Ulloa, Lopez, and Orlandi all so effective in Palace’s defeat at the Ammex in March all starting.

Palace matched Brighton’s neat football with an intensity and work rate that was second to none. Although Albion started strongly Palace was driven on by a passionate and partisan crowd and this brought them into a competitive match more and more as the first half developed. There was no sign of the struggle for form that had so marked the end of the home side’s campaign. Brighton could and perhaps should have led at half time. Julian Speroni brilliantly foiled Dean Hammond’s powerful header. In the second half Williams, before cramping up, was beginning to significantly influence midfield. He narrowly failed to convert a brilliant Wilfried Zaha cross, but in a game of few clear cut chances a crucial moment was about to impact on Crystal Palace’s season.

On sixty six minutes Palace’s thirty one goal striker Glenn Murray fell awkwardly while jumping for a ball and appears to have damaged his cruciate  knee ligament. The unfortunate circumstances of Murray’s injury failed to knock Palace out of their stride, instead it drove them on. There was a determination not to give anything away going into the second leg. It may even have been better for Palace as Danny Gabbidon’s header was cleared off the line by a combination of Orlandi, Kuszczak, and the post.

At half time in the playoff semi final situation the goalless situations means the tasks for both sides in the second leg is clear. Winner takes all. There is everything to play for at the Ammex. Brighton’s resources give them a possible slight advantage along with a partisan crowd one thing is certain the weight of expectation has shifted firmly onto Brighton. If the game at the Ammex reflects the scarcity of opportunities at Selhurst it could be a long night. The tie now has echoes of last season’s League Cup Semi Final with Cardiff that went to penalties and Palace may need to draw on last seasons’ cup experience.

Massive credit should go to this Crystal Palace team. There is a sense of never giving up and led by ‘The Jedi,’ Captain Fantastic and Crystal Palace Player of the Year 2013 Mile Jedinak the team reflects a steely determination. The foresight of owners Steve Parish and Steve Browett to appoint Ian Holloway and keep a momentum going this season means the possibility of Wembley and possibility of promotion lies in reach, one excellent away performance away. Whether or not that away performance is possible depends on the conclusion of the tactical playoff battle between Ian Holloway and Gus Poyet at the Ammex on Monday evening.

 

Crystal Palace 3 – 2 Peterborough United: Palace Secure Playoff Berth as Victory Sends Peterborough Down!

An eighty ninth minute header from Mile Jedinak settled this key match in Palace’s favour with crucial final day consequences at both ends of the table. Palace and Peterborough both needed something from the game to secure their objectives; Palace a point for the playoffs, Peterborough a point to avoid relegation. Peterborough had lost just two of their last thirteen matches hardly relegation form, and started confidently. Although having not won since March it was Palace’s home record of two defeats all season that meant they only needed a point to stay in the playoffs.

The game itself was an up and down affair and was surprisingly open given the circumstances. Peterborough’s play was very attractive given their perilous position as Palace relied on home comforts to find form before the playoffs. Palace could have taken the lead when Delaney’s header was parried by Bobby Olejnik to Murray only for his goal bound shot to be cleared brilliantly off the line by Peterborough defender Grant McCann.

On twenty eight minutes Lee Tomlin gave Peterborough United the lead scoring a brilliant goal on the break. Cutting across Dean Moxey and Damien Delaney and shooting powerfully across Speroni into the net. Just before half time Glenn Murray ended an eight game baron spell slamming home a penalty on half time. The penalty followed a clumsy challenge in the box on Gabbidon by Zakuani after Peterborough failed to clear a corner. At half time it was 1 – 1 and results were putting Peterborough down.

At half time Peterborough knew the task in hand for the second half to stay up and knew they had to attack. For Palace results elsewhere would dictate an academic second half with the game only important for momentum as Palace was in the playoffs regardless. Yet unfortunately for tension levels none of the facts was known from rumour at the time. When Mendez-Laing put Peterborough 2 – 1 up they were safe as score lines were changing in their favour elsewhere. At this point Palace was unsure of a playoff place and the tension inside Selhurst was rising. Murray again had a shot cleared off the line and at this stage it appeared as though the Eagles end of season struggles would continue.

A brave attacking triple substitution after the hour would change everything. Holloway brought on Williams, Dobbie and Phillips for Garvan, Dikgacoi, and Bolasie and suddenly the Posh looked nervous. At this point the results elsewhere were keeping Peterborough up. Even when Dobbie brilliantly played in Phillips to show sublime close control in the box, to turn and fire home a low equaliser, Peterborough was still safe from the drop.

At 2 – 2 all was well for both teams. The pressure had been released and the equaliser in the eighty third minute meant Palace knew their fate, although Peterborough was nervously trusting to luck. Despite Huddersfield Town’s goal in the match against Barnsley a controversial free kick was about to decide the relegation issue permanently. On eighty nine minutes Dwight Gale was adjudged to have fouled Jonny Williams. Stephen Dobbie delivered the free kick onto Mile Jedinak’s head to head home Palace’s winner and relegated Peterborough in the process. Palace won 3 – 2 and the team achieved a place in the playoffs against rivals Brighton. The misfortunate Peterborough United was relegated on 54 points. The highest points total for a relegated team in Championship history.

