You never know, Only Man City (11) have won more times against the "top six", Palace ten that's over the last 5 years

Edited by Lanzo-Ad (01 Mar 2021 4.28pm)

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Palace 10

Edited by Lanzo-Ad (01 Mar 2021 4.29pm)

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

And the f***ing bus has broken down, too.

We do have Cahill, Tomkins, Sakho, Dann, Kelly, Kouyate, Woods, so more than the average club. Now whether they are fit or good enough is a different matter. What standard do you have to be to play that shape?

Townsend put in one (half) decent ball from the left against Brighton, and a stream of very good crosses from the right against Fulham. Benteke just didn't do anything with them.

Interesting first post. Does a manager look at the players available and then decide on the formation or does he have a fixed idea about what formation to play and then look at the players to make it work?

Against Brighton and Fulham we just looked disconnected. Even watching Southampton lose last night, you could see that the players had some idea who would be where as a move developed. I just despair of our ever being so fluent.

I'd go with 4-2-3-1 in front of Guaita. Were the players available:

Clyne, Tomkins, Cahill, van Aanholt
Riedewald, Kouyate (the latter just edging out Milivoyevic who is out-of-sorts at present).
Zaha, Eze, Townsend.
Benteke.

It looks defensive as a set up for a home game, but against one of the top teams there's a case for it anyway. But unless there is a 'connect' between Riedewald and Kouyate and the three in front of them then nothing good can follow. I just think Riedewald's a good player. Technically sound if one-paced, reads the game well, can pass the ball and break- up play.