We weren’t good but we had the chances to change the game early in the second half. Horrible sight of one or two giving up, thinking particularly about the way Stephens stopped chasing back when Zaha got past him late on.
Disappointing start for sure, big drop in quality from end of last season, but it may well be a one off. Ings and Adams gave it a good go, but didn’t really have much service. Peters did some good work on the right. Romeu and Stephens were dirt poor though. Redmond was a weak link going forward. Palace seemed to have a game plan worked out for us today and executed it well.
We had some moments where we moved the ball wonderfully, and carried a real attacking threat. Then there was the other 94 minutes. Midfield was really poor throughout, and the defending looked more like the first half of last season than the second.
Not good. Just didn't click at all. Still some promising signs, but we can play much better than that. Fair play to palace for a very solid performance
Should have got a point, but players look short of match speed (which I guess is to be expected with the short pre season). Glimmers of good play and passing, but nothing stuck upfront. Plenty to work on.
Zaha gets the last laugh, although we didn't make him work for it. Poor all round today, Romeu & Smallbone made a few mistakes each but that wasn't the sole difference today - we were just poor all round. Need a new CM that can actually pass and work with the ball - also need to get that urgency & press back; Armstrong will help with the latter.
Don't know why we bother turning up for the first match, just give the points to the oppo automatically.
Limp. But when do we ever start the season well? Was really looking forward to the season starting again, but I'm struggling to think of a single player who had a good game.
Build up too slow, Redders may as well played in flip flops, surprised Smallbone taken off as he had a decent game. Djenepo running around like a headless chicken. JWP our best player
