Townsend is barely a bench player at this stage of his career, but in his defense, his main job against Newcastle was to defend St. Maximin, and he did a decent job at that.

Anything else, he did his usual routine of cheaply passing the ball directly to the other team, or falling down, and when he somehow ended up with a tap in from 2 yards away from an open goal, he shot the ball 5 yards wide.

I can only hope that embarrassment is enough to light a fire under him if/when he plays. Still, he doesn't deserve to play again unless we have no other options. He's truly horrible.

2017 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Middlesboro
2018 Jan. (Sako) Palace 1 - 0 Burnley
2019 May (Batshuayi, Batshuayi, OG, Van Aanholt, Townsend) Palace 5 - 3 Bournemouth
2020 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Newcastle

Now that the pace he had has now left him he is really struggling. He has always been very predictable in his attacking play but as we know pace always gives you that threat. He's a hard worker, does the job wants from him but has deteriorated badly last 2 seasons.

Rarely, but he did do it in our opening win against So'ton to set up Wilf's winner. Having said that, he's been a real liability in recent games, losing the ball most times he gets it.

I couldnt believe what i was seeing in 85 mins plus PVA was up playing CAM trying to dictate play

Have thought for a long time that the defensive side to his game is deceivingly terrible.
He runs around and looks very busy, but whenever he gets to where he is running he hardly ever achieves anything. It's like he just stops, satisfied that he's got to the right position, without actually putting a tackle in or stopping a cross or whatever.
Starting to get to the point where I feel disappointed when I see him about to be subbed on which has been a pretty quick turnaround from massively backing him as a first team starter for all previous seasons he's been here.