August 23 2006

Michael Hughes

It has been a long time since we went out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle, after Notts County beat us, writes Simon Pophale.

Quite honestly, we deserved to get nothing from the game and despite a sole moment of quality from Micheal Hughes, there was very little else to shout about.

What will be worrying for Peter Taylor, was the form of some of the fringe players. Seeing as we have let Sandor Torghelle leave on a free and loaned out Lewis Grabban, the only options up front are James Scowcroft, Clinton Morrison, Dougie Freedman and Jon Macken.

Four strikers alone won't be enough for a long Championship season and judging by tonights performance,of the 3 that were employed, only 1 showed any quality at all.

We might as well have played with 10 men as Jon Macken did little or next to nothing for 78 minutes. He never looked like scoring and the one chance he had in the 2nd half when put through, showed no pace and lost the ball. Disinterested, out of sorts and he appears not to even want to be playing.

Clinton Morrison, judging by what we paid for him is worth around 2.5 Jon Mackens's. 2.5 times nothing is still nothing and that is precisely what Clinton delivered. Perennially offside (he must have been caught out at least 12 times) and remonstrating with the officials like a petulant child - he will have to show a lot more if he is going to, as per his own admission in the match programme, hit 20 goals this season.

The one ray of light was Dougie Freedman, who despite going past defenders and his intricate play setting up numerous chances for others, found little support. The Scot looks revitalised under Taylor.

The match itself was disappointing. Daniel Martin shot wide on 3 minutes before we had our first effort on 11 minutes, when a Freedman run and shot went wide of the post.

We started to impose ourselves and when Marco Reich set up Micheal Hughes, the veteran captain sidestepped 2 challenges before launching a rocket into the top corner with his left foot.

It should have been the springboard for an easy win but County came right back at us and were level within 6 minutes as Lawrie Dudfield shot home from 10 yards after a through ball from the impressive Jake Sheridan, leaving Scott Flinders no chance. Despite us having a fair amount of possession in the half, it ended 1-1 and we looked less and less likely to score.

2nd half and almost from the kick off, Ben Watson burst into the area and shot into the side netting. However, chances were few and far between and just on the hour, Clinton Morrison (on side for once) glanced a header wide.

County started to make inroads on our goal with Martin forcing Flinders into a save on 68 minutes. Both sides made changes with Macken and Reich making way for Black and Lewwis Spence.

With 6 minutes to go Liam Needham sent a low cross into the area which David Martin smashed home past Flinders and to send the travelling supporters into raptures, while the 4,000 or so Palace faithful began to file out.

We might not have the distraction of the Carling Cup to worry about now, but on the evidence of this game, the squad does not appear to be strong enough to withstand injuries and suspensions as the performances were below par. Taylor will need to show on Saturday that this was a one off.

Palace Ratings (out of 10)

Scott Flinders 6 : Didn't do too much wrong and left with little chance with the first goal. Confident on crosses although still has some way to go.

Matt Lawrence 6 : Average performance, made the odd run on the right but might be suspect in getting caught out tracking back.

Gary Borrowdale 7 : A much better performance, had a long run which might have yielded a goal in the 1st half.

Darren Ward 5 : Showed why he is now a fringe player - average performance.

Mark Hudson 6 : No nonsense performance from the most improved player this season

Marco Reich 5: Decent first half, faded in the 2nd half. Substituted.

Ben Watson 5 : Little boy lost for most of the game. Poor

Michael Hughes 6 : Started like a house on fire and scored a great goal. However, faded as the game went on.

Jon Macken 3 : Couldn't tell he was playing. Never looked anything like the player he was at Preston - Ipswich can have him.

Clinton Morrison 5 : Not much better than Macken, off side more times that you have fingers (and toes..).

Dougie Freedman 8 : Deserved more for his unselfish play and intricate moves. Best player in a red and blue shirt.

Subs:

Black (for Reich, 78) 5: Not enough time to really impress.

Spence (for Macken 78) 6 : Sent over a peach of a cross, but 2 others went astray, needed more time to show what he could do.