Given the circumstances respectful relief and muted Palace celebration greeted the final whistle. Tremendous credit should go to the entire Crystal Palace team and staff for finishing 5^th this season after finishing 17^th last year. To achieve the goal of the playoffs for the first time since 2008 despite all that has happened this season shows what a strong unit this team is. Deserved reward is a tasty semi final derby down the A23 against bitterest rivals Brighton. The excitement commences over two legs from Friday. The final place in the Premier League is up for grabs!

GO PALACE!!!

Millwall 0 – 0 Crystal Palace: Den Stalemate Leaves Season on a Knife Edge for Final Day.

A high stakes South London Derby was full of work rate and endeavour but short on quality as chances were at a premium at a nervous Den. Palace sold out their 2,000 ticket allocation knowing a victory would secure a playoff place. Millwall needed the points for very different reasons; knowing victory would secure their place in the Championship for another season. As a result of the stakes involved in the game the intensity level on the pitch was high. Neither side could stomach defeat given the stage of the season, so Millwall’s work rate combined with Palace’s poor run of form meant this was a match of few chances that was always likely to finish goalless.

Yannick Bolasie and Owen Garvan returned to the Palace line up with Aaron Wilbraham and Stephen Dobbie dropping to the bench. Fresh from the weekend draw with Blackburn, Palace have struggled for form going into this derby match having not won for eight games. Combined with the fact Millwall has one of the poorest home records in the Championship quality is never going to be present in abundance. What made this derby so fascinating to watch and nerve racking for supporters was how much was at stake in terms of both teams’ seasons.

Both teams ended up relatively satisfied with a point, but in truth this was a game where not a lot happened in front of goal. Both teams’ defences were never really threatened. Joel Ward was again solid for Palace while Danny Shittu was immense for Millwall and Alan Dunne marshalled Wilfried Zaha very well. Indeed he almost got into Zaha’s head as the Manchester United bound youngster played his penultimate league match for Crystal Palace.

As the game developed Palace had the edge in terms of quality but Millwall’s hard work and industry kept Palace at bay in a keenly fought London Derby. Glenn Murray could have had a penalty for the second match in a row. Twice he had chances, played in by Garvan his control let him down at a crucial stage and he just failed to beat Forde to feed Garvan in on goal. Williams was given a quarter of an hour to make an impact in the second half but it was Bolasie who really tested Forde with a snap shot after cutting in off the wing. Delaney also scooped a golden chance wide to win late on.

Millwall also had their chances. Showing admirable work rate Josh Wright, Shaun Batt, and Andy Keogh all had opportunities. The Palace defence held firm however free from the mistakes that had blighted recent performances. Kenny Jackett had the unfortunate job of substituting the substitute because of a poor performance after just fourteen minutes on the pitch. Danny N’guessan was hauled off for not playing to the required standard for a derby on eighty seven minutes.

After this goalless draw both sides have work to do. Millwall requiring a point at Derby County to be safe, Palace need to do the same at home to Peterborough on the final day of the season to achieve a playoff berth.

    

Blackburn Rovers 1 – 1 Crystal Palace: Rovers Safe as Eagles Playoff Chase Heats Up!

Saturday’s game at Ewood Park reflected the changeable spring weather conditions. Sunshine and showers probably reflected the moods of the respective clubs involved; Blackburn happy to have achieved survival, Palace slightly darker mood to still be unsure of their playoff place given the tightness of the race in which they are embroiled. Indeed the weather reflected Palace’s season as a whole. Moments of bright sunshine in the campaign reflected in some real purple patches of form. Followed by the equivalent of showers where supporters were scratching their heads struggling to recognise performances as coming from the same team.

Mile Jedinak returned to the Palace midfield after suspension in the only change to the starting line up from the Leicester match. Alex Marrow made way with Aaron Wilbraham keeping his place up front. Palace had a strong bench in reserve Phillips, Williams, Bolasie, Garvan and Moritz all available. Stephen Dobbie linked well with Jedinak and Wilbraham and the soon departing Zaha looked busy out wide. Yet Blackburn was always in the match with Josh King looking lively and through Rovers newly crowned player of the year Jordan Rhodes Blackburn always carried a goal threat.

The opening goal took nearly half an hour to arrive. On twenty eight minutes Dobbie neatly controlled a Wilbraham flick on to slot his shot past Rovers Polish keeper Grzegorz Sandomierski. After the goal Palace had the opportunity to add to their tally and secure a playoff place in the process. Dangerously cutting in from wide, Wilfried Zaha set up Murray and Wilbraham to go close. Meanwhile Stephen Dobbie sent a shot from a free kick narrowly over the top.

