Well - it is all about opinions.
He just doesn't do enough for me.
Maybe if Benteke was scoring then his stats would be better but I would be expecting Townsend to contribute 7/8 goals per season and be more difficult to handle.
He doesn't and he isn't.

IMO Luka was very below par and Benteke was his usual self. This contributed to the defeat.

I remember when we had Cameron Jerome and he didn't score many goals - bless him but what he did do was hold the ball up , win headers and bring other players into the game. I'm afraid Benteke can't do this which means possession is always being lost and our midfielders and defenders are under pressure again.

I can forgive Luka for having a bad game as he's usually sound but Benteke has too be dropped. I don't care his cost, experience, confidence whatever....give someone else a chance. Sorloth, Ayew Kai kai etc...

I'm afraid Hodgson is a ditherer and can't make decisions. Remember England/Iceland and Rashford. The subs should have come on at HT or 60 mins. What's the point in having a player like Max Meyer and leaving him on the bench for so long?

Edited by premier fan (03 Sep 2018 11.57am)

Edited by premier fan (03 Sep 2018 11.58am)

Cameron Jerome has recently signed for a Turkish club on a free transfer from Derby.

Over from Northern Ireland and took my son to see the game. TV Fixture move meant we had to return tickets last year. He's only now seen Palace at Selhurst twice and we've lost 2-0 both times in worse performance type performances - last went 2 seasons ago and saw them lose to Burnley (their first away win!). Welcome to the realities of following the mighty Palace!

Thought the atmosphere in the arthur waite was better than Burnley 2 years ago, probably as we were in the game for longer - Holmesdale poor though and missed the lead and intensity of the fanatics.

Not one to get on players backs yet Benteke's lack of confidence can't help but run through the team. Hearing Michael Owen talk about his career recently and the effect of injuries on his ability to play I wonder if injuries have effected Benteke's playing style. Is it just a confidence issue or is there more to it? A shadow of the Villa player who was good with his feet and feared in the air.

Have tickets for the Arsenal game - at least we have no expectations for that one.

This is probably the most intelligent and thought provoking debate we have had for a long time.

I thought the ideas of pushing AWB forward and putting Ward at RB,and doing similar with PVA with Souare at LB was worth a punt.I know Souare hasn't been in the team of late,but we have very little to lose.

Did anyone else notice how quiet Roy was,especially in the 1st half.He hardly got out of his seat and left it to RL to occupy the technical area,which was in marked contrast to the Saint's gaffer who appeared to live every moment with his team.

There has been much comment regarding Roys use of subs,and FWIW I have noticed that Roy will rarely make a substitution in order to win a game from a drawing position,but will usually make a substitution to draw from a losing position.

Finally,Saturday's performance,for me, must rate as the
most dismal and disappointing since the infamous Sunderland match.The midfield needs a good shake-up and I hope that Meyer and Coyote (meep,meep)both start the next match.

Ramble over.