Crystal Palace v Burnley Saturday 13th February 2021 // 3pm
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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander
palace √ burnley
Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director
13.02.21
Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell
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Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning
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luka milivojevic
Scott Guyett
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steve parish
Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal
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darren ambrose
Academy Director
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junior eagles
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Daniel storey
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Victor Akinwale
Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott
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Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Head of Content & Production
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James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Dan Blazer, Will Robinson, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens, Sabirina Mohamed Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers
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palace for life
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1990/91 season
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paddy m©carthy
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Georgia Clifford
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fixtures & results
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premier league
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elcome to Sean, his staff and players and good afternoon to each of you reading this.
We have been buoyed by positive results
and encouraging performances as I sit and write these notes. Having played twice in four days, victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United are fresh in my mind, and they were both games with which I could be satisfied. I will have been away from the Training Ground for several days by the time this programme is printed, however, so do not yet know the
it crossed my mind then as it has done before that these memories would be far better savoured in your presence
outcome of our fixture with Leeds United. The match with Wolves was pleasing as
Off the pitch, I am delighted that Jaïro,
a coach in that we not only took a deserved
Vicente and Nathaniel all chose to extend their
lead, but we also nullified an opponent with
contracts with the club and I am pleased to see
undoubted quality in their ranks. We remedied
this important business completed early and
any errors made in the FA Cup and performed
to the excitement of our supporters. We are
as the coaching staff and I desired, so to
somewhat hampered by injuries at present and
return to winning ways provided us with a
are missing several key figures from the squad,
great confidence boost through both the
so these extensions provide a much wanted
result and performance.
assurance in testing times.
The Newcastle game was similarly
Halfway through a significant month, we
gratifying. To concede so early is, of course,
face a Burnley side which it is all too easy to
frustrating, however the reaction was
underestimate. As with Wolves, their calibre is
commendable. We got back into the match
often belied by their league position and Sean
through Jaïro’s excellent strike and I was
and his team have recorded far more good
delighted for Gary when he headed in the
results than bad ones already this season. In
winner. Of course, both of those moments brought
fact, Burnley’s achievements in the Premier
the elation a goal can and does bring, but I was
League during Sean Dyche’s time with the club
particularly pleased with our ability to protect the
are nothing less than phenomenal and are the
lead and secure three important points.
reason why he, and his coaching staff, are so
Moments such as Jaïro’s goal or the full-time whistle against Newcastle, naturally, remind us of
respected by fellow professionals. We face a sizeable challenge this afternoon
what we are missing in your absence. I know
if we are to sustain our positive form and collect
that each of those instances would have been
further points, however I am glad we will be
celebrated vociferously by a small section high up
boosted by the return of Ray Lewington to
at St James’ Park, and it crossed my mind then as
Selhurst Park, a fine colleague and friend who
it has done before that these memories would be
has been greatly missed these past few weeks.
far better savoured in your presence.
Enjoy the game.
The manager
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This mentality can help. It can push you harder to make up for anything that you have dropped and this is what I expect to see today
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e have again played some mixed
but every player had to play on the same surface
matches in the last few weeks
so we are not looking for excuses. These
and were very happy with our two
games happen in football. This is something we
victories against Wolves and Newcastle, but the
must accept and, as professionals, we have to
Leeds result, which is most recent, is the last one
handle this, move on and make sure we are best
in my mind. We were very disappointed with this.
prepared for our game with Burnley.
I will start on some positives from our
It will not be easy again today. Even if they
wins. Both Wolves and Newcastle are not easy
are not having their best season, Burnley are
teams to face. They are very big clubs with
a very solid team and have not had much luck
some very good players and had each enjoyed
in a lot of their games. We all know that they
good games – drawing with Chelsea and
could be much higher in the table if some of
beating Everton – before we played them.
these matches had been different.
