The Run In - 2016-17

Sakho will make sure that Munts win - for sure - just to get back at Liverpool. He knows (if didn't already) that after his antics on Sunday.

 

Sakho will make sure that Munts win - for sure - just to get back at Liverpool. He knows (if didn't already) that after his antics on Sunday.

 

He was playing for one football club and he is now playing for another football club. I doubt he will be thinking which is the best way to ensure Palace lose just to get back at LFC. He's a professional footballer and will, therefore, do his best for Crystal Palace.

No way is it your misfiring crew mate, our destiny is being juggled (precariously) in our own hands.

If it wasn't for the injuries piling up I might be thinking we cud sneak it.    The Derby big game now. 

Rafa used zonal. We were not too bad then...

He had his critics for it.

Call me Old School but there is something to be said for 4-4-2 and man to man marking.

Being an ex defender, you'd think Klopp would at least have some sort of idea as to sorting our leaks out..

Maybe hire Carra as defensive coach

Maybe hire Carra as defensive coach

Why, so we can hoof the ball up the pitch at every opportunity?

Why, so we can hoof the ball up the pitch at every opportunity?

Perhaps he can bring his 16 years experience to the fore and instruct our current crop of defenders all about reading the game, when to tackle, where to tackle, and when the ball needs to be hoofed.

Zero luck? Are you joking? We were sh*te and you know it. As for luck, well you make your own...

How did Palace make their luck then, that ball from the corner deviating off one of our players past our defenders and straight onto the head of Benteke, when the F**k does stuff like that happen to us? How many deflected goals do we score. I honestly think we are one of the unluckiest teams in this respect and we have to work bloody hard for every single goal we get but then again I would rather we win by skill than luck.

Rafa used zonal. We were not too bad then...

Zonal marking if done well is very very good but all to often our defenders don't attack the ball to clear it when it comes into their area, that's why we concede to much, we are basically far too soft in our defence and get bullied, and that there is absolutely no excuse for although I would say we have been getting a bit better over the last few months.

If it wasn't for the injuries piling up I might be thinking we cud sneak it.    The Derby big game now. 

We have the same pile-up. What happened to the multi-millions you claim the ''richest club in the world'' have at their disposal? It seems you are always hinting they can buy their way out of trouble.
Think your remaining games are going to sink you mate.

You are correct mate as of we've been sh*te defensively, but for me its the type of defence used that's the problem..... Zonal marking.... It just doesn't work not for me it doesn't and it's certainly not working for us..I think I'm right in saying only Watford & Hull have conceded more than us this season. .

In zonal marking players defend an area, if the ball by-passes that area/zone the player defending leaves responsibility to another defender in his area/zone, it also means defences are more static giving attacking players a advantage when running /jumping up to win the ball.   

I don't know why but Jürgen seems to prefer this method other than man to man marking, in man to man you have a better chance to defend your area or at the very least hamper /thwart attempts on goal...... and it's why in our past we had the best defences for years which included your...Ron Yates, Tommy Smith's, Phil Thompson, Alan Hansen etc etc etc
I honestly can't understand why, when a system that obviously doesn't work isn't changed, and in all honesty if we are to progress especially in Europe it Fookin needs to??


YNWA

Don't most of the top Euro sides use zonal marking as well?

I want us to sign two top defenders in the close season, but I think a lot of our defensive problems are down to not having a dominant midfield that excels at ball-winning, covering tactically and just making it difficult for teams to build an attack (not to mention not giving the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park - looking at you Emre Can). Look at nearly every Premiership and  Euro champion over the years and they had at least a couple of sons-of-bitches who others HATED to play against. Before you bring up playing an attractive style like Jürgen wants, I'm not talking one-trick ponies who have no quality in the attack, but who live up to their responsibilities defensively. Think what this year's team would be like with an in-form Mascherano or Hamann in midfield (and of course our best midfielder didn't shy away from his defensive duties either).

I think signing defenders without addressing the midfield would be only a partial fix.

We have the same pile-up. What happened to the multi-millions you claim the ''richest club in the world'' have at their disposal? It seems you are always hinting they can buy their way out of trouble.
Think your remaining games are going to sink you mate.

You have a couple of injuries stuey  we have more    I don't claim that but the stats say we're up their. Can't buy yet anyway.    On paper I agree the remaining games make it really hard hence you still be favourites for top four slot. I stand by best way for us is the Europa Cup.

Let's all do permutations!

Or we could try and work out why Christian benteke had to stoop down to waist height to head in unmarked to lose a game at home to F***ing palace for the 3rd year in a row.

How did Palace make their luck then, that ball from the corner deviating off one of our players past our defenders and straight onto the head of Benteke, when the f**k does stuff like that happen to us? How many deflected goals do we score. I honestly think we are one of the unluckiest teams in this respect and we have to work bloody hard for every single goal we get but then again I would rather we win by skill than luck.

How did they make their luck? By being able to keep our chances to a minimum and taking advantage of our generous defence. That's how they made their luck. So do what you're supposed to do, then you may get the rub of the green...

You have a couple of injuries stuey  we have more    I don't claim that but the stats say we're up their. Can't buy yet anyway.    On paper I agree the remaining games make it really hard hence you still be favourites for top four slot. I stand by best way for us is the Europa Cup.

A couple of injuries? Are you actually serious with that statement? Considering the squad depth of the two teams, it's fairly obvious who are going to be hit hardest by injuries...

A couple of injuries? Are you actually serious with that statement? Considering the squad depth of the two teams, it's fairly obvious who are going to be hit hardest by injuries...

No it was more tongue & cheek hence the  Was having the usual banter with stuey 

Who left the door open in the Manc thread? One seems to have escaped 😁

No it was more tongue & cheek hence the  Was having the usual banter with stuey 

Forgive my stupidity 😂

Why, so we can hoof the ball up the pitch at every opportunity?

i think i would prefer hoofball than to watch migs fish the ball out of the net a few times a game.  bentekes goals were laughable.  the first one especially. still pisses me off he had so much time in the small box.  wow

Can't believe we're bum twitching on top 4 now.

The season looks to be piece by piece falling apart.

I personally think we won't make top 4. I've accepted that fact. Gutting as it is

I personally think we won't make top 4. I've accepted that fact. Gutting as it is

I know we blow hot and cold but Uniteds fixture list is horrendous.

They are away at City tomorrow. They will drop points. I expect City to beat them but hopefully they will deploy the same tactics they did at Anfield and it finishes a draw. United won't win though.

They then have Swansea at home. You would expect them to win, but Swansea are fighting for their lives. They turned up and beat us so if they can do that then they can beat United. Its not a given.

Then they have Celta Vigo away, Arsenal away, Celta Vigo home and then Spurs away in the space of ten days. That's when they will really drop off. They aren't getting 6 points there.

Their last two games are away at Southampton and then at home to Palace. Again, none are easy!

Arsenal have stoke away, spurs away, Southampton away. They aren't getting 9 points there.

To summarise, if we win our remaining games then top four is a given. I think 3 wins will be enough though. And I fully expect us to go to both west ham and Watford and take maximum points and then beat boro at home too.  Southampton at home we can afford a draw presuming we get the other points.