The way we played yesterday was a joy. The shackles were off and you could see the difference. Obviously Bournemouth play a much more attacking style than a lot of away teams do when they come to Selhurst Park, which suits us because when it comes to an actual game of football against teams from 10th downwards, we are clearly very talented and can get the better of them. We do need to find a way next season when teams set up deep against us when we are at home. But some of the skill we showed yesterday was breathtaking

It isn’t just teams sitting deep against us. We also let them do this because we don’t want to be counter attacked. We play 20 odd passes around sideways or into cul-de-sacs over and over again.

Roy said himself we’re very difficult to score against but find it difficult to convert chances. That’s manager speak for ‘find it difficult to create chances because it’s safety safety safety first.’

We created a good few at the start of the season and in a few game lately but it’s mostly pedestrian stuff, and predictable for the opposition who are okay for a point, so that’s how it happens so much.

14 goals at home or something is pitiful and it needs to improve, safe management or not, and these last few matches every season when teams take it easier and we don’t because the players are reminded how bad it was at the start of the season skew the stats imo.

COYP

Yes i agree we did look far more of an attacking threat

If Sakho, Tomkins and Dann had been available think we would have been better defensively

“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

Man City and Liverpool don't do to bad playing with freedom, The main problem we have had at home this season is that we haven't played with any freedom, 3 defensive players most times, you cant play counter attacking football when other teams are not attacking

“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

Absolutely love the positivity of this thread, we should play with more freedom.

If we had taken just 5 points from the 17 we dropped against Watford, Brighton and Southampton we'd have finished at least 8th (goal difference depending). Imagine what platform we'd have had to build from going into next season as surely we're going to add a striker and AM this summer?

We cannot wait to breach the 40 point barrier before playing positive football again. 7 seasons of survival isn't enough anymore, we've got to demand more: surely a top 8 finish should be our mark of success from now on?