October 7 2018

Big lads line up for a crack at the Wolves goal but with the usual result – nothing!

Sometimes Jamesey wonders whether he’s simply getting too old for the rigours of winter football support.

Nevertheless, damp and chilled he sat through another Palace goalless display in the 1-0 defeat against Wolves.

"I have never known fans come to watch football having seen their team play three games at home without seeing a goal - then they have come to a fourth one - and not being frustrated and disappointed by it" - Roy Hodgson (Oct 6, 2018).

Well, Roy, that is certainly overstating the case, but it must be said that when it comes to non-sectarian tolerance, peace, generosity, etc. Eagles supporters are incredibly unusual in their loyalty.

As the second half of the defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers (Oct 6) went on there were no demos or chants against Roy and Ray or Steve Parish.

A few isolated calls for earlier substitutions and fresh legs could be heard here and there but these were more akin to friendly suggestions.

It’s obviously not as disastrous as last season. But after such an encouraging start away at Craven Cottage, things are getting pretty bad and could get much worse. And with the run of games after the international break week it is hard to see many points being garnered.

But supporting the Eagles has always been a triumph of hope over realism so let’s pray for improvements.

It was miserable weather for the game – wet, windy and chilly although that didn’t deter a sell-out crowd and a noisy away contingent made sure they were heard throughout.

The Eagles dominated the first period and we all hoped that the fruits of some excellent football would bring a goal. But however good the football, no goals get you nowhere.

Wolves are, of course, having a fine run and are ignoring the rules that newly promoted teams are supposed to struggle.

They always looked likely to break the deadlock with a goal against the run of play while the Eagles’ goal jinx was summed up by one occasion when the ball cannoned around the area and looked like going anywhere but where it was intended to.

And 11 minutes into the restart, Matt Doherty ended a sharp Wolves move by banging the ball between Wayne Hennessey and his near post. It looked soft on the TV replays later but the Palace keeper more than compensated with some brilliant stopping afterwards.

And that was the game’s only goal and enough to send the away fans back up the motorway in jubilant mood.

We red-and-blue lot are wondering what’s next.

Other clubs seem to be getting the measure of our star performer, Wilfried Zaha, and even Wilf can’t work miracles all by himself with two or three defenders shackling him. Where are the players to take advantage of the spaces left open?

We have three non-striking strikers – Christian Benteke, Alexander Sorloth and Jordan Ayew – the latter two featured here but with little effect.

One of my own favourites, James McArthur, seems to have lost his touch completely and he leaves a big gap.

What next? Let’s hope Roy and Ray have some answers or we will be sinking into the relegation area well before the festive season. Can we hope for yet another Houdini trick from our manager?

I felt for Roy during the match, being of the same generation. He looked old, tired, wet, cold and bedraggled standing in his area – not a happy septuagenarian… just like me really!

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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