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In order to consolidate their excellent first season back in the Premier League, Crystal Palace have to find more goals.
What happened last season
In all sorts of trouble in the early going, it was the arrival of the eventual manager of the season, Tony Pulis, that turned Palace’s season around.
Spurred on by arguably the loudest and most passionate fans in the league, Selhurst Park became a place not many enjoyed visiting, while the atmosphere at away games always seemed great.
With such wonderful support, it was no surprise to find the team playing in such a spirited and united manner. Palace might not have dished up the most eye-catching football, but it was organised, with defensive structure the cornerstone.
In that sense, it was a team and manager made for Mile Jedinak’s defensive game to flourish.
What happened in the off-season
Not quite enough so far. Despite Palace’s ambitions for growth, Pulis has been left largely frustrated in the transfer market, with a few key targets deciding to go elsewhere.
Still, he’s been able to bring in experienced central defender Brede Hangeland from Fulham and striker Frazier Campbell from Cardiff, which adds much needed depth in two key areas.
While Damien Delaney and Scott Dann did well ahead of the excellent Julian Speroni last season, Hangeland brings depth and experience.
Meanwhile, Campbell gives Pulis more attacking options, and there’s no doubt that a team that only scored 33 goals last term needs a significant increase in this area.
There’s still a bit of work to do before the transfer deadline concludes, and high on the list remains the need for a left back.
[MAJOR UPDATE: Tony Pullis has sensationally left Crystal Palace ‘by mutual consent’, just a few short days before the start of the 2014-15. It is understood Pullis has been fuming at the lack of transfer activity by the club.]
Why Crystal Palace fans should be excited about the 2014/15 season
Pulis is starting to add a bit of depth , and with Campbell, Marouane Chamakh, Yannick Bolasie and Dwight Gayle they are starting to look like a team who might have a few more goals in them.
The main man that can carry Crystal Palace 2014/15 hopes
With the sixth best defence in the league last season, and Pulis know for his focus on the back half, it looks likely the defensive structure will be Palace’s strength again.
The issue is in the front half, and to that end Pulis has a big job on his hands to prove he is more than just a manager who can set up a defensive block.
He has to prove he can help a goal-shy front third flourish, and to that end he will need two of his most creative forced, Bolasie and Chamakh, to build on their encouraging last season, and Dwight and Campbell to bang in the goals.
Verdict – battling to avoid the drop
Pulis was able to cajole his men to put everything into last season’s epic run, and will need every bit of his persuasive power to get them to dig so deep again. But I sense it won’t be as easy, and he’ll need to bring a little more quality to the table.
Primarily, it’s unlikely to be enough to sit back and hit teams on the counter, and he’ll need to evolve the team so that they step up, defend higher, and create chances.
Crystal Place team to compete in 2014/15
Goalkeeper: (26) Wayne Hennessey, (na) Chris Kettings, (34) Lewis Price, (1) Julian Speroni.Defender: (6) Scott Dann, (27) Damien Delaney, (na) Brede Hangeland, (na) Ryan Inniss, (3) Adrian Mariappa, (5) Paddy McCarthy, (na) Peter Ramage, (2) Joel Ward.
Midfield: (46) Barry Nannan, (7) Yala Bolasi, (na) Owen Garvan, (31) Adlene Guedioura, (15) Mile Jedinak, (28) Jimmy Kebe, (28) Joe Ledley, (12) Stuart O’Keefe, (13) Kason Puncheon, (14) Jerome Thomas, (20) Jonathan Williams.
Forwards: (na) Frazier Campbell, (29) Marouane Chamakh, (na) Stephen Dobbie, (16) Dwight Gayle, (17) Glenn Murray.
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