So to take all the six points from those two
But we look at every game as a new chance
matches was something we are really pleased
to take three points and, as a team, we are each
with. And we were also pleased to keep a
frustrated at not taking three points in our last
clean sheet against Wolves in a solid defensive
result. This mentality can help. It can push you
performance and for Ebs, Jaïro and Gary to
harder to make up for anything that you have
score three good goals.
dropped and this is what I expect to see today.
After these games, the whole squad felt
Finally, I would like to congratulate some
confident and we knew we had done well to
of the boys, Nathaniel, Vicente and Jaïro, for
secure back-to-back victories. So we travelled
extending their contracts with the club and
to Leeds looking for a third win but did not
wish some of the young players who have
perform well enough. Leeds had a very good
trained or played with us before the best of
game – they attacked as a team and were
luck with their loan spells.
difficult to face at their home ground. Yes, we were not helped by the new pitch and this definitely had an impact on the game,
For now, we will do everything we can to get back to winning ways for you against Burnley. Make some noise!
The captain
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We recently announced contract extensions for Nathaniel, Vicente and Jaïro. It was wonderful seeing the positive reaction
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hank you for purchasing this matchday
Meanwhile, our U23s secured a hugely
programme. I’d like to welcome the
impressive win over Norwich, a game I
players, staff and directors of Burnley
watched from the new Academy building
F.C. to Selhurst Park today, for what will almost
balcony with Roy. This result was even more
certainly be another hard-fought encounter
impressive if you consider that several of the
between our two clubs.
usual starters have been sent on loan.
Since my last notes, Roy’s team secured
Then last Friday, the team showed immense
important wins over Wolves and Newcastle
fight to snatch a 4-4 draw at Villa – with two goals
United, but sadly were overcome by an
inside the last 10 minutes. I urge you to tune into
impressive Leeds side in midweek. Goals from
their next match on Monday lunchtime against
Eberechi, Jaïro and Gary effectively secured
Burnley on Palace TV. I know we can’t guarantee
those six points, and Eberechi deservedly took
goals, but with 32 scored in just 14 games for
home the Player of the Month award, voted by
Shaun’s team – I think it’s pretty likely!
the fans for his efforts in January. It was bitterly disappointing for everyone
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Tony Collins. I know
to lose Wilfried to injury during the away win
that Roy had a close relationship with Tony, as
at Newcastle, none more so than for him. We
Tony was once a scout for him. He is widely
all hope that his knack of healing exceptionally
regarded as our first black player, and he was
quickly continues.
the first non-white manager in the English game.
We recently announced contract
I read a piece on our website recently, and Tony,
extensions for Nathaniel, Vicente and Jaïro,
speaking just a few months ago, was extremely
in a flurry of news for supporters. It was
modest and understated about his status in the
wonderful seeing the overwhelmingly positive
game and the impact he made. He will always
reaction on social media to each of them.
be remembered fondly here at Crystal Palace,
I’ve been following our Academy teams with huge pride in recent weeks. Our Under18s continue to top the table – a remarkable feat, after yet another brilliant win at Fulham.
and my thoughts are with his family and friends. Wherever you are in the world today, I hope you are safe and well, and enjoy the game. Up the Palace.
The chairman
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Aged 31 and with over 360 appearances to his name, James Tomkins is an experienced head in an experienced dressing room. But, he tells Will Robinson Robinson, as with any player, that experience has taken time to accumulate. Time, and nervous renditions of a karaoke classic.
