17 Aug 2025 20:16:56
Thought that performance showcased the worst parts of last season. Too much emphasis on wingers breaking down a side on their own. Although it would be foolish to think Palace would be there to be steamrolled over, they're decent and well coached.
Thought we did OK defensively. Acheampong had a decent game in the middle, but Maresca will point towards some loose passes at the reason the CCB role is so important in his system. I think James effectively playing RCB is shoehorning him into the team because he's club captain and technically one of our best players. I'd question if, playing that role, in that system, he is still one of our best players or if he's stifled. On that note, I'll continue to bang the drum that Palmer is better starting from the right and moving inside to the right half space, with an overlapping RB. Can James still get up and down the right flank?
17 Aug 2025 20:41:36
J, as the game went on it became clear that a us doubling up out wide would draw the CH’s out to cover there FB’s. You are correct James didn’t overlap and that was in part because of Palace played Eze. As soon as Eze got hooked Gusto got lots more room.
On the other wing Cucarella was used as an inverted FB and that for just took away from Palmer. If that makes sense.
17 Aug 2025 21:36:19
J, I was disappointed with Maresca’s post match comments: we certainly didn’t deserve to win; apparently we had 3 shots on target. I don’t remember us working the keeper but it might have happened when I dozed off.
The players must take a lot of responsibility; I can’t remember so many bad performances in one game. Maresca must also be held to account . Palace throughout the game allowed Chalaboh to have plenty of the ball knowing that he will pass the ball sideways or backwards slowing up our progression. Yet he was continuously used as a out from the back. Chabolah is a decent basic CB but he is out of his depth in progressing the ball forward quickly.
17 Aug 2025 22:16:39
I can only remember there Keeper making one save and was from Delap in the last few minutes. He went straight at him.
I thought we had the better of the second half but it was a forgettable game.
Chalaboa was my MOM.
The player who disappointed me most was Enzo.
17 Aug 2025 22:38:59
Tom, each to their own opinions but frankly I couldn’t choose a MOTM because as I said before it was hard to think of any player who deserved a 6.Enzo was dreadful today and Palmer was anonymous. That said, Maresca must take his share of the blame. The Palace coach won the battle of tactics by a mile.
18 Aug 2025 04:12:17
I have given my assessment of the game Ann’s the tactics I would have employed. Managers correctly get judged on results.
I urge no idea if that is how Palace normally set up and if that’s what they did in there last two competitive games against Liverpool and City but they stopped us playing and we struggled to find a solution, I guess it was the same in those other games.