He needs to play if fit.
He can pick a pass, and more importantly, is young.
I was impressed with him when he was filling in for PVA at left back.
Him and Eze in the same team is a exciting prospect.

Nonsense. The other, more experienced midfielders, including Luka have generally been good since Roy arrived. We have finished comfortably mid table and played their part in that.

When has Jairo ever impacted on games as well as this in the past? When he had chances he didn't take them.

He got his head down, has said himself that he listened to the management about what he needed to add to his game and has forced his way into the managers plans. He has improved.

Yep. Management should be credited with getting more from him. Credit the player himself has given out.

Despite some of the many myths about Roy, if you play well when you have your chance, then he will keep you involved.

Wan-Bissaka, Mitchell and Schlupp are all evidence of that. And now Jairo too. He didn't do enough to displace the more senior midfielders before but now he has. And if he continues to then he will continue to play.

Conversely, Meyer never has taken his chances and that's why he isn't in the team. Just as Sorloth didn't before.

I'm sure Eze will force his way in at some point too - but he'll have to earn it.

It’s great to see a central midfielder break forward and score a goal like that. I might be missing an obvious one but I can’t remember when one of our central midfielders last did this - maybe McArthur at home to Watford in the 2-1 win? It was a lovely finish from Riedewald.

Good point. It’s always been clear that he has the ability, but he often looked passive and seemed to let games pass him by.

As you say, the little run in the team at left back seemed to reinvigorate him and he has looked a different player since. He played every game in pre-season this year and he looked a lot more lively, closing players down and making tackles.

Let’s hope he keeps it up, he could be the midfielder we’ve been looking for.

McArthur did it a bit more recently than that. But hasn't much in the last 18 months.

I’m struggling to remember when. Looks like he didn’t score last year but scored three goals the year before, including the one against Watford. I vaguely remember one away to West Ham.

Slim pickings either way so hopefully riedewald will be encouraged to get forward like that.

Agreed. He has improved and he has been well coached.

You missed the games when he played at left back and was mom two games running? Remember the Justice for Jairo stuff etc...

He was trained at Ajax. I’m not sure how much credit we can take for his natural abilities, but he’s almost certainly learnt more of the defensive side of the game from Hodgson and his coaches.

Milivojevic has been poor now for probably 2 years. I’d be surprised to see him here next season. I like him but he looks to be declining massively. Rieidwald has done well ever since he came on at left back last season at Vicarage Road

Although he played at the back at Ajax.. so not sure about that either. I’m glad he’s taken his opportunity. Good player.

CK at home to West Ham on boxing day.

I would like to see us build the midfield around him, I would like to see the following at some point;


Bats
Eze
Schlupp Wilf
Jairo McCarthy/Jimmy/Luka

The Watford goals were 17/18 season.
He scored more goals after that in the same season. A few in 18/19 as you said.

The big question over Jairo was 'intensity' and covering the ground up and down the park. TBH, they were fair questions and you could often hear Ray/coaches urging him on in the U23 matches. He always looked calm, composed and intelligent but games would go on around him. He has really changed that and we saw it first at LB (where he made it clear he doesn't want to play) and now in midfield. He has done this without losing anything of his game and TBH is looking very good now and at only 24 can now build on this, hopefully with Palace. I have always 'liked' Jairo and the type of player he looks but I wouldn't have put him into a PL midfield prior that change in his game.

I find the current euphoria over him being the next Cabaye or better , first name on team sheet all as weird as writing him off as useless and should be sold as we had not so long ago. He is doing very well. I thought he was more involved alongside Macca than with Luka who pretty much dominated the ball yesterday. Really hoping he can build on this now and maybe become a force in the PL for us. Thanks FDB :)

Kouyate can pop up with one whether he's assigned to midfield or centre-back, of course. He's a unit at corner kicks.

It was a while ago now, and longer ago than that, but Cabaye scoring our second in a 3 - 0 demolition of Arsenal was worth tuning in for, and so was the look on Giroud's face afterwards.

McArthur used to get a few but not recently. Oh and Meyer, the late one against the bin dippers to make it 4 - 3. Milivojevic only hits them from distance or from the penalty spot.

Credit to him for waiting for his chance. Could become a cult hero at Palace.

Ah yes, that was a good one. Enjoyed that.