GOAL - Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace João Pedro Lovely finish and definitely game over for Crystal Palace.
We could have been be there all night and not scored . Subs improved us but tbh generally too slow and lacked the final ball .
Once again, we try to draw out a defence, but it retains its shape, and we cannot find a way through or round it.
Chakvetadze was busy, but we otherwise lacked businessiness (I made that word up but you know what I mean ). It seems if we play against similar formation we really struggle to break through. That’s when Asprilla, Chakvetadze and Kone have to step up and be brave. And more importantly perhaps, they need to be allowed to be brave.
Yet another game we should have won, 6 shots on target to their 2 Only good thing was Dennis looks a bit fitter and sharper
Had a couple of good efforts indeed . We certainly didn’t really deserve to lose as such but don’t think we did enough until the last 15/20 minutes to really threaten . Trouble is we have players who perform well one week then not the other or someone comes on and impresses but then starts and doesn’t the next. Tbh more fingers are being pointed at the lack of recruiting which doesn’t help with today’s results . In a way being close to the play offs heightened expectations and demand . Even seen calls for VI to be sacked now !
We have gone backwards since pollock came in - sooooo ponderous on the ball and does not drive forwards as much as he should (when he did we created openings) It’s fine passing the ball sideways , but you have to do it quicker and exploit the space when they appear you can’t wait for the perfect situation. I am getting really pi$$ed of at the time wasting again that refs seem unable to get a grip of - in the first half there player spent about 4 mins tying up his boot lace whilst the ref just held up play whilst he did it!!! How much added time in the first half 2mins!! The refs have to get a grip…their keeper was wasting time from 17 mins taking a drink before each goal kick …i would love to see a ref give a yellow card in the first half for this blatant cheating not in the 87min
Yes that was so obvious! Should have been told to get off . Pollock seems to be flavour of the month at the moment but yes he is too slow on and off the ball almost getting sent off twice now . Mind you not sure Sierralta and Porteous are much better really .
One step back day. Bullied out of it. Awful officiating for the second time in a week. So the lady ref on Wednesday struggled with the pace so was out of position to make credible decisions; these three just didn't have a clue. A very irritating afternoon today where nothing much went right. Disagree about Pollock: there were quite a few occasions where he ran forward with the ball well over halfway. No worthwhile end product today from anyone, too many poor decisions in the final third. As I said: irritating.
Like I said when he did ‘step in’ things happened, but he a) didn’t do it enough and b) when he did it he was too slow or not good enough to make a pass I think Porteous is a better option, but that is my opinion - I want pollock to do well, but he has now had three games and whilst that is not a lot of time I don’t see material improvement that I would expect
I rarely watch Match of the Day, but did last night as there were to be so many goals. What was noticeable was the number that came from fast wingers running directly at defenders. We don't have players who do this. Asprilla and Martins always seem to want to cut back inside before they get to the goal line, running across the defence. Neither of them appears to have the speed that was on display on MOTD last night. Lewis and Andrews do have pace, but when they are used as attackers we are exposed to the fast break from our opponents. We did see glimpses of what Dennis might bring, but he has some way to go yet before he warrants a start.
I think we try to almost walk the ball into the area and hope to get something rather than shooting more - I guess that must be the instruction given? Often too slowly which allows the opposition to get back and have no real pace to break the defensive lines. When we do shoot can go quite close at times too.