Towards the end of the half Palace struggled to utilise width in midfield and in the process of pressing Palace back Blackburn got a foothold in the match. Josh King’s pace challenged and occupied the Palace backline, but it took a marvellous Jordan Rhodes strike to level the match. On forty two minutes Rhodes raced clear and chased by Delaney out to a wide position, managed to lift the ball over Speroni and into the net from the acutest of angles. It was a sublime piece of finishing and Rhodes fifth goal in six games. It also showed why the services of the Scottish International striker will be in high demand over the summer.

In a tight and at times tense match Palace pushed for a winner in the second half. The introduction of Jonny Williams and the welcome return of Owen Garvan to the Palace midfield added dynamism and urgency to the Eagles attacking play after the break. The tension was beginning to prey on the minds of the travelling support. Former Palace loan striker David Goodwillie had a golden chance to score for Blackburn but his shot could not find the target.

It was Palace though who had more reason to be dominant in pushing for a winner. The visitors need to secure a playoff place was greater motivation to find a winner than Blackburn’s satisfaction with a point for survival. Twice Palace hit the crossbar. Murray with a chance he would have buried earlier in the season cannoned his shot off the frame of the goal. Jedinak planted a free header from a corner onto the bar and Delaney missed his shot wide when it seemed easier to score. These were chances that seemed to be finding the net earlier in the campaign.

These missed opportunities was perhaps a sign it was not to be Palace’s day for the three points. A feeling compounded when the referee missed a barge on Murray from a cross that appeared to be a blatant penalty not awarded. Yet the return to fitness of Owen Garvan is perhaps a beacon of hope for any possible post season playoff campaign.  He showed a promising understanding with Joel Ward down the right and coming forward which offers the team alternative options to Dobbie and Jedinak for different situations.

Jonny Williams again proved to be a great impact player from the bench in the second half. Wilbraham continues to contribute alongside Murray and seems to be increasingly effective the more game time he gets. The game ended 1 – 1 with no further goals in the second half. Palace left Ewood Park with a more than useful point. In matching playoff rival Bolton’s result they keep their playoff fate in their own hands. With an extra fixture against rivals Millwall on Tuesday night hopefully a place in the playoffs will be secured before next weekend’s final day fixture at home to relegation threatened Peterborough United.

The shared points should also mean Blackburn Rovers play in the Championship next season. After what from the outside as a supporter of another club appears a crazy season and situation for Rovers supporters I wish them well. They were very hospitable supporters to me and I appreciated this as a disabled fan that had come a long way. This illustrates the effort Blackburn fans are going to look after their clubs heritage, trying to keep the football club at the centre of its community despite circumstances.

Palace play at the Den against Millwall on Tuesday night.

Crystal Palace 2 – 2 Leicester City.

At a tense Selhurst Park prior to kick off a frustrated Ian Holloway promised to ring the changes. An injured Jonathan Parr was replaced by Dean Moxey at left back, and Danny Gabbidon replaced Peter Ramage in the centre of the palace defence. In a revamped midfield KG Dikgacoi was partnered by Alex Marrow who replaced the injured Jonny Williams in the middle of the park. Stephen Dobbie replaced Yannick Bolasie out wide and Andre Moritz dropped out in favour of Aaron Wilbraham as Palace shifted to a 4 -4-2.

The changes gave Palace some new impetus as they tried to put the midweek defeat to Ipswich out of their collective memory. Palace started well but with a nervousness defensively which was understandable given the magnitude of the match on top of recent performances. Leicester was immediately below Palace in the final playoff place before kickoff and was fresh off a midweek win over Bolton. Early on Leicester played well on the break with French midfielder Anthony Knockaert proving the orchestrator for the Foxes attacks in the middle of the park.

Nervousness at the back for Palace meant attack would again prove the best form of defence. It was Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel who was kept the busier of the two keepers in the first forty minutes. He did well to deny Alex Marrow and tipped a back header from his own defender wide following a Dobbie free kick. Palace was caught for pace a lot in defence as Knockeart controlled Leicester’s midfield play with the size of Jeffrey Schlupp and Lloyd Dyer’s pace testing the fresh centre back partnership of Gabbidon and Delaney. This meant Ward and Moxey had to work hard to keep out Chris Wood and Andy King on the break.

Palace’s current goal drought that had lasted since the beginning of March and over six hours of football ended on twenty six minutes. Danny Gabbidon scored his first goal in eight years. The goal arrived when Zaha won a free kick down the right which was whipped in beautifully by Dobbie for Gabbidon to head home. Yet the first half was even and Palace struggled to calmly play out to half time with the lead. Leicester had already gone close to an equaliser through Chris Wood when Andy King pounced to equalise on thirty seven minutes. Paul Konchesky slipped through a tackle and combined with Dyer to set up King to level the scores at 1 – 1 at half time.

In the second half Palace tried to up the tempo. Glenn Murray went close with a header after being set up by Delaney and Aaron Wilbraham smacked the ball against the crossbar from a Stephen Dobbie cross. Wilbraham held the ball up well all game offering an outlet to Marrow and Dobbie in midfield. Alex Marrow also played well breaking up the threat offered by Knockeart in midfield without ever completely stifling him out of the game. On sixty seven minutes Palace took the lead. Murray laid the ball off to Stephen Dobbie who exquisitely curled the ball beyond the despairing dive of Kasper Schmeichel to put Palace 2 – 1 up.

