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Opinion: Five Things Palace Need to Do

Written by Mark Silverstein

Published: 17 January 2016

Having decided to not repeat my away day diary of last year, I have not contributed to the FYP website with the previous degree of frequency, but Palace's current bad run has driven me to the keyboard (suppose that is better than a whisky bottle). There are five things, which I think would help us snap out of what is clearly now a mid-season slump:

1. Bring back our Number 1

Unless (until?) we can afford a world-class goalkeeper, our goalkeeper for the foreseeable future is Wayne Hennessy. Right now, however, we need Julian back. Given our lack of goals we simply cannot concede goals so easily due to basic goalkeeper errors. We were not playing badly against Man City on Saturday, but the concession of that first goal killed us. I had a depressed train journey home from the Etihad sitting next to a Man City supporter who commented that it was unusual for City to take so many shots from distance and that clearly the players had been told to shoot on sight due to the Hennessy's vulnerability. Well it clearly worked and we cannot allow that situation to continue. Our back four are very used to playing with Julian and he would slot in very easily. Julian has done nothing wrong to lose his place, and the pressure of coming back in now would not faze him in the slightest (his heroics in the 2013 play off final show how he copes with pressure). Besides his return would give both the players and the supporters a lift- if there was ever a player whose blood is red and blue it is Julian. Wayne can come back later in the season but right now we need our number 1.

2. We need new faces

Happily, despite our current run, we are a long way from where we in the past two January transfer windows. We do not desperately need new players to make sure we stay in the division, but if we are not going to fade away in the second half of the season, we do need some new players in. Super Al has publicly said he is only looking for forwards and we do need someone to come in and shake up our attacking options. If we can get someone that will bring us 10 goals in the second half of the season that would be magnificent, but I would be happy with some new players who just give us a different options and put some pressure on our existing first team. Fundamentally our existing attackers, including Connor Wickham, have all proved themselves as having the right quality to win matches for us, but only when they are on top of their game. The problem is our other current options (Chungy's wonder Stoke strike excepted) are not showing themselves to be real alternatives. I am not sure if the situation is so dire that we have to take a risk on Emmanuel Adebayor, but if Alan Pardew thinks he can get the best out of him without our team spirit being impacted then maybe he is worth a go. Of course, having Yala back would be a big boost as well.

3. Keep doing what we are doing

My Man City supporting travelling companion yesterday commented that unlike every mid table (and below) club coming to the Etihad, we went toe to toe to them, for pretty much the whole match. OK, the result did not go our way (just slightly), but the overall quality was good. This has been Al's 'philosophy' and we should keep it up. I might be saying something different if we are still on 31 points in March, but for now I would hate for us to go backwards in our development by relying two banks of four and counterattacks. As an aside, I am sure I am not the only person to think this, but I have now had longish conversations with Man City supporters after matches and they have always been magnanimous and a pleasure to talk to, win or lose. I cannot say the same thing for the supporters of all other clubs.

4. Get behind the team

I suppose it is hardly surprising, but Saturday was the first away match I have been to where we were comprehensively out sung by the home supporters. Two seasons ago were out singing home supporters both in volume and wit) even when we were losing (Liverpool in October 2013 being a classic case). I know it is hard to keep it up season after season particularly when the novelty of visiting places like the Etihad has worn off, but that quality of support is part of what makes Palace what it is. Of course, it does help if the team is giving you something/anything to get excited about. At least I have yet to hear any booing either home or away.

5. Let's not get too depressed

No one enjoys a bad run and this is certainly the worst we have had under Alan Pardew, but we should not forget where we were at this point in the last two seasons. 31 points at the mid way point is still a great achievement. This is the first season since 2008-09 (ignoring our promotion season) where logic (and statistics) means relegation should not be a worry. On the one had that is fantastic in terms of not anticipating every match as being critical to our survival, but it does mean that both the supporters and the players need to find the motivation from somewhere to perform at our best. I hope we collectively find that motivation from somewhere so that we do not have to fall back on relegation fear in March/April to push us over the line.

They say that writing can be a form of therapy and it has made feel a little better writing this, although 3 points from somewhere would make me feel even better!

(Photo Credit: @Sebastian1906)

Five Things We Learned: Chelsea (03/01/2016)

Written by Robert Sutherland

Published: 04 January 2016

We knew Chelsea would be a tough opponent, and their greater quality shone through. But even in defeat, there are five things that Rob has considered...

