Teddeer

The square root of diddly squat.

Should have been a red.

Agree about Bednarek. For their second goal he actually glanced over his shoulder to see where Benrahma was then chose not to bother marking him. Having said that he did score the winner with a very good header.

Apparently he's not as good as Adam Armstrong.

Slightly confused as to how the line up helped Walcott - he never had a kick all game as all of us bar Ralph expected and could have predicted.

Some say Adam Armstrong is better than him 🙂

So you don't think it's relevant that he has been involved in few games this season but played in all 3 of our victories and, aside from that, we haven't won for over two years when he wasn't playing. That is some massive coincidence if that's how you want to view it.

Well I'm not going to go into specifics on those games but when a team hasn't won a game for over two years when a certain player hasn't played then it's pretty clear to most of us that said player is a fairly vital cog in the machine wouldn't you say?

I would think when a team hasn't won for over two years without said player then the manager should be very focused on knowing exactly when he is likely to be available to play again.

If the reason he's been missing all this time is because he refused to have the vaccine that is a disgrace on his part and the clubs. If it is true this should have been resolved weeks ago and he should have been playing. Hope this is not the truth behind his absence. The manager and players are paid fortunes so should be doing their job.

I hope he isn't refusing to play or in dispute with Ralph because he is paid way too much money to be kicking his heels when we need him.

Good points. It baffles me when we work a promising attacking situation and then fail to capitalise by taking the supposed safe option and playing back into our own half. Why work a good situation and then waste that attack and the ground gained by not being brave. If we're going to end up giving the ball away let's at least do it as far away from our goal as possible and, you never know, the braver option might lead to a chance or a goal. It frustrates the hell out of me because we do it time and time again. Stop recycling the ball for the sake of it and, instead, try something that just might hurt the opposition.

Think I read somewhere a few weeks back that he would probably decide not to put himself forward as he didn't feel ready for it. Fair enough and good news for us.

I'd love to see Broja and Tella play a lot closer to one another. They are both strong and quick and, working as a pair in close quarters, maybe they'd be more effective. It would need work but if they could develop a decent connection then perhaps it would lead to more chances and goals and a bit more panic in opposing defences. Little give and goes, spins and interplay might set up one on ones against the keeper. It's certainly worth persevering with them after today's strong showing.

I think what I am getting at is the type of changes made by a manager where it is so obvious that he's pulled off an intelligent switch that the game changes almost immediately. Maybe I'm not explaining it well but I have watched games where a side gets the upper hand and then the opposing coach makes a tweak and the momentum swings in his favour. It certainly doesn't happen every game but when it does it's kind of glaringly obvious.

I was speaking in a general sense not specifically about tonight's game. Most of the clever, really good managers/coaches are not afraid to make changes to alter the direction of a game whether that change is of a tactical nature or a substitute. Ralph doesn't seem to have this in his locker.

It's one of Ralph's failings - he is generally reactive rather than proactive so never gets the first punch in,

Not 100% convinced he was running down the clock - he'd just taken an elbow from Benteke.

Very happy with a point out of that and there were some positives. Broja again showed what a handful he is for any defenders with his strength, pace and power and also weighed in with a superb goal. He is the best of our strikers which is quite something considering his young age and lack of Prem experience. Tella also played very well today and gave Palace plenty to think about with his pace and willingness to press and work for the team. Broja and Tella could develop into a great pairing. JWP scored a superb free kick but still not convinced his general play is where it needs to be and he gave away some really sloppy balls. I still think Ralph sets us up too light in midfield which is why we find it so hard to retain possession especially when under the cosh. It's why we struggle to hold on to a lead. More in midfield with cooler heads and we would be making our opponents chase the game. Instead the midfield gets over run and we eventually crack. Any point away is welcome and we now need to start winning more games at home especially ones like the weekend encounter with Brentford although they are no mugs and another draw looks on the cards.

It was coming. Giving the ball away time after time this half. We'll lose now.

That's how to do it...play shit for 20 minutes then turn on the after burners. The exact opposite of what we usually do. Fair play and two great goals. Let's hope we come out for the second half.

Wow!!!!

Thought Smallbone was in the team?

Game over

Yeah, snatch your hand off for a draw. I have a bad feeling about this one.