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.
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