Palace Post Match

[MC Prussian]

oh my god!

i can't believe people are being so critical of this game and this performance.

i mean when did leicester set this standard of playing attractive passing football, you're all idiots! for the last four years or so we've hardly put two passes together, last night, ok it didn't always come off but at least there was movement, layoffs, i noticed mattock one time in particualr played a lovely bit of one-touch footy with ZL.

come on, on THAT pitch against a team who hadn't lost in 15, people are complaining that it was ugly...

well not as ugly as you lot of moaning ungrateful fu(kers...

yes hume overhit a lot, but why focus on that, he tried some really interesting stuff over the top and linked up well early on with stearman in a position he's known not to favour. ZL was match fit but damn he was keen when he got the ball. when was the last time you saw FOUR midfielders supporting the attack. and we were catching them offside way up the pitch sometimes - personally i'd rather have clean sheets than lose anymore trying to play football we can't play with consistancy...yet this was a massive step in the right direction

so, the chances didn't really come, so there were a lot of throw-ins, big deal - six weeks ago, think what we were like then before you all start whinging cause we don't play like arsenel yet.

Whom are you addressing with that?

[Raj]

Whom are you addressing with that?

Bernie.

The little Bugger just wouldnt stop moaning all game....or was he trying to say something????

[OzFox311]

It wasn't a great game but we got the points, and that in the end is what counts... we need to be able to play scrappy and win... we did that, and now we are 15th.. I couldn't be happier...

Hail Barry Hayles ... he might not be the most attacking striker out there, but he gets the job done... so as long as he keeps on keeping on, I'll be happy...

Laczko keeps improving, he'll get on the board soon enough, but it's promising.

Everything ATM actually is quite promising... which is much better than a few months ago... you can't really complain when you look at what was happening then, and what was happening now, even after a performance like today.

[Fat Ron]

'Leicester almost committed manslaughter on Scowcroft' (Neil Warnock)

Try swapping the words Leicester and Scowcroft and it reads more like the actual description of the game!!

'Scowcroft almost committed manslaughter on Leicester'

Every corner, freekick or throw in City had we were literally bundled out of the way by the Palace mob, I am so glad we nicked the 3 points off them c*nts.

[Foxhateram]

It wasn't a great game but we got the points, and that in the end is what counts... we need to be able to play scrappy and win... we did that, and now we are 15th.. I couldn't be happier...

Hail Barry Hayles ... he might not be the most attacking striker out there, but he gets the job done... so as long as he keeps on keeping on, I'll be happy...

Laczko keeps improving, he'll get on the board soon enough, but it's promising.

Everything ATM actually is quite promising... which is much better than a few months ago... you can't really complain when you look at what was happening then, and what was happening now, even after a performance like today.

Im incredbily happy with that win, i havent got that excited about us scoring for a long time, even though it was the flukiets and most pathetic goal iv ever seen! It is looking very promising atm and here is a toast to our unbeaten run which i wish to carry on for as long as possible. Ollie played the right type of game last night, it was obvious it was going to hard game, and we had to counter what their play. We did this yesterday and i for one and exstatic with what i call of very good tactical win. Well done Ollie! Well done Leicester! Lets start looking upwards now rather then down, i expect us to finish atleast mis-tabel this season, and we were well on our way for that atm.

[purpleronnie]

That's not true.

They were though.

Whether I think they were or not he blames them everytime they lose.

[MikeyT]

Did i hear somebody say we are gonna get in the play offs now?

Yes me

Only 10 points behind what a crucial victory!

It just shows the strength of character in our squad now, we never win 1-0 and nick the points.

Alnwick is yet to concede.

On the negative side Hume was fooking awful, Zsolt and Bori weren't as good as Cov game.

On the up side super Barry Hayles!!!!!

Bori was only on for like 10 minutes and i thought he did well for the time he was on!

[Manwell Pablo]

It was a shit game, we weren't great, I think we paid them a bit too much respect. Same with them really, they just wanted their record undefeated run clean sheet crap or whatever it was, knew we were a resurgent side and risked very little.

