grummitts gloves
New member
Which is why I think Gus might start with Kaz to try and combat Zaha.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Is Zaha Fit To Play?
- Thread starter Hornblower
- Start date
Which is why I think Gus might start with Kaz to try and combat Zaha.
turienzo's lovechild
New member
- Oct 25, 2003
- 23,964
more worried about williams to be honest....he's their best player in my view
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
Monsieur Le Plonk
Lethargy in motion
Would it be a huge risk to start him? We'd have Hammond and Bridcutt behind him doing the clearing up and Palace aren't the strongest team in the middle anyway. Oh I don't know, whilst we haven't seen the best of him recently I feel that THIS could be his night against a defensively-minded Palace team that might need something Vicentesque to break them down.
ThePolishJig
New member
- Mar 21, 2013
- 241
Don't think this would work, as both like to get forward. Bridge can only kick with his LEFT really.
He said Zaha had made Calde look silly ALL GAME. Which did not happen. What are you arguing about now?
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
They need to worry about us.
If we play "our" game that got us into the play-off's and dicked them last time we played at home, it will not matter whether he plays or not.
If we play "our" game that got us into the play-off's and dicked them last time we played at home, it will not matter whether he plays or not.
Marshy
Well-known member
Bridge will have Bolasie to deal with if its not zaha anyway
There must be some subtle message in there that's over my head
After the Amex game in March, I heard a frankly bizarre story about Zaha, that he only plays on the dugout side of the pitch and always swaps sides at half time regardless. I thought this was complete rubbish, but on Friday he did just that. And then I was wondering why on earth he started on the right against Bridge, when he knows & we know who the winner will be. Not to mention why wurzel would have started him against Bridge in the first place. This must be a complete coincidence that a made up story actually turned out, but I shall be watching with interest tonight just in case he only plays on the West side.
It's true, and actually not that bizarre, there are a few players that only play on one side of the pitch, as they don't like the sun in their eyes.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
I was being 100% sarcastic, hence the obvious capitalisation of 'exactly'.
Hans's post couldn't have proved GBM's moan MORE wrong which was quite amusing.
Anyway, seems it was that little bit too brilliant on my part, which is understandable...
Norman Baker suck my lozenge
New member
Oh for f**ks sake!
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
There must be some subtle message in there that's over my head
See the above explaination.
I got my sarcasm. I thought it was WELL clever.
According to the Evening Standard, Zaha and Williams are both fit:
Aaron Wilbraham has scored only one goal this season but tonight could be crucial in helping Crystal Palace keep their Premier League dream alive.
Palace are without top scorer Glenn Murray for the play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton after the striker twisted his knee in Friday’s first leg.
Murray is the Championship’s leading marksman with 30 goals but was today awaiting scan results on suspected cruciate ligament damage and his season is over.
Wilbraham, who has not found the net since a 4-1 Capital One Cup defeat against Preston way back in August, will lead the Palace attack in his absence.
The 33-year-old has found opportunities limited at Selhurst Park since joining from Norwich last summer but did well after replacing Murray as the first leg ended 0-0.
“He has been the most unlucky man in the world this season because Glenn has made that position his own,” said Palace manager Ian Holloway. “But he has an opportunity now and I have got no doubts that he is ready to lead the line. He has been waiting a long time for this opportunity and I am sure he will take it.”
Wilbraham (above) managed only one goal for Norwich in the Premier League last season and his lack of goals is not Holloway’s only concern.
Palace have managed just one goal in their last five away games and have won one of their previous 11, including a 3-0 defeat at The Amex in March. The Eagles were the third-lowest scorers on the road in the Championship this season, while Brighton had the second best defensive home record.
Holloway said: “Aaron is big, he is brave, he is strong, he has got a great touch and we will have to get crosses in for him to get on the end of them. I thought he linked things really well when he came off the bench on Friday. Glenn’s injury gives someone else a chance.”
Another source of goals could be Kevin Phillips. The 39-year-old has scored six in 15 appearances since joining on loan from Blackpool in January but is more likely to start on the bench. Holloway says Phillips can last the full 90 minutes if called upon but he has not completed a whole game since last September.
Stephen Dobbie, who has scored three goals for Palace this season, is ineligible because he is on loan from Brighton and Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane has left the club after failing to prove his fitness following a free transfer in March.
Holloway said the 32-year-old had been on a “holiday camp” during two seasons in the Middle East and decided to release him because of his physical condition.
