Zoo 2.0

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

When you haven't won anything since 1995 I don't think you can have the privilege of calling any trophy "Mickey Mouse". I get what you are saying don't get me wrong but as someone who was 2 years of age the last time we lifted something I'll take whatever I can get. A Carabao Cup would be fantastic and let's not forget that going all the way guarantees the Europa League, albeit from the qualifying rounds. 

I'll throw my two cents into the ring having had a day to mull things over. There were positives out there for sure, but to only come away from what is a really poor Crystal Palace team with a point is rather deflating. From the minute the teamsheet was announced the obvious prediction was a 0-0 draw, we have been comfortable defending to say the least this summer and have looked solid up front but for all the chances we've created throughout pre-season there has been nobody up top in the final third to kill teams off. Whilst it's not fair to pin the entire blame on DCL the sooner we get Kean up to speed and firing on all cylinders the better, although the players around the striker need to look at themselves too. Sigurdsson has to bury his chance no questions asked and the half chances that we create need to be met with a finish as it's what splits teams like us from the elite. Had Manchester City been playing Palace yesterday they would have found a way through, not from genius football that we couldn't replicate but by simply having that killer instinct. 
The positives to take away from the game is that we are creating chances as opposed to hanging onto games. Having the ball cleared off the line in the second half summed up our afternoon to be honest, 99% of the way there but just not that final bit of luck to get the ball over the line. I'm hopeful that this will come throughout the season starting with Watford at home who were beaten 3-0 on the opening day. 
As the team goes, Jordan Pickford was my MOTM. In the second half we were having our right-wing pants pulled down as Palace constantly overloaded us on the left. That save when Ayew was played through on his own was world-class and is the difference between winning and losing. His half-saves throughout the game were nice and tidy too, especially the block at the end which could have easily cost us the match. A great start to the season for him picking up a clean sheet.  
In defence, Digne was superb as was the middle pairing of Yerry Mina and Michael Keane. I do worry about the pace (or lack of it) that we have in the middle but hopefully it doesn't bite us on the backside too many times, especially if Jordan plays as a sweeper keeper in the mould of Manuel Neuer or Ederson. The only chink in the armour, and it pains me to say it was Seamus. Great going forward, especially in the first half but constantly got dragged out of position and left us exposed on the right flank in the second. Several times we allowed Palace to get in behind through that avenue and against better opposition it would have been punished, thankfully Zaha was on the bench and was marked out of the game when he came off it.
In the middle, as others have said the best player on the park was André Gomes. He orchestrated the play and after he went off the pitch we really suffered. I know that it's Gbamin's first game but he was really poor. The number of times that he gave the ball away and put us under pressure wasn't funny and even though it was a baptism of fire for the lad he needs to get up to speed quickly - especially as he will surely start at the weekend. Schneiderlin alongside Gomes wasn't that bad throughout the 90 but can't complain about two horrendous bookings that just didn't need to happen, he can only have himself to blame for heading into the dressing room early, even if the first yellow was dubious. 
Bernard and Richarlison looked entertaining on the wings but the latter looked badly off the pace. There's an element of rustiness running through the squad and it's no difference up top. Sigurdsson in the No. 10 role failed to have an impact on the match, badly firing wide in the opening few minutes when it looked for all the money in the world we'd take the lead. DCL as already mentioned put in a good graft but isn't at the level yet to carry the weight of a team wanting to break into the top 6. The sooner we have Kean fit the better - hopefully Watford. 
Bottom line - as André says. It's a continuation of the 2018/19 season with solid defending, not many chances getting through and a clean sheet to kick start the season. Once the engine is oiled and we start to really tick the goals will come and we can push on, Watford were spanked 3-0 at home so we've absolutely nothing to fear. 

OK here's a request for some guidance from everyone. I've just sold my seats for the Watford game as we can't make it, I want to donate the money I got for them to EITC, does anyone know if donations go into a general pot or can you specify where it can be allocated to. 