We're not a top-five side. Yet.

We all know the trend in British sports writing and punditry - hype it up, then tear it down. The aftermath of the Chelsea result saw myriad journalists do their best 'see, told you they weren't good enough' turn-around, as if there was something profound about doing so.

The reality is, we're not yet a top-five side. We don't have the depth in the squad to be. While other teams in our position have an underlying quality to support their first-team endeavours, Palace don't. Yet. It takes years of recruitment, investment and revision to create a side capable of competing in the top half of the table. We're still only a year into a top-ten challenge.

Another centre mid would be ideal

It's clear that Palace need a little more quality, verve and creativity in the squad. While much of the focus will be on our lack of a goalscoring striker, reports suggest that a midfielder might also be a priority.

With Yohan Cabaye out of the side a number of times this winter, it's easy to see why Alan Pardew might be tempted - there was a distinct lack of temperament to the way we played through the middle.

Some of the world's best midfielders would struggle against World Cup winners (whether out of form or not) like Cesc Fabregas or Brazil is internationals like Oscar - but the extra class that Cabaye brings to the side is notable.

There's a good chance that the arrival of one midfielder might signal the departure of another - possibly even two - with Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley possible departures. Jedinak has suggested that he sees no reason to leave, while Ledley will want to cement his place in the Wales side prior to Euro 2016.

Whatever the case, Pardew will have an interesting January to ponder arrivals and departures.

The Premier League is competitive, but financial dopers prosper

Chelsea are a remarkable example of how financial doping can manipulate and contort competition. Willian, the winger who scored a stunning goal in the second half, cost Chelsea more than the entirety of the Palace squad that faced them on Sunday.

Premier League football is competitive. Recent TV deals mean that sides like ours get a larger slice of the money pie, meaning that we can sign players we wouldn't have imagined to have competed for previously. Yet sides like Chelsea essentially skew the truly competitive nature of the sport.

Palace can take some shortcuts to build infrastructure. A new stadium will aid our transfer activities on the pitch, long-term. Greater TV money will, too. FFP however means that Palace can't just spend a benefactor's money on players we otherwise couldn't afford. Not so for Chelsea. Not so for Manchester City. There is a financial glass ceiling and against Chelsea, Palace had a peek through it.

The Premier League is competitive. It's just more competitive for some than it is for others.

A weak referee gave impetus to a strong Chelsea side

Have no doubt, this Chelsea side deserved to win. They were more incisive, had greater quality and took their chances. However, the refereeing performance must be highlighted as a contributing factor.

One of Chelsea's most impressive players was John Obi Mikel, who played with the kind of commitment and aggression that the same side lacked under Mourinho. He was also a player who committed two serious, booking-worthy fouls in the first half. The second might not have followed had Kevin Friend, the match official, shown a little more conviction for the first foul. And with a booking, Mikel might have been a little more tempered in his approach.

While a referee can't directly contribute to a team's performance, an inability to enforce the law of the game for one side, while punishing the other for all of their discretions, gives the unpunished side an advantage. Cynical, finicky fouls were committed by both sides, but only Palace saw bookings. It made for a frustrating experience at Selhurst Park.

We expect too much of Campbell

You could argue that expecting anything of our backup strikers is asking too much, but there is clearly a sense of desperation among the support when Fraizer Campbell's name is read out.

There needs to be a reality check however. Campbell hasn't ever really been a prolific striker. He has barely featured for Palace this season, only called upon when there aren't any alternative options.

So the question is - if he's not pushing for a starting place when the squad is at its fittest, why have any expectations of him when he is needed? Footballers are generally known to need a run of games before really hitting their stride - something Campbell hasn't had the benefit of, and even with a run of games, you'll know that he won't be prolific.

It's not a slight on Campbell. This is a player who has, at times during his career at Palace, scored a few crucial goals. His work-rate and effort can't be criticised either. But those bemoaning his lack of goals are asking something of him that he hasn't done for a long time.

Follow Robert on Twitter.

Six strikers Crystal Palace should consider in the January transfer window

Written by Ryan Carraro

Published: 01 January 2016

The transfer window is open again and Alan Pardew admitted he needs a striker or two. Especially with Connor Wickham out injured, Patrick Bamford off in a huff back to Chelsea and Fraizer Campbell, well...being Fraizer Campbell.

