IN AN extended column, ALEX WHITE lists the steps Crystal Palace need to take in order to climb up the Premier League table...BRING BACK MURRAY
Goals change games in football and that's no more true than in the Premiership. Our recognised first choice strikers, Dwight Gayle and Frazier Campbell, certainly have goals in them but are very similar players. Both like to play on the shoulder of the last defender and gamble.
By default, this means that we can't change the dynamic of the game by introducing something different and Kevin Doyle is certainly not the answer. Mauroane Chamakh is an excellent player but clearly not a natural target man, He has been a revelation in the deeper 'number 10' role and has certainly proved his worth since he joined.
The most frustrating thing for me is that we had something different in Glenn Murray, and to let him go without replacing him was a massive schoolboy error. People knocked Glenn's quality at this level but at times this season games have been calling for someone like him to be introduced.
Warnock often speaks about how Murray asked to leave and get game time but at this rate he would be getting game time with us. To bring in Kevin Doyle as replacement for Murray was nothing short of a laughing stock - nothing personal against Doyle but Murray is a far superior player. At this level we have to make decisions that help us gain an advantage and replacing Murray with Doyle has only hindered us. WE SHOULD HAVE SNAPPED UP JEROME
Seeing the form of Cameron Jerome this seaso,n we have to be kicking ourselves we didn't sign him. CamJam would've been a wise and cost-effective option who certainly offers more for us right now than Doyle and Johnson.
Agreed he isn't renowned for scoring bundles of goals but his pace and power caused problems for opposition defences last year.GET WARD BACK WHERE HE BELONGS
"'Martin Kelly is the best English right back'" – Yeah right Neil. Kelly isn't even the best right back in our squad.
I feel so sorry for Wardy and at this rate I cant see him lasting in the stripes of the red and blue for much longer. Why would he want to?
As a player there isn't a much more frustrating feeling than playing out of position where you are visibly uncomfortable. For his own personal sake, Joel is better off playing for a similar side but in his natural position. This would allow him to regain his form and if he has ambitions of playing for England, a move might be essential for his progression. If a natural left back isn't signed in January then I can't see Joel signing a new deal.
Although I don't believe Moxey and Parr are good enough for this level letting them leave without at least one replacement lined up is awful, that's not how a business should be run. By playing Ward at left back I think we lose more than we gain if we were to play him at right back and someone like Zeki Fryers or Jerome Williams on the left.WE CAN BEAT ANYONE ON OUR DAY
It is tough to be positive right now, the last few weeks have been tough to stomach but we have proved we can match any side in this division.
During the opening 20 minutes against Chelsea we had them on the back foot, the first half against West Brom we dominated and even spells against Sunderland we played some neat stuff. Granted we have failed to take our chances in recent weeks but I think we've showed we are here to compete and we are more than good enough to stay in this league.
If you like Warnock or not he is our gaffer and that won't change anytime soon. There is no point getting on his back, after all as fans we believe positivity is the best form of motivation. TIME TO DROP YANNICK
A controversial point this one. In recent weeks for me Yannick has been completely off the boil. I understand that somebody like Bolasie is a great guy and he is clearly a fans favourite but that shouldn't keep him in the starting 11, there is no room for sentiment at this level. Being so dearly loved by the fans means that it feels like Yannick can't seem to put a foot wrong, sitting in the Holmesdale at certain times the lad will tackle himself or take a poor touch and the fans will applaud him. If the likes of Puncheon or Campbell was to make a mistake they get slated.
On his day Yala is more than good enough to compete at this level but recent form suggest when he is off the pace he offers very little. Leaving someone like Puncheon on the bench who offers a huge threat in front of goal and set pieces for me is a huge mistake.WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC
I think after being abandoned just three days before the start of the season by our previous manager, Palace fans would've taken nine points out of 10 games and sitting outside of the relegation zone.
I like most Eagles fans feared the worse when Pulis walked away so we can't complain too much. We have lost to Sunderland and Hull, we also dropped points at West Brom, and those are the games we need to be getting points which could be vital come May.
We need to be realistic this was always going to be a tough season where we are expected to be in and around the bottom, I think at the moment it could be a hell of a lot worse. Always remember it could be worse – we could be Burnley!