I'll throw my two cents into the ring having had a day to mull things over. There were positives out there for sure, but to only come away from what is a really poor Crystal Palace team with a point is rather deflating. From the minute the teamsheet was announced the obvious prediction was a 0-0 draw, we have been comfortable defending to say the least this summer and have looked solid up front but for all the chances we've created throughout pre-season there has been nobody up top in the final third to kill teams off. Whilst it's not fair to pin the entire blame on DCL the sooner we get Kean up to speed and firing on all cylinders the better, although the players around the striker need to look at themselves too. Sigurdsson has to bury his chance no questions asked and the half chances that we create need to be met with a finish as it's what splits teams like us from the elite. Had Manchester City been playing Palace yesterday they would have found a way through, not from genius football that we couldn't replicate but by simply having that killer instinct. 
The positives to take away from the game is that we are creating chances as opposed to hanging onto games. Having the ball cleared off the line in the second half summed up our afternoon to be honest, 99% of the way there but just not that final bit of luck to get the ball over the line. I'm hopeful that this will come throughout the season starting with Watford at home who were beaten 3-0 on the opening day. 
As the team goes, Jordan Pickford was my MOTM. In the second half we were having our right-wing pants pulled down as Palace constantly overloaded us on the left. That save when Ayew was played through on his own was world-class and is the difference between winning and losing. His half-saves throughout the game were nice and tidy too, especially the block at the end which could have easily cost us the match. A great start to the season for him picking up a clean sheet.  
In defence, Digne was superb as was the middle pairing of Yerry Mina and Michael Keane. I do worry about the pace (or lack of it) that we have in the middle but hopefully it doesn't bite us on the backside too many times, especially if Jordan plays as a sweeper keeper in the mould of Manuel Neuer or Ederson. The only chink in the armour, and it pains me to say it was Seamus. Great going forward, especially in the first half but constantly got dragged out of position and left us exposed on the right flank in the second. Several times we allowed Palace to get in behind through that avenue and against better opposition it would have been punished, thankfully Zaha was on the bench and was marked out of the game when he came off it.
In the middle, as others have said the best player on the park was André Gomes. He orchestrated the play and after he went off the pitch we really suffered. I know that it's Gbamin's first game but he was really poor. The number of times that he gave the ball away and put us under pressure wasn't funny and even though it was a baptism of fire for the lad he needs to get up to speed quickly - especially as he will surely start at the weekend. Schneiderlin alongside Gomes wasn't that bad throughout the 90 but can't complain about two horrendous bookings that just didn't need to happen, he can only have himself to blame for heading into the dressing room early, even if the first yellow was dubious. 
Bernard and Richarlison looked entertaining on the wings but the latter looked badly off the pace. There's an element of rustiness running through the squad and it's no difference up top. Sigurdsson in the No. 10 role failed to have an impact on the match, badly firing wide in the opening few minutes when it looked for all the money in the world we'd take the lead. DCL as already mentioned put in a good graft but isn't at the level yet to carry the weight of a team wanting to break into the top 6. The sooner we have Kean fit the better - hopefully Watford. 
Bottom line - as André says. It's a continuation of the 2018/19 season with solid defending, not many chances getting through and a clean sheet to kick start the season. Once the engine is oiled and we start to really tick the goals will come and we can push on, Watford were spanked 3-0 at home so we've absolutely nothing to fear. 

Yes, but bring on Kean for Sigurdsson, not DC-L. I'd like to see the two of them playing up front.

Time to get our big boy pants on and get the job done. Palace are a poor team. If we are going to do owt this season then we need to be beating these. 

