Post by Ghostrider on May 1, 2016 8:31:27 GMT
So Sam Allardyce tried to play mind games with Pardew, trying to make out that Palace would simply turn up half cocked.
I wish.
Crystal Palace turned up at St James' park as if it was their cup final. They were well drilled by Pardew and well psyched up.
We, on the other hand, were crap. We were literally crap for the majority of that game.
We were supposed to be at home, yet we looked like a nervous away team.
On the one hand it's understandable that we would be cagey and nervous because we are fighting to stay in the premier league. The problem is, we can't just rely on trying to defend and hope for some divine intervention in every game.
Basically we can't take the risk of surviving the first half and expect to go into the second half trying to make up the deficit.
Ok, we managed to keep the score at 0-0 against Palace but only just - especially that last ditch tackle by Lascelles that stopped most probably a certain goal.
I can understand Rafa Benitez's reasoning in leaving out key players to use as real impact players but we are still starting players who basically don't look like they give a rats arse. Wijnaldum being one of them.
Cisse does serve a purpose at times in aiding in tiring out defences which gives Mitrovic a good half hour sub appearance of torment for them. It works but - as I've said, we need to be taking the game to teams like this and not living on the edge - because if we do, we will come unstuck.
Anyway, Townsend's free kick was a peach. What a hell of a way to settle a game. He was man of the match along with Darlow, who made some excellent stops and saved a penalty from Cabaye.
My only criticism of Townsend (if I dare) is that he tries to do too much with ball on too many occasions and ends up losing it on a good number of those, when a pass or a cross would be much more beneficial.
I can understand the focus and effort of the lad and the want - maybe need to be the hero - but like Perez does, he and Perez need to know when to release a ball.
I'm absolutely over the moon about the win and also the fact that Norwich lost, plus Sunderland only drawing. It's all well and good for now but both those teams have a game in hand, regardless of them being against tough opposition. All games are winnable if the luck is with you.
We need to make and take any luck that comes our way in the last two games. If we win both, we stay up, I believe.
The big issue is, we have to go to Villa, which on paper looks easy, yet we should all know that it can be far from that. Hopefully we turn up and tear the goal difference of Sunderland, apart, just to add that extra spice - and of course hope for defeat for Sunderland and Norwich.
All in all, it was a nervy game and a game where we got out of jail free. I trust in Rafa and I know that he's probably getting the best that he can out of a bunch of players that not too long ago, were floundering and most of who, are now, at least, showing desire.
If we want to stay up, then we have to show a bit more craft offensively, because expecting to nick a game on the back of 2 or 3 half chances - we will come unstuck and blow it.
The team performance defensively, was very good. Offensively, it was way below par. This is not an ideal situation when you're looking for maximum points - especially at home in front of a full house.
This post might appear that I'm criticising and not being happy. It's not entirely true. I'm over the moon but my body is strained and tense and I just beg for one game where I can see us finish a game in relative comfort, otherwise I'm going to end up in the nutty ward.
I wish.
Crystal Palace turned up at St James' park as if it was their cup final. They were well drilled by Pardew and well psyched up.
We, on the other hand, were crap. We were literally crap for the majority of that game.
We were supposed to be at home, yet we looked like a nervous away team.
On the one hand it's understandable that we would be cagey and nervous because we are fighting to stay in the premier league. The problem is, we can't just rely on trying to defend and hope for some divine intervention in every game.
Basically we can't take the risk of surviving the first half and expect to go into the second half trying to make up the deficit.
Ok, we managed to keep the score at 0-0 against Palace but only just - especially that last ditch tackle by Lascelles that stopped most probably a certain goal.
I can understand Rafa Benitez's reasoning in leaving out key players to use as real impact players but we are still starting players who basically don't look like they give a rats arse. Wijnaldum being one of them.
Cisse does serve a purpose at times in aiding in tiring out defences which gives Mitrovic a good half hour sub appearance of torment for them. It works but - as I've said, we need to be taking the game to teams like this and not living on the edge - because if we do, we will come unstuck.
Anyway, Townsend's free kick was a peach. What a hell of a way to settle a game. He was man of the match along with Darlow, who made some excellent stops and saved a penalty from Cabaye.
My only criticism of Townsend (if I dare) is that he tries to do too much with ball on too many occasions and ends up losing it on a good number of those, when a pass or a cross would be much more beneficial.
I can understand the focus and effort of the lad and the want - maybe need to be the hero - but like Perez does, he and Perez need to know when to release a ball.
I'm absolutely over the moon about the win and also the fact that Norwich lost, plus Sunderland only drawing. It's all well and good for now but both those teams have a game in hand, regardless of them being against tough opposition. All games are winnable if the luck is with you.
We need to make and take any luck that comes our way in the last two games. If we win both, we stay up, I believe.
The big issue is, we have to go to Villa, which on paper looks easy, yet we should all know that it can be far from that. Hopefully we turn up and tear the goal difference of Sunderland, apart, just to add that extra spice - and of course hope for defeat for Sunderland and Norwich.
All in all, it was a nervy game and a game where we got out of jail free. I trust in Rafa and I know that he's probably getting the best that he can out of a bunch of players that not too long ago, were floundering and most of who, are now, at least, showing desire.
If we want to stay up, then we have to show a bit more craft offensively, because expecting to nick a game on the back of 2 or 3 half chances - we will come unstuck and blow it.
The team performance defensively, was very good. Offensively, it was way below par. This is not an ideal situation when you're looking for maximum points - especially at home in front of a full house.
This post might appear that I'm criticising and not being happy. It's not entirely true. I'm over the moon but my body is strained and tense and I just beg for one game where I can see us finish a game in relative comfort, otherwise I'm going to end up in the nutty ward.