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or the casual onlooker, James Tomkins’ formative introduction to life in
professional football was his debut at Goodison Park in 2008. In reality, that moment came two years earlier, in the function room of a hotel near the Millennium Stadium. West Ham were preparing for the 2006 FA Cup final, and manager Alan Pardew saw the perfect chance to integrate their most promising youngsters with the firstteam squad. “He took me along for the experience. I’d not done an initiation – I had to do it the night before on the mic. I couldn’t eat a thing during dinner because I was so nervous to sing after. “It was (Is This the Way to) Amarillo. I had to get it planned in my head. I was playing it the night before from my iPod, because I didn’t really know the words. But I thought it would be a song that everyone could help me out with – there were a few people that joined in in the end!” They might be a source of amusement for older players, but initiations like these are crucial in welcoming a younger player to the team. After all, just getting to that point is some achievement. “When you join an academy so young – I joined [West Ham] when I was eight-years-old – you see your mates get released. It’s almost like a survival thing, where you want to
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be good enough for the next step and the next age group, and then the ultimate one is to play for the first-team.” But for all the years of work getting there, Tomkins’ senior callup came at relatively short notice. “We were all on the coach and we’d just pulled up to the game; the manager hadn’t announced his team yet. He [Alan Curbishley] comes to the back of the bus and names the lineup. Obviously, we’d just got there so I didn’t have too much time to prepare, which was probably the best thing because I would have struggled to sleep if he’d told me
In the warmup you just keep as calm as you can, because you’re going into a world where you’re playing in front of 40,000 people. I’ll never forget it
the night before. “Both nerves and excitement sort of fold into one; that nervous, excited energy. In the warm-up you just keep as calm as you can, because you’re going into a world where you’re playing in front of 40,000 people. I’ll never forget it.” After 20 years at West Ham, moving to Palace was a strange experience for Tomkins – he had to keep his sat-nav on standby for the first six months to find his way to Copers Cope, so much was he used to driving to his former training ground – but after almost five years he has become a senior figure in the dressing room. But even now, with more than 260 Premier League appearances to his name, Tomkins feels the tension before kick-off.
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“Over the years I’ve still had
For Tomkins, that composure is a crucial
the same nervousness going out; it’s
attribute – it’s the first one he mentions when
never changed for me. People say it
describing his perfect defensive partner.
gets easier with age but for me it’s
“Someone that’s calm, where
still the same nervous energy. It’s
communication is good. But it’s something that
different from my debut, mind you,
can’t just work overnight, it can be something
but I still get that nervousness even
that needs time. If you’re going through a period
in front of no crowd.”
of different centre-half partnerships it can be
It’s little wonder. Being a
hard because there are different areas of their
defender at the highest level requires
game that you’re not used to and you need to
a unique mindset; while the world
get right.
fawns over the eye-catching goals
“Then if you’ve got a partner you’re playing
and electric pace of Premier League
regularly with, you learn: ‘OK, this is what you’re
attackers, defenders await each
good at and this is what I’m good at’. There’s a
match knowing their job is to blot it
bond that you sometimes can’t put your finger on
all out.
– sometimes it just works, you know?”
“Experience can help,” says
Strangely for someone who has made a career
Tomkins. “Nowadays, especially
from preventing goals, Tomkins’ early days of youth
for me when I started, you can see
football were as a striker. The switch in position
videos of strikers and what they’re
also required a switch in mentality.
about. Some things you can’t stop as
“As a kid all you want to do is score goals,
a player but you try and put yourself
and even if I score now that feeling is very
in the right position and do the basics
unique and special. I had to learn as a kid:
well, and you can build from there.
‘Hold on a minute, keeping strikers out is so
“If you can try and play to your
rewarding.’ It took time because I was so used to
strengths then hopefully you can
trying to score goals, and it’s a bit of a shock to
come out on top.”
you, but after time you get used to it and you get
It all sounds so simple. But the reality of waking up for work knowing that by the evening you might have Luis Suárez, Wayne
into defending.” So, which does he prefer now, a goal or clean sheet? “I’d have to say keeping a clean sheet more,”
Rooney or Sergio Agüero bearing
he laughs. “You can score and still lose, but when
down on you surely requires a calm
you keep a clean sheet, it’s not necessarily all
state of mind.
down to you, but you know that as a team you’ve
“Sometimes I can’t sleep [during the day],” he admits. “I keep myself
been solid.” And there we uncover the essence of Tomkins’
up and keep the mind elsewhere
career to date, which can be traced back to that
so I can use my energy entirely on
function room in south Wales and beyond: the
the game. Watch TV, or anything to
determination to be part of a strong unit, and the
switch off for a bit.”
unbridled competitiveness that comes with it.
