I left disappointed

Fantastic start obviously and I said to the lady next to me now it will be 89 minutes of nerves…

Positives from the first half: I thought Placheta did well off and on the ball and the body language of his teammates towards him is notably different from the start of the season. He’s got more to learn but he’s already progressed a lot.

He was the other side of the ground from me but Rashica looked outstanding first half. Williams did well too and our CBs look good together.

Overall we don’t look or play like a bottom three team. Whether that’s come too late only time will tell.

Second half of the first half and second half their physicality really came into it and so often we’d be second to the ball, or first to it but then muscled off it.

As Jim said below Lungi is a major miss so it’s good news he won’t be off as long as we thought. Palace had so much time and space in that area he patrols. Their goal was magnificently taken but he shouldn’t have had the time or space. It didn’t feel like our press was effective or even that we were pressing much, though maybe that was just the view from where I was sitting. Idah didn’t have one of his better games and I’m thrilled - genuinely - that we’re bringing yet another academy product onto the pitch in the Prem: but I didn’t think Rowe did much when he was on.

It’s moot cos we obviously won’t play four four f**king in the next two but our midfield wasn’t up to it and it will be interesting to see how we do line up against ManC. If Sarge is fit I’d start him ahead of Idah.

We got pushed around a bit in the second half and never looked like creating anything much. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a worse pen and I’m quite old. I thought Gunn had a good game and so did Williams.

Max did well - is it wrong that I want Byram on the pitch?

After the start I thought we were getting all three points. At the end one apiece was probably fair and at least it keeps us moving.

We really need not to get nothing at all from the next two - we never lose all the games against the top sides and we’re due our cheeky draw or better.

I’m extremely drunk so probably making no sense at all.

Posted By: Old Man, Feb 9, 22:40:10