06/03/10 - Crystal Palace v. Sheffield United

[Linz]

Erm... we'd like some ticket details please SUFC.

This is your match thread for:

• Predictions
• Line-ups
• In-match chatter
• Post-game reaction

 

[DazBlade88]

I still don't know whether I want to go to this game

 

[derrywan]

I'll probably be going as my mrs will be up in the lake district and I can have a drink and a ramble through capital city. I'm not too excited about the football bit of it, to be honest

 

[Linz]

Tickets are on sale today.

We have an initial allocation of 1,000 tickets with further tickets available upon request.

Tickets are priced £25 Adults, £15 OAPs (60+) and Students under 24 (with valid NUS), £5 Juniors 7-15. Juniors 2-6 years are Free of charge with a full paying adult.

This match is a Category B fixture therefore 100 Loyalty Points will be issued to supporters purchasing tickets.

Due to the nature of this fixture and the expected attendance, we will not be using the Loyalty Points Scheme. For future away games Loyalty Points will be used.

 

[DazBlade88]

£53 for a game I don't really want to go to... why not. I'll get them Saturday.

 

[Linz]

£53 for a game I don't really want to go to... why not. I'll get them Saturday.

There'll be space in the car if you need a lift?

 

[DazBlade88]

There'll be space in the car if you need a lift?

It's ok ta, going on the coach as there's only 2 of us

 

[Linz]

It's ok ta, going on the coach as there's only 2 of us

There should be two spaces in the car Sup to you anyway.

 

[Ollessendro]

This one is really up in the air now. I have to be honest I had this down as an away win until Sir neil left Selhurst Park. Now I think it's a difficult one to predict, but I'll go for 2-2.

Palace aren't a bad out fit and have home advantage. Couple this with the Blades losing our last 5 away on the bounce and it looks ominous. however without NW and Moses and the current mood/morale I think it chnges things completely.

If KB plays the same team/formation that beat Bristol then I think we stand a good chance. I reallly hope he doesn't go negative and/or play 4-5-1, as i think it will cost us. I'm positive of one thing: there'll be goals. We will concede and hence I think we need to attack them. The combo of Willo's and Yeates' creativty and Camara and Ward's dangerous-ness could be the key to unlocking them.

We had the edge at the Lane, but I reckon this will be a draw. 2-2

 

[Ollessendro]

Living in London this was one my list as a definate, but I won't be able to make it now. I'm off to Rome this weekend and shall be watching AS Roma vs AC Milan on the Sunday, rather than Crystal Palace versus Sheffield United on the Saturday

 

[LouTheBlade]

It's got a draw written all over it and I'm going for a moderately entertaining 1-1. I would go in with the following side;

Bunn
Nosworthy
Morgan
Bartley
Kallio
Ward
Williamson
Harper
Yeates
Camara
Cresswell

The defence wasn't great against Plymouth but they need time to play alongside each other and form a tight unit. I would put Harper in there for Monty as I didnt think he had a particularly great game last saturday. Camara and Cresswell again up front as they did quite well last week.

This would be a great opportunity to go down there and win because they will be all over the place at the moment. They've got character though so I wouldn't write them off. It's how they respond to NW leaving that will be the key for them. It's what we've learned from last saturday that will be key for us!

 

[Ollessendro]

It's got a draw written all over it and I'm going for a moderately entertaining 1-1. I would go in with the following side;

Bunn
Nosworthy
Morgan
Bartley
Kallio
Ward
Williamson
Harper
Yeates
Camara
Cresswell

The defence wasn't great against Plymouth but they need time to play alongside each other and form a tight unit. I would put Harper in there for Monty as I didnt think he had a particularly great game last saturday. Camara and Cresswell again up front as they did quite well last week.

This would be a great opportunity to go down there and win because they will be all over the place at the moment. They've got character though so I wouldn't write them off. It's how they respond to NW leaving that will be the key for them. It's what we've learned from last saturday that will be key for us!

Wishful thinking Lou: there is no way that KB will play Harper in front of Monty away from home. Not a cat in hell's chance!? Still, I'd go with your team selection though.

 

[Ollessendro]

Paul Hart has been named the new manger of Palace and I think this is a big bonus for us. The guy is hopeless and I'm amazed that he has got another job. Sure Palace playing staff will be looking to impress their new boss, but Hart surely cannot inspire confidence in many. This is a massive difference to Sir Neil being in charge. IMHO this has gone from being a certain defeat to united having the advantage.

COYRWW.

p.s. This is bloody typical. last night I backed Scunny to go down at 7/2. I was saying to the guy on the phone (at Betdaq) that I thought Scunny were shite and were in trouble, despite being several points above the drop zone. I thought the teams around them had more quality and it would tell. My only worry was Palace. Without NW and Moses they are in trouble. Now I can see that twat Paul Hart scuppering my bet.