Again Palace could not hold onto the lead. Having nearly scored earlier in the half through Jeffrey Schlupp Palace was again caught out for pace at the back. Another defensive error this time from Delaney allowed Wood to latch onto a ball over the top, race past Delaney and beat Speroni with a shot to equalise. The game ended 2 – 2 which was a fair result as neither side did enough to win or lose an entertaining encounter.

What on the surface may appear a frustrating draw does have its positives as a performance. Statistically Palace needs five points from their three remaining matches to secure a playoff place. The goal drought is over with Dobbie scoring with a fine strike. One thing that has become clear under Ian Holloway is he favours attacking play. Attack may well be the best form of defence for Palace as they struggle with defensive jitters and mistakes. For the remainder of the season such a tactic that plays to Palace’s attacking strengths will be favoured by Holloway as Palace look to cement a place in the playoffs and then compete to win them.

Palace travel to Ewood Park to play relegation threatened Blackburn Rovers next Saturday.

Ipswich Town 3 – 0 Crystal Palace: Individual Errors Prove Costly as Playoff Doubts Surface!

Two individual errors and a piece of brilliance from Aaron Cresswell at the end of the first half cost Palace the game at Portman Road on Tuesday night. Injuries had a hand in the result as the influential Jonathan Parr was replaced by Jazz Richards midway through the first half after having a positive effect on Palace’s play. When Jonny Williams limped off at half time Palace had failed to turn domination of possession into goals. Crystal Palace’s goal drought now stretches five games, and the team have now not scored since the 2 – 2 draw with Leeds United back in March.

KG Dikgacoi replaced Mile Jedinak who is suspended for two matches in the only change from the Barnsley game. Palace started the game well enough, dominating possession, and never really looking threatened by what seemed a poor Ipswich team. Before his injury Jonathan Parr got down the Ipswich left hand side well in support of Yannick Bolasie and the talented and industrious Jonny Williams in the Palace attack. Yet the pattern of the entire game and the result changed in Ipswich’s favour in a mad, error strewn, seven minutes for the Palace back line before the break.

On thirty seven minutes Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni made a rare mistake. In failing to control the ball and clear his line, he was dispossessed by Ipswich Town’s Frank Nouble who put the ball into an empty net to give the hosts a lead against the run of play. Five minutes later and Ipswich scored two goals in a minute to put the game beyond Palace. Town’s second goal was a moment of brilliance and a thirty yard strike from Cresswell that Speroni could do nothing about. The third however was another defensive mistake that cannot be legislated for at this level of the game. Peter Ramage slipped at the back to allow Nouble a free run in on goal to score his second and Ipswich’s third goal.

The hosts could barely believe their fortune. 3 – 0 up at half time Ipswich had barely been in the match, but defensive mistakes had gifted them two of their three goals. At such a crucial stage Palace had the stuffing knocked out of their performance. As this was a side with already fragile levels of confidence. A brilliant Aaron Cresswell strike was the only unpreventable goal from the Palace viewpoint. Given Ipswich’s precarious position in the Championship before kick off the score line was more than welcome from the hosts point of view, especially considering a desire to put right the 5 – 0 Palace win in the reverse fixture in November.

Palace went out in a more attacking fashion in the second half but Ipswich had very little to do to see out the result. Kevin Phillips replaced Jonny Williams at half time, and when Wilbraham replaced Joel Ward on sixty nine minutes Palace had three central strikers in a front five. Ward played well but was replaced as Palace’s need to get into the match increased. Ipswich responded by shifting to a back five with three defensive players across the back, nullifying Palace’s threat. This was another poor Palace performance. Even when Phillips hit the post during an insipid second half display Palace did not look like breaking their current goal drought.

Despite Palace dominating possession for long periods of the game Ipswich was not made to work hard enough for this victory. Palace failed to turn any of their eleven corners into goals and the score line reflected Palace’s wastefulness in possession. Palace build up play was again neat and tidy but lacked a cutting edge. Bolasie and Williams were very much involved in first half play. Wilbraham and Phillips worked hard and were industrious without affecting the result in the second half.

Going into the last four matches of the season and it appears individual mistakes are creeping into the play and changing games in a fashion that cannot be legislated for. A goal drought at exactly the wrong time of the season also does not help given the momentum of the clubs around Palace in the Playoff positions. Exactly how costly the combination of these two factors will be on Crystal Palace’s season may depend on how quickly Ian Holloway can sort them out on the training field. Unfortunately Palace seems to have lost momentum and confidence at the wrong time of the season!

Fortunately with Playoff rivals up next at Selhurst in the shape of the Foxes of Leicester City the team have the opportunity of a response. By beating Leicester Palace could put a big dent in the prospects of another Playoff rival. The prospect of three points would also go some way to removing some of the lingering doubts surfacing over Palace’s place in the Playoffs.

