Forsters mistake put the team on edge. Also probably affected him and the defence. Palace didn't win this game we lost it. Redmond is a winger not a striker and in that role I thought he played well. I feel sorry for the fans that spent the money going to the game, but it's football and not every team performs to it's best every game thats just the way it is.
Because our offense is not very good. And we paid a lot for Boufal. So the hope was that he could be the creative gamechanger to kickstart our attack, not just another solid player in a lineup full of solid-not-great players. Against a team like Crystal Palace is where you hope to see Boufal really shine and take control of the game. Instead we got a few flashes of brilliance and an overall decent enough showing. It's not enough. That is what I meant when I said Boufal was "too luxury" today. Not that he was bad, just that he wasn't actively involved enough in changing our attack. Would say the same about Redmond. I thought he also had a pretty decent game and worked hard. In the end we scored zero goals and were not enough of a threat, which has been the case all season. Certainly I am judging Boufal to a higher standard than other players. But it's not meant as a personal attack, just an observation of the team. If this is who Boufal is, our team has problems. But of course he could always improve.
Still wouldn't have been good enough, given how bad Palace actually are. As I posted on the other page our home form is 8th/9th , but our away form is 15th, 1 point ahead of relegation form. We badly need to sort out our away form.
Which mostly comes down to defense. We're just as goal-shy at home, but better defensively. Makes me wonder whether our home form would change if teams came to SMS and really attacked, rather than allowing us to monopolize possession.
I find myself caring less and less about the league this season, there is no way that we will get relegated with Swansea, Hull, Boro and Burnley in the league and we will be comfortably midtable at least without ever threatening to get near the top 6. This season is ALL about the cups, a major final is well overdue for us and we are in a great position to progress in all three with kind draws.
My last word before Thursday. Today was alright. We played OK but a disastrous error (they happen) and the attendant lack of focus for a few minutes that led to the second and we were on the back foot. We were far from dire. However, the thing that lifted the game and my spirits is that Boufal is so clearly the real deal. We saw him doing some pretty good work on the ball at Arsenal and we saw more today. For much of the second half I noticed that Palace were putting three men on him when he had the ball, as he was otherwise unplayable. Considering he's just back after a few months off, it was a marvellous display. By the end of the season I reckon we'll be extremely happy that he's ours. Vin
I agree our away form is not great. But probably that will change when we get knocked out of either the UEFA cup or the EFL cup then we can play our strongest team every game with fresh legs.
We were always going to struggle in the league with so many fixtures, but that doesn't take away the frustration. While I accept defeat and can move on, I don't think its fair to be telling people how to deal with it, it's understandable people are frustrated. We all watch football for a reason, we want the team we love to win, and when that doesn't happen it can be frustrating especially when it's so obvious we need another striker. Btw - I'm not having a go, I just think it's fair enough that people react differently.
I just think the lack of attack is effecting the defence too much. I said the other week that our defenders are under so much pressure to not concede due to our attack. I bet a few of our defenders are worrying about it before each game.
Well, it looks like CP has realised that J-rod is probably not the answer, so that may well have an some sway in Jan.