However is a great win for so many reasons, because of their current run, because we've got one over Warnock, but mainly because we're going to be involved in games like that despite what certain people may think, they're are going to be games that are scrappy and where we will have to work. They wont all be like that, Coventry for example we played quite well and won, but every single side in the world will be involved in scrappy games at one time or another, and their exactly the types of games we've been losing 1-0. At best drawing. I'm convinced two months ago we would of lost that game 1-0. For that reason alone the result makes me very happy, oh and back to back home wins, fantastic.

[Ric Flair]

Fairly horrible game, but every team will have games like this and the ones that manage to win these sorts of games are the teams that will go on to become successful.

If we play like this every game, then we'll continue to struggle, but I commend them for continuing to battle on last night and the fact we had 4 players in the box in the 89th minute for a cross in those conditions is testiment to the levels of fitness they now have, which couldn't be said under previous regimes.

I thought we cancelled each other out last night, 2 very strong defences and I thought we slightly shaded it in terms of fight and determination.

McAuley was exceptional at the back last night, as was the rest of our defence. Mattock had Scannell in his pocket, so much so that he changed sides after a while and didn't fair much better against Stearman. Considering it was hard to play any football last night, Mattock was getting forward when he could.

Hume had a fairly poor game, I don't like him playing out wide and the lack of natural width from him meant we were mis-jointed and went down the middle, which caused Laczko to come inside looking for the ball. I thought he had a difficult game last night, didn't have a shocker, but after his debut against Cov it's never going to be easy for him to maintain those standards. He still causes more attacking invention from the left hand side than any other player we've had there this season. Looks distinctly one footed though from his two efforts with his right peg last night :laugh:

Clemence looks re-juvinated, really getting stuck in and winning challenges he wasn't winning a few weeks ago. Oakley wasn't as lively as I thought he'd be, but he was up there at the end to provide the cross for Bazzer to produce the money shot.

Howard's luck wasn't in last night, you can tell he's trying too hard in front of goal. Once he finds his composure back he'll be up there with the best of them. Great to see DJ back, blistering pace at the end and so nearly a fookin sexual goal. Quite looking forward to seeing him and Howard up front at some point.

Bori changed the game when he came on, gave us a lift in the final third. Needs to be starting IMO, we need width on both flanks.

Holloway's celebrations afterwards were hilarious.

So at the end of the day I don't give a flying fook about the game. We need those 3 points, we need a platform to build on. Obviously we can't play like that each game and expect to improve to the level we need to, but when we do play like that, we need to make sure we pick up points still.

[breadandcheese]

I'd have to agree with the nature boy Ric Flair.

The only thing I'd slightly question, like a few people was Laczko. I just assumed he wasn't match-fit, or was carrying a knock because he seemed to be lacking in fitness/stamina, running around with jelly-like legs.

McAuley was man of the match for me. Scowcroft can be a difficult player to play against because of his height. McAuley had him under control.

Howard was disappointing but reminds me more and more of Ian Marshall. Can be frustrating one day, a world beater the next. To be fair to him, that was the first game I've seen him in where he was comprehensively beaten in the air time after time.

[mancunianfox]

Holloway's goal celebration has led me to believe that he's been watching a few tapes of Martin O'Neill

Also, was it just me or did anyone else love that challenge Clem got booked for when he went steaming in on their defender towards the end. You knew even before he had left his feet that he was going to get booked.

[Thracian]

I'd have to agree with the nature boy Ric Flair.

The only thing I'd slightly question, like a few people was Laczko. I just assumed he wasn't match-fit, or was carrying a knock because he seemed to be lacking in fitness/stamina, running around with jelly-like legs.

McAuley was man of the match for me. Scowcroft can be a difficult player to play against because of his height. McAuley had him under control.

Howard was disappointing but reminds me more and more of Ian Marshall. Can be frustrating one day, a world beater the next. To be fair to him, that was the first game I've seen him in where he was comprehensively beaten in the air time after time.

I agree with all that's been said about McAuley defensively but a big part of the reason we are so disjointed going forward is that the second McAuley wins the ball he wastes so much of his good work by giving it away again?

