Wilfried Zaha

[Uswortheagle]

Sounds like Southgate is waffling to me,unfortunately he fits in with the FA with all the rubbish that is spoken by them,to me Zaha is still young and learning and he has improved his all round game by 100%, but because the media loves guys like Shearer etc it means that Zaha has never stood a realistic chance of getting into the England squad

[Seba]

Originally Posted by Tim

All that proves is they have a similar goals to games ratio. There's so much more to Wilf's game than just that!

Please list 'much more' for us.

[Olympian2]

Originally Posted by Seba

Do wish Palace fans would take the red and blue tinted glasses off once in a while.

Genuine questions;

Since Southgate has been England full/interim manager, do you think Redmond and Townsend have been worthy of an England squad place but Zaha has not been?

And do you think that if Zaha had played exactly the same in a Spurs or an Arsenal shirt, he would have been more likely to have been picked?

[RDSdaEAGLE]

Originally Posted by Seba

Please list 'much more' for us.

In fairness, Wilf's defensive work is far more significant.

Worth checking out Squawka's comparison tool.

[the drexciyan]

Southgate backtracking and making shit excuses. Does not wash and it will come back to haunt him.

All the best Wilf for the IC, England totally screwed it just to keep Jordan Henderson happy.

[bubbs11]

Clear on Sunday that one thing England are missing is a player who can go past defenders from a standing position. They struggled to get behind a Lithuania side that just sat in. Massive mistake by England but let's face it, one of many.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by RDSdaEAGLE

In fairness, Wilf's defensive work is far more significant.

Worth checking out Squawka's comparison tool.

I'd be interested to see the assists comparisons, as well?

[ExiledStirling]

Originally Posted by bubbs11

Clear on Sunday that one thing England are missing is a player who can go past defenders from a standing position. They struggled to get behind a Lithuania side that just sat in. Massive mistake by England but let's face it, one of many.

Personally think it is best for Zaha that he is away from the spotlight of playing for England and the inevitable criticism that comes in the wake of playing for a team that continually underperforms and disappoints.

[Stavros 69]

The best thing that has happened to Wilf is being someone in that will not only give him constructive praise but give him a kick up the arse when he needs it.

[eagle mart]

Originally Posted by ExiledStirling

Personally think it is best for Zaha that he is away from the spotlight of playing for England and the inevitable criticism that comes in the wake of playing for a team that continually underperforms and disappoints.

You're not wrong. But it would be great for him to have got in, against all the odds. The pundits, the 'opinions' that few other players have had to overcome.

He'll probably get booed now for turning down England.

[FMH57]

The biggest culprit in the whole episode is the senile Hodgson and the FA. Played him in two friendlies to seal his commitment to England in 2012-2013. In the first one he brought on Sterling at the same time ,because of similar talk regarding his eligibility to play for Jamaica. Makes you wonder if anyone actually read the rules, as it could have simply been a qualifier against the like of San Marino instead. Senile old ****(s)...

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by Tim

All that proves is they have a similar goals to games ratio. There's so much more to Wilf's game than just that!

Indeed, but it shows that Redmond is having a very good season.

Ultimately, Wilf has come on leaps and bounds this season with his end product and is now superior.
Redmond is younger, having a very good season and playing well.

Personally I'd love to have them both at Palace (shame we missed that boat a couple of years back).

[Hector]

Zaha is much better off playing for the Ivory Coast. No one will slaughter him for not being amazing every game, he'll get to play in major tournaments and stand more chance of winning one.

[gadford4th]

I don't believe for one second that Zaha would have been picked for the England games this international break if Southgate had persuaded him to turn down Ivory Coast.

[nellis]

At least this debate will raise his price when he's sold in the summer.

[gilesy14]

I've never known a player have so much bollocks spoken about him. Every non Palace supporting person I speak to about Wilf says the exact same thing - "yeah but he's so hit & miss" or "he's got no end product".

It actually drives me mad - & it's got to be down to dinosaurs like Alan Shearer & Harry Redknapp peddling nonsense about him. I wasn't fortunate enough to see Vince Hilaire or Ian Wright - I couldn't get to Selhurst enough when Lombardo was with us either, so I can't comment on them. However, during my 25 years of supporting Palace, I've never seen a player for us perform so consistently for the period of time he has at the top level. It is an absolute lie that he is inconsistent or that he has no end product. Those of us fortunate enough to watch him every week know that for a fact. He has blossomed into a top, top player & watching him develop over the past 6/7 years has been an absolute pleasure.

Rest assured, I tell these people who come out with the lines I previously mentioned how much bollocks they are talking. Watching such an uninspiring England performance on Sunday only confirmed my belief that Wilf would improve that side immeasurably. But **** them & **** Southgate - it's their loss. Keep on doing what you're doing Wilf - you're a credit to yourself, your family, South London & Crystal Palace Football Club.

[eagle mart]

Originally Posted by gilesy14

I've never known a player have so much bollocks spoken about him. Every non Palace supporting person I speak to about Wilf says the exact same thing - "yeah but he's so hit & miss" or "he's got no end product".

.

I cant talk to arm chair fans about football - particularly at work. It's the same regurgitated opinion that they hear, that they then repeat.

It's their own ignorance, and a bit snobbery from my side - but like any football fan who actually goes to games, or does do when ever they can. You just have a conversation knowing that the other person just has no idea.... but give me the Derby/Bradford fansthat travel back at weekends, every now and again, or goes to more local evening games. I can talk and relate to them about anything to do with the game.

[gilesy14]

Originally Posted by eagle mart

I cant talk to arm chair fans about football - particularly at work. It's the same regurgitated opinion that they hear, that they then repeat.

It's their own ignorance, and a bit snobbery from my side - but like any football fan who actually goes to games, or does do when ever they can. You just have a conversation knowing that the other person just has no idea.... but give me the Derby/Bradford fansthat travel back at weekends, every now and again, or goes to more local evening games. I can talk and relate to them about anything to do with the game.

Yeah - agreed. Although I was talking to someone I had down as a proper football man on Saturday & he came out with it. He must've regretted it immediately as he got a 30 minute lecture about how Wilf is the best player on the face of the earth.

[Celestial Empire]

Originally Posted by Uswortheagle

Sounds like Southgate is waffling to me,unfortunately he fits in with the FA with all the rubbish that is spoken by them,to me Zaha is still young and learning and he has improved his all round game by 100%, but because the media loves guys like Shearer etc it means that Zaha has never stood a realistic chance of getting into the England squad

Yes, Wilf's face doesn't fit with their little exclusive club.
Not just Henderson, but the entitled but mediocre "big club" contingent would probably try to marginalise him. I remember the FA's reluctance to call up Wright.
And if Southgate "only wants players 100% committed to England" he should forget about the likes of Sterling, and most of those who played against Iceland.

It is interesting that no journo has picked up on Southgate having come through the Palace academy and been captain of our promotion winning team, and of how/why he is estranged from the club.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Seba

Redmond is having a very good season. A quick looks at the stats on Wikipedia suggests they are doing similar. So 'vastly inferior' is a little over the top. They are different types of players, playing in different types of teams.

Do wish Palace fans would take the red and blue tinted glasses off once in a while.

Zaha
Prem
Apps - 25
Goals - 5

FA Cup
Apps - 0
Goals - 0

Lg Cup
Apps - 2
Goals - 0


Redmond
Prem
Apps - 26
Goals - 5

FA Cup
Apps - 3
Goals - 0

Lg Cup
Apps - 5
Goals - 1

It's not just about stats is it ? And if it is, you neatly side-stepped the Lindgard comparison.