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It starts on the pitch: “You start defending not just from the backline, where everyone thinks you’re defending from. If you start from the front and then work back, you’re defending as a team. Things like that are where [Sam] Allardyce and Roy Hodgson have got years and years of experience and know what works for them.” During the week, Tomkins’ pursuit of high standards is just as important. “Most of the lads will tell you I’m quite competitive,” he says with the hint of a smile. “I try and give everything I have in the games and in training, and sometimes you’re
There are times in the game now where you might catch someone late or catch an elbow and you start having words. That will never leave, that’s always going to happen. I enjoy that side of it
not happy with someone who’s just as competitive – things can end up quite physical. “I know Jordan Ayew is
It may seem like a baptism of fire, but there’s no doubt that come matchday the players will be tougher for it. And for someone like Tomkins who has
someone that likes a bit of
the desire to win above all else, that’s reason enough
physicality in training. He’s probably
– one has to be ready for the rough-and-tumble of
overtaken me in that department in
top-level football.
terms of challenges!” In a league as competitive as this,
“There are times in the game now where you might catch someone late or catch an elbow and
that’s no bad thing. Indeed, although
you start having words. That will never leave, that’s
his initiation at West Ham was nerve-
always going to happen. I enjoy that side of it.”
racking, it made him comfortable in his
Now very much at home in south London, Tomkins
role as the newest member of a senior
has come a long way from the 17-year-old Academy
side. In the same way, Tomkins feels
prospect, terrified of singing to his older teammates.
tough tackling in training is a rite of passage for any new signing. “I try and kick them in training,”
His role now is to call on that experience – and that rampant competitiveness – to maintain standards at Palace. Not that he doesn’t miss those
he laughs, “just to say: ‘Welcome
days: “The songs have kind of gone out… we should
to the Premier League!’ I remember
bring them back really.”
when Michy [Batshuayi] came in I was challenging him a lot in training. Everyone was like: ‘He’s just joined, what are you doing?!’”
Would he be the first to get up there again? Well, maybe, and there’s no doubt what he’d be singing. “It would have to be Amarillo again – that song will never leave my memory!”
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Touchdown
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copers cope
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NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION ENERGY official matchday programme now available countrywide
for SPORT
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Club legend Darren Ambrose has gone from the squad list on the back page to guest columnist. The Eagles icon brings you his opinions, insight and untold stories throughout the 2020/21 season.
darren ambrose
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Loans I was delighted to see six Under-23s secure loan moves to professional clubs recently. Under-23s football is good quality, but it’s not the same as going out with a real team, playing for real points. The Under-23s is more of a development stage. Going on to a bigger platform with a football team that needs points because livelihoods are at stake is going to do the lads a world of good. You’re thrown in to a team of experienced men who’ve been in and around the game for a while, so of course it’s going to be daunting, but it’ll do them the world of good.
I was delighted to see six Under-23s secure loan moves to professional clubs recently I never went on loan in my early years – I was thrown in to the first-team at 17. Although your dream all through childhood is to play first-team football, when you’re actually there you think: ‘I want to go back and train with my mates!’ Playing at that higher level really develops you, not only as a footballer but as a person. You have to evolve and grow up.
Negotiation, negotiation, negotiation Contract negotiations change depending on the player. If you’re a player of real quality, you’re kind of in control – you know the club want you. You wouldn’t hold them to ransom, of course, but if they don’t come up with something you want, you know you’ll get interest elsewhere. On the flipside, if you’ve been a bit-part player
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throughout the season or you’re getting older, it can be a little bit difficult. You’re looking at the club’s hierarchy to sort it as soon as possible. It can be hard; once you’re out of contract, you never know what’s going to happen. When you come to the latter part of your 20s and your early 30s, most years are a battle to secure short-term contracts. When I came back from Greece in the latter part of my time with Birmingham, I kind of thought my career was over. Although I was a sought-after player, everything I was offered wasn’t right or I just didn’t want it. Unless you’re willing to play wherever, you have to scramble around a bit. You start to panic. When you’re young, you feel untouchable. I used to room with Matt Holland at Charlton and he’s 10 years older than me. He always said: ‘Your career flies by. Don’t take it for granted.’ Being a youngster, I’d say: ‘Good one, old-timer,’ but it really does. When you come to that latter stage and you’re scrambling for a contract, it can be quite daunting.
