Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Clampy]

It implied nothing other than its literal meaning. Enjoy your day.

Thank you, I will.

[adrenachrome]

FourFourTweet ‏@FourFourTweet   1h1 hour ago

  The Crystals were in full flow prior to Crystal Palace's game against Aston Villa last nigh

[passitsideways]

Interesting reading this thread. I was impressed that Sanchez lasted the 90mins but as others have pointed out he is the most creative midfielder we have. Perhaps Cleverley, who does put in a most impressive shift, would be better up front with Benteke as he scored goals for Wigan. I have always seen Clark as a defensive midfielder and still reckon that is his true position but he has bulked up and is playing well at the back.In fact all our centre backs have played well at various times this season. Hutton, as we have come to expect, coped well
against a speedy winger. Okore again looked good without being totally convincing. Westwood doesnt offer much apart from hard work and
both Agbonlahor and Weimann should be rested. Guzan rode his luck a bit.

Expect much of the same fare against Leicester. You would think we could win this one but dont be surprised if we dont!

To be fair Lamber tried him in that role in the second half at QPR and he didnt have any impact.

Have been disappointed in Cleverley so far. Cant fault his workrate and he is tidy in possession. But he isnt very dynamic, dont recall him getting into the opposition box in a Villa shirt, gets knocked off the ball easily and his passing is very passive. Maybe patience is needed with him.

Sanchez seems more incisive is his passing than Westwood or Cleverley. Nice reverse ball from him to Benteke for our first chance last night.

I reckon that could similarly be attributed to our general narrowness and the lack of movement up front by Gabby and Andi - especially since Cleverley is clearly not blessed with the close control/spatial awareness that all the top no. 10s have.

[LeeB]

I'd like to cut the manager and players some slack. When you haven't won since whenever, it's about getting that monkey off your back, and they've done that at a place we never get a result so fair play to them.

It wasn't pretty, but you can't fault their effort, and despite his faults he at least appears capable of getting that out of them.

[WestleyArmsAV]

An extremely sensible and reasonable post.

[lukey27]

The players are giving everything at the moment. This was a hard fought and ugly win, for that I'm delighted. The team just isn't set up right though. Our midfield three last night [once Sanchez came on] were flat and deep. Weimann and Gabby should be 15 yards further up the pitch, they look like second full-backs at times.

As a result when the ball breaks, we don't have an option other than a long straight ball. Cleverley and Westwood shouldn't be in the same team, they are too similar, very sideways and have a phobia of the box. At least Sanchez for all his flaws looks forward and tries to take responsibility [lovely run and ball leading to a Benteke shot in the first half].

I just think if we had a more forward thinking manager, who tried to get us further up the pitch and utilise the players, we'd be comfortably mid-table. At the moment you can't see anything other than the same re-run in the forthcoming games. Very low-scoring with not too much created. I hope this win gives them all the boost to be more positive and attack minded.

[Clark W Griswold]

I'm not getting carried away, but if (and its a big if) we beat Leicester you can say undefeated in 5 games with 9 points and that sounds positive. Build on it a bit and pick up another 6 or 7 points from the 4 games after Leicester would take us to 22 / 23 points by the mid season stage and could be considered acceptable considering the injuries.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Benteke's goal on Dailymotion

Thanks for that, had been unable to find the goal myself.

[Clampy]

Someone touched on this last night I think but Sanchez coming on in place of Cole was arguably a blessing in disguise. I thought he did really well again.

[silhillvilla]

I'd agree with that. Sanchez shores the middle nicely and adds structure and shape to the team.
Let's hope confidence begins to return now and we can get some form going.

[glasses]

Someone touched on this last night I think but Sanchez coming on in place of Cole was arguably a blessing in disguise. I thought he did really well again.

I thought that too. It allowed us to to becomea little stronger in the middle and more balanced as we looked very top heavy to start.

[PaulWinch again]

I like Sanchez he looks promising.

[LeeB]

I like him but thought the game bypassed him a bit in the 2nd half

[supertom]

I like him but thought the game bypassed him a bit in the 2nd half

I would imagine he tired a little to be fair. It was a hard old slog and he's still struggling with the rigors of this league. He had to do a whole 83 minutes, and generally he still wavors around 60-70.
He'll get there though. He's got ability.

[LeeB]

I agree Tom, I think he needs to up the gradient on the treadmill.