2017-18 fan season preview: Crystal Palace
By Tom English.
What are your feelings ahead of the new season?
On one hand there is plenty to be excited about; the appointment of Frank de Boer has been a highlight of the pre-season and it feels like there is a sense of optimism that we might finally get some stability and be able to plan for the future. Also, the opportunity to renew our rivalry with Brighton is top of most Palace fans’ lists.
On the other hand; there are worries that we may not yet have the personnel to play the possession-based system that FdB favours and if we learned anything from sticking with Pardew’s gung-ho style for so long it’s that change has to happen incrementally and sometimes you have to play pragmatically. We’re all hoping that FdB is able to walk the line between implementing his style whilst not taking away the defensively sound, counter-attacking base which has kept us in the league.
As always with Palace, you have to expect the unexpected.
How pleased have you been with your transfer business to date?
We’ve been very quiet in the transfer market so far, which has been slightly worrying. Steve Mandanda picked up an injury last season and did not settle so he returned to Marseille, leaving us a senior goalkeeper short, which has not yet been addressed.
Mamadou Sakho returned to yourselves after an excellent loan period and we’ve picked up Jairo Reidewald from Ajax, who is another left footed, ball-playing defender, however with Damien Delaney turning 36 last month it feels like we still need more defensive reinforcements.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has come on loan from Chelsea with rave reviews, it feels like a fairly low-risk move. Hopefully he can make an impact while he is with us.
Our best business so far has probably been agreeing a five-year extension on Wilfried Zaha’s contract - watch for him to build on his excellent form last season.
How is your team likely to line up?
3-4-3 at home. FdB favours the front three to conserve their energy for the attacking phases and for the front seven to press high up the field. Away from home it remains to be seen but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar shape but with the wing-backs sitting deeper and looking to counter-attack with speed.
Who will be your most important player?
Without question it will be Zaha. He is our go-to when we need something out of nothing.
Who is the unsung hero in your squad?
Luka Milivojevic is a real workhorse but has a lot of quality to his game, he’s also very adaptable as shown by FdB playing him as one of the defensive three in pre-season.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
I’m feeling quite smug having correctly tipped Liverpool for the top four last season, I really like the addition of Salah but I’m worried you don’t have the depth to compete with European football as well.
If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?
Last season I asked for Clyne and we could use him even more now! An energetic right wing-back would free Townsend to play the right side of our Zaha - Benteke - Townsend attacking trio. That being said, I wouldn’t be adverse to seeing a certain maverick Frenchman back in the red and blue...
Top four (in order)?
Manchester City
Tottenham
Manchester United
Chelsea
Relegated?
Swansea
Huddersfield
Brighton
Surprise package?
I fancy Bournemouth to have another good season so I’ll say the surprise is that they make Europe by finishing sixth.
What is your biggest wish for the season?
To have the same manager this time next season.