 

[derrywan]

mo' importantly, getting your pub on. last time we all met in the Wetherspoons (the william stanley) on the high street by norwood junction station - does that still work for people? They might have mopped up all the pish by now, you never know.

 

[Linz]

They might have mopped up all the pish by now, you never know.

Well I won't be there to escort gentlemen into the ladies bogs this time around

 

[derrywan]

Well I won't be there to escort gentlemen into the ladies bogs this time around

many of them didn't even want to go, the poor loves. Terrified, they were, both before and after.

 

[blader]

Camara out, Quinn in

Rediculous. the bloke is SO DAMN NEGATIVE!! a great performance at home (well for an hour at least) and now we play a team in equally as much trouble and give them a chance by playing 4-5-1 and with Stephen Quinn!!!! im extrmeemly angry, but at least it has justified my decision not to go. What odds are palace, might be putting a few quid on em now!

Rant over.

 

[judge]

billy big thighs has scored

best player ever i tells yee

 

[Linz]

Rediculous. the bloke is SO DAMN NEGATIVE!! a great performance at home (well for an hour at least) and now we play a team in equally as much trouble and give them a chance by playing 4-5-1 and with Stephen Quinn!!!! im extrmeemly angry, but at least it has justified my decision not to go. What odds are palace, might be putting a few quid on em now!

Rant over.

Camara is injured no?

 

[Linz]

Blades losing thanks to Alan Lee.

Bunny down injured.

 

[Foxy]

Summary of Blackwell's reaction:

• Didn't start on the front foot which he wanted.
  
• Players have to decide what they want out of their career.
  
• Not worked the keeper enough despite having enough possession to do so.
  
• Not sure front 4/5 have enough courage away from home.
  
• Away - we aren't creating enough, ducking out of tackles, thats the type of player that they are.
  
• Mentality of some players, speak to sports psychologists - some players just don't handle it well.
  
• Players have to understand, have to have a better mentality away from home.
  
• Need players to want it more, they have to decide where they want to take their career.
  
• If they don't want to get in there and get hurt, we can't do much.
  
• It's alright having a go at staff, but players have to take responsibility.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Just back. I haven't heard the interview yet, but surely the poor mentality starts from the fact that we dropped our most dangerous striker? I imagine the Palace players got a bit of a lift after they looked at the teamsheet to find Camara absent. Cresswell had Ward playing next to him 50% of the time, going 4-5-1 the rest of the time, against a team in turmoil who have been on a poor run - not exactly ambitious.

We deserved absolutely nothing today. Palace were workmanlike and nothing else - defensively they looked shaky, none more so than Calamity Claude, and we simply didn't exploit this at any point in the match. We were totally devoid of ideas, precious little urgency about our play, and whenever someone tried something, nobody else supported. It was awful, and I can't really think of anyone that is devoid of blame - players, and the manager. Kallio in particular was all over the place - embarrassed at the back, slow and wasteful on the ball. Ward and Yeates both poor. I actually thought Cresswell was a bit unlucky at times, not helped by a homer of a ref (though this had zero effect on the result). We had one shot on target first half, and one effort by Ward blocked by Camara in the 2nd. The closest we came to actually threatening the goal was a hopeful drive late on by Evans that just fizzed by the post. Had it gone in, we wouldn't have deserved it.

I only made the decision to go at 1:30 today - a major error of judgement on my part.

 

[raul]

Training could be a laugh on Monday.

How these charlatans managed to disguise their cowardice long enough to fool him into signing them would be something worth hearing.

 

[JohnDenver]

Summary of Blackwell's reaction:

• Didn't start on the front foot which he wanted.
  
• Players have to decide what they want out of their career.
  
• Not worked the keeper enough despite having enough possession to do so.
  
• Not sure front 4/5 have enough courage away from home.
  
• Away - we aren't creating enough, ducking out of tackles, thats the type of player that they are.
  
• Mentality of some players, speak to sports psychologists - some players just don't handle it well.
  
• Players have to understand, have to have a better mentality away from home.
  
• Need players to want it more, they have to decide where they want to take their career.
  
• If they don't want to get in there and get hurt, we can't do much.
  
• It's alright having a go at staff, but players have to take responsibility.

So who's he talking about here? And is it fair?