Already started. Third goal for city cancelled off. Load of wank

I'm pleased that we haven't signed Zaha, for all that he could have arguably strengthened us the prices quoted were absolutely insane and even at the initial £40-50m mark I thought we were being a bit naive. When you consider Hirving Lozano, one of the hottest properties in Europe was signed by Brands at PSV for just £7.2 million you have to sit back and think about the value for money in these deals. 
Clubs from "B" tier leagues survive on buying cheap products from the likes of South America and selling them on for massive profit. An example is Eder Militao at FC Porto, signed for £3 million last summer and shipped off to Real Madrid last month for just over £50(m). The English league is mocked throughout the continent for its love affair with spunking money up the wall and it's hard to argue against it when you've got Harry Maguire and Wilfried Zaha touted at £80m players - just because they are proven in the Premier League. 
We should be looking at players from the continent who could do the same job (or better) for a fraction of the price. David Neres was my dream transfer from the start but he's just signed an extension with Ajax, although there will be others like him. 
As much as Palace were doomed without Wan-Bissaka and Zaha it'll be interesting to see how the latter reacts as it's been confirmed already that he's seriously fallen out with the board. If he throws a tantrum all season and fails to deliver, I expect them to be battling relegation big time. Hope he boycotts the game on Saturday too! 

I'm pleased that we haven't signed Zaha, for all that he could have arguably strengthened us the prices quoted were absolutely insane and even at the initial £40-50m mark I thought we were being a bit naive. When you consider Hirving Lozano, one of the hottest properties in Europe was signed by Brands at PSV for just £7.2 million you have to sit back and think about the value for money in these deals. 
Clubs from "B" tier leagues survive on buying cheap products from the likes of South America and selling them on for massive profit. An example is Eder Militao at FC Porto, signed for £3 million last summer and shipped off to Real Madrid last month for just over £50(m). The English league is mocked throughout the continent for its love affair with spunking money up the wall and it's hard to argue against it when you've got Harry Maguire and Wilfried Zaha touted at £80m players - just because they are proven in the Premier League. 
We should be looking at players from the continent who could do the same job (or better) for a fraction of the price. David Neres was my dream transfer from the start but he's just signed an extension with Ajax, although there will be others like him. 
As much as Palace were doomed without Wan-Bissaka and Zaha it'll be interesting to see how the latter reacts as it's been confirmed already that he's seriously fallen out with the board. If he throws a tantrum all season and fails to deliver, I expect them to be battling relegation big time. Hope he boycotts the game on Saturday too! 

I don't put too much stock into reports like this as we don't know what went on behind the scenes. Perhaps he was promised that they would accept any reasonable offer and then management didn't follow through. It will be interesting to see if we go back in for him in January.

I'm pleased that we haven't signed Zaha, for all that he could have arguably strengthened us the prices quoted were absolutely insane and even at the initial £40-50m mark I thought we were being a bit naive. When you consider Hirving Lozano, one of the hottest properties in Europe was signed by Brands at PSV for just £7.2 million you have to sit back and think about the value for money in these deals. 
Clubs from "B" tier leagues survive on buying cheap products from the likes of South America and selling them on for massive profit. An example is Eder Militao at FC Porto, signed for £3 million last summer and shipped off to Real Madrid last month for just over £50(m). The English league is mocked throughout the continent for its love affair with spunking money up the wall and it's hard to argue against it when you've got Harry Maguire and Wilfried Zaha touted at £80m players - just because they are proven in the Premier League. 
We should be looking at players from the continent who could do the same job (or better) for a fraction of the price. David Neres was my dream transfer from the start but he's just signed an extension with Ajax, although there will be others like him. 
As much as Palace were doomed without Wan-Bissaka and Zaha it'll be interesting to see how the latter reacts as it's been confirmed already that he's seriously fallen out with the board. If he throws a tantrum all season and fails to deliver, I expect them to be battling relegation big time. Hope he boycotts the game on Saturday too! 

Staying at Palace, thank god.

I’d have loved him here but the prices quoted were ridiculous... it’s not my money to worry about but still. If there was a deal to be done including Tosun and Bolasie then I wouldn’t have minded it being dressed up as ‘worth £80m’ or whatever but Palace clearly wanted silly amounts and fair play to them - he’s got a contract there and is worth far more to them than any other team. Palace fans must see this as priceless as, without Zaha, they’d be pretty toothless in attack.