saint-ed

Hearing no Lambert today

First post on here, but I'd like to point out something that no one seems to have picked up on. That was not really a complete reserve team for Palace. That starting XI has amassed 59 league starts between them, whereas the Saints XI only has 22 league starts. When you consider JWP was making his first ever start, and Reeves his second, while Cork, who accounts for half of those 22 league starts was playing out of position. That, IMO, made a massive difference. They were just a little more savvy. At the end of the day, we ran out of steam, partly due to our inability to get a lead and something to hold on to, and partly because none of that side have played competitive football, whereas Palace have. For 60 minutes, we were in total control, moved the ball nicely, and didn't give Palace a sniff. They scored from two mistakes, with their only two shots on target. As a few have pointed out, with a half competent forward, we would have cruised that match. Forte's first touch is appalling, and he spent most of the time on the floor. I would question if he is even League 1 standard. If anything I came away strangely satisfied. If Palace give our first team that much time on the ball, we will tear them apart. In terms of players they have to bring into the side, only really Murray, Speroni, Zaha and either Gardner or Tunchev will improve them, while we'll make another 10 changes at the weekend. Certainly don't see them as being a threat. Positives - What superb numbers for a midweek Carling Cup game. Over 2,500 is an incredible turnout. (The Palace 'Ultras' were embarrassing, leave it to the Eastern Europeans for that kind of thing.) The game highlighted our need for a back-up forward/creative player in the final third. Barney got a much needed run out. He looked well off the pace, but that is to be expected.