Palace 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[adrian lord]

If they had switched mangers after the Wolves defeat when everyone  (apart from, apparently, SR) could see we were sinking without trace , we would have gone into this run of key high frequency festive season fixtures trained and sorted by Juric and with a fighting chance of escaping the drop. As its is, the poor fellow has hardly a moment to conduct training and fixture after fixture. 

Edited 29 December, 2024 by adrian lord

[goodymatt]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:06, adrian lord said:

If they had switched mangers after the Wolves defeat when everyone  (apart from, apparently, SR) could see we were sinking without trace , we would have gone into this run of key high frequency festive season fixtures trained and sorted by Juric and with a fighting chance of escaping the drop. As its is, the poor fellow has hardly a moment to conduct training and fixture after fixture. 

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Jurić sacked by Roma the day after the Wolves game, I wonder if we started to sound him out or if as the press suggested, this was a reactive appointment from the Spurs game. Either way I’m encouraged by his appointment.

[adrian lord]

^ me too. 

[lambtiss]

  On 26/12/2024 at 21:13, Harry_SFC said:

Yep, you could argue Dibling but for whatever reason he just isn't at the races at the moment. 

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Either weariness (still maturing) or his agent is getting into his head. 

[Viking Saint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:06, East Kent Saint said:

Cornet and Stephens available today apparently 😁

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Intrigued to see how IJ deals with Stephens....think it will tell us a lot

[saintant]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:29, Viking Saint said:

Intrigued to see how IJ deals with Stephens....think it will tell us a lot

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I'm expecting him to be on the bench at best. IJ is unlikely to start him until one of the current back 3 makes too many errors.

[Viking Saint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:33, saintant said:

I'm expecting him to be on the bench at best. IJ is unlikely to start him until one of the current back 3 makes too many errors.

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Would hope so, and that he isn't swayed by the fact he's (inexplicably) club captain. If he sticks him straight back into the starting XI, I will be concerned....

[Harry_SFC]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:33, saintant said:

I'm expecting him to be on the bench at best. IJ is unlikely to start him until one of the current back 3 makes too many errors.

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We've stopped leaking goals, no need to change the back 3 at all. 

[Challenger]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:27, lambtiss said:

Either weariness (still maturing) or his agent is getting into his head. 

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Probably Liverpool have already had a secret contact.

[davefizzy14]

It will be interesting to see what changes Jurić makes in the space of a couple of days. Would like to see Archer back in alongside Onuachu upfront. COYR 😊

[ErwinK1961]

  On 29/12/2024 at 12:11, goodymatt said:

Jurić sacked by Roma the day after the Wolves game, I wonder if we started to sound him out or if as the press suggested, this was a reactive appointment from the Spurs game. Either way I’m encouraged by his appointment.

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Find it hard to believe we weren’t sounding him out, especially as he was allegedly our first choice to replace Ralph.

[Master Bates]

Archer to score as he starts, 2 1 Saints

[Harry_SFC]

Honestly fed up of watching Armstrong try and play football

[davefizzy14]

ABK back in the squad 😊 Tyler starts 😊

Flynn not in squad so must have picked up a knock. Don't get why Lesley isn't starting again as he was great on Boxing Day. Also Archer too. Charlie Taylor back in squad too 😊

[Ken Tone]

Looks quite an attacking team, but 3 full backs and a CB on the bench. Plan to score early and then hang on grimly? 😉

[Lighthouse]

[sfc4prem]

That central midfield, as ever, is weak as piss.

[Greedyfly]

Would have started with Lesley who was good against Spam, Archer because AA is toss at this level but otherwise I don't hate it.

[saintant]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:53, sfc4prem said:

That central midfield, as ever, is weak as piss.

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Agree. Surprised he's not gone with Big Les especially with Downes missing.

[Ken Tone]

Surely we have to recall Charles to cover defensive midfield? 

[obelisk]

No defensive midfielders. Surprised to not see Ugochukwa sitting in there with Downes out. Guess we're just going to try and outscore them first half and then get some defenders on later.

[StrangelyBrown]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:55, Greedyfly said:

Would have started with Lesley who was good against Spam, Archer because AA is toss at this level but otherwise I don't hate it.

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Completely agree. AA just doesn't have the brain for premier league football - it's something that will never change and frustrates the hell out of me that he continues to get picked based on being able to run fast.

[beatlesaint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:52, davefizzy14 said:

Don't get why Lesley isn't starting again as he was great on Boxing Day. 

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Fitness probably given he’s hardly played recently and RM’s training regime was seemingly loose at best

[Matty's Caddy]

Gonna get massively overrun in the middle 

[bangkoksaint]

With that midfield I fear the game may be out of reach after 20 minutes 

[tdmickey3]

Midfield looks weak and Adam Armstrong plays…….just why

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Interesting that ABK gets ahead of Stephens on the bench

[Charlie Wayman]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:14, Challenger said:

Probably Liverpool have already had a secret contact.

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Doubt it. As we saw the other night they have several better youngsters than Tyler.

[chivvy]

Looks abit shite to me. 

