Not really. But I'd say he was better in that second half than Redmond or Boufal were. Exceptionally low bar though.
Look, he had to make changes after last week. It was a very poor performance so he needed to shake things up.
TBH - there is not a lot of choice to be had - much as I am unimpressed with Tadic and Redmond. Boufal is a show-boater and JWP was dire last week. Wonder if Maya and Jack are being rotated and the partnership between the CB's last week was poor - although TBF it was there first time playing together. Would not be surprised if VVD gets a turn in the second half.
This is a shake up team (as pointed out previously) which has the smack of desperation, but, hey, I can live with desperation. There is also the added advantage that Hodgson may be caught out by Long playing instead of Gabbi.
Actually don't hate this lineup, in my view we had two options: Play a deep line, and add more pace to the attack to allow us to counter properly Play a high line and play a more high pressure style So far we've been playing a deep line without any pace up front, so not being able to get any support to the striker, as the players are so far apart. I'm hoping that with Long in the side, we'll move up the pitch quicker, and that'll hopefully bring about enough of a change to improve our attacking play. Decent enough strategy for an away game
Twas desperation that saved Koeman through lucking out with the forced changes after that Xmas period. Hopefully the same will happen today! One saving grace, there is no way this game can be as bad as the hangover I have today.
Palace look more attacking than usual. That may well be a good thing. straw clutching continues......
Pretty nervous about today, I'd take a draw I think. Good to see mario along romeu,hopefully we get the ball forward abit more rather going sideways!
Anyone care to run a book on how long I will watch today's match. I can give you a clue....will probably be for less than 10 mins and will coincide with Palace's first goal or corner. Have to point out that I usually stop watching if we score first as well....because I'm afraid they will equalise. I'm happy when we are 3-0 up, but that won't have any effect as I will have stopped watching by then anyway so won't know.
I'm interested in seeing what his tactics are with that formation. could have brought long in with a view to do a lot of pressing high up the pitch, or we could be looking to play a bit deeper with addition of Lemina and Hoedt and use long to counter. Maybe both at times.
Yoshida maybe brought in to deal with Benteke? He is better in the air than Stephens. Although we really could do with VVD! Palace could go direct and use pacy wingers which has troubled us in the past. I'm happy with the team, ok to start with Long.
Austin was an injury doubt so makes sense he's not even on the bench. Not sure we need two CBs on the bench though. But I guess either Stephens or VVD can cover CB and DM. MP2 is clearly not a fan of Hojbjerg! If nothing else we should be solid and should pose a threat on the break.
Long will be replaced by VvD on the hour mark. Full on desperation mode takes place. I think I need a drink.
Hojbjerg isn't an option today as he was allowed to go back to Denmark with the arrival of his newborn baba.
That's also a good point. Other than Watford last week, the only other game I can recall walking away from thinking that Stephens was poor, was Palace at home last season. I thought Benteke absolutely got the better of him.
