Guess what I’m going to say about this game?
Yes, it’s another tough one.
There really are no easy games in the Premier league now, are there?
I know it seems like being a bit entitled, but this is a team that I’d have put money on to lose to us in years gone by, but those days are long gone.
Now I think Patrick Viera has done and is doing a great job at the club and his team just remind me so much of him, in being physical and no nonsense, while having no small amount of skill at the same time.
I watched Palace at Liverpool on the telly last week and they were very good value for their point and on a better day, would have taken all three, which is no mean feat, as we all know.
Squad news then and the big one is Diego Carlos.
My son in law told me after the Everton game that there looked to be serious concern about the defender, but I really thought it was quite innocuous and told him we didn’t need to worry.
I was well wrong there and the latest is that his surgery has been successful, which is obviously great news. It still means he’ll be out for months and that’s a massive loss, given that he looked very refined and real top class.
Kortney Hause has returned to training, but I suspect it’s all academic as it seems Steven Gerrard doesn’t rate him and the rumours are that he’s off to Watford. You would imagine of course that he’ll only be allowed to leave if we get a replacement in first, but if it’s someone of a similar level, I don’t see the point, as Hause is a fairly competent backup defender in my opinion.
If it’s the case that he seriously wants out because he can’t get a game, well, it would be best if leaves, I suppose. Suffice to say I’d be okay if he stays.
And otherwise, we’re in a good state.
As for Palace, James Tomkins and James McArthur are injured.
Viera went with a back five against Liverpool, to try and counter their serious threat, but given that we don’t present the same sort of threat, he’ll probably go back to a back four, so he can get another attacking type player in the side.
Palace no doubt look at the Villa in a similar way that we look at them; as rivals for similar positions.
Does that mean that Viera will attack us and put two up front? I’d say definitely so, especially when anyone can see that we’re horrendous in defence and even worse when it comes to set pieces.
In fact, I think Aston Villa are the perfect club for Palace to do exactly what they normally do against us.
We might have a bit more quality than Palace, but there’s just no way I can see us living with their physicality.
Then add in strikers with guile, such as Zaha and Odsonne Edouard and I can only see things going one way.
I’m going to predict us going one-nil down to yet another early goal from a set piece, meaning we’ll have to chase the game, which will play right into the Eagles’ hands.
And we’ll go on to lose 2-0.
If that’s how it plays out, I won’t know what to think.
Well, I will, but I’ll hopefully be keeping quiet about it.
UTV!
Well I hope that was our bad half.
We’re lucky to still be in it.
Not impressed, to say the very least.
Palace pen…
What can he do? This game is physical and we don’t have hard players in our side, we are trained one way they are fast and physical, if we try to play the one two game we will get punished every week. BADGER you called it right , we are going to get a thumping
Surprised no one mentioned how shit Konsa has been. Gifted them a pass in front of the defence before letting Zaha get in behind him and made no challenge when Zaha got his shot away. I would have hauled him off straight away. Digne too is a shocking defender. He left Ayew with all the room in the world when they should have scored. Overall a defensive shambles with a weak midfield to protect it.
Can’t see anything but a Palace win.
Yep, Konsa has been awful.
And I said ages ago that Digne is nowhere near the defender Targett was, but it all depends what you want out of a LB.
I prefer one that can defend, myself, but hey ho.
You’re right in saying we’re a shambles.
Agree Holte – Digne is having a shocker in defence but we are making problems for ourselves by giving the ball away so often.
Is Digne actually asleep on his feet?
Wow, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
We sacked Smith for this?
Will be a penalty for hand ball – Digne is crap
And no more than Palace deserve.
Why doesn’t Gerrard pull Digne off – he’s having a stinker.
Bailey has done nothing and then comes out with a curler.
Unlucky.
The ref was seen to say that he didn’t know what the VAR was asking.
It’s a pen.
Clear and obvious error? Yeah, right.
I really hate Zaha.
Gerrard out.
Great save by Emi, but it’s 2-1 on the rebound.
It’s no more than we deserve, tbh.
Letting Targett go was a bad mistake. Do we have cover???
Ash, isn’t it?
This will be us everyweek Mark my words, piss poor no idea . I dispair and not a clue as how to think do we blame Gerrard or the player’s . John Mcginn very lucky in staying on.
We are so poor – can’t pass, can’t defend – in fact what can we actually do?
This is going to be a very long season at the wrong end of the table.
Gerrard hasn’t got a clue.
Another woeful performance.
Been hammered most of this match and have changed nothing, absolutely clueless.
I’ve had enough of this absolute crap.
Gerrard out for me.
Someone said our squad is better than Palace – that’s b***ocks. Man for man they’re better and they have a top manager.
We are so poor relegation is the most likely outcome.
Turned it off before something goes through the TV 🙂
What a goal by Palace.
3-1.
Gerrard needs to go.
Okay. Sorry, but he’s had long enough and his performance ratio is shocking.
Gerrard out!…either that or send him back to Liverpool…to sweep the streets. Enough.
For too long we have been a nice easy team to play against. None of our players can tackle. A bunch of lightweights being bullied and outplayed which will be the norm for the rest of the season. Championship here we come.
Purslow
Please wake up and smell the coffee. Gerard is out of his depth. Admit your mistake and sack him. There is still time save the season with a new manager. If we stick with Gerrard are sunk.
My thoughts as well, how long are we going to let Gerrard carry on? It’s pretty obvious now he’s out of his depth, time to start thinking Villa we need a proven manager.