 

Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Barnsley.

Palace’s return to Selhurst Park after the travails of the Easter period will not live long in the memory. A snore draw ended goalless against Barnsley in a match that will be remembered more for the bizarre circumstances of the kit clash that saw Barnsley wearing Palace’s away shirts than anything on the pitch.

This result combined with the 1 – 0 reverse away to Blackpool on Easter Monday has pretty much put paved to any lingering hopes of automatic promotion for Palace this season. It has also somewhat split the Palace supporter base as to Ian Holloway’s attributes for the job. It was always going to be difficult for Ollie following on from his predecessor and in the main he has done a good job. Even after Saturday’s goalless draw Palace finds itself securely ensconced in fourth place more than comfortably positioned for the Playoffs. Looking at who the team was up against in the battle for automatic promotion; Watford played the loan market superbly to their advantage, and Cardiff and Hull both have rich owners with Hull benefitting from parachute payments.

Against these circumstances Ian Holloway has done a good job maintaining the momentum from earlier in the season. This is the first major blip of Holloway’s time with Palace and he is more than capable of putting it right, even if the team are scoreless in four matches. Yet the club have come such a long way in a short period since 2010/11. Unity and backing is required at this stage because finishing in the playoffs is a sign of stable growth and should be seen as progress. This is especially the case when one considers the greater resources of other clubs around Palace in the Championship, and the circumstances of Palace’s individual campaign. Key injuries to key players in key periods, (Garvan, Ward, McCarthy, Moritz, and Gabbidon) has interfered at points this season, but no one was complaining at Holloway’s gung ho attacking play when results went in Palace’s favour.

Saturday’s 0 – 0 draw with Barnsley was a dower affair played out in front of a near capacity 21,281 for another family day. After such strong home form this season it seems harsh to highlight the two most recent performances at Selhurst Park for wider public attention. The fact Sky cameras covered the 4 – 0 reverse at home to Birmingham City and then the goalless draw was selected for the big crowd of family day was unlucky. Palace started well, feeding off the energy of the crowd, but Barnsley involved in a relegation battle themselves was clearly playing for their manager. Galvanised by new boss David Flitcroft, the Tykes did the Palace/Barnsley away shirts proud.

Andre Moritz and Jonny Williams replaced KG Dikgacoi and Stephen Dobbie in midfield from the Blackpool game for Palace, and in a welcome boost for the team Joel Ward returned at right back for Ashley Richards in an otherwise unchanged team from Easter Monday. Palace took control early on in a poor game with few clear cut chances. Luke Steele saved well from Murray, and kept out Moritz’s free kick in the best opportunities of the first half. Manchester United bound Zaha controlled the tempo of the game at will from the flanks throughout with able support from Yannick Bolasie, but poor finishing blighted the game. Jason Scotland looked dangerous at times for Barnsley on the break however when he was substituted for Dagnell after the hour it appeared Barnsley was happy with a point.

The late introductions for Palace of Dobbie, Phillips and Wilbraham failed to improve Palace’s finishing and the crowd was to leave frustrated with a point. Despite all the chances Palace could not capitalise on dominance in midfield as Selhurst witnessed the first league goalless draw this season. There may be a slight imbalance between attack and defence but at least it is exciting. If Holloway gets support to fix the current blip in form then Palace’s timing in terms of returning to form for the Playoffs might just be perfect.

What a wonderful player Wilfried Zaha is! He is one of the finest talents I have personally ever seen in a Palace shirt. A full England international, he is a team player who has the individual talent to win a game on his own. Manchester United are incredibly fortunate to have his signature, he is a local academy product that as Palace fans we should always be proud of. I do not understand why such talent is always the first to be criticised when things go wrong. Enjoy the last few games of Zaha in a palace shirt. Remember while individuals can make the difference, football is won and lost as a team! Supporters, players, managers and owners should show unity at times of difficulty because everything is achieved together. 

Crystal Palace 0 – 4 Birmingham City: Not Such a Good Friday As a Second Home Defeat Brings Palace a Case of Easter Blues!

Losing 0 – 4 at home was not the way Palace hoped to kick off the busy period of football that marks the start of the Easter celebrations. After the humiliation on the South Coast a fortnight ago this was not the response Eagles fans were looking for from the team when they arrived at Selhurst hoping to forget Brighton. In fact for those supporters who were spared actually going to the Ammex this result against Birmingham City was a rerun of the whole awful horror show.

Danny Gabbidon came in for Peter Ramage at centre back, and Dean Moxey came in for Jonathan Parr at left back as Ian Holloway made changes in defence. Kevin Phillips replaced the suspended Wilfried Zaha and played up front with Glenn Murray as new signing Aruna Dindane was not match fit. The changes at the back was a response to the harsh and very unfair criticism given the season as a whole, levelled against the defence in the wake of the Brighton defeat. Indeed only Delaney and Richards kept their places.

