Date: 15th February 2016 at 5:18pm
Written by:

The 2-1 home defeat last time out to Watford extended Crystal Palace’s winless streak to nine games in the Premier League. The last time the club picked up three points was almost two months ago after the win away at Stoke City back in December 2015.

The Eagles are on a miserable run of form lately, dropping down to 13th place in the Premier League table and are now only eight points above the drop zone.

The club were the last team across all four of England’s top-flight divisions to secure their first point of 2016. And to top that, they are currently rock-bottom in the recent form tables.

Something needs to pick up quickly!

Some winnable games have come and gone; and a number of points have been dropped, which could prove costly towards the end of the season. It was only two months ago that I was talking about the outside chance of European football at Selhurst Park, but recent results have proved exactly where the club are at in terms of their ability, and it isn’t worthy of European football.

21 January 2015 - Capital One Cup Semi Final (1st leg) - Tottenham Hotspur v Sheffield United - Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Adebayor joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer last month after leaving Tottenham back in September 2015.

The lack of rotation in the starting eleven has proved too much on the players’ fitness and the growing list of injuries is becoming a cause for concern.

James McArthur; one of the stand out players so far this term, is said to be out for the rest of the season which is a huge blow for the squad to take. However, I am pleased to see Mile Jedinak become more involved in the team. The captain has seen his chances limited this season due to the good form of McArthur and Yohan Cabaye.

Although Mile may have contributed to the weekend’s defeat; after his manhandling of Watford’s Troy Deeney led to their penalty and the first goal of the match, I think he will step up, bring the players together and stamp his solidarity on the team because that’s the type of individual he is. He is the skipper.

The January transfer window was the perfect opportunity to draft in one or two loanees. Myself, along with a number of Palace fans, were excited by the idea of a few new arrivals. But I was very disappointed with the serious lack of business the manager conducted last month.

Alan Pardew turned to Emmanuel Adebayor, who was the only addition to the squad, which is very thin at the moment due to the various injuries.

The Togolese international opened up his account with his first goal for the club on Saturday with a well-timed looping header, but his strike couldn’t prevent Palace from suffering their sixth defeat in seven league games.

That was only the second goal recorded by a fully recognised striker for the club this season, with the first coming from Connor Wickham. Only two goals in 26 league matches from the club’s strikers is nowhere near acceptable for a top-flight side.

Adebayor has proven his worth in recent times playing for some of the best clubs in Europe. He boasts a playing record for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and most recently Tottenham Hotspur. Clearly a key player for those clubs, he will bring experience and a winning mentality to the squad, who at the moment are struggling to achieve their first win in ten matches.

Although he may not be in his prime, the former African footballer of the year still has goals in him which he proved towards the end of his Tottenham days. The front man was frozen out and forced to train with the youth team under Andre Villas-Boas, but he showed his true talents when he was finally recalled under Tim Sherwood by finishing top goalscorer during the 2013/14 season.

The 31-year-old’s move to South London however hasn’t gone unnoticed by some critics as his attitude at times has been questioned in the past. But, you can’t ignore the fact that he is a natural born goalscorer with bags of talent and he will provide goals at any team he plays for. And that’s what Palace desperately need at the moment, goals.

I really hope Adebayor is the answer to the serious lack of goals; he has the ability and talent to get the Eagles flying up the table, it’s just the case of whether or not he wants to show it. His first goal against Watford is hopefully the start of many more to come. And with an increase in goals, will come the increase in points.

Palace need to get back up the table and they need to do it quickly!

 
Brought to you by Shoot!

Comments are closed.