Today's squad:

Bunn - Loan player - inexperienced, flakey but clearly desperate to succeed
Morgan - Inherited - never faulted his attitude
Nosworthy - Loan player - marking time
Bartley - Loan player - going places, but not with us
Kallio - Loan player - marking time
Montgomery - Inherited - attitude beyond reproach
Yeates - Blackwell signing
Williamson - Blackwell signing
Quinn - Inherited - trier but lacks courage on the ball
Cresswell - Blackwell signing
Ward - Blackwell signing

(Evans 78) - Blackwell signing - having a horrible season
(Harper 70) - Loan player - career appearing to falter
(Camara 58) - Loan player - here to regain fitness and form

Well, the front players are all his signings, barring Quinn whom he heavily favours. The remainder of the starting XI are loans apart from the club's two remaining true stalwarts. Those who came off the bench were loan players plus Evans who's the stand-out failure of the season.

So this is diffilcult territory for Blackwell to venture into. I'm sure he has a good point about players' attitudes, but when he's talking specifically about his players, then the criticism will just bounce back in his direction.

 

[Kentblade]

Just back. I haven't heard the interview yet, but surely the poor mentality starts from the fact that we dropped our most dangerous striker? I imagine the Palace players got a bit of a lift after they looked at the teamsheet to find Camara absent. Cresswell had Ward playing next to him 50% of the time, going 4-5-1 the rest of the time, against a team in turmoil who have been on a poor run - not exactly ambitious.

We deserved absolutely nothing today. Palace were workmanlike and nothing else - defensively they looked shaky, none more so than Calamity Claude, and we simply didn't exploit this at any point in the match. We were totally devoid of ideas, precious little urgency about our play, and whenever someone tried something, nobody else supported. It was awful, and I can't really think of anyone that is devoid of blame - players, and the manager. Kallio in particular was all over the place - embarrassed at the back, slow and wasteful on the ball. Ward and Yeates both poor. I actually thought Cresswell was a bit unlucky at times, not helped by a homer of a ref (though this had zero effect on the result). We had one shot on target first half, and one effort by Ward blocked by Camara in the 2nd. The closest we came to actually threatening the goal was a hopeful drive late on by Evans that just fizzed by the post. Had it gone in, we wouldn't have deserved it.

I only made the decision to go at 1:30 today - a major error of judgement on my part.

Well at least we both saw the same game.
Totally agree with all you say, we were dire from the kick off.
We think we might get promoted, never in a million years will Blackwell take us up.
Palace will probably stay in this division.
Very disappointing.
UTB

 

[DazBlade88]

Truely and utterly embarrassing again yesterday. Blackwell mentions the players haven't got enough courage? Perhaps it's because we seemingly go into every away game with 11 men behind the ball hoping for a 0-0.

One shot we'd had at 16.44 yesterday. ONE. It's happening far too often, and I'm getting f*cking sick of watching it.

If he's still here next season, the away games are going to be few and far between for me. Fed up of wasting my money on watching my team not even try and win a game away from home.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

He's stopped me spending my money on away games.

 

[keenzy]

Summary of Blackwell's reaction:

• Didn't start on the front foot which he wanted.
  
• Players have to decide what they want out of their career.
  
• Not worked the keeper enough despite having enough possession to do so.
  
• Not sure front 4/5 have enough courage away from home.
  
• Away - we aren't creating enough, ducking out of tackles, thats the type of player that they are.
  
• Mentality of some players, speak to sports psychologists - some players just don't handle it well.
  
• Players have to understand, have to have a better mentality away from home.
  
• Need players to want it more, they have to decide where they want to take their career.
  
• If they don't want to get in there and get hurt, we can't do much.
  
• It's alright having a go at staff, but players have to take responsibility.

Didn't hear the comments blackwell made and i don't think I want to really.
Looking over the points that he made (Cheers Foxy ) It seems some of the players don't want to play for him and he's putting the blame on the players. Also the fact that he's not a good enough leader. Managers should have there players inspired and wanting to take the game, getting stuck into challenges, It's all about the team talk you give them before and at half time to rally the troops. It helps not to put 11 men behind the ball and go for a point then stand on the sideline with hands in pocket looking lost.


Crowds will start dropping next season if he's still here.

 

[derrywan]

To quote the legendary BB: "No ambition!!". Poor performance, no evidence of a planned strategy or tactics beyond trying to grind out a draw by killing what play we could. Why the team can't/ aren't allowed to play attacking football away from home is beyond me. At least if we lost after giving a decent account of ourselves I wouldn't feel like such a mug traipsing away from away grounds - a mug for thinking each game will be different, a mug for shelling out the cash and a mug for going back time after time. I can't see any hope for the future while we play such one dimensional guffball.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We are not allowed to play attacking football because that is the manager’s choice.

It's not been as successful [results wise this season] but Blackie would have been entitled to tell McC to clear off last season if he had complained about the style of play. This season he does not have that cushion so is feeling the pressure more.

I bet Blackie goes at the end of the season but I’m sure he’d like to leave saying ‘I’ve done my best but can’t take things any further’ knowing he’s delivered what was required by McC rather than be pushed now.

It's very one dimensional though and that's what pisses everyone off.