The changes did not have the desired effect. The back four looked disjointed. Palace had success early on getting behind Birmingham with Williams linking up well with Bolasie but Birmingham soon spotted the danger. By doubling up on Palace’s Welsh international Jonny Williams they stemmed Palace’s attacking threat as Murray and Phillips found themselves isolated up front. Palace could not exploit the extra space created by Williams allowing Birmingham’s own wide men to get into the game. Excellent Birmingham youngster Nathan Redmond and ex Manchester United player Ravel Morrison exposed Richards and Moxey in the fullback positions at will.

A combination of Redmond’s trickery and skill and Nikola Zigic’s agricultural attacking play led to Birmingham taking the lead on twenty four minutes against the run of play. Despite a suspicion of hand ball in the build up, Redmond’s neat run across the box was not closed down allowing him to shoot neatly past Speroni. Palace needed a response instead they faded out of the match. The new centre back partnership of Delaney and Gabbidon struggled with Birmingham’s aerial threat. Zigic was possibly lucky to avoid censure for some industrial challenges including kicking Delaney in the head. It was Zigic’s presence from a corner that led to a Delaney own goal putting Birmingham 2 – 0 up at the break.

At half time Holloway tried to respond. Stephen Dobbie who had missed the Brighton game because they are his parent club replaced Jazz Richards. For fifteen minutes Palace carried more threat. Dobbie protected the backline as Holloway went to three at the back. Mile Jedinak and KG Dikgacoi looked tired from international endeavours which begged the question as to why Moritz or Dobbie were not considered for a starting place. This would have utilised the full depth of the squad as the midfield would have looked fresher in the face of a Birmingham onslaught. Peter Ramage was a miss.

For a while after the break Palace showed the slick build up play with pace that had symbolised their attacking play all season at home. Dobbie tested Butland and Phillips screwed a shot wide. Had they scored at this point or the situation been different it may have been a different game. That at least offers hope of some kind of a recovery for the rest of the run in, but Palace was not on their game and got punished. Birmingham thoroughly deserved the victory. Palace clearly missed the Manchester United bound Wilfried Zaha but the excellent Welsh international Jonny Williams looks like becoming a more than capable replacement.

The third goal was the sucker punch and drained any remaining life out of the Eagles. Ravel Morrison neatly finished off a cross from Mitch Hancox just after the hour. Five minutes later Shane Ferguson put the gloss on the score line with a fantastic free kick to make it 0 – 4. The result crowned Birmingham’s best away performance of the season and conversely was Palace’s worst performance of the season. Off the back of the Brighton defeat Palace have now conceded seven goals in two matches at the worst moment for their promotion hopes.

It has been an excellent season and any true Palace fan would have taken this position at the outset of the campaign.The fact remains there needs to be a response from the team to the way they have folded in the last two games. To me there seems to be an imbalance in the team between defence and attack. The defensive and fitness qualities present earlier in the campaign seemed to have disappeared. They need to be rediscovered. The return from injury of Owen Garvan and Joel Ward could prove timely if prospects of automatic promotion disappear and we will need to rediscover some form for the Playoffs.

How Palace respond to the difficulties of the last fortnight in the next week may well decide the fate of this campaign. Two quick matches at Blackpool on Easter Monday and against Barnsley next Saturday must be met head on with a strong response that will define the character of the current Crystal Palace side. While perspective and holding your nerves at this stage of the season is key it is results that remain the most important factor. For this reason with the possible exception of Hillsbrough in 2010 the game against Blackpool is the most important of the new owners’ tenure moving forward. It is without doubt the most important of Ian Holloway’s time in charge.

   

Brighton 3 – 0 Crystal Palace: Derby Day Pain in Rain for Palace!

Perspective is sometimes something difficult to grasp in the midst of a heavy derby day defeat. Especially in a Championship run in when the prospect of automatic promotion remains very much on the line. Yet perspective must be maintained as it remains crucial as a supporter to hold your nerve at this point of the season, even in the face of derby disappointment. Playing twenty four hours after Watford, Hull City, and Cardiff at the top of the league meant it was known to Palace before kickoff that victory would sent them in to second place. Reality of defeat at the Ammex, painful and disappointing though it is does mean not much has changed in the race for second place.

Brighton scored two goals in the final five minutes of the first half on Sunday. A back post header from Leonardo Ulloa and a stoppage time free kick from David Lopez put Brighton 2 – 0 up at the break. Yet the score line at half time flattered the hosts given the even run of play in the first half. Palace was unlucky to find themselves two down but was punished for not taking their chances in the preceding forty minutes. The goals gave impetus to Brighton’s second half display but had earlier chances from Parr, Murray, and a mistake from Brighton’s defender Upson been taken by Palace then maybe the game could have been different.

The hosts ultimately gained the upper hand because this was a poor Palace performance where the team and individuals within it were clinically punished for making mistakes. KG Dikgacoi unnecessary challenge on Will Buckley gave Lopez, a free kick expert, the chance to punish Palace with pin point accuracy doubling the lead. The first goal came from another unnecessary challenge on the left allowing easy delivery for Ulloa’s header. Could this result have been down to complacency given Palace’s excellent record over Brighton, especially on the South Coast over the last twenty five years? The Seagulls fans certainly revelled in the result!

