CPFC 2 - Watford 1

We fail to clear a corner and sub Troy Deeney puts in cross from the left side of the box that flicks off fellow-sub Benteke's head for an OG.

Edited by tonymikejoe (07 Aug 2021 4.50pm)

please not an OG from Benteke !!!!!

Very solid performance and a good result.

Very obvious we are pressing higher up the pitch and this yielded results against Watford. I think at times we looked shaky at the back trying to play it out when Watford pressed high (although they did this intermittently).

Mateta was not as bad as he had been in previous friendlies and looked a bit sharper. Had two chances one he did well with a solo run he created himself but nobody came to support so ended up in a dead end. The other probably should have got on the end of a very good Schlupp cross.

Don't know what others who watched thought but it was Jairo who impressed for me. Was involved in everything good that went forwards and seemed to link midfield into attack very well. was lively throughout.

Banks and Rak-Sakyi came on but not enough time to really show anything. Hamman looked good at left back.

Tekkers took his goal very well.

Great header from Tekkers to make it 3

I heard somewhere that Palace had one of if not the lowest amount of crosses in the Premier league.

Yet we have one of the heading players in the league... We certainly need to play to Benteke's strengths if he's going to be our #1 leading the line, otherwise if he's coming on from the bench as he did today, then adapt the play towards an increase in crosses for him

Overall looked like a good preseason...
Really liked how we're playing a lot higher up the field, although too much of this playing from the back makes me nervous.
Main thing though is that we're not camping in our own half especially against similar if not inferior opposition.

But none of this truly means anything until next Saturday so bring on the Premier league 21/22!

Waterford lacked enthusiasm, and we played with energy. Our defense looked formless and suspect, but our attack was lively, making good use of space and actually completing passes around the box. Midfield showed more effort, promise, and commitment than they ever did last season. Despite being only a friendly, it gave me hope.

Based on this, good teams will slice & dice our defense early in the season. The midfield, though, will not be nearly as porous as last season, and it will create some chances via pressing and alert passing that we haven't seen in a while.

If supporters can accept a rough start, by October we should see a team that will be competitive and fun to watch.

Having been at the game not sure I cannot agree with your assessment of the defence. One or two hairy moments but looked in control