Midfield

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Eaglecoops CR3 15 Jan 23 3.33am
Originally posted by joe_cpfc I wouldn't say he's any better than an average squad player. Doucore is naturally a dm the same as Kouyate so that's why I think Doucore is more of a replacement for him. Whoever has replaced who I think we all know that we're massively lacking in midfield and the manager hasn't got a clue how to deal with it. We're in such a mess I'd experiment a bit by dropping Eze (not been great) and Schlupp (disaster) and play Hughes and Jairo in front of Doucore and let Hughes roam forward when possible. Would add more strength to the middle and whatever people think of them they are both intelligent players that can pick out a pass going forward, as long as the forwards feel like adding a bit of movement to their game, which is seriously lacking at the moment. Cant be any worse than it is at the moment. Doucoure is not a DM. He has been shoe horned into that position because PV persists in playing Schlupp and Eze alongside him and neither of them are even close to being a DM. If Milivojevic was still half the player he was when he first joined us then you would be seeing a more attack minded Doucoure. Also, as someone has already said, we miss Kouyate because he was the best we had left in that holding role and he was never replaced, not because he was an outstanding player.
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Eaglecoops

CR3 15 Jan 23 3.33am

Originally posted by joe_cpfc

I wouldn't say he's any better than an average squad player. Doucore is naturally a dm the same as Kouyate so that's why I think Doucore is more of a replacement for him. Whoever has replaced who I think we all know that we're massively lacking in midfield and the manager hasn't got a clue how to deal with it.
We're in such a mess I'd experiment a bit by dropping Eze (not been great) and Schlupp (disaster) and play Hughes and Jairo in front of Doucore and let Hughes roam forward when possible. Would add more strength to the middle and whatever people think of them they are both intelligent players that can pick out a pass going forward, as long as the forwards feel like adding a bit of movement to their game, which is seriously lacking at the moment.
Cant be any worse than it is at the moment.

Doucoure is not a DM. He has been shoe horned into that position because PV persists in playing Schlupp and Eze alongside him and neither of them are even close to being a DM. If Milivojevic was still half the player he was when he first joined us then you would be seeing a more attack minded Doucoure. Also, as someone has already said, we miss Kouyate because he was the best we had left in that holding role and he was never replaced, not because he was an outstanding player.

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thai-eagle chiang mai 15 Jan 23 7.01am
Originally posted by joe_cpfc I wouldn't say he's any better than an average squad player. Doucore is naturally a dm the same as Kouyate so that's why I think Doucore is more of a replacement for him. Whoever has replaced who I think we all know that we're massively lacking in midfield and the manager hasn't got a clue how to deal with it. We're in such a mess I'd experiment a bit by dropping Eze (not been great) and Schlupp (disaster) and play Hughes and Jairo in front of Doucore and let Hughes roam forward when possible. Would add more strength to the middle and whatever people think of them they are both intelligent players that can pick out a pass going forward, as long as the forwards feel like adding a bit of movement to their game, which is seriously lacking at the moment. Cant be any worse than it is at the moment. Agree on this midfield assessment, but it seems Schlupp is the manager's golden boy. His stubbornness might cost us the PL contract in the end.
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thai-eagle

chiang mai 15 Jan 23 7.01am

Originally posted by joe_cpfc

Agree on this midfield assessment, but it seems Schlupp is the manager's golden boy. His stubbornness might cost us the PL contract in the end.

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aashman12 15 Jan 23 9.40am
Originally posted by PatrickA I think I have a possible solution to the midfield conundrum. What are we missing, - an experienced and consistent player who can make an immediate difference and is rarely injured - a player who can play a variety of roles in midfield - a captain and leader on the field with some bite to his game - a set piece and penalty specialist who chips in with goals and assists in double figures every season and has an excellent shot. The answer- buy James Ward Prowse who can do all the above and more. Obviously this is tongue in cheek and he’s a player that’s loathed by Palace fans, but his range of skills highlight the areas in which we are sadly lacking. Southampton are as reliant on him as we have been on Wilf for years. And like Wilf I’m surprised no top clubs have ever bitten and taken him on board. Edited by aashman12 (15 Jan 2023 9.41am)
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aashman12

15 Jan 23 9.40am

Originally posted by PatrickA

I think I have a possible solution to the midfield conundrum.
What are we missing,
- an experienced and consistent player who can make an immediate difference and is rarely injured
- a player who can play a variety of roles in midfield
- a captain and leader on the field with some bite to his game
- a set piece and penalty specialist who chips in with goals and assists in double figures every season and has an excellent shot.
The answer- buy James Ward Prowse who can do all the above and more.
Obviously this is tongue in cheek and he’s a player that’s loathed by Palace fans, but his range of skills highlight the areas in which we are sadly lacking.
Southampton are as reliant on him as we have been on Wilf for years.
And like Wilf I’m surprised no top clubs have ever bitten and taken him on board.

