I don't want to criticise Patrick too much because he is doing on the whole a great job and has assembled a wonderful team, probably our best ever in terms of pure talent. But i just felt he was a bit negative against Burnley, more in terms of who he picked rather than the overall display because we attacked enough, but were all over the place at the back. But i felt that knowing we are superior to Burnley skill wise, he ends up picking Ayew over Olise which did not make sense as we were always going to have more of the ball, and picking both Kouyate and Luka was strange, it cried out for the more progressive Will Hughes, who can create and put his foot in when needed. Also i think Eze could have had a run out for the last 20 minutes or so with the game at 3-3. As i said only slight gripes! Patrick is proving to be a top manager, but i felt he was too safe on Saturday.

Interesting points . . .

I think Ayew offers more protection to Ward than Olise, especially in a game like this, also, i dont think Olise is ready to start a match just yet, better as an impact sub. Agreed with Kouyate & Luka, didnt work before, not worked again. Not sure what's occurring with Hughes, tho he has had a back injury. Putting Eze on against Burnley was a serious injury waiting to happen.

This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise.

I was disappointed too especially by Ayew over Edouard.

Bigger picture though I'm happy enough that he's showing flexibility in our line up and not trotting out the same eleven willy nilly - I take that as a positive. Also worth thinking that Burnle pose a pretty unique challenge in the prem today and what we saw at the weekend was an acknowledgement of that.

I think Ayew may be used away from home more often - definitely seems to give Ward a bit more protection. Worked well against Man City. Olise's defensive side is not great so i think PV will use him more for home games.

Kouyate does offer more height at set pieces - although he did get out jumped for the 1st goal - but his passing is average at best.

I think Edouard may have had a slight knock prior to this weekend but using him or Tekkers for specific games seems quite sensible.

As has been said utilising your squad and adapting for specific games is no bad thing.

Would like to see maybe the formation changing too - we are pretty much a 433 team.

Errr how did you come up with "the more progressive Will Hughes" when we havnt seen him yet in a Palace shirt. I think PV , who sees him in training every day is better placed to make that call.

ward doesn't need protection unless we play the top 3, always the problem with Burnley is set pieces, that is why Ayew over Edouard was a bad choice attacking and defensively

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

The set pieces problem may be down to Guaita. He stays on his line and comes for absolutely nothing. There's many times he should have come for crosses but hasn't.

yesterday there was a thread about europe and now 2 anti patrick threads?

The goalkeeper and centre backs need to have a shared understanding of who deals with what. A goalkeeper not coming for crosses is less of a problem than a goalkeeper who can't make up his mind whether to come or not. If centre backs know he isn't coming then they know it's their job to deal with it. Obviously a goalkeeper who commands the box is ideal but there aren't many of them around who are also great shot stoppers.

Edited by dg1937 (24 Nov 2021 12.44pm)

Exactly right.

Pickford is Englands first choice 'keeper and yet he is weak with crosses.

The bottom line is that every team member has a part to play in defending set pieces but some have been found wanting this season.

It's not an insolvable problem and can be worked on in training. It's certainly an area for improvement at the moment.

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