Merely a response to those on the first few pages who clearly stated they would have Ward in the side over Richards based on one half decent performance against a shhhyte team in a different posistion.

"It's not the bullet that's got my name on it that concerns me; it's all them other ones flyin' around marked 'To Whom It May Concern.'"

Martin Kelly moved from right back to central defence during his time at Palace and could be relied on to put in a decent performance. I was expecting him to do well in the championship but looks like injuries have caught up with him.
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Although he's quite a bit slower I still think his experience plays an important part in organising defence, morale and focus of a team. He always puts a shift in even when he makes an error or 2. I cant see him being a starter next season but certainly worth another year as back up. I think they need to move Clyne on. It'll be a shame when Ward finishes with us. He's the last of the team that got us back up to the Premier league and he's been an asset to the club throughout.

Edited by CpfcWeTrust1 (28 Feb 2024 10.49am)

Edited by CpfcWeTrust1 (28 Feb 2024 10.50am)

Given that we bought Ward as a Fonte replacement this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. If we are playing three centre backs we need at least two to be able to defend in the air and for me Richards and Ward give us that. Guehi gives it his best shot but isn’t that tall and hardly gets off the ground. Anderson is just not capable of attacking a crossed ball….I have no idea why as he has all the attributes. With two wing backs the long diagonal ball from Anderson will also be used less. So maybe Guehi, Richard’s and Ward and we will stop giving away shockingly soft goals from corners.

The injury to Marc leaves us thread bare as Tomkins is not a starter and our Arsenal buy is out as well. If only we had not sold O’Brien. I would consider bringing Balmer back from his loan.