Can the central midfielders not get through to him or what? Yes a proportion of his defending is under severe pressure and he has little option but by no means all of it yet he - and he's not the only one - just loves to loft the ball hopefully forward to no-one in particular when a simple 10-yard pass would be fine.

Frustrates the hell out of me because it has gone on so long. To go three matches without conceding is staggering considering how quickly we give possesion away. Indeed our defensive record overall is brilliant.

But our attacking record reflects the shortcomings and partly explains why 12 of our 29 League games so far have been draws, 11 of them low-scoring draws at that.

[MikeyT]

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_re...2940343,00.html

[Dr The Singh]

Defencesively we were good!! Offencesively we lacked a player with a final pass\cross!!

Hume all too often would waste 'good opportunities for a cross\path!! Lazkho, often never had space to put a cross in and on a few occassions wasted a prominant attack! Having 2 big brouisers upfront made us quite predictable, although palace also defended very well.

Our midfield partnership basically played a covering role for the defenders and never really made enough forward runs, not untill the subs came on, and Hume was also tracking far too back........maybe that was due to palace???

I thought the subs made a big impact, DJ's pace caused them problems and Bori looked very neat and tidy on the ball and always looked for a forward pass, I really would have liked to see more of him!!

Overall, i'm positive, hopefully the players will gain cofidence and give the manager the confidence to allow more forward play!!

[marbelladave]

I agree with all that's been said about McAuley defensively but a big part of the reason we are so disjointed going forward is that the second McAuley wins the ball he wastes so much of his good work by giving it away again?

Can the central midfielders not get through to him or what? Yes a proportion of his defending is under severe pressure and he has little option but by no means all of it yet he - and he's not the only one - just loves to loft the ball hopefully forward to no-one in particular when a simple 10-yard pass would be fine.

Frustrates the hell out of me because it has gone on so long. To go three matches without conceding is staggering considering how quickly we give possesion away. Indeed our defensive record overall is brilliant.

But our attacking record reflects the shortcomings and partly explains why 12 of our 29 League games so far have been draws, 11 of them low-scoring draws at that.

True, but not the whole story!

Despite trying to push up during the first half, our back 4 still play too deep. Similarly our central midfielders fall back on the central defenders rather than doing their work 20 - 30 yards in front and crucially our wide men are required to track back, often into very deep positions. So more often than not when the ball is won defensively the only out ball is the long ball to the front men who are pretty much isolated.

The answer is to be a bit more positive as a team. Defend a higher line, push the wide men further forward and encourage the second striker to drop off and provide a short option.

A bit risky in some ways but the only way of taking the next step forward given the players we have at this time.

BTW - A good scrapping performance all things considered, great effort!

[SamL]

Good win last night although, I can't remember much of it.

Just remember singing about Barry Hayles

Hopefully, it will give us some confidence to push for a strong top half finish in order to build for next season.

[Thracian]

True, but not the whole story!

Despite trying to push up during the first half, our back 4 still play too deep. Similarly our central midfielders fall back on the central defenders rather than doing their work 20 - 30 yards in front and crucially our wide men are required to track back, often into very deep positions. So more often than not when the ball is won defensively the only out ball is the long ball to the front men who are pretty much isolated.

The answer is to be a bit more positive as a team. Defend a higher line, push the wide men further forward and encourage the second striker to drop off and provide a short option.

A bit risky in some ways but the only way of taking the next step forward given the players we have at this time.

BTW - A good scrapping performance all things considered, great effort!

Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, while we mostly defend as a team, we hardly ever attack as a team because we can't/won't, the risk being that our slowish centre-backs would be caught by passes into space behind them.

And so we're faced with a dilemma in terms of moving forward.

Do we stick with a solid, reliable but limited defence? Or do we accept that we'll need better footballers at the back to get the team moving smoothly and more capably in other areas?

I can't see change ahead. Three successive clean sheets is a good advert for any defence. Okay, we're only scoring a goal a game but we're pinching results, at least for now, and I get the impression most fans would be as cagey as our managers when it comes to taking what they see as risks.

[marbelladave]

Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, while we mostly defend as a team, we hardly ever attack as a team because we can't/won't, the risk being that our slowish centre-backs would be caught by passes into space behind them.