500 points not out When Crystal Palace earned their 500th Premier League point, I felt extremely proud. I was proud of what we achieved as a squad in 2010 - keeping the club in the Championship - because I’ve always said it was the catalyst for what’s happening now. We stayed in the Championship, the new owners took over and Crystal Palace had a fresh start. Playing devil’s advocate, the only flipside is I’m gutted I never got the opportunity to play for Palace in the Premier League. It wasn’t to be, but I’m extremely proud of where they are because the club still means a lot to me. Even just sitting watching the Newcastle game earlier this month, both my boys had Palace shirts on and enjoyed a fantastic result. It epitomised what Crystal Palace are because we’re now playing Wolves or going to Newcastle and getting victories – and they’re not surprising victories,
25 either. It’s not the underdog winning – they’re victories that are fully deserved. The club’s come a long, long way since 2010 and getting to 500 points is an incredible achievement.
Unlocking the press Facing Burnley, we’ve got to mention Sean Dyche’s press conference. If you have no idea what I’m on about, you’ve got to look it up. It was absolutely incredible – one of the best press conferences I’ve seen. It was a real insight into what football managers are away from the pitch; they’re normal human beings and some get a lot of abuse because people forget that. Look at Sean Dyche and you see a real insight into what kind of a guy he is. Sir Bobby Robson was the greatest manager I’ve played for and he was outstanding with the press, too. He had a real knack of keeping them onside while backing the team. To be able to do that, always sticking up for the team and keeping the media onside, was really clever. Neil Warnock was absolutely outstanding as well, though he’s gone a bit mellow recently. George Burley was always good when I was coming through the ranks – he was another one who always had the press onside as well as backing the players. Finally,
When Crystal Palace earned their 500th Premier League point, I felt extremely proud
Mick McCarthy was good value for money and these managers highlight something about the character needed to succeed. You always see managers like Mick and Neil as these strong, aggressive figures, but in and around the changing room, they’re really, really funny people. You don’t have a career as long as them without having a sense of humour. You don’t want to cross these guys, but when they’re on your side, they’re a joy to be around.
darren ambrose
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Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles
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Schools In Focus Remote learning For Children’s Mental Health Week, Palace for Life Foundation raised awareness and celebrated the excellent work they have been doing for the mental wellbeing of children in our community. Palace for Life operates various projects such as Team Mates, which helps to build resilience, enhance communication skills and equip young people for a more
meditation to improve children’s mood and
successful future.
stress levels during this difficult time.
They also collated some of their success
Additionally, the Foundation have been
stories and brilliant initiatives, which can
delivering a series of online workshops for
be seen on their social media channels and
students at home or still at school, with the first
website. New mindfulness videos have been
two topics being gratitude and resilience. They
produced, too, which aim to provide short
will continue to do so during lockdown.
Guess who
Badge jumble
Can you guess the four players from today’s
Can you work out four of the clubs Leon Cort
opponents in the below face mash-up?
played for from the mixed-up badges?
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29 Check out the answers at the bottom of this page!
wordsearch
spot the difference
Can you find the six hidden football-themed
Can you find the five differences in these
words below?
two Palace pictures?
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Six words to find:
Clarets, Dyche, Wright, Townsend, promotion, Wood. Now make a sentence that includes all of the words you’ve found!
