Wycome Friendly

[Jeraff]

Was this the last friendly before the Blackburn game or have we got another chance to try and up the confidence and sort something out? Maybe another friendly is the last thing we need right now.

[Forever Stripes]

This is serious cr*p.The first team need a kick up the ****. How about dropping half of them and try the reserves. (Worked last year when we sold the first team and put in the reserves). If they thought they were losing their place then just maybe..... Otherwise I really don't know what to suggest.

I really dont want to even know the Blackburn result next week. I'll have to go away to hide somewhere before the result comes in.

[PalaceFan in Alabama]

Originally posted by Les Butler on 08-05-2000 05:17 PM
Welcome back Alan Smith !
Wonder who's gonna be manager in three weeks time ?

Les you must not have read your mail today, I understand that SJ has asked you to stepup and be the MAN.

After you it is going to be David Murray, then SS, followed by James and by the first week in September I am coming over to **** everything really up! Al from Bromley will take over from me at halt-time and James V will be next in line. SJ has promised to give us all a free phone for trying to be the MAN

[bobmatt]

I saw SS headed for the gents just after the full time whistle, I think he was going to be sick!!!!!!!!

[Milton Keynes Eagle]

Fan didn't look injured and I am ssuming that Smith is ensuring he is not injured before next week. Played OK.

Ruddock barked at Smith and Hankin. Wore captain's armband.

Fullarton poor - say no more!

Hankin at left back. Poor first 30 minutes. Played well second half. Encouraging.

Morrisson/Forsell - no service

Carlisle - probably our best player on the day (not saying much). Looked like an own goal to me!

Frightening that we will be at Ewood next week. Hope that they respond to big match atmosphere.

[Goldberg Basher]

Milton Keynes,

Totaly agree with you about Fullarton - he was his uncle's, cousin's, sister-in-law's, best friend's PANTS. He didn't appear at all committed. Razor did well and led the back after being given the captain's armbard. He passed well and was sharp with the crosses. Fan played a good one but suffered with Carlisle losing possession. Still Wayne got the goal that got us thinking of another 3-4 result.

The second half was much better for Palace even though it only improved after 3-0. Plenty of possesion then led to chances which we cleared by Wycombe either before the ball was in the box or following Palace's attempted at direct passing. Morrison didn't have the best service but did not take advantage of what he got by trickling when he could of shot first time.

Oh, and Palace should have had a penalty in the second half after Wycombe handling (blatantly) of the ball in the box. Tommy Black looked good and provided the cross for Wayne to score.

After 90 mins (even though we conceded 3) I was content with Palace's final commitment in the second half, considering we could have been mullerred having Wycombe score in the first 5 mins.

Blackburn WILL be different story with a closer scoreline. Mystic Meg told me in my sleep.

[Stellavista]

I really find it hard to agree with your player reports, GB.
There is no point putting a gloss on it, Palace were total sh*t!
The players are, in the main, clearly not fit.
Each of the teams we have played looked like they'd had a pre-season. Palace look like they're still on the beach.
Wycombe ran the game from start to finish, and were never in danger of surrendering their lead. Our left side was a tackle-free zone in the first half.
Sure, Ruddock shouted his head off at his fellow defenders, but they are either extremely thick, or do not understnad the basics of defending.
The midfield simply does not exist, or is doing so in a parallel dimension.
They made little attempt to support the strikers, and aimless, head high balls in the general direction of Forsell and Morrison
will never play to these players strengths.
At the moment, we have a whole team of lazy f*ckers, who just don't appear to be up for it.
Jordan needs to get his cheque book out fast, and Smith needs to quickly identify some useful players to bring in, or we really are in big trouble.
Mullins was a disgrace today, as he was at Millwall. Am I alone in not rating this useless b*gger?!

[arussell]

Observations from the match ...

Smith (J) is still playing crap !- and should go for his man when we play 4-4-2 (as today), and NOT pull away from him allowing him to get the ball in the box.

Austin was in midfield (why ?) and dropped back to defence when Fan went off.

Fan's distribution was a bit "hoof and punt" today !

Palace only made a go of it and got going after we'd scored - Gray then started to look promising down the left wing.

Forssell STILL doesn't run that extra yard to get balls he could easily win, and does not like heading the ball at all !

We never seem to play to particular players strength's - get the ball to Forrsell's feet - he can be dangerous only then.

Ruddock was our best player by far (and captain) and had a go at the others (as he should of) - he won all the balls in the air and played some nice crossfield passes too.

Morrison is not fit.

Hankin is NOT a left back - so why was he lumbered with playing there ? - he's a central midfielder who very occassionally plays central defence.

Gregg looked nervous (because of Ruddock !?) and his positioning was poor again, although he made a few decent stops in the second half.

Oh and it was DARN HOT ! - as anyone will see from my tan if they see me tomorrow !!

[This message has been edited by arussell (edited 06 August 2000).]

[ajp]

Didn't go but heard that Austin was playing left back, according to a radio station which covered the London pre-season friendlies yesterday, this worried me from the off!

Without being there I can't speak about the game but if last saturdays debicle at the den was anything simular then it must of been dreadful. I still believe that we had a "midtable" team last season and that shouldn't change over night. Maybe when Jolly comes back things will improve a little, he's not the most talented player but does seem to be good at motivating the youngsters.