Sometimes
when writing about the club you love and are passionate about, raw hard facts
and honesty should stand above emotion and sentiment. After a 4 – 1 thrashing
where Bristol City played Palace off the park in the cold light of day series
reflection would be sensible. City took their chances and on the night they were
impressively clinical but were never really tested and their fans would readily
admit they probably learned little about their team this season in terms of
being put under any pressure.
After the
Watford match I wrote Watford will give many teams in the Championship a game
this season and there is no need for panic. Freedman’s got a plan. Now I am
honestly not sure. Ipswich beat Watford on Tuesday and Bristol City after
losing on opening weekend virtually just had to wait for errors to score four
easy goals, my conclusion therefore is the two results shed more light on the
problems for Crystal Palace than any supposed chances in the league for Bristol
City or Watford. Each of the four goals conceded at Ashton Gate resulted from
individual errors and a lack of cohesion as a team especially in defence. This
is alarming as it has been in defence that has been such a pillar of strength
in the teams battle for results over the past few seasons.
There can be
no doubt that Paddy McCarthy’s leadership qualities and defensive influence is
being missed due to injury, in the meantime the defence looks makeshift and
fearful. With Zaha in the team the team does make chances but there remains
questions over ever having the possibility to convert those chances if the team
play in the fashion they did on Tuesday making dreadful defensive errors.
Freedman’s status as my hero and a club legend will never be questioned and is
not in doubt, yet there is a reality that has to be acknowledged and indeed
facts must stand above sentiment in football. The last victory for Palace in
the league came in March at home to Barnsley, we are yet to win away in the league
in 2012, and Palace currently have won 1 game in the last 23. These issues have
to be acknowledged, it is very well asking for time to adjust but after
watching in Bristol I fear Freedman is out of his depth.
What happened
in preseason in terms of transfer policy and fitness conditioning in relation to early
injuries picked up by McCarthy, Murray and Easter? The departures of Clyne,
Scannell and Ambrose must have generated some income and there can be no doubt
the influence of Ambrose and importance of Clyne need replacing and the owners
say they have increased the funds available for transfers. Yet 10 days before
the transfer window closes the squad is threadbare and apart from talented
youngsters who the manager seems suddenly reluctant to play is lacking strength
in depth. Hopefully Dougie will turn it around and as much as I hope he does
the lack of wins is worrying and is a sequence that needs breaking. The Cup run
enjoyable as it was masked poor league form and bad results that has continued
into this season.
There is
plenty of time to turn this around and though it is no means a crisis yet
people need to be honest. Everyone understands how crucial it is not to
overstretch financially given our very recent past but why can we not attract
players to the club within a set budget if the money is there? After being in
Bristol I fear for freedman because even only two games in the same
difficulties with the team remain.
I fear in
the short term at least things may not work out for Freedman and this is an
illustration of how my heart as a Palace fan is breaking, split by the reality
of results and performances despite desperately wanting Freedman to succeed
personally because he is my great Palace hero. In conclusion this draws me back
to my main point there can be no room for sentiment in football.
My plans for
Middlesbrough are in place, a long way and a challenging journey no doubt.
Unsure I will travel back having witnessed three points for Palace but no doubt
it will be fun. It is Palace so always travel in hope rather than
expectation.
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