But who should Palace go after in January? Ryan Carraro runs the rule over six potential signings.

Michy Batshuayi

Perhaps the most fanciful target on this list, Palace - alongside seemingly every other mid to top level side in Europe - have been linked with a move for highly rated Marseille frontman Batshuayi. And for good reason; at just 22 he is scoring and assisting at a regular rate in France’s top flight, becoming one of the leagues standout attackers in a short space of time. As a tall, young Belgian international striker he will inevitably draw comparisons to compatriots Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke; both Premier League success stories.

Batshuayi is, however, more creative in style than those two with more of a tendency to dribble and create goals, as well as score. He appears the complete package and many big clubs agree; he's been linked with Arsenal, Spurs, and Atletico Madrid. To be honest it’s hard to see him playing in red and blue any time soon, but stranger things have happened and we did signing a certain Yohan Cabaye this summer. Unforunately, Batshuayi recently signed a new contract at Marseille, reducing Palace's chances of landing him this window.

Loic Remy

Last summer saw the first reports of Remy to Palace surface, with many perhaps fairly deeming the prospect unlikely. Six months down the line and the prospect seems far more possible, with the turmoil at Chelsea hinting at a reshuffle of the champions' squad. Remy is possible to be one of the players moved on, providing the Blues sign a striker or two this month. Remy played the best football of his Premier League career under Alan Pardew at Newcastle, and his relationship with the manager, alongside former team-mate Cabaye, would likely be key to any potential signing.

Tall, fast, and direct, he would add yet another pacey threat alongside Yannick Bolasie or Wilf Zaha in a lineup that would be sure to terrify opposing defenders. Whilst he’s been mostly spent his time warming the bench at Chelsea, he is a player of undoubted class, earning 31 caps for the French national side. If the Blues do decide to let him leave, the Eagles will face competition for his signature (with Aston Villa for some reason linked), but in a team on the up, with the opportunity to again be one of the main men, who’s to say Remy wouldn’t move across London to score goals in SE25?

Simone Zaza

Perhaps one of the clearest indicators yet of how far Palace have come can be found in the widespread reports linking the club with Juventus’ Italian international striker Simone Zaza. Despite an impressive scoring record a goal every other game, the former Sampdoria man has nonetheless found playing time hard to come by, having to play back up to preferred strikers Morata, Mandzukic, and Dybala; admittedly a trio most strikers would have a tough time displacing.

Other than potential for a Zaza/Zaha commentating nightmare, it is clear that the seven-cap international would bring goals, quality and power to a Palace side who have only had one goal from any recognised strikers this season. At 6ft 1in and well-built he appears able to cope with the physicality of the Premier League, as well as hold the ball up in the role Connor Wickham has been playing to great effect. An eye watering price tag of €25m has been quoted, but a loan deal may be possible, with the player needing time on the pitch to secure involvement at Euro 2016.

Khouma Babacar

Staying in Italy, Palace have also been linked with Florentina'a young Senegalese striker Khouma Babacar. Just 22 and scoring every other game in Serie A this season, the towering 6ft 3in frontman appears to be exactly what we need to add the finishing touch to the myriad chances created by our wingers.

He’d feel right at home in a youthful team featuring several French speaking players, not to mention the presence of a compatriot in Pape Souare. Despite being a hardworking, physical striker, a quick trip to YouTube will show you that he’s much more than just a target man, with clips of several stunning long range finishes, an attribute that could be key to making the difference in games against teams who come to Selhurst to sit back. Dubbed ‘the Senegalese Drogba’ by Seneweb (no bias, of course) Babacar could well prove to be a fantastic signing.

Charlie Austin

Following QPR’s relegation from the Premier League, and a protracted will he-wont-he summer transfer window, Charlie Austin appears to have been somewhat forgotten. Needing no introduction to anyone who even vaguely followed the premier league las season, the fairytale of Austin’s rise from non-league to an international call up is well documented, not that this detracts from the achievement of scoring 18 Premier League goals for a struggling team in his maiden season. He’s kept up his touch in front of goal in the championship, netting 10 in 16, despite another underwhelming season for the R’s.

