No disrespect to Wilbs but surely Gayle has to start today. Personally thought that he had done enough against West Brom in the Cup to play last week. As this idea of pumping high balls up to the attack today isn't that where Stokes strength has rested for some seasons ? Play it along the deck like Liverpool did last week and we will be fine.

Edited by Booted Eagle (18 Jan 2014 10.09am)

“ [T]here are known knowns; there are things we know that we know.There are known unknowns; that is to say there are things that, we now know we don't know.But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know. ”
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I think having Wilbs on the bench gives us another option if needed - I really don't think it should be Plan A, though!

Personally, I'm looking forward to a Chamakh-Gayle partnership in a 4-4-2.

I'd have thought we'd push Chamakh more upfront, drop Gayle in behind him. Wilbraham would likely only get a look in if either is unfit. I can see him making the bench.

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If Wilbraham plays, I might get an answer to the problem worrying me all season, which is why have we spent a loan berth and hefty wages on Jerome who may not actually be as good at being Wilbs as Wils is. If rumours about Leon Best come to anything - not necessarily to be wished for - that loan berth could get significant.

His performance in the Play Off final was one of the most incompetent performances in a Palace shirt I have ever seen.

He does try though, bless him.

First of the gang with a gun in his hand....

we were pretty much all sitting behind the goal in the 2nd half against watford...and had the best view in the house to watch his decisions in front of goal.

he mustav had 5 chances fall his way...5 good chances. and i know, even from the standard i play that the choices he made when he was on the ball were the wrong choices to make when your thru on goal...maybe its a confidence thing/maybe its a quality thing.

i understand the arguemnt that he trys his hardest (bless him)...but in my view thats a masked way of saying...i know hes crap im just not going slate him.

you can call me an idiot all you want...ive got thick skin...but deep down we all know that if we are playing wilbs in the PL, against PL defenders then we are well and truly f***ed.

anyway...is he even in the 25 man squad?

Edited by braunstoneagle (18 Jan 2014 11.28am)

‘Football isn’t instant coffee. You have to work at it. You must grow the bean, grind it.’ Ian Holloway