Jason Banton was recalled from a loan spell with Plymouth last month and could be among the substitutes. The 20-year-old scored six goals in 14 games at Home Park but has made only one first-team appearance for Palace, as a substitute in an FA Cup third-round tie against Stoke in January.
“I believe in my players,” said Holloway. “Brighton know we are not as bad as they thought we were. My lads realised that we can get at them tonight because we are good at soaking up pressure and breaking. We have got to handle the situation, and who is to say that we can’t get a goal that might rock their place.
“This is where the pressure happens, where it all starts building. It only takes one thing from us that can upset everyone. It is all there to play for.”
Wilfried Zaha suffered an ankle knock and Jonny Williams limped off with cramp on Friday but both have recovered and are fit.
Wales midfielder Williams is enjoying a stellar season and Holloway believes the 19-year-old will play an integral role against Guy Poyet’s side, who are unbeaten in 10.
“Jonny will be fine,” said Holloway. “We will dust him down and get him going. He is an absolutely top-class player and he has learned how to play in a really big game.
“Sometimes you get extra tightness from nervous tension in these games but his energy levels are completely awesome. We need to understand where he needs to be positionally in big games to save his legs and that energy for the 90 minutes.”
Aaron Wilbraham has scored only one goal this season but tonight could be crucial in helping Crystal Palace keep their Premier League dream alive.
Palace are without top scorer Glenn Murray for the play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton after the striker twisted his knee in Friday’s first leg.
Murray is the Championship’s leading marksman with 30 goals but was today awaiting scan results on suspected cruciate ligament damage and his season is over.
Wilbraham, who has not found the net since a 4-1 Capital One Cup defeat against Preston way back in August, will lead the Palace attack in his absence.
The 33-year-old has found opportunities limited at Selhurst Park since joining from Norwich last summer but did well after replacing Murray as the first leg ended 0-0.
“He has been the most unlucky man in the world this season because Glenn has made that position his own,” said Palace manager Ian Holloway. “But he has an opportunity now and I have got no doubts that he is ready to lead the line. He has been waiting a long time for this opportunity and I am sure he will take it.”
Wilbraham (above) managed only one goal for Norwich in the Premier League last season and his lack of goals is not Holloway’s only concern.
Palace have managed just one goal in their last five away games and have won one of their previous 11, including a 3-0 defeat at The Amex in March. The Eagles were the third-lowest scorers on the road in the Championship this season, while Brighton had the second best defensive home record.
Holloway said: “Aaron is big, he is brave, he is strong, he has got a great touch and we will have to get crosses in for him to get on the end of them. I thought he linked things really well when he came off the bench on Friday. Glenn’s injury gives someone else a chance.”
Another source of goals could be Kevin Phillips. The 39-year-old has scored six in 15 appearances since joining on loan from Blackpool in January but is more likely to start on the bench. Holloway says Phillips can last the full 90 minutes if called upon but he has not completed a whole game since last September.
Stephen Dobbie, who has scored three goals for Palace this season, is ineligible because he is on loan from Brighton and Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane has left the club after failing to prove his fitness following a free transfer in March.
Holloway said the 32-year-old had been on a “holiday camp” during two seasons in the Middle East and decided to release him because of his physical condition.
Jason Banton was recalled from a loan spell with Plymouth last month and could be among the substitutes. The 20-year-old scored six goals in 14 games at Home Park but has made only one first-team appearance for Palace, as a substitute in an FA Cup third-round tie against Stoke in January.
“I believe in my players,” said Holloway. “Brighton know we are not as bad as they thought we were. My lads realised that we can get at them tonight because we are good at soaking up pressure and breaking. We have got to handle the situation, and who is to say that we can’t get a goal that might rock their place.
“This is where the pressure happens, where it all starts building. It only takes one thing from us that can upset everyone. It is all there to play for.”
Wilfried Zaha suffered an ankle knock and Jonny Williams limped off with cramp on Friday but both have recovered and are fit.
Wales midfielder Williams is enjoying a stellar season and Holloway believes the 19-year-old will play an integral role against Guy Poyet’s side, who are unbeaten in 10.
“Jonny will be fine,” said Holloway. “We will dust him down and get him going. He is an absolutely top-class player and he has learned how to play in a really big game.
“Sometimes you get extra tightness from nervous tension in these games but his energy levels are completely awesome. We need to understand where he needs to be positionally in big games to save his legs and that energy for the 90 minutes.”
It does seem that nobody got it. Yes, a "little too brilliant" indeed.
Are you NMH?
Understandably too clever for me, appreciate the explanation.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
