Crystal Palace (A) - Sat 7th Dec, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[SWPISHOME]

Not worried about the rain as the pitch be fine. The winds are the issue as it will be postponed if it is deemed unsafe for fans around the ground

Everton v Liverpool could be off. They've released statements to say they'll be keeping a close eye on it.

 

[Leeky]

Good Luck City

Did you listen to an Everton fan Called Steve on Talksport the other day, powerful stuff, wondered if they played it to the Everton players before the Wolves match

 

[Toffeedude]

Did you listen to an Everton fan Called Steve on Talksport the other day, powerful stuff, wondered if they played it to the Everton players before the Wolves match

Not heard it sorry mate.

 

[DallasMCBlue]

And then we'd be Chelsea, with 3 players for every position!

And they're in 2nd place so...

 

[Claytop]

Has to be

Walker - Akanji - Dias - Gvardiol

then? Or will he go Lewis instead of Walker or Gvardiol?

 

[Elliot houghton]

Think there is a high chance this gets postponed with the winds forecast

Doubt it tbh as that area is still only a yellow warning.

 

[Norbiton]

Doubt it tbh as that area is still only a yellow warning.

The chances of bits falling off the old Arthur Wait stand must be fairly high

 

[ninjamonkey]

7 defenders - Gvardiol, Ake, Akanji, Stones, Dias, Lewis, Walker

Two of those often have injury issues, one of those was clearly looking past his best and another is young and not one we should have been relying on so your point still remains.

However, Arsenal and Liverpool might have an extra one on paper but they're generally reliant on younger players or unproven players within that count. There's no reason Simpson-Pusey can't come in and do a job on Saturday, particularly next to Dias. Liverpool have had to use Gomez and Quansah who are a considerable drop to their usual options.

Our defence would cope a lot better if we defend well ahead of them and don't give the ball away or play suicide passes as we've seen consistently in recent games - even with Gundo and De Bruyne on Wednesday.

You're being generous there, Lewis is very much a midfielder playing there but even if we say 7, it's still short at least 1, arguably 2 and that's without considering the ages and and injury records of those players as you've pointed out.

Dippers have 8, arsenal have 9 senior defenders, before academy players and they also have players like partey and endo who can fill in back there when needed. Whether you rate them or not, Gomez and Quansah are both internationals, with respect to the lad, simpson-pusey isn't comparable. our academy lads who might be ready to fill the void were sold or loaned out this summer in THB and Doyle.

 

[Zenmanc]

No Lewis starting please.

Agreed. Love his energy but at this stage of his development for us he's a sub late on when we've got a 2 goal lead.

 

[ysmsa]

Possibly the swiftest and most pointless press conference yet?

Quick summary of the press conference

How's Foden? Out

How's ake and akanji? Out, don't know yet.

How's stones and kovacic? Out

Kdb new contract? Nothing to do with me.

Thoughts on palace? They play good.

End.

Good,

I'd love it if Pep said "bollocks to this I can't be arsed, you'll see the team tmrw along with everyone else"