Despite being quoted £15m last summer, Austin looks to be on the market for considerably less this January, as he enters the final six months of his contract, and with QPR closer to relegation than promotion, they will be open to a cut price deal rather than lose him for nothing next summer. His physicality and scoring touch make him seem ideal to fill the Glenn Murray shaped hole up front, a player who was arguably not adequately replaced following his departure to Bournemouth. There seems no reason why this can’t come off, with Austin himself likely keen to prove his sole season in the premier league was no fluke, as well as try to force himself back into Roy Hodgson’s thinking.

Islam Slimani

Over the last few windows, Palace have been consistently linked with the Algerian, who has been in considerable form for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon this season. Slimani really came onto the scene at the 2014 World Cup, scoring two goals and even proving a real handful against eventual champions Germany, leading to transfer rumours across Europe, with goal scorers such a valuable commodity. Despite this, he’s stayed in Portugal and is currently in excellent form, having scored seven goals in 10 league matches, as well as netting in the Champions League.

At 27 years old, he is just entering his peak years as a striker and his remarkable aerial ability would be a huge asset for us, considering the volume of crosses our wingers get in, and the quality of our deliveries from set pieces. He won’t come cheap at a rumoured £10m-£15m, but as a physical, prolific striker, he definitely fits the bill.

Who should Palace go for? Comment below!

Follow Ryan on Twitter.

Christmas 2015 - Five Things We Learnt

Written by Robert Sutherland

Published: 29 December 2015

The intense Christmas period brought tension, excitement and crucially, two points. Here are five things that Robert Sutherland learnt from the two games in three days.

Clean Sheets Win Points

Would you consider the Christmas period to have been a success? Two nil-nil draws in a row, against Bournemouth and Swansea, have helped Palace secure an unlikely 5th place in the Premier League at the half-way point, and the clean sheets are perhaps the highlight.

The Palace we all know and love have had a tendency to capitulate during tense 0-0 draws. The feeling about the Swansea game was that we would see a repeat performance of the Sunderland fixture - that 90 minutes of toil would result in an unjust 1-0 defeat.

But this side, as said before, is more resilient. More focused. More capable. Swansea have become a better-organised side since the departure of Gary Monk. Bournemouth look like they've finally found their groove in the division. Getting a point against both is a decent outcome that keeps our unbeaten run intact.

Lose Cabaye, lose control

When you've played the majority of a season with a French international midfielder stringing passes together, you sense a change in the squad the minute you lose that presence. The win against Stoke perhaps papered over the cracks left by Cabaye's omission - the graft from the squad made up for the lack of quality in possession.

Cabaye's return from the bench against Bournemouth brought a calmness to the side - a temperament to seek passes where others might have chipped it forward, to slow the pace where others might have sped it. His performance against Swansea was hampered by a ridiculous yellow card for a tackle that actually saw him win possession - dampening the bite and aggression which has become part of his game since his signing in the summer.

That yellow card means we'll miss the midfielder's presence and influence against Chelsea, and the control that he brings.

See you later, Patrick

I don't think there's any doubt that Patrick Bamford is a talented player. You don't score 19 goals in the Championship at his age without talent. But from the moment he signed for Palace - where his new contract with Chelsea was hastily announced before the move to Selhurst Park was confirmed - there was a sense that perhaps he wouldn't fit in.

That sense continued throughout the season. Palace aren't the club for Chelsea to farm their young players out to, so if a player like Bamford is to succeed in South London, it has to be through attitude and hard work - whether playing or not.

There has been a lot of assumption about his training or his attitude off the pitch. Those who worked with Patrick suggested he did his bit in training - so let's just dismiss that element of criticism. If we're going to be critical, it should be of what we've seen. His performances for Palace, in all of the (few) games he's played, have been ineffective. He didn't seem interested in doing the hard work. And his performance against Swansea, where he ducked out of headers and missed a sitter, wouldn't have changed that impression.

His comments to the press about his decision to leave the club - which came before he'd actually spoken to the manager - suggest an element of entitlement. He leaves the club to go back to a side lower in the division. I wish him well.

We Lack a bit of Balance

If there's ever proof of the contribution that Yannick Bolasie makes to the side, it's what this side looks like when he's not playing. The winger is injured for approximately 4-6 weeks,and you can see the change it has made to how we play.

The focus for Palace during the last two games has been on Wilfried Zaha to give the side that creative spark of excitement and that directness upon which we thrive. Losing Bolasie has created an imbalance - Wilf can't do all that work himself, although he tried.