In the second half Ian Holloway tried to change things. He made a double substitution bringing on Andre Moritz and Kevin Phillips for Jonny Williams and Yannick Bolasie. Later throwing on an extra attacker in Aaron Wilbraham for Peter Ramage to try and make a difference. The atrocious wet weather conditions played a part after the break but Palace looked disjointed and did not get a shot on goal until the hour mark. In the intervening period Brighton wrapped up the match. Leonardo Ulloa scored his second goal of the match on fifty minutes effectively killing the game. The result ended 3 – 0 to Brighton.

Painful though this result is, it is not yet May. Right now Crystal Palace finds itself in a great position. In fourth place, with a cushion of six points to seventh place they are a mere three points off the second automatic promotion place. With thirty eight matches played Palace are excellently positioned for the run in and as stated at the beginning of this report, perspective is key, even if when reading this Eagles fans like me are disappointed.

The best way to look at it in my opinion is thus; with eight matches left of the regular season Palace has a real chance of getting automatic promotion. If we fail in this objective we get a second chance at the same goal through the Playoffs. How sweet in that eventuality a positive result at the Ammex would turn out to be come May! This team has been through a massive amount together already this season including having a manager walk out on them. Yet throughout everything they have remained together and strong as a unit.

If losing 3 – 0 to Brighton can ever happen at a right time this could perhaps be it. It gives Palace time and opportunity in the season to bounce back. Ian Holloway will get the team to regroup as a unit and deliver a counter punch and possibly the perfect knockout blow to the rest by winning promotion in May. March is not May after all! Come on Palace.   

Crystal Palace 2 – 2 Leeds United: Murray Hits 30 Goal Mark on Warnock’s Return!

An entertaining match against a tough, physical opponent in Leeds United was the order of the day at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. Neil Warnock returned to his former club bringing his effective brand of direct football with him. Aiming to frustrate his former employers Warnock’s style got Palace to the playoffs in 2008. With Leeds his team now he produced a game that was a clash of styles. In an entertaining match Leeds would prove one of the most effective opposition to visit Selhurst Park this season.

A draw proved to be a fair result although you could not have guessed that fact given Palace’s complete dominance of the first half. Leeds’s second half performances merited something from the game, but they were helped by a poor refereeing performance. Luke Varney was influential in Leeds route back into the game. He provided the cross for Steve Morison to score Leeds equaliser, but it was arguable he should not have been on the pitch to provide the ball. Booked for diving minutes before the goal, Varney’s challenges on Palace midfielders Dobbie and Williams were so agricultural he could have been sent off.

Yet again this season the football on show at Selhurst Park was incredibly entertaining. Both sides contributed to this, with Leeds raising their game in the second half to cope with Palace’s attacking threat. This was the proverbial clash of playing cultures with Leeds direct style and combative approach against Crystal Palace’s flair and pace. This was a fast paced, open encounter that proved to be very entertaining despite eventual stalemate as the two opposing styles were cancelled out.

Dobbie and Bolasie replaced Phillips and Butterfield for palace from the Hull game, with Parr returning for Moxey in defence. This led to another quick start from Crystal Palace. Mesmerising combination play between Zaha and Bolasie on the wing and Williams and Dobbie in midfield again pressed another team back into their own half. By forcing Leeds on to the defensive Palace again made fortress Selhurst look impenetrable. KG Dikgacoi went close from a Dobbie corner looping a header wide of Paddy Kenny’s post. This was just one of a number of chances created by Palace in a dominant first half display.

Leeds only threat at this point came from set pieces as Warnock looked to have set his stall out for a draw. On twenty seven minutes the inevitable breakthrough that the Eagles dominance deserved arrived. Murray headed home a Jonny Williams cross at the back post after the young Welshman had been played in from a neat Zaha pass following some amazing skill from the fifteen million pound man. Glenn Murray’s twenty ninth goal of the season put Palace 1 – 0 up at the break.

Up until the goal Murray had been foiled on a number occasions by Paddy Kenny. The Northern Irish stopper winning his personal dual with the striker as in keeping the score down in the first half his performance would become increasingly valuable in getting Leeds a point. With Bolasie and Zaha involved service to Murray was excellent. Stephen Dobie was also excellent in the creative midfield role combining with Williams to launch many first half attacks. Varney combined with Paul Green for Leeds’s best first half chance. His shot ricocheted to Green beat Speroni but was cleared off the line by a combination of Mile Jedinak and other onrushing defenders. The Ex Charlton man remained the prime beneficiary of a lenient refereeing performance to stay on the pitch though.

Ex Millwall player Steve Morison would haunt Palace in the second half. A symbol of Leeds improved performance he converted a well worked move on fifty six minutes tucking in a Varney cross to equalise. Despite being on the back foot Leeds would punish Palace for not taking their chances before the break. On sixty nine minutes Peter Ramage misread the flight of the ball direct from a goal kick and Morison was free in the box to plant a finish beyond Speroni for 1 – 2. Palace had been undone by a long ball and for all their dominance of the match Leeds direct attacking play had produced a sucker punch.

