Palace arrive at the Britannia looking to improve on our recent form. We have played the proverbial "game of 2 halves" most weeks, with Trevor Francis opting to play 4-4-2 in the first period, and when that doesn't work switch to 3-5-2 in the second.
One thing that hasn't been lacking recently are goals, with a 3-3 draw at Watford, a 2-2 draw at home to Gillingham and a 7-0 thumping of Cheltenham in the Worthington Cup in midweek. There would undoubtedly be more goals if Francis were cute enough to play the players in their right positions! Don't be surprised to see Dougie Freedman play in midfield against Stoke, while he persists with Dele Adebola up front. The expression "Cows a**e with a banjo" springs to mind!
Much has been written in recent weeks about youngster Wayne Routledge, the 17 year old who has burst through into the first team this season. He is an outstanding prospect, and can have a defender sitting on his backside just by looking at him! He is a real jem, and one to watch for the future. Unfortunately he can't play this week as he serves a 1 match ban for being laughably sent off at Watford.
We are beset by injuries and suspensions at the moment, so don't be surprised if you don't know many of the players that take the field in the Palace side. Missing from the line up will be Matt Clarke, Alex Kolinko, Curtis Flemming, Darren Powell, Kit Symons, Andy Johnson, Jamie Smith, Steve Thomson, Aki Riihilahti, Craig Harrison and Wayne Routledge. That is a better team than the one that we'll put out on Saturday!
Likely line-up:
Nik Michopolus, Danny Butterfield, Tony Popovic, Dean Austin, Danny Granville, Tommy Black, Shaun Derry, Hayden Mullins, Dougie Freedman, Julian Gray, Dele Adebola.
Lets hope for a good one with lots of goals, hopefully more in the Stoke net than in ours, although I have my doubts!
http://www.crystalpalace-mad.co.uk/