Edited by aashman12 (15 Jan 2023 9.41am)

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Painter Croydon 15 Jan 23 11.05am
Originally posted by nead1 I agree that letting Kouyate go was a mistake; however, if I recall correctly, it was tied in with Palace deciding that any players over 30 would only be offered one year deals - presumably tied in with greater possibility of injuries, becoming less effective as a player etc. Indeed they followed this policy with Clyne, Tomkins and a few others if I recall. Clearly the situation with Kouyate questions the wisdom of a blanket approach and they certainly won't be going down the same route vis a vis Wilf if they have any hope of keeping him. However, how will they handle Ward, Luka and others whose contracts are up at the end of the season unless they agree a policy and stick to it in the interests of fairness? Its a tough call as are so many judgements in the world of professional sport. There was a rumour that Kouyate was a disruptive influence in the dressing room, after winning the AFCON cup, so was moved on.
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Painter

Croydon 15 Jan 23 11.05am

Originally posted by nead1

I agree that letting Kouyate go was a mistake; however, if I recall correctly, it was tied in with Palace deciding that any players over 30 would only be offered one year deals - presumably tied in with greater possibility of injuries, becoming less effective as a player etc. Indeed they followed this policy with Clyne, Tomkins and a few others if I recall.

Clearly the situation with Kouyate questions the wisdom of a blanket approach and they certainly won't be going down the same route vis a vis Wilf if they have any hope of keeping him. However, how will they handle Ward, Luka and others whose contracts are up at the end of the season unless they agree a policy and stick to it in the interests of fairness? Its a tough call as are so many judgements in the world of professional sport.

There was a rumour that Kouyate was a disruptive influence in the dressing room, after winning the AFCON cup, so was moved on.

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nead1 15 Jan 23 11.26am
Interesting; I hadn't heard that but, if so, the whole scenario would make more sense. I see he is actually out injured for quite some time - problem picked up at WC.
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nead1

15 Jan 23 11.26am

Interesting; I hadn't heard that but, if so, the whole scenario would make more sense.

I see he is actually out injured for quite some time - problem picked up at WC.

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Bexley Eagle Bexley Kent 15 Jan 23 7.21pm
We desperately need someone who can play alongside Doucoure. And Eze/ Olise in the number 10 role is a non event. Eze contributes little and even less away from home. Olise should play wide right. I’d be quite happy to sell Eze if it would fund another Doucoure and Gallagher. I know we have no chance of that happening.
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Bexley Eagle

Bexley Kent 15 Jan 23 7.21pm

We desperately need someone who can play alongside Doucoure. And Eze/ Olise in the number 10 role is a non event. Eze contributes little and even less away from home. Olise should play wide right. I’d be quite happy to sell Eze if it would fund another Doucoure and Gallagher. I know we have no chance of that happening.

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Elphers40 Sunny South Coast 20 Jan 23 3.04pm
I think Downs was the planned replacement for Kouyate and the forlorn hope of loaning back CG ended up being a major distraction from identifying alternatives imo (heaven knows why Danilo wasn’t on our radar?). Not absolving the board entirely of fault here, but by all accounts Downs was in the building before a last minute change of mind. Can’t really odds that. No such excuse’s available this window - so not securing additional reinforcements for CM will be unforgivable IMO.
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Elphers40

Sunny South Coast 20 Jan 23 3.04pm

I think Downs was the planned replacement for Kouyate and the forlorn hope of loaning back CG ended up being a major distraction from identifying alternatives imo (heaven knows why Danilo wasn’t on our radar?).

Not absolving the board entirely of fault here, but by all accounts Downs was in the building before a last minute change of mind. Can’t really odds that.

No such excuse’s available this window - so not securing additional reinforcements for CM will be unforgivable IMO.

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YT Oxford 20 Jan 23 3.15pm
Originally posted by Painter There was a rumour that Kouyate was a disruptive influence in the dressing room, after winning the AFCON cup, so was moved on. Yes, apparently he was wont to chant before every game: I've won a major honour I've won a major honour You ain't (apart from James McArthur) You ain't (apart from James McArthur) To the tune of: We're goin-a-Wembley, we're goin-a-Wembley....etc Edit: (and Jeff Schlupp, of course) Edited by YT (20 Jan 2023 3.34pm) Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)
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Oxford 20 Jan 23 3.15pm

Originally posted by Painter

There was a rumour that Kouyate was a disruptive influence in the dressing room, after winning the AFCON cup, so was moved on.

