A 4-4-1-1 formation Marshall John*, Turner, Caulker & KTC Bellamy, Medel, Whittingham, Noone Mutch Campbell * Assuming Taylor is not fit. Even so John deserves another start.
Taylor will play if fit. I'm not sure Bellers wants to continue afer twice on the bench and once not even in the 18. If not then Cowie or Gunnar likely to start. Would be more adventurous if it was Kimbo - very unlikely. Pularse have a big, physical defence (okay Gabbs isn't that big) so why not go with Cornelius to start? If so then Mutch could drop back to fill the Bellers midfield slot and one of Campbell, Odemwingie or Maynard to play off him in the hole.
Can't see Bellamy or Noone starting, Kimbo doubtful to start as well. I don't mind MM setting up to contain to start off, but I hope he makes the changes if we look like we could win it.
Didn't realise that Bellamy had a current hamstring problem - if that's the case, I doubt he'll be risked in the starting lineup. I can see nothing other than more of the same. Go there set up not to lose and hope to snatch the win. The problem for us is obvious with Malky's current thinking. If we've still got a point under our belts after an hour, he'll look to keep it rather than go for all three away from home. I can understand that approach if it were a top 8 club, but this is Palace for goodness sake - he should be far more positive, if not with the starting lineup, then certainly his substitution policy
Is this the end for Bellamy then? I thought versus Swansea he was back to his best but we haven 't seen him since. As for Cowie as someone mentioned, surely he has had enough game time now to show to MM that he is not creative or quick enough and does not warrant a place at the expense of someone more pacy and creative? As for 4-4-2, only if he plays a winger like Noone. If he goes for a 1-0 with the same game plan versus Stoke and Villa then fair enough if we get it but City are becoming too predictable to play against away.
I'm comfortable with a conservative start to a game, but after containing for 70 minutes or so we should have a go at them. Noone made a difference when he's come on, PO gets in behind and looks as if he might create something Kimbo not looked as good this year but has his moments. We've usually had the slightly more adventurous players mixed in. Cowie and PO or Gunnar and Kimbo, but Wednesday saw all of the more defensive players in one team. It took me by surprise. A Cowie on the right to start but Noone with 20 to go, or Whitts, Mutch and Medel in the middle with Kimbo on for Whitts or Mutch with 20 to go. We need to give ourselves a chance.
