A great move by Sam making Punch captain. Punch is a confidence player who reacts to trust placed in him. Keep him as captain. All it will need is for him to do something spectacular and he'll be back to his old self. A great call by Sam. He won't disappoint as captain - he would rather die.

Punch is one of my favourite Palace players of the current crop based on memories he has given me over previous seasons. I am therefore more inclined to cut him some slack compared to some others. Over recent weeks though I have found myself doubting his inclusion in the starting 11 more and more and I was quite surprised to see him as a starter yesterday. However I was even more surprised to see this thread had been started after the game, as at the match I had thought everyone had performed pretty well. Therefore, because of this thread, this morning I watched Sky's extended highlights, specifically concentrating on Puncheon. This is the conclusion I came away with. PUNCHEON WAS BRILLIANT. In a completely non flashy way he was everywhere. The only player I could see directing the game and pointing to where players should be. Picking the ball up from the defence and effectively recycling it to the wide areas. Always the player in the oppositions box trying to latch onto Benteke knock downs and keeper spills. At the half-time
whistle he was encouraging the other players and really looked as if he was relishing the captains role. I would advise anybody to try and watch those extended highlights and player watch Punch, it can be a real eye opener and showed me what the managers and coaches (the professionals) obviously see in certain players that they always pick.

Punch is one of my favourite Palace players of the current crop based on memories he has given me over previous seasons. I am therefore more inclined to cut him some slack compared to some others. Over recent weeks though I have found myself doubting his inclusion in the starting 11 more and more and I was quite surprised to see him as a starter yesterday. However I was even more surprised to see this thread had been started after the game, as at the match I had thought everyone had performed pretty well. Therefore, because of this thread, this morning I watched Sky's extended highlights, specifically concentrating on Puncheon. This is the conclusion I came away with. PUNCHEON WAS BRILLIANT. In a completely non flashy way he was everywhere. The only player I could see directing the game and pointing to where players should be. Picking the ball up from the defence and effectively recycling it to the wide areas. Always the player in the oppositions box trying to latch onto Benteke knock downs and keeper spills. At the half-time whistle he was encouraging the other players and really looked as if he was relishing the captains role. I would advise anybody to try and watch those extended highlights and player watch Punch, it can be a real eye opener and showed me what the managers and coaches (the professionals) obviously see in certain players that they always pick.