CRYSTAL PALACE AT HOME

Very worried about this one.....I think we are definitely meeting Palace at the wrong time. Can see us getting soundly beaten, but hope I've got it wrong.

West Brom away this weekend and some very tricky games to face......we could yet find ourselves scrapping to stay clear of the drop.

Home games against Bournemouth and palace should have been a minimum of 4 points, now think will be lucky to get 2. Cant see us winning this one, we were hopeless up there and tactically Puel cannot work out how to play teams that play hoof ball, we will go with 3 up front and midfield will again become exposed. Best chance is that Palace have used up their luck on Saturday.

7 points the gap to Hull and they would seem to have at least 3 wins , home games against boro, Sunderland and Watford pick up a couple of draws means we will need 5 points so our home game against Hull could be the "6 pointer". Just hope Gabbadini is back for that one

Gotta be happy with 3-1.

Yes Pete it made a pleasant surprise to get the 3 points after Saturday. Overall we were well worth the win, outplayed Palace for most of the game and Long could have had 4 or 5, cannot blame him to much as he hasn't played much and for a striker it is tough not having a run. Interesting Alladyce said they didn't play the good football they can, might be due to your tactics Sam, every free kick just inside their half was left for Hennessy their goalie to come forward and lump into the box, did we really choose him as England manager, good job was caught!

Could have been ahead after 40 seconds Long in on left, shot across goalie and just wide, think goalie got fingertips to. Long then had another chance which came his way after Sakho miss kicked. Palace had a free kick that hit the post, Forster's positioning again a worry like the cup final gave the striker far to much to aim for and never moved. Redmond had a header that went down by near post but Hennesey made another good save, as well as being very positive on coming and catching crosses. The worry point though is once we reach the 25 minute point and not scored heads drop, Palace got more of the ball and Zaha was allowed to wander across the park with no one willing to tackle. Ball eventually crossed in and Benteke flicked in from close range. Thought going to be one of those nights, Saints should have had a penalty when a flick by Tadic was clearly handled, and batted away but no penalty, then Long blatantly brought down, was in the box, only debate could have been in or outside but East amazingly ignored, Then with 2 minutes to half time and fans fired up by the appalling decisions he evened it up, with a shot blocked and ball going out wide Davis went to win, Zaha doing what he did all night went down in a heap but no foul given, for once, Davis crossed the ball in and Redmond scuffed his shot but beat everyone to go in. That did bring both sets of fans to chant "You don't know what your doing to East.

Second half saints kept going and Long was put through but a great save from goalie, Tadic blasted over, then Palace hit the post at close range and rebound went to Zaha who blasted wide. For once no subs at the 60 minute point, With time ticking away saints nearly got the second when Tadic went down left and pulled back for Davis, first shot blocked then sure he was taken out but East gave no penalty, may have played the ball but only got to ball through Davis. Not to be denied saints did get the lead through really good work by Redmond. Picked the ball up on left beat his man and cut along the byline and pulled back, seemed to take a slight deflection but Yoshida there to sweep in. Expecting a nervy last 10 minutes nerves were put at least with a third a minute later. Again more good work on the flanks, Ward Prowse came in from right and laid off to Tadic, he held the ball then fed Cedric on overlap who pulled the ball back for Ward Prowse to score. Is this JWP finally beginning to step up a level. No real panics to the end threats mainly from free kicks but were dealing with those, unfortunately Romeau picked up a booking which means suspended for 2 games but a really happy ground at the end. just as well with Hull winning.

Final point is the standard of refereeing, knew it would be bad as East has only reffed 8 premier games, we have played 30. He really is the worst I have seen in a long time, Corners given for goal kicks and vice versa, inconsistent on fouls and we could have had at least 3 penalties, I guarantee that will be his last premier game this season but he should be sacked as simply not good enough.

Forster 6 kicking was poor again but no chance with goal
Cedric 7 impressive all game
Stephens 7 much better than Saturday but started slowly
Yoshida 7 again much more solid and great that he scored well deserved
McQueen 6 bit ropey first half but improved second
Romeu 7 again got through masses of challenges will be missed on Saturday
Davies 6 plenty of effort, needs to get in the box more, but got clobbered when he did!
JWP 7 another good game now seems a regular starter and showing in improved form.
Tadic 7 still doesn't defend but when on his game provides the creativity needed to break down defences
Redmond 7 a goal and an assist so cannot complain, his assists are his main contribution his goals a bonus
Long 7 could have had 3 or 4 some were moaning about him but really put in a shift and needs regular games to get the goals.

Subs no one until last 5 minutes.

Thanks Matty.

So we got the 4 points you wanted from the 2 home games.

Still no game time for Caceres then. Wonder if he can play def mid and could replace Romeu??