The game should have been won a long time before Leeds led. At the start of the second half Palace should have made the advantage count. The best chance to kill the game came when Zaha screwed a cross shot wide of the post when through on goal straight after the restart. Ian Holloway would rightly remain furious with the referee though labelling his performance diabolical.

The way back into the match was a familiar one for Palace. Glenn Murray the country’s leading goal scorer in all four divisions neatly dispatched a cross field diagonal pass from Damien Delaney to score his thirtieth goal of the season. In making the score line 2 – 2 he became the first Palace striker to score thirty goals in a season since Andrew Johnson ten years ago. Johnson netted his goals in season 2003/04 the last time Palace was promoted to the top flight.

Unlike a lot of games at home this season Palace did not have everything their own way. The hard earned nature of the point makes it incredibly valuable as with twenty minutes to go Palace was trailing and potentially heading to a damaging second home defeat of the season. In averting the damage of that scenario the whole team can take confidence into the next crucial derby match away to Brighton.         

Palace 4 – 2 Hull: Hat-trick Hero Phillips Roles Back the Years!

Three goals from Kevin Phillips and a strike from Wilfried Zaha produced a stylish and emphatic 4 – 2 victory at Selhurst Park. Palace’s push for automatic promotion gained momentum on Tuesday night as they stole a march on promotion rivals Hull City. Cutting the gap on second place to two points in the process.

The first half was pretty even with three changes from Friday night’s tight victory at Derby County. KG Dikgacoi played at right back for the injured Jazz Richards, Jacob Butterfield came in for Stephen Dobbie in midfield, and Jonny Williams started in place of Yannick Bolasie. The key change was that Kevin Phillips started alongside Glenn Murray for the first time and he took the opportunity to score a hat-trick.

It took Palace until first half stoppage time to take the lead from the penalty spot. The linesman awarded a penalty for a disputed hand ball by Jack Hobbs and Phillips dispatched the penalty. Ten minutes previously Glenn Murray had missed a spot kick awarded for a foul on Williams following a neat one-two in the box with Dean Moxey. Up until the goal for Palace, Hull had looked dangerous coming forward on the break. Ex Tiger Damien Delaney dealt with the attacking threat of Hull’s dangerous Egyptian imports well. He continued his excellent understanding with Peter Ramage. KG also did very well playing out of position at right back.

Hull’s keeper David Stockdale had a busy first half. He saved Glenn Murray’s penalty very well and was unlucky with Phillips’s penalty, getting a hand to his kick. Yet early in the match he started nervously. He dropped a Butterfield free kick at the feet of Peter Ramage, only to have his blushes spared by Ahmed Elmohamady’s goal line clearance. Key to the match was Palace’s attacking impetus. The speed of movement between Williams and Zaha and the interplay was truly fantastic and a joy to watch. Jedinak’s passing brought Phillips into the game, allowing him to play an increasingly dangerous and effective role in front of goal.

Some fantastic creative play from Wilfried Zaha allowed Phillips to complete his hat-trick with two goals in two minutes at the start of the second half. He left Stockdale flat footed, scuffing a shot into the net for his second goal of the game. Brilliantly converting a Zaha cross played along the floor after a great piece of skill from Zaha. Two minutes later Phillips completed his hat-trick. A deflected shot from distance looped over Stockdale to put Palace 3 – 0 up effectively ending the game as a contest.

Hull did score two well worked consolation goals. The first, a well worked looping header from Jay Simpson with the second scored by David Meylor. At 3 – 1 the introduction of Bolasie for hat-trick hero Phillips freshened things up and led to a fourth Palace goal. A brilliant Wilfried Zaha goal capped an excellent individual performance and was a clever run and dink over Stockdale at his near post. The goal meant Hull’s goal to make it 4 – 2 was mere consolation. Indeed substitute Dobbie could have made it five and Palace was so comfortable the result was never in doubt.

This result was a surprisingly comprehensive victory. An emphatic team performance from Crystal Palace neutralised Hull’s attacking threat imposing their style of play on Hull in a fashion they could not cope with. The win cuts the gap to the second automatic promotion place to two points, and even leaves winning the title an outside possibility. The return of Neil Warnock this weekend with Leeds United will be a tough game. I liked Warnock when he was at Palace, far more so then Steve Bruce as Warnock left the club in a fashion that certainly helped the club. His return along with the Brighton game a week later will be hard matches. The games will only be enjoyable if we take the points because everyone knows both Warnock, then Brighton will want to beat us.

This is the test of whether Palace is a playoff side or is indeed capable of automatic promotion. With Kevin Phillips notching up another career hat-trick to support Glenn Murray on a quiet night for Murray, you know it will be an exciting and enjoyable end to the season whatever happens. Kevin Phillips still brilliant at thirty nine!