Palace up next then and they did quite well last season having finished 10th, didn’t they?
I quite fancy them to be a bit of a surprise package this season; well at least a package that might see them improve on that 10th, at least.
Not that I’m interested in them, apart from the fact that they play in some decent colours.
Last season we played them twice in a month, with us pinching a quite lucky win at their place, while we shared the points at Villa Park on new year’s day.
Injury-wise, I’m not seeing many problems for Palace, although goalie Julіan Speronі and Marouane Chamakh probably aren’t ready yet.
As for the Villa, Okore is still out and Crespo’s still recovering from a groin injury.
Gil, Traore and Grealish played for the under 21s on Monday, with Grealish scoring.
Reading between the lines, I expect Grealish to be part of the line-up tomorrow, but suspect it’s too early for Gil. Although Sherwood has been playing down Traore, in saying that he’s one for the future and only a kid who isn’t our saviour, it really wouldn’t surprise me if he was to get a few minutes off the bench, just to savour the atmosphere, as the Palace fans do make some noise.
As for the rest of our team, I don’t see much changing, apart from Grealish taking Sinclair’s place, where the link-up on the left could be a big threat.
So what’s my prediction then?
I definitely see goals, but not many, which doesn’t quite make sense, given that both teams have pacey attacks.
My head says it’ll be a 2-1, but I can’t say who to.
I’m still not convinced by our defence, to be honest, even though many of us seem to think we look better.
My heart says it’ll be a goal apiece.
Which would do for me, in that we’d have four points out of our first three games.
Not stunning, but reasonable, given that we have played our guaranteed loser at home to the mancs.
Comments
141 responses to “Crystal Palace – Villa; Tough game, this, I reckon.”
Come on you (young) lions!
Pretty fair summing up Badger. I would be happy with 1-1 so am going with that.
I’m a little concerned over Vertout – his body language in the first couple of games didn’t seem right – almost seemed overawed by the whole situation. Maybe we should start him from the bench and bring Sanchez in to reinforce the back 4.
Agreed, H60, but then I do like Sanchez.
I prefer to think it’s early days for Vertout and Ayew, although they haven’t looked comfortable, tbh.
But I suspect some of that is down to how quickly Amavi seems to have settled in.
As I’ve previously suggested, he’s the next Benteke saga, imo.
Tough one badger to call Palace are a good outfit at the minute.I think this game will all depend on if the lads click tomorrow if they do we will win if not can’t see anything but a palace win.I think the first half will reveal all UTV
2.1 to palace is my prediction hope I’m wrong though. Think we missed a trick by not trying to sign cabaye brill player
Long time no hear, JD.
Put it this way; I’m not confident mate.
Off subject but as much as j hate to say it I wouldn’t mind paul Caddis from the scum as our right bk saw him on TV tonight looked a top right back. Wasted playing for the scum
Not sure RB is a TS priority with Mutton, Bacuna and Crespo all able to play there. More likely looking for a CB although Lescott in place of Senderos appears strange (other than Lescott seems less prone to injury).
Morning Hitch, we all seem to agree a stronger player is needed in defence, an old head wouldn’t go amiss but not many in the market, Lescott as much as Oohah’s didn’t rate could in my mind settle in, don’t think he will come anyway, looking forward to today’s game and going for a win to Villa ,I have more confidence now than last seasons shower, 2-1 Villa for me.
Morning Bill – yep fair point. Would love to see us win but Palace are a very good side so a draw would be a reasonable result for us.
1-3 VILLA but only if gabby ain’t playing.UTV COYL
0 – 2 for da villa. We will keep a clean sheet.
This one is hard to call. Palace are playing good football, now saying that they were very lucky against Norwich, had the ref on their side. I think Sherwood will go all out attack. We have attacking players available for this one. I hope we win this one because the next couple of games we can also win. Come on the Villa.
Unfortunately I have to go for 2-1 to palace because they seem a lot more organised than us as our new players still aren’t used to the prem yet, especially if vertout starts ahead of sanchez today then I think we will be overrun in the middle, not that I think vertout is a bad player just he is not up to speed yet much like Sanchez was when he 1st came to England, I actually think we have too many CM now with sanchez, Westwood, gana, vertout, Gardner, and even gil can plat there! Unless tim plans on always playing 4-3-3. Personally I would go with a 4-2-3-1 with all our players back from injury and fit my team would be
Guzan
Richards, okore, Clark, amavi
Sanchez Gana
Adama, gil, grealish
Gestead
That would leave 3 CM with very little game time but that 3 of adama gil and grealish is getting me very excited and if we can keep them for 2 years with amavi I think we can make massive progress.
Richards isn’t going to play RB other than in absolute extremis. Came to Villa because he was assured of CB role.
I’d put Sanchez in for Westwood, Jack in for Gabby and start with Gestede.
Fancy us to pinch something so 1-2 win
UTV
Guzan
Bacuna-Richards-Clark-Amavi
Gana-Sanchez-Westwood
Grealish-Gestede-Gabby
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Sinclair, Veretout, Ayew, Traore, Hutton
Glad rudys on aswell as Jack as for gabby say no more.
9 minutes to go and Man utd , are drawing with Newcastle, come on Newcastle.
I think Sanchez is the right choice for this game. Good to see Grealish back. Was hoping Gaby wouldn’t start but will hopefully put in a better shift
Prediction
1-1
That will shut the Manx up 0-0 , come on the Villa,
With you Bill – they’ve been lucky so far plus having their own ref helps!
Like the team TS has put out today other than I don’t think Gabby has earned his place BUT away from home counter attacking he can be a real nuisance. UTV COYL
Shit, Gabby had done the hard work.
Typical of him.
What the FUCK was shabby playing at FUCK him off the field.
Gabby one on one with the keeper and again he can’t score, again no end product .
Wahey, good play from Sanchez there.
fuckin shabby costs us more points than he gains SHITE.
Gana testing the goalie there.
The team looking ok to me.
Lovely ball from Grealish to Gabby, but sheesh!
omg gabby is the worst player we have by a mile. he is shit
Not good enough again form Gabby fxxked up again in front of goal.
Sanchez and Grealish have been great so far. Gaby is the only reason we aren’t in front
I agree Darren Sanchez and Grealish playing great stuff.
Guzan bad distribution again!