My player by player assessment of nearly everyone in our squad:

Hennessey: Been a point of discussion for far too long amongst palace fans. Pardew has brought in both McCarthy and Mandanda to try replace him over the last 2 seasons. He’s a deadly combo of error prone mixed with the incapability to organise or pull off enough good saves that make up for his mistakes. He and the defences confidence in each other looks shot, a change is needed.

Ward: Not a wing-back, incapable of getting up and down the flank. Makes his passes very predictable and easy to read, when Zaha has an anonymous game it’s often down to Wards laboured passing. If we are to continue with 3 at the back I wouldn’t rule out putting Ward in there as the RCB, it could be more suited to him than RWB.

Dann: Never saw captain material in the man. Was always disappointed in his lack of leadership when he and Hangeland player together last season and before. Delaney and Ward should be taking greater responsibility for the team because Dann has fallen way short.

Tomkins: What a disappointing signing, not added any solidity to that back line. Not prepared to but his body on the line and very average in possession. He has added a few goals to our tally but that’s not what he’s here for, was culpable for a couple of the goals against Sunderland. I would maybe switch him with Ward if we continue with a 3-4-3.

Delaney: A frustrated man, who knows if we’ll see him much for the rest of the season. I still think he’s our best leader and if given the armband I think he can get back to his best. Again if we’re keeping 3 at the back, he might just do better as the most central of the three; he is the most vocal. Maybe thats just wishful thinking.

Van Aanholt: Just come in but so far I prefer Schlupp at LWB. Against Bournemouth PVA did get into some good advanced positions though.

Cabaye: Been one of our better midfielders this season but gets knocks too easily, having to make a sub for him has cost us too many times now. Even when he seems at 100% he gets tired and nearly always subbed in games.

Puncheon: Off the boil, may need a little time away from the first XI. Seems wasted in the deeper role, he needs someone behind him to free him up a little.

McArthur: Still our best player this season after Wilf but not as consistent as he used to be. We miss his energy in the middle.

Ledley: Past it. I feel like giving up hope of a result every time I see that octogenarian coming off the bench. He can barely function any more, there’s like a 2 second delay on his movement. I don’t know if he’s constantly carrying an injury or what? For someone played in defensive midfield he has a horrible sense of positioning and devoid of any defensive intelligence, he gets panicked far too easily and loses the ball way too often. He’s better in a more advanced position or when the opposition play a deep line. If we continue with him in any capacity then we’re going down, sorry Joe.

Zaha: Brilliant, it will be heartbreaking to see him leave in the summer as I can’t see him tolerating this much longer.

Benteke: A fine goals tally but needs to do more. His ability on the deck has been disappointing. Still not the player that he was at Villa, he used to bully defenders, where’s that now?

Remy: Showed good glimpses in the few games he’s played, need to see more of him now, should bring out the best in Benteke.

Townsend: Frustrating signing but perhaps emblematic of our fickleness as fans, last month we wanted rid, now many on here are begging for him to start.

Flamini: Impressed whenever played, I don’t know why he isn’t being selected more. Relatively untainted by the fear of the rest of the group and with some of the leadership qualities we’ve been severely missing since Jedinak’s departure. Should be ahead of Ledley any day of the week.

Schlupp: Looked like the Bolasie type that we’ve missed this season. Raw pace but looked decent in defense too against Everton.

Milivojevic: Seen nothing of him yet but he can only improve us right? We need a bit more energy and youth in there, also the intelligence to play the holding role, none of the others are holding midfielders. He should in theory help free up Puncheon or Cabaye to drift into more advanced positions.

Sakho: Maybe we need big characters like him. At this point, nothing can damage us further you’d think. I don’t know if he’s captain material but hopefully he communicates better than Dann or Tomkins.

Kelly: I like Kelly, he looked nervous at LB but he’s had the time out of the team now, I think he can come back in and do a job at RCB or RWB. He’s better going forward than Ward, he’s more efficient with his attacks and has a better deep cross.

Campbell: Not sure when he’s back but could do what McArthur was supposed to do as the left sided forward. He gives his all and will win you corners, throw-ins further up the field. Not saying he should be in the first XI but should be more of an option if we want to get support up to Benteke and add a bit of fight and energy into the team.

Sako: Another player like Schlupp or Campbell; could give an unlikely lift if he can get fit.

Lee: Culpable for goals conceded against Manchester City (not relaying instructions properly) and Evertons goal when he didn’t take enough initiative to cover for Schlupp. He makes us better in possession but I’m not sure he adds enough to warrant selection and likely to switch off defensively.

Speroni: Would give home games a lift, not seen anything to suggest that he’s lost it. If Mandanda’s not fit yet, Speroni surely has to play on Saturday up at Stoke?

Mandanda: Walks back into the team when fit?

Edited by Mad4palace (07 Feb 2017 6.26pm)

How I would like to disagree with even one word,but I can't.

Thoughtfully written piece.

How about Past it for passed it! just jesting

A good assessment of our squad. I would add that I think Jimmy Mac should be given the armband. He rarely let's us down, has shown in past games how we miss him when subbed and apart from Wilf understands the dna of Palace imo. Looking at the list it's sad to see the number of average players we now have.

Been to Anfield twice seen 14 goals and my team haven't scored any

I don't think changing the Captain is a good idea at this point of the season...in fact I think it would be a terrible idea. The team needs bringing together and the reality is there are not exactly many players who are Captain material that are fit and playing well regularly.

I prefer Wards short passing over Kelly's long no hope boots into the box any day of the week and Kelly should no longer make the squad.

As soon as Townsend knew he wasn't going back to Newcastle he has been playing better and I have been a big critic of him so yes if that persists then his second chance has arrived.

Tomkins needs a huge slap...is the arrival of Sakho too much pressure for him to take? To his credit Delaney doesn't seem to struggle with the mental side of the game as much as the other players...if only he were a few years younger!

Wilf is awesome and Benteke will score goals if we provide him with the right service.

I think it is time to go 4-3-3

GK

Ward
Dann
Sakho
PVA

Milivojevic
McArthur
Cabaye

Zaha
Townsend
Benteke

Subs: GK, Tomkins, Delaney, Flamini, Schlupp, Punch, Reme

Edited by Hudsoneagle (07 Feb 2017 8.07pm)

A good assessment. Although I don't think hennessey, puncheon or ledley should be in the starting team again.