After a hard-fought 0-0 against Forest on Saturday, many viewed it as two points dropped against a side we should perhaps be beating comfortably at home. However, given how stretched the current squad is, I think another clean sheet and point on the board has to only be celebrated.
Of course, neither team set the world alight with their attacking play – with Palace
managing just two shots on target – however, it is another point on the board nonetheless.
Let’s take a look at the standout pointers from Saturday’s game.
Palace remain watertight at the back
Having touched on the brilliance of Andersen and Guèhi in last week’s piece, the pair once again put in a stellar performance against Forest.
However, Sam Johnstone also deserves plaudits for his fantastic start to the season, collecting his 4th clean sheet of the season, putting us joint top of the clean sheet board with Arsenal.
We haven’t conceded a goal in three league matches and have conceded just seven since the start of the season.
A vast amount of attention has been focussed on Palace’s lack of attacking prowess this season, however, we have a truly solid foundation at the back to build from.
While I understand there is no return date for either player, the return of Michael Olise and Ebere Eze into this squad will be a most welcome one.
If the defence keep up the same form at the back and the attacking options are bolstered with such returning players, we could really be onto something this season.
Medical room gains two new faces
Just when you thought the injury list couldn’t get any longer, up step midfield duo Cheick Doucourè and Jeffery Schlupp.
Roy announced after the game that Doucourè had felt fatigued in training on Friday, meaning he would miss out on the game the next day.
Schlupp started the game but only lasted 26 minutes and was replaced by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Jaïro Reidewald was also substituted at 75 minutes with an injury, however, it didn’t look too serious.
Knowing our luck so far this season though, I’m sure it will be announced as a six-month stint out of the squad!
As boring as they can be, I think it’s fair to say this international break has come at a good time for us. Let us hope the medical staff can work their magic and potentially have some players back in time for the Newcastle game.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi impressed the masses
Chairman Steve Parish stated over the summer that we as a club have “a lot of good young players that we need to provide a pathway for”, and Jes Rak-Sakyi is certainly trailblazing this group.
He grew into the game over time and looked very assured in his own abilities to step up after being called upon.
Hodgson said in his post-match interview, “He didn’t just do well on the ball, he also did his defensive work. Of course, when you’ve got wingers, talented wingers, that is one of the things you ask questions about: is he going to be good on the ball for those few moments he’s got it, but also what is he going to be like when we’re working hard to stop them doing something with it?”.
The 21-year-old gaining such praise from Hodgson will only bolster his chances of gaining regular minutes this season, especially with our lack of attacking options currently.
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