I can already tell I'm going to get a lot of stick for this, but i honestly don't think the new formation is the problem. We were passing and pressing well in the first 20 minutes and looked very comfortable.

The problem lies with three players - Joel Ward, Jason Puncheon and Wayne Hennessey, especially that third one. As soon as they make one little mistake, the whole team confidence is killed. Not only that, but all three are so weak minded they can't recover, make more mistakes and by that point, it's game over. We've seen this time and time again against the likes of Villa, Sunderland and of course, yesterday.

The problem isn't the way we play. We're hopeless while any of that lot are anywhere near the starting line-up. I appreciate what Ward and Punch have given us over the years, but it's time to move on. We need new blood, a lot of it, and fast

I dont see WH at fault for any of the goals. Sure de gea may have saved 1 of them, but hey, get real.

The obvious issue is the players are feeling out of place, not knowing what their roles are. The other issue, as many have mentioned, is Ward just is no wingback and cannot play that role.
JP is also a problem in the middle, playing this formation needs someone in the middle who can distribute at a moments notice, JP has his moments, but not many.

But the set pieces again were dismal, and we did have several opportunities which we made nothing of, whereas Huddersfield took their chances by the throat.

If tour going to play a back 3 with a 19 year old and a 20 year old, the 3rd one needs to look after them, help them and constantly talk to them. Sadly dann is not that man. I slso think the system wasn't the real problem yestetday. It was mainly bad defending and not taking our chances. We were worst in the league last season for conceding at set pieces. Doesn't seem to have got any better thus season. ..

i am probably posting on the wrong thread - and could earn myself a red card - but I noticed a lot of our players demonstrating skill on the ball. 3-4-3 depends on four in the middle always available (far enough away from an opposition player) and ready to receive the ball and pass it usefully to another Palace player - hopefully a member of the forward three. When Ward went forward there was the width Palace need with Huddersfield pulled (possibly playing the bus system) out of the middle giving others chances. Yesterday a few boxes (for broadcasters) seem to have been ticked.
Arsenal won their first opener for a little while
a referee did not side with a top team - two Chelsea players off
Burnley, who towards the end of last season were know for not being an away team, got back to back away wins.
Huddersfield made a dream start to this season - the new blood is invigorating.
The Palace team did what they now and again do best - making a expected to be beaten team look outstanding.
The Palace match was second on MOTD.
I expect a Palace revival - can anyone tell me when it will be safe to open my eyes?
I often feel that football seems to be made entertaining and able to be talked about.
COYP, please

Big mistakes also made by Dann and Riedewald.

Maybe we could get 3-4-3 to work, who knows. But a 3-4-3 where we're passing out from the back - I don't think that's possible with our current players.

We were very weak / disorganised in the air defensively and putting two inexperienced kids in the centre of defence was absurd. Riedeweld had no presence at all.

This is what ultimately cost us the game together with the space behind Ward.

Tomkins improved massively when Allardyce arrived IMO and surely must have been very pissed off at his exclusion.

Dann looked a shadow of his former self and never comfortable or a leader.

Townsend has much more pace and attacking quality than Ward but not sure he has the defensive attributes for RWB.

Not just down to formation but really poor team selection and neglect of defensive organisation.

Thought Hennessey was right to kick long given what was going on in front of him.