Dann and Ward looked ponderous and uncomfortable.
I have been critical of Puncheon for a while and yesterday he was as abject as ever - which hardly surprised me.

Yes, all round very worrying.

Edited by Willo (13 Aug 2017 1.32pm)

As I have written on another thread..it doesn't matter how many negatives there were from yesterday, there is no excuse for booing the decisions of a 20 year old youngster who is making his debut in a new league. If this was a Crystal Palace academy player this would not have happened. Regardless of his experience (how much can you have as a 20 year old?) he would have been extremely nervous and was probably only following instructions anyhow. The booing would have delighted the opposition and provided them with encouragement they needed. It's pathetic and needs to stop. Boo at the end of the game if you are unhappy but not during the game when there is already enough tension around.

We have to face facts. We bought our way out of trouble last year. We cannot continue to do this as Parish has alluded to. We have to change the way in which the club operates and attempt to compete by developing our own academy players and taking very promising youngsters on Loan, whilst trying to pick up a few purchases along the way.

We cannot continue to give the opposition 65-70% of the possession in each game as per last year...whilst those tactics will earn you the occasional win against the big 6 they will not work against the Burnley's, West Ham's etc as they will just invite you on to them and as witnessed last year when we have more of the ball we were terrrible. That is what FDB is trying to change and it will take probably 7/8/9 games but we have to be patient.

First game of the season. Keep it tight, carry on the form of last season and integrate the new players. Hope for a win but take a 1-1 draw.

I hope we haven't got a massive ego on our hands and will give Frank time (like it matters to him if I don't) but that seemed a foolish way to start his Palace career...

You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name.

But we didn't have a winning formula or team last season did we? We got soundly beat by a fair amount of 2nd rate opposition and stayed up by some pretty freakish results against some of the top 6.

His philosophy and tactics would have been discussed in the meetings with Parish and itnwould have been obvious that it would take time to evolve. It is clear we need a couple of people for key positions but don't make out we had a successful setup and unit last season.

So it's imperative we play 3-4-3 to do it. Is that what you're saying? No other clubs evolve unless it's 3-4-3? Really mate?

COYP

We were more 4-2-3-1 until Luka came in. When he and a decent ball playing centre mid or 2 are in the team we were and will be effective.

Those 3 plus Benteke, Zaha and Townsend and you have a very talented 6 in front of defence. Have full backs able to overlap rather than have gaps in front of them there you are.

Frank's preferred formation till now, well actually the minute he was hired before knowing the squad, was 4-3-3. At some point without actually knowing it, he deemed us suited to 3-4-3, having the players for it. Yet he's signed 3 and needs another 3. That's 6 of 11 before subs. Get the picture?

Oh and he's relying on Benteke to press from the front. Yep, Frank knew the squad was perfect for it.

COYP