Just read through the thread. I have never seen fans sing that much praise for an opposing side. Fair play to them, you gotta have sympathy for people like that.
"Swansea are easily the best team In the premiership, if they had the money the top 4 had, they'd be the best team in the world. Most of their players are average premiership/championship players and a top side would of had enough individual quality to exploit that, but as a free flowing team they're a joy to watch, makes you wish we'd got shelvey now. If we want to play like that, we need to replace atleast 5 of our side with better footballers." Praise indeed , but Arsenal next week may bring us back down to earth , but enjoy the moment because the team deserve it.
Fantastic comments from some knowledgeable fans. Fair play there wasn't a hint of criticism, just appreciation of the way the game should be played. Ian Holloway is a fan as well. It bodes well for Palace that supporters and manager are prepared to forgo the "British Way" to follow our template. I can only wish them every success. Meantime, it seems we are getting better and better and long may it continue. We desperately need Michael Laudrup, Michu and the others to stay with us for as long as possible. To do that, we need an extended run in Europe and challenge for a top six place. Fanciful? Perhaps not. I think we are only a couple of top quality players away from doing it. OK, we can't afford them them now but I believe we are that close. Next up is Birmingham and I hope we don't "throw" the game for the sake of Arsenal. We have the quality to beat both; we just need the focus and concentration. Winning becomes a habit, breeds confidence and it would cap an incredible period for the lads if we can keep the run going. There'll be a few raised eyebrows from the pundits/media if we do and I reckon we just might become a team that others fear to play...... no matter who they are.
Good post Ivor. The nice thing is that we now have the core and the depth. We just ned a few quality additions. Given that we don't have any blinding weaknesses in the team we can spend next years transfer kitty on 1-2 top players as the real building job is near finished. Another top striker with pace (perhaps one who can double as a winger) and a versatile defender would be perfect for me. What do you guys think? (assuming we don't lose anyone of course)
Thing is Ivor, United are showing their mortality this season. Liverpool without Coutinho don't look as hot as they'd like to think they are; the return of Suarez should make a difference there. We may not seem to many like a top 6 candidate but we have the squad to play with the big boys and can field a team that can clearly compete against the best. Consistency in performance and good health will see us knocking on the door. We have already shown away from home that we can play to get a result. The Arsenal match will be another litmus test and hopefully will be further confirmation of our improvement and competitiveness.
In my opinion the United defeat was a freak result. We've discussed the reasons why but I will say this. It wouldn't faze me if we had to play them every week - and I'd love to play them again right now! Whether it's the lack of the SAF factor, or whether they just aren't the force of previous years, I don't know, but it's interesting that the Palace fans reckon we were a better side than them. Perhaps City underlined that with their 4-1 win. We showed up Liverpool in that second half and they were glad to scuttle away with a point after receiving two gift goals. Chelsea don't seem to be that fluent at the moment and Spurs have just been nicking wins, although it could have been 7 or 8 against Cardiff, but will probably get better. Man City are improving and are likely to be a force whilst Arsenal, looking great going forward, are decidedly dodgy at the back. Basically what I'm saying is that I think we have closed the gap on the teams above us. The gap still remains but I certainly no longer fear them. We are more than capable of of beating any of them, even away from home, and it wouldn't be the surprise it once was. As you say, Yankee, the Arsenal game is the litmus test. Personally, I expect to beat them - not easy but very doable. What I don't want is a good performance ruined by a critical lapse of concentration giving them the points. As a team, we have to be better than that now, so let's start racking up the wins that firstly will take us to safety then on to who knows where.
So far this season we have lost against the teams that will finish above us, beaten the ones that will finish below and drawn with a team we will be competing for a position with. We are right on track for where we hope to finish and I'd say right now that top 8 must be the aim.
Steve, agree with you. Another striker and a competitive defender, both quality of course, should see us right. Mind you, I wouldn't object to a strong, hard-tackling, athletic midfielder to keep the oppo honest in the middle of the park if they start putting it about.
I'm sure that should Michu have another good season then we'll lose him to one of the wealthier clubs. Same for ML - if we were to do really well in the PL and Europa League then he'll be in demand. The difference I feel now is that in past seasons I felt that if we lose a manager or a player then we can easily replace them. Not so anymore - if we were to lose Michu - it would be very difficult to replace him short of 30 million. With Laudrup - he has brought something that other managers haven't - his name/reputation. Players have signed for us because he is Michael Laudrup. For the first time I'm fearful of losing our manager and certain players.
I think we need to be looking for the long term replacement for Leon, he has just a few years left *sobs* and will be badly missed when he goes. We have Canas but he's a different kind of player as is Shelvey. I'd like to see us bring in a talented young player to begin the transition. Does anyone know if we have any Leon-esque prospects in the Academy team? Or would we have to buy someone in?
Been a few more comments on that Palace thread since I posted, still all positive. "Swansea didn't even break sweat, yet were a pleasure to watch. We were dire, no hiding from the truth. There passing and movement was sublime and really was a case of men against boys. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge and appreciate other teams." "Very,very impressed. If Palace played like that how proud I would be!" "I've seen us play Spurs & Man Utd this season, & i'd say Swansea were better than both. Their passing & moving was the best i've ever seen at Selhurst Park...or live in England. They were on another level & they didn't even get out of first gear. If they manage to keep Laudrup and this group of players whilst adding a bit more quality, they'll be challenging for a Champions League place within the next couple of years. They are probably my favourite Prem side, other than Palace of course. I am genuinely envious that Swansea fans get to watch such football every week - having said that, they deserve it as they've been through some tough times. I can only hope that one day I can watch a Palace side that is capable of playing such sublime football." __________________
"I've seen us play Spurs & Man Utd this season, & i'd say Swansea were better than both. Their passing & moving was the best i've ever seen at Selhurst Park...or live in England. They were on another level & they didn't even get out of first gear. If they manage to keep Laudrup and this group of players whilst adding a bit more quality, they'll be challenging for a Champions League place within the next couple of years. They are probably my favourite Prem side, other than Palace of course. I am genuinely envious that Swansea fans get to watch such football every week - having said that, they deserve it as they've been through some tough times. I can only hope that one day I can watch a Palace side that is capable of playing such sublime football." What an outstanding compliment - and he's right. When you listen to some of the garbage on our forum, it's pleasing to see that fans from other Premiership Clubs appreciate what is going on down the Liberty
That's the price of success. The important thing is that we all enjoy watching the football we are playing now - because things can soon change. Laudrup and Michu won't be here for ever - and that's a fact!! Having said that, the one consistent factor is our Board. These are the people who appoint the managers and are doing a fantastic job - long may that continue
I did read a lot of the posts, bloody hell they are well educated fans. Nice to see opposition fans acknowledge what a fine side we are, plus were top of the passing league as well!!
This is an excellent point, one that has actually been underlined on the loserpool board as time and time again some of their supporters have bemoaned the fact that they can't attract the type of player they want to, mainly down to the fact that they are not involved in European competitions AND not having a 'name' as manager !