With Bakary Sako still on the treatment table and Chung Yong Lee jetting half-way round the world to see the birth of his child, the depth that I praised last week looks to have shallowed a little.

Happy New Year

2015 has been an incredible year for Palace fans. Alan Pardew arrived with limited expectations, but few could have imaged this transformation, on the pitch and off it.

The squad has changed somewhat - Wayne Hennessey is the number 1, Pape Souare is a regular at left-back, we now have a French international midfielder working his magic, and our strikers have scored just one league goal between them.

Palace are 5th in the league at the half-way point, above Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool, and have just announced an investment from American billionaires which could see the development of Selhurst Park and a new training ground take place soon.

2015 has been incredibly good to us Palace fans. Let's hope 2016 continues that upward trend.

Follow Robert on Twitter.

Opinion: Patrick Throws a Paddy

Written by Jack Pierce

Published: 29 December 2015

Patrick Bamford's decision to leave Palace and to then announce it to the press first having missed a sitter against Swansea left a bitter taste. Jack Pierce takes a look at his Palace spell.

As my cousin and I chatted about our respective Christmases, he pointed out Patrick Bamford coming out the tunnel with John Salako to do a warm up before coming on prior to the second half starting.

This was it; Bamford's chance to shine.

45 minutes would be the longest spell of league football he would have had for Palace so far this season and it now turns out will ever have. It was a chance for the Chelsea loanee to show the Selhurst faithful what he had to offer as well as an opportunity to showcase his skills to his manager and the Palace coaching staff having only had limited opportunities so far this campaign.

To say he didn't take either opportunity is putting it mildly. His impact on the game was minimal but more pertinently, it was his seeming lack of endeavour that annoyed the home crowd.

There were instances in which I thought Bamford got a rough ride, particularly from The Holmesdale, when he couldn't get anything on balls that required him to grow three or four foot but when balls perfectly put his way were poorly dealt with by Bamford, with him either almost ducking under the ball or miscontrolling it, crowd angst was always going to appear. If the home support required any further reason to chastise the striker, Bamford putting Palace's best chance of a drab afternoon straight at Lukasz Fabianski provided it.

Less than an hour after the final whistle, Bamford had announced he was off and Palace fans, with the freshest memory of his rather awful cameo, were left to ponder the news.

I've not been aware of a deal, either temporary or permanent, in which the player seems to have had the authority to call the shots to such a point and while that might not actually be the case, the way the story broke, it appears Bamford has decided he's had enough and wants to chance his arm away from SE25.

Alan Pardew is a very experienced Premier League manager, knows the sort of ability required in this league and he clearly hasn't seen enough from Bamford to warrant the striker, who did so well in The Championship last season, being given a starting berth.

Pardew has intimated that Bamford has demonstrated his talents in training but that hasn't been enough to trust the ex-Middlesbrough man with the lone striker role.

Application and drive are vital characteristics for Pardew and anyone that has listened to his interview with the excellent Graham Hunter will be aware that the Palace boss appreciates his players, current or former, applying themselves with the same dedication and hard work that he did during his own playing career. This is a man that had to work hard for his career in football and as a result he might have wondered whether Bamford, seemingly lackadaisical in his approach, was grateful for the opportunity the club were offering him or whether he merely expected a career on a plate.

A first team place was the carrot dangled in front of Bamford and if yesterday's performance was anything to go by, his current levels of performance aren't good enough to play for a club challenging for a European place. It's no secret that Palace need their strikers to start scoring goals but if Bamford is of the belief he would've scored goals if given the chance, he's welcome to try elsewhere.

Ashley Williams is a very good Premier League centre half but he won't have had many easier halves of football than he did in the second half yesterday. Bamford is a talent, of that there's no doubting, but he doesn't look ready to ply his trade regularly in the top flight. Ushered off the ball far too easily and not appearing to possess that quick dash required to get away from top level defenders, Bamford must improve if he is to find regular playing time in the Premier League.

For a young man trying to make his mark at the highest level, Bamford's attitude, application and approach to playing for Palace has not been anywhere near what is required.

Good luck in your future endeavours, Patrick. Please close the door on your way out.

Follow Jack on Twitter.

