I think having no back up for 12 months or however long has made him lazier and given him a reason or excuse to preserve himself. Now he does not exert himself at all and when there's a chance he doesn't compete for it unless the odds are way in his favour. He threw his arms around when the service was poor, but now when there's a chance he could compete for and arguably score 50% of, he doesn't see it or compete for it. Mindset all gone. Very bad at this level.

COYP

NOW now Alan don’t be controversial !

FFS Broken Record.

Palace 13th 2017/18.

Haven't we had this pitch for a while though? And haven't we always been fortunate with injuries up until this season?

I seem to remember we always seem to get ourselves in a state with the wrong Manager and wind up bottom of the league. Then we pull ourselves out of it by playing every game like a 'cup final'.

During this time, everyone says 'I hope Zaha/Bolasie/Townsend/Benteke/Dann/Tomkins/Sakho/Ward/Cabaye/Jedinak don't get injured or we are done for.

And somehow, give or take, especially under Pulis, we had a fighting fit starting 11 just when we needed them.

This season not so much. Doesn't seem to be the pitch that, just luck running out.

Truly, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Any chance that we may have over played some players who should have been rested but went the extra mile for the team. I appreciate that doesn't explain impact injuries but maybe some of the soft tissue ones are down to that.

One more point