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crest on shirt missing 5 W88 logo colour change T
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H G I R W
Junior EAgles
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The Difference: 1 Number 19 different colour on shorts 2 Newcastle shirt
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Badge Jumble: 1 Millwall 2 Hull City 3 Stoke City 4 Charlton Athletic Spot
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Guess Who: 1 Nick Pope 2 James Tarkowski 3 Ben Mee 4 Jay Rodriguez
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last time out
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burnley match preview Burnley have begun wrestling with some uncharacteristic early form to haul their points total up and start to pull away from the league’s bottom places – redressing the idea they’re having an ‘off’ period. The Clarets opened their campaign by collecting just one point from six, but a sustained purple patch from November onwards has seen them pick up 22 points from 16 games – the sort of form that would leave them comfortably mid-table come May. Such was Sean Dyche’s transformation in results that his team scalped the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, and the Clarets frequently come close even when losing, falling by just one goal in five of their 11 defeats. Their league position may not suggest their finest season to date, but assuming Burnley provide an easy meeting is a dangerous misstep. Their opening games aside, the Clarets are in the same form they always manage – and that’s a worry for any opponent. Turn page 44 for Daniel Storey’s in-depth tactical analysis and page 47 to test your Clarets knowledge!
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Sean Dyche:
ask all the managers: ‘Do you play the lookielikie game?’ And if they give you a boring answer, we’ll drive down and we’ll slap them with a wet fish and say: ‘That’s for your boring answer about lookie-likies recent outings
0-2
l {h) 03.02.21
0-2
l {h) 31.01.21
3-2
w {h) 27.01.21
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the clarets premier league wins
all-timers Ben Mee
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James Tarkowski
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Ashley Barnes
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Ashley Westwood
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Chris Wood
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Sam Vokes
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Danny Ings
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premier league goals
Ashley Barnes
last time out 1 23 6 5 2 11 4 18 7 27 10
Pope Pieters Mee Tarkowski Lowton MŠNeil Cork Westwood Gudmundsson Vydra Barnes
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player profile
36
Age
28
Height
1.91m
Joined
19th July, 2016
Debut
10th September, 2017 v Crystal Palace
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Bury Town & Charlton Athletic.
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Nick Pope POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
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England goalkeeper Pope spent his career’s formative years flitting between clubs and developing into one of the country’s most reliable shot-stoppers. The now-28-year-old embarked on six loans while
Matthew Lowton
Charlie Taylor
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
with Charlton Athletic before
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settling at Burnley in 2016. After a lengthy injury in 2018/19, the No.1 played every league game for the Clarets last season.
94 apps 33 clean sheets official matchday programme
James Tarkowski
Ben Mee
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
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Phil Bardsley
Kevin Long
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND
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208 apps 46 clean sheets
23 04 Erik Pieters
Jimmy Dunne
Jack Cork
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: NETHERLANDS
player profile
Having spent six years with Age
32
Height
1.83m
Joined
8th July, 2019
Debut
10th August, 2019 v Southampton
Stoke City, Pieters brought plenty of Premier League experience with him when joining Burnley in 2019. He bagged two assists on his debut against Southampton and has since become a key member of Sean Dyche’s back four – typically playing a little more than every other game.
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Utrecht, PSV Eindhoven & Stoke City.
opposition
38
07
Jóhann Gudmundsson
Josh Brownhill
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ICELAND
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
11
08
243 apps 71 wins
18 12
Robbie Brady
Ashley Westwood
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
player profile
Dwight M©Neil
Age
30
Height
1.75m
Joined
31st January, 2017
Debut
4th February, 2017 v Watford
Another seasoned member of the Clarets’ squad, Westwood collected Burnley’s Player of the Season in 2018/19 after playing in 41 matches. The playmaker was pretty much ever-present in both 18/19 and 19/20, and is of similar importance in this campaign - playing 22 out of 22 league matches so far.
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Crewe Alexandra & Aston Villa.
official matchday programme
19
player profile
39
Age
31
Height
1.85m
Joined
Academy, signed professional in 2007
Debut
29th December, 2007 v Bristol City
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Southampton & West Bromwich Albion.
