Watching Big Sam's presser I thought he was trying to play down expectations. He didn't commit on who would be healthy enough for selection and he said we wanted the players to go in with the attitude of "We can't lose this match." Normally I prefer the can-do attitude to the can't fail but given the last three matches and the thinness of the squad right now I don't think he wants to give too much away publicly. His presser was before Hull's as well.

He also said that training this week was "light." I hope he means on the pitch with more of an emphasis on building up spirit. A clean sheet means survival at this point, therefore it must be a priority. They have to get back to basics, tight in the back but attack when the opportunity arises. Above all, play as a unified team and not go off on individual tangents.

What he said about Wilf is also important. He can't let frustration get into his game. Leave the officiating to others and just play his game within the framework of the team. The ref will call what the ref will call. He can't control that (and neither can we) but at least we can't be sent off for dissent. He can.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
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CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT

Agreed. From their point of view, Hull will be the most incentivised team in the league wanting a win come Sunday. All the other teams are pretty much on holiday all ready. From their point of view they would be wanting to play anyone else apart from us, as we are only looking for a point. Big Sam has reinforced that with his press conference, effectively telling Hull that if they are planning to take us on the break it won't work as we are happy to take the draw.

One of the positives about Palace this year is that we always look like scoring on the break, this means when they come at us they can't overly expose themselves at the back. If they do go 1-0 up they won't be able to risk 10 men behind the ball in case of the equaliser either.

Ah! Got Tomkins on the brain - meant Townsend. And don't get me wrong about defending only, as I don't mean the whole team sitting deep, but AGGRESSIVE defending all over the pitch starting in their first third. I'm not even contending we change our usual shape, just that the wingers, mids and Benteke will be slightly more defensively biased in their game. I don't mean everyone sitting deep.

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I can see where the proponents of hoof-ball are coming from but, if we do concede a goal can anyone believe we will score with these tactics?

We will need some ball control and passing skills to set Benteke up. He will score - IF he gets the ball.

I am praying that Cabaye is fit and I would also play Lee instead of Puncheon who needs more time to get a pass away as he struggles with his ball control.

Zaha is a match winner except he will have three markers so we need someone who can link with him and utilise the space these markers concede.

Hoof-ball shows panic and only puts the pressure back on our depleted defence.

As we've only kept about 6 clean sheets all season its not a good idea IMO to play for one. The chances are the oppo will score, so we need to get that first goal. That means controlling possession & attacking them when chances come. If it works then Hull would be so desperate they'd be likely to make mistakes leading to GAME OVER.
Think there will be goals in this. Counting down the minutes almost now! 2 days 3 hrs 50 mins....

Point taken. I could have added 'all things being equal' it's a damn sight easier to JUST defend than to score.

Our recent defensive errors are (IMO) because we've been asking our once solid CBs (Damo, Kelly, Dann) to both defend AND launch attacks. If you think about most of our gaffs this season it's trying to do exactly this, both for Pardew and Sam.

Now, for Hull's game, all we're asking is, "Forget that fancy sh1t and just do what you always did before".
Damo and Kelly will be fine for this. Here's hoping.

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