Got back very late from the game last night so have only now read (most of) the comments on this thread.

Some thoughts:
1. I sit in the Glazier stand and so for once got to see most of the action close-up.
2. It was the best 1st half I've seen us play this season.
3. Our front 4/5 pressed strongly throughout that half and didn't allow Soton time on the ball. We regularly won back possession quickly and kept the opposition under constant pressure.
4. Unfortunately, our final ball was often poor. We really should have been out of sight by half-time.
5. The Premier League is the toughest in the world and most teams aren't able to control games throughout. It was no surprise when Soton started the 2nd half at a higher tempo and pressed us high up (they hadn't done that 1st half for the simple reason we rarely gave them the chance to play in our half).
6. The substitutions made sense to me at least. We had to stop Soton driving forward centrally and the arrival of Hughes to support Luka achieved that with both Ayew and Riedewald adding additional midfield strength.
7. Like many on this site, my heart sank when I saw Doucoure wasn't going to play and that we would be relying on Luka for that role. HOWEVER, Luka had a decent game IMHO, especially with his finding space to receive the ball and make forward passes. He also avoided giving away his customary free kick in Ward-Prowse territory. A shame he claimed captain's privilege for the one potentially dangerous free-kick we had 1st half.
8. I am disappointed that so many on here have been so negative about our performances over the last month. We've collected 10 points from the last 5 games. We're clearly doing enough right to have achieved that return - Yes it would be good to see a game where we win comfortably - but come on guys THIS IS PALACE, we rarely win games comfortably. THREE home wins on the bounce is worth celebrating.

Edited by doombear (30 Oct 2022 10.18am)

Got back very late from the game last night so have only now read (most of) the comments on this thread.

Some thoughts:
1. I sit in the Glazier stand and so for once got to see most of the action close-up.
2. It was the best 1st half I've seen us play this season.
3. Our front 4/5 pressed strongly throughout that half and didn't allow Soton time on the ball. We regularly won back possession quickly and kept the opposition under constant pressure.
4. Unfortunately, our final ball was often poor. We really should have been out of sight by half-time.
5. The Premier League is the toughest in the world and most teams aren't able to control games throughout. It was no surprise when Soton started the 2nd half at a higher tempo and pressed us high up (they hadn't done that 1st half for the simple reason we rarely gave them the chance to play in our half).
6. The substitutions made sense to me at least. We had to stop Soton driving forward centrally and the arrival of Hughes to support Luka achieved that with both Ayew and Riedewald adding additional midfield strength.
7. Like many on this site, my heart sank when I saw Doucoure wasn't going to play and that we would be relying on Luka for that role. HOWEVER, Luka had a decent game IMHO, especially with his finding space to receive the ball and make forward passes. He also avoided giving away his customary free kick in Ward-Prowse territory. A shame he claimed captain's privilege for the one potentially dangerous free-kick we had 1st half.
8. I am disappointed that so many on here have been so negative about our performances over the last month. We've collected 10 points from the last 5 games. We're clearly doing enough right to have achieved that return - Yes it would be good to see a game where we win comfortably - but come on guys THIS IS PALACE, we rarely win games comfortably. THREE home wins on the bounce is worth celebrating.

Agreed 👍

Edited by doombear (30 Oct 2022 10.18am)

I went to The Dell when we had george Graham playing for us (70s)
As you said about 'leafy' (was not rough.)
One subbuteo, higgldy piggly , cobbled together ground.

I just got into the ground to see Shaws own goal