I used to work with a Spurs fan a year or two back and when they were doing really well. His response was always the same, " ye but we come down with the Xmas decorations". I just got a text off him with the same message about us. "You've got Spurs players in yer engine room guvnor" Now for Spurs this usually means a top 6 or 8 finish instead of flattering to deceive in the top 4. But for us it could mean relegation. I've always been confident about us staying up but doubts have come in lately. We seemed happy with a regulation defeat against Chelsea without getting into their faces. Hudd lost a 50/50 to Willian, FFS he should have put him in row Z. Jake bottled a 50/50 with Sideshow Bob. We needed to be fired up and werent. A midfield 3 of Koren, Hudd and Jake just doesnt have the bite needed. From now onwards games are going to be a scrap, do we have enough scrappers in our team?? I dont think so. Meyler does get stuck in but then tries to nick balls instead of tackling. Teams now are just going to push on Hudd, so half his passes end up going back to Bruce/Davies/Chezzy. I reckon 70% of Jake's passes go to Hudd, I think he needs to take more responsibility with the ball, teams are anticipating where the pass is going and close Hudd down. I would look at selling some to get another CM in. The last time we played Palace Jedinak won the midfield, we cant let that happen again. I have no idea who is available but moving a few on and getting someone in would be a good move for me.
Like you said on another thread if Livermore gets priced out of a permanent transfer and Palace get relegated( don 't think they will) I'd go for Jedinak. He ran the show against us, doesn't waste a pass and puts his foot in. Excellent in the air as well.
Jedinak and Bannan were superb when they came here. Gonna be a proper battle this one, so agree we need to be up for it in terms of guts. We won't play as badly as yesterday again, but Palace are revitalised so if we actually want to win, it has to be complete change in mentality. Unfortunately, I think we'll play for a draw.
Bridcutt would add the bite we need with work rate and he's decent on the ball but I think Sunderland are looking to land him.
Issue i have now is if teams put pressure on Thudd the ball is going to go back to Bruce, Faye and Davies at least with Chester you felt a little more confident in your CB having more of the ball. I think Livermore needs to make more runs than anything else, he made one or two yesterday which isn't enough he needs to break more and get himself in and around the area more.
If Brucey is determined to play 3 at the back with 3 CM's I'd be tempted to go for Jack Rodwell on loan. No idea if he's injured, is he? But play him n Hudd with Jake further forward to support the two forwards. Big lad gets stuck in. Has he broke his leg or summat?