And so we're faced with a dilemma in terms of moving forward.

Do we stick with a solid, reliable but limited defence? Or do we accept that we'll need better footballers at the back to get the team moving smoothly and more capably in other areas?

I can't see change ahead. Three successive clean sheets is a good advert for any defence. Okay, we're only scoring a goal a game but we're pinching results, at least for now, and I get the impression most fans would be as cagey as our managers when it comes to taking what they see as risks.

I think we can do better without the risks becoming unmanageable.

Sure playing a high line will expose the center backs, but their are not that many championship forwards with the pace and ability to really exploit that weakness and we have pace on the flanks. I am more troubled by the space conceded in midfield when our back 4 and central midfield drop deep, Palace were not skilful enough to exploit it but in recent times, the opposition (QPR, Norwich) have won the game in that area.

The other area that I think can be improved is our wide men. Hume was a good example of this last night, he was so busy tracking back and supporting Stearman that when our defence won possession he was too deep to offer himself as an attacking option and was therefore ineffective going forward. I am not suggesting that he does no defensive work, but that he should do it further forward where his presence will deter the opposition fullback from getting forward all the time.

As always it is about balance, we have two decent center mids who are defensively sound, 6 defenders should be enough. Play the wide men further forward, DJ or Hume in the hole and either Howard or Hayles to lead the line.

Then all we have to do is teach the defenders to play the ball into feet.......

[jonw88]

I'm at uni and had no way of leaving to watch the match or finding a Sky TV to watch the game on. Therefore do any kind souls know if there are any highlight videos floating around yet?

[Lillehamring]

Gosh, watch a match on television and you become an authority on how well we are improving...Be sure to update us (and insult those that bother to attend) the next time there's a big game on Sky

oh, grow up, since when did you become such a miserable old bitch...

doesn't matter whether i was at the game or not, (and obviously i can't be bothered to go... shall i roll my eyes?) i wasn't claiming to be any kind of authority, i'm just pointing out that it is like watford all over again, we play well against cov and everybody expects us to suddenly become a great entertaining team...

it wasn't the best game ever, of course not, but all this whining about how ugly it was just seems to me very frustrating, i saw things in this game - ie. movement off the ball (yes, you can see more than 10 feet around the ball on tv), midfielders supporting the attack, one-touch football, overlaps - not in great abundance but it is clear that we have improved and i just wish people would try to focus on this more.

if you feel insulted because i happen to have a losely positive outlook, and offer an irreverent dig at those who are sorrowful and distraught after a victory against a form team in harsh conditions, then boo hoo to you.

maybe it is possible that not seeing every miserable performance this season actually offers me a different (not necessarily better) perspective on how we have improved, i am an ex-season ticket holder and i know that if you go week in week out it is difficult to spot subtle improvement.

i expect better from you daggers than some snidey little pompous knee jerk reaction, shame on you!

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

We would have lost that game three months ago. I think last night showed we have come on a lot and we now have options to change a game. Hopefully, we can really push on now and have the sort of form we've all hoped for for a very long time.

[Daggers]

<more bollocks>

If you aren't clever enough to work out that perceptions of and reactions to a game vary due to the investment of time and money versus sitting on your arse then so be it.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say the next time we've been on television, I am sure it will be equally insightful.

[andyh1884]

If you aren't clever enough to work out that perceptions of and reactions to a game vary due to the investment of time and money versus sitting on your arse then so be it.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say the next time we've been on television, I am sure it will be equally insightful.

Not long to wait then - a week on saturday, against plymouth in fact!

[Daggers]

Not long to wait then - a week on saturday, against plymouth in fact!

Woohoo!

[marbelladave]

We would have lost that game three months ago. I think last night showed we have come on a lot and we now have options to change a game. Hopefully, we can really push on now and have the sort of form we've all hoped for for a very long time.

Probably not under the ultra defensive Megson, but we would not have won it either!

In order to 'push on' as you put it we need to get forward more as a unit and put the opposition under more pressure. As Thracian pointed out in an earlier post the would require taking more risks, something that given our league position and the need to settle in new players is something I think Ollie will do only very slowly.

I think we are in for a period of attritional football until our league position is much improved.