31 Mar 2024 17:02:19
I can't really add much to the excellent and well informed post match comments on here but here's my usual tuppence worth.
Firstly, Sanghere (and his selection) is a bit of an enigma to me. He clearly has the talent and looked solid against Luton. His performance was dire yesterday and credit to Nuno for having the courage to hook your most expensive player at half time. Can't work out whether he's not fully recovered from his AFCON injury, or he can't make the step up from Dutch football to the Prem or he just does nt want to be here. I can only imagine that Nuno picked him to "play him back into form". But on this showing it didn't work and I think Dominquez is well ahead of him to play alongside Yates.
Secondly, how good was Woodys goal ( and his overall contribution this season and yesterday on limited supply). He reminds me of Edward "Teddy" Sheringham, not really quick along the ground but with incredibly fast speed of thought and football brain. The more I see his goal the more I admire his courage ( he could have got clattered by Hendo) and his finishing ability. Without him we are sunk.
Thirdly, I know Nuno won't change formation but Palaces 3 centre backs caused us all sorts of problems. The number of times we broke through their midfield to be knocked back by their 3 ball playing defenders. It freed up their quick wing backs and made them look much more incisive than us.
Fourthly, ( and this is probably the kiss of death) Sels looked solid and saved us a few times. He looks the part atm
Lastly, I like MGW a bit further back with Reyna pulling the strings a bit more. Elanga and CHO forced their wingbacks back second half and Nunos changes put us on the front foot. It was a point gained after the limp first half imo. Palace are a good team with a lot of Prem experience and have the new manager bounce after the doldrums under Roy Hodgeson this season. Lerma, Matete, Eze and Ayew looked dangerous throughout.
Just an addendum, I don't know if it's just nerves but whilst we were behind I've not heard the City Ground as quiet and grumbling as that for a long long time.
31 Mar 2024 17:31:12
Good post mate
Agree about the grumbling I fear it could turn toxic very quickly had we gone 2 down.
31 Mar 2024 17:39:41
Very good and informative post Stokey.
31 Mar 2024 18:05:57
Thanks Redstripe.
I don’t usually read the NEP but there was a cut and paste in there lifted from the New Zealand Herald which contained some interesting stats about Chris Wood
Apparently, his 10 goals this season have come from 23 attempts a conversion rate of 43%. This puts him way about the Leagues top scorer Haaland who has scored his 18 goals from 75 attempts a rate of only 23%.
He scores a goal on average every 112 minutes, just behind Haaland and Isak every 107 minutes
Also his shot accuracy ie shots on target is 70% just behind Foden on 71%
So I draw 2 conclusions from this.
Firstly it would appear that for all the 1001 players we have signed our Prem League survival depends upon a 32 year old in the twilight of his career carrying and suffering many injuries. Our alternatives are Taiwo ( injured) Ribeiro a 19 year old novice and Origi.
Secondly, I remember his goal in the last few minutes that gave us 3 points against Sheff Utd. He had the instinct and awareness ( like yesterday) to gauge the flight of a cross from Aurier ( I think), surrounded by big defenders then stand his ground then ( without jumping) guide his header into the top corner. You just can’t coach that imo. So keep your fingers crossed for his further efforts and freedom from injury and hang your heads those who labelled him “Plank”. I’m not saying he’s Pele just a good honest hard working pro who’s steadily repaying his transfer fee and wages!
31 Mar 2024 18:10:53
Yes agree with all the above. As I wrote earlier I had to physically get between two fans who were going to thump each other yesterday.
It’s bitter. Many supporters now turning on Nuno- lots of disquiet and frustration. We just never seem to be at the races in these types of game.
So different to a year ago.
31 Mar 2024 19:01:06
Thank you Legless ?.
31 Mar 2024 19:01:30
The fans at the ground might be different but the football was still has bad last year we was in the same position fighting relegation and that clown of a manager was still picking freuler to play has does Nuno with sangare so not much difference at all ?.
31 Mar 2024 19:41:50
Skegs your clueless mate there was a whole different atmosphere at the cg this time last year, but then you wouldn’t know that would you? Calling cooper a clown after what he did for this club really is sad,
31 Mar 2024 20:04:46
That clown your referring to took us from championship relegation cert's to Wembley, how dare you call him a clown. Unfortunately once promoted our owner took the control's and sc had little or no input. the only clowns sit in the director's box. you should get over to Nottingham, take in a game, rejoin reality, but never call cooper a clown.
31 Mar 2024 22:10:33
The owner red vale his why we're in the premier League he's invested a lot of money into this club cooper was going no where in this league he gave him the time needed invested in the players he wanted mgw 50 million sangare 35 million he wanted a proven premiership manager to take us further towards Europe which Nuno did with wolves it's not worked but he's tried it's called ambition some of what you do called cooper fans haven't got they'd rather see if they can get some fist pumps at the end of a game please lol Cooper's gone and so might Nuno do I care about managers do I hell I care about points staying in premier League and a owner that's trying to get us there you'd be happy with fawaz cooper and the championship ?.
31 Mar 2024 22:21:55
Well said Red Vale.
31 Mar 2024 23:34:26
Skegs mcleish got brum into Europe, kinnear got Wimbledon promoted, megson got West Brom promoted, mcclaren won the Dutch league, they all got one thing in common they were dismal here, what nuno did with wolves is irrelevant,
01 Apr 2024 10:01:35
You can add. hughton to that list as well stevie - highly relevant in the context of the point you are making.
01 Apr 2024 12:34:46
2stars I was trying to forget him mate, but yep another luminarie, by the way notts???.
01 Apr 2024 19:51:20
Haha I know mate, thank god do them eh! It’s all we’ve got left this season, we’re crep but it’s all palatable whilst ever they’re crapper lol!