Yes, apparently he was wont to chant before every game:

I've won a major honour
I've won a major honour
You ain't (apart from James McArthur)
You ain't (apart from James McArthur)

To the tune of: We're goin-a-Wembley, we're goin-a-Wembley....etc

Edit: (and Jeff Schlupp, of course)

Edited by YT (20 Jan 2023 3.34pm)

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

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ambrose7 Croydon 20 Jan 23 3.36pm
One piece of context worth knowing on Kouyate, a 2 year contract means we would have owned him next season when Afcon is played in January 2024. Our worst-case exposure for that tournament is already: Schlupp, Ayew, Zaha, Doucoure, Olise, Eze. Given the rest of our midfield could be missing, you can see the hesitation in a 2 year deal for Kouyate. Evidently, being without McArthur has made it look a worse decision in hindsight. 26th January 2010 - Enter Administration 2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough 1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds 7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.
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ambrose7

Croydon 20 Jan 23 3.36pm

One piece of context worth knowing on Kouyate, a 2 year contract means we would have owned him next season when Afcon is played in January 2024.

Our worst-case exposure for that tournament is already:

Schlupp, Ayew, Zaha, Doucoure, Olise, Eze.

Given the rest of our midfield could be missing, you can see the hesitation in a 2 year deal for Kouyate. Evidently, being without McArthur has made it look a worse decision in hindsight.

26th January 2010 - Enter Administration
2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough
1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds
7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.

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derekjeffries Hastings 20 Jan 23 3.57pm
Is that right, I thought Olise has the choice of playing for either France or England and Eze has allegedly been close to an England call-up?
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derekjeffries

Hastings 20 Jan 23 3.57pm

Is that right, I thought Olise has the choice of playing for either France or England and Eze has allegedly been close to an England call-up?

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Putitout Oxford 20 Jan 23 4.25pm
If we were offering a year to Kouyate, the Afcon, situation may have been the reason and as it almost certainly meant he moved on why oh why wasn’t more attention given to McArthurs condition, he didn’t play that much last year, and was breaking down in pre-season? Gallagher, was at best an outside chance. So how was signing one decent mid-fielder ever going to meet our needs.? I don’t blame Viera, he said back then we could use these players, but just as Roy before , he was prepared to try with or without, and that’s a situation that doesn’t seem to have changed much. After what he did at WH and on Wednesday, Olise, has to be studied, and his talent encouraged but Eze and Shlupp really do need to step up and become more competitive , if no competitive signings are possible.
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Putitout

Oxford 20 Jan 23 4.25pm

If we were offering a year to Kouyate, the Afcon, situation may have been the reason and as it almost certainly meant he moved on why oh why wasn’t more attention given to McArthurs condition, he didn’t play that much last year, and was breaking down in pre-season? Gallagher, was at best an outside chance. So how was signing one decent mid-fielder ever going to meet our needs.?
I don’t blame Viera, he said back then we could use these players, but just as Roy before , he was prepared to try with or without, and that’s a situation that doesn’t seem to have changed much.
After what he did at WH and on Wednesday, Olise, has to be studied, and his talent encouraged but Eze and Shlupp really do need to step up and become more competitive , if no competitive signings are possible.

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Uphill Bedford 20 Jan 23 4.54pm
Well, it was only one match but on Wednesday Wilf Hughes had his first start and showed some attacking qualities and I thought, after Wan-Bissaka, he was the man of the match. He was certainly a great improvement on Schlupp in midfield and I do hope the manager perseveres with him We haven't yet seen how good Doucoure is as an attacking midfielder so I guess a new out-and-out defensive midfielder may give him that opportunity. Ball holding midfielders are thin on the ground but I do think if Freedman, who hopefully is trawling Europe, can find one then we will be in a much better place and the likes of Edouard could blossom.
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Uphill

Bedford 20 Jan 23 4.54pm

Well, it was only one match but on Wednesday Wilf Hughes had his first start and showed some attacking qualities and I thought, after Wan-Bissaka, he was the man of the match.

He was certainly a great improvement on Schlupp in midfield and I do hope the manager perseveres with him

We haven't yet seen how good Doucoure is as an attacking midfielder
so I guess a new out-and-out defensive midfielder may give him that opportunity.

Ball holding midfielders are thin on the ground but I do think if Freedman, who hopefully is trawling Europe, can find one then we will be in a much better place and the likes of Edouard could blossom.

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