Stoke City 1-2 Crystal Palace: Five Things We Learned

Written by Robert Sutherland

Published: 20 December 2015

Palace are a tough nut to crack

For all of the pressure that Stoke City applied during the first and second half, Palace proved to an incredibly tough opponent for a team that seemingly glided past Manchester City just a few weeks earlier. With the quality that Stoke have - and they have plenty - there seemed an inevitability to them scoring from one of the many chances they had - but a steadfast defence and the man-mountain that was Wayne Hennessey stood resolutely against the Potters onslaught. Credit also goes to our attacking players - the adage that defence starts from the front couldn't have been applied better than to this performance - with all of Palace's attacking line doing their bit. A combination of all that effort - the last-ditch tackles, inspired saves and indomitable spirit - came together to defeat a side that could easily have expected a win from the game.

Ledley is proof of Palace's strength in depth

For all the talk of Palace lacking meaningful depth to the squad, performances like Saturday's against Stoke prove that some of that negativity is misguided. The news that Yohan Cabaye would not feature in the match due to an injury resulted in plenty of concern - how could a side that had featured the charismatic midfielder all season function without his calmness or authority in the middle? With the depth that players like Joe Ledley provide. The Welshman has had to put up with a fair deal of frustration this season - dropping from first-team regular to sporadic midfield cameo-master as and when needed. At a time where he no doubt wishes to play as much as possible in the run-up to Euro 2016 in France, spending time on the bench (or not even in the squad) can't be easy. But Ledley is a wholehearted professional. His performance against Stoke was faultless - he may lack some of the qualities of Cabaye but brings other elements to his game that Cabaye can't - the physicality, a more aggressive touch to aerial duels - all of which strengthened Palace's resolve in the centre of the pitch.

What have THE Koreans ever done for us?

...was probably the question many fans asked when Alan Pardew called on Chung Yong Lee to replace Wilfried Zaha late in the second half. After almost a year of waiting to see what he could do, the goal at Stoke - a thunderous 30-yard strike in the 88th minute - surprised and delighted euphoric Palace supporters. Lee has had a tough time at Palace - spending much of his time recovering from a hairline fracture in the same leg that he broke a few years prior - only to return to a side where midfield options were numerous. He has made a number of substitute appearances but few of us really knew what to expect. The strike was ingenious - Palace had played a game of goalmouth ping-pong just seconds beforehand - and most of us in the away end would have hoped for a cross back into a crowded box. Instead, Lee saw a chance, took it, and hit a sliced shot across Jack Butland's goal. Three points and the memory of one of Palace's best Premier League goals since promotion - that kind of contribution is what the Korean midfielder did for us.

Glenn Johnson CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YANNICK

Perhaps it was out of kindness to Glen Johnson that Alan Pardew initially opted to play Yannick Bolasie in a withdrawn striker role - or perhaps it was tactical - but whatever the case, the switch to the wing brought him back into direct opposition to a player he'd made such a fool of previously. Johnson has difficulty in dealing with Bolasie's skill, pace and directness. Like a matador, Yala rolled the ball under his foot like a red rag - and like a bull, Johnson committed - only to see the Palace winger storming away with the ball still at his feet - it was wonderful to watch. With a more clinical approach to finishing, he might have put his side a goal or two ahead. For Johnson, such a confrontation would have brought back awful memories of that evening in May in which Liverpool's title hopes were shattered - and despite being just 31, if it might be time to consider his options. Yannick was brilliant - and had it not been for Wayne Hennessey's outstanding performance, he could easily have been our Man of the Match.

Chamakh return couldn't be better timed

Connor Wickham followed his first goal for Palace by getting injured again, with Pardew suggesting he might be out for a few weeks. The striker had had a tough encounter against Ryan Shawcross and Erik Pieters, but he took the penalty with the confidence of a player who looked ready to score more goals. That he's injured is terrible luck - but Wickham's performances in recent weeks meant that the club weren't forced to rush Marouane Chamakh back to fitness. He should now be fit and ready to play his part in matches. The Moroccan made a brief appearance on Saturday and saw a shot go narrowly wide - but there was a sense that he needed more time on the pitch to really get a grip of the game. Our trip to Bournemouth on Saturday will give him the perfect opportunity to get some time on the field and make the kind of contribution that we know he can.

Follow Robert on Twitter.

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Opinion: Five Things Palace Need to Do