[beatlesaint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 14:04, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Interesting that ABK gets ahead of Stephens on the bench

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Think he’s injured 

[benjii]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:56, Ken Tone said:

Surely we have to recall Charles to cover defensive midfield? 

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If weren't already down, yeah maybe.  But seeing as we are, it's a waste of time.

[hypochondriac]

Got to be honest that lineup looks crap. I get Downes has a knock so not an awful lot that can be done but no defensive midfielders is asking for trouble. 

[captainchris]

As most people have said shame to leave out big Les who had a great game against Spam. What AA is doing on a Premier League pitch I really have no idea.

Willing to give Juric the benefit of the doubt but this team looks a bit weak… 

[ErwinK1961]

The only seem to have Will Hughes and Lerma in midfield and playing 3 at the back too, so we’re matching up.

[Charlie Wayman]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:53, Lighthouse said:

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Aribo is rubbish and should be nowhere near the starting XI

 

  On 29/12/2024 at 14:04, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Interesting that ABK gets ahead of Stephens on the bench

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Jack's future will be on the beach

[Greedyfly]

  On 29/12/2024 at 14:12, Charlie Wayman said:

Aribo is rubbish and should be nowhere near the starting XI

 

Jack's future will be on the beach

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He's that far up the pecking order?

[Lighthouse]

Like others, I’m surprised to see Les dropped, perhaps he has some sort of fitness issue. I’m guessing we’ll see Aribo and MF sitting deeper than usual although that wouldn’t exactly be playing to their strengths. If we’re going direct, I’d imagine they’ll have more of a defensive, covering role to play.

[Guest]

Everyone saying the midfield looks weak without Les and Downes are forgetting that even when playing they’ve been piss poor all season.

Les had a good cameo against Fulham but it doesn’t make up for the countless poor performances he has had.

Downes has been way off it this season as a whole.

ABK inclusion is interesting, but I’d assume that’s to see how he performs. I imagine Juric wants to check out the whole squad before any decisions are made.

Pretty sure Jack Stephens is injured, if he’s not that speaks volumes.

Archer and Manning are unfortunate to not start, both have been better players than some of that squad this season.

[Wade Garrett]

Downes is starting to get on my tits with the number of games he misses through injury.  Starting to think he’s a bit of a wimp.

Maybe I’m being grossly unfair, but that’s how I see it.

[Toussaint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:53, sfc4prem said:

That central midfield, as ever, is weak as piss.

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It’s an area that needs addressing in this window. We don’t have enough premier league standard midfielders even if all are fit. 

[Convict Colony]

Not too concerned with midfield as I expect to see full Atalanta esq man to man marking today so everyone defends.

[jamesfp1]

Archer for Armstrong and it's decent lineup

[Osvaldorama]

Was feeling quite positive, but seeing that lineup we have no chance. 
 

That midfield is horrendous at this level. Gonna get battered 

Edited 29 December, 2024 by Osvaldorama

[Suhari]

FFS. AArma again. Sadly lacks any quality at this level.

No Les, but Aribo? No sure: did he play a forward pass last time?

Good to see TP again.

COYRs!!

[Sheaf Saint]

  On 29/12/2024 at 13:58, StrangelyBrown said:

Completely agree. AA just doesn't have the brain for premier league football - it's something that will never change and frustrates the hell out of me that he continues to get picked based on being able to run fast.

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I think this is something of a myth. He only looks like he runs fast because he has such stumpy little legs, whereas other players can cover more distance with fewer strides.

He'll always be a club legend for scoring the winner at Wembley in May, but he just isn't - and never will be - a PL level player.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Assuming we’ll be pressing them further up the pitch IF they’re able to get a foot in then Fernandez and Aribo MIGHT be able to contain Palace. I fear however that this game will be lost by half-time. AA has been selected to run around a lot and spearhead the press - it’s certainly not to help score goals.

2-0 Palace.

[macca155]

As someone said, they'll be man marking today. That's a big change to previous tactics, it will be interesting to see how they cope.

I guess the aim with 3 forwards is to push Palace back and isolate Mateta...... now that is brave.

[WALK DMC]

  On 29/12/2024 at 14:21, FarehamSaintJames said:

Everyone saying the midfield looks weak without Les and Downes are forgetting that even when playing they’ve been piss poor all season.

Les had a good cameo against Fulham but it doesn’t make up for the countless poor performances he has had.

Downes has been way off it this season as a whole.

ABK inclusion is interesting, but I’d assume that’s to see how he performs. I imagine Juric wants to check out the whole squad before any decisions are made.

Pretty sure Jack Stephens is injured, if he’s not that speaks volumes.

Archer and Manning are unfortunate to not start, both have been better players than some of that squad this season.

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Maybe Big Les has been recalled by Chelsea and this is his last game, hence the desire to try other combinations. Real shame if so.

[Matthew Le God]

  On 29/12/2024 at 14:04, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Interesting that ABK gets ahead of Stephens on the bench

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Stephens is injured

[pingpong]

Surprised aribo is in after his game against West ham, where he looked off script.  But he needs games to shake off the lego, so hopefully will improve.