16
Jay Rodriguez POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
09
Having graduated from Burnley’s Academy in 2007, Rodriguez left his hometown club for Southampton in 2017. After featuring in 216 matches for the Saints and then West Bromwich Albion combined, Rodriguez returned to the
Dale Stephens
Chris Wood
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: NEW ZEALAND
Clarets in 2019.
10
He has since become a regular member of their starting lineup, as he was in
27
his first Burnley campaigns.
194 apps 41 goals
Ashley Barnes
Matej Vydra
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: CZECH REPUBLIC
opposition
40
#01
#01
Butland
pope
player comparison
Age 27
position Goalkeeper
nationality eng
Age 28
position Goalkeeper
nationality eng
apps
Clean sheets
Saves
apps
Clean sheets
saves
286
319
Sweeper clearances
Fouls
Punches
Catches
Passes per match
Sweeper clearances
Fouls
33
Passes per match
94
Catches
20
Punches
77
29
35
30
70
1
36
22
28
63
3
official matchday programme
41
#02
#02
ward
lowton
player comparison
Age 31
position Defender
nationality eng
Age 31
position Defender
nationality eng
apps
Clean sheets
conceded
apps
Clean sheets
conceded
Clearances
80%
Passes per match
496
287
Goals
%
42
Tackle success
190
Tackles
Clearances
292
Passes per match
Goals
47
Tackle success
Tackles
211
2
32
747
% 4
32
822
448
66%
opposition
42
officialLOCK matchday programme
EXPLODE
PLAY
43
Since a 0-0 draw in their first Premier League meeting in September 2014, both Crystal Palace and Burnley have won five games each of 10 top-flight meetings
31
Burnley are looking to win consecutive away league matches against Palace for the first time since December 2001 under Stan Ternent
30 2
0
season so far
27
14
GOALS
212 196 SHOTS
21
19
39
29
EXPECTED GOALS
GOALS CONCEDED
40
12
39
AVERAGE POSSESSION %
33
30
EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST
7
4
SHOT CONVERSION RATE %
4
POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING
4
7
CLEAN SHEETS
9
5
POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING
goal times time
SCORED
CONCEDED
time
SCORED
CONCEDED
0-15
7
7
0-15
3
7
16-30
5
7
16-30
0
3
31-45
3
3
31-45
2
5
46-60
4
5
46-60
3
1
61-75
4
5
61-75
3
8
76-90
4
12
76-90
3
5
opposition
44
what’s the storey @danielstorey85
Arsenal and Tottenham. They conceded nine goals. Can that help Palace? Possibly. Nasty surprises in the first 10 minutes are certainly unlikely. Burnley are not going to suddenly
Burnley have attempted almost 200 more long passes than any other Premier League team this season
play with a creative No.10, Columnist Daniel Storey can be
use wing-backs or attempt to
League team this season and
heard on The Totally Football Show
pass through midfield in quick
their passing accuracy is the
and seen in the Irish Examiner, the
triangles, for example. This
lowest by a clear 2.5%.
i paper and many more.
allows Roy Hodgson to prepare for a very obvious threat. But the flipside is that
To some extent this is born out of necessity. Struggling teams typically play a higher
Burnley’s Ronseal formation
every Burnley player knows
percentage of long balls
their task to the letter. They
because they are under more
Some managers choose to
can model expected passages
defensive pressure which they
adapt their formation to an
of play and will know their
relieve with a direct pass that
opponent’s expected shape,
role in each one. As plenty
has a low chance of completion.
identifying a weakness or
of opponents have found
The top four clubs in the Premier
launching a surprise strategy
during Burnley’s stay in the
League for attempted long balls
that can catch their opposite
top-flight, that makes them
are Burnley, West Bromwich
number off guard. But Sean
a stubborn opponent.
Albion, Newcastle and Sheffield
Dyche is not one of them. He
United – all in the bottom five.
and prepared to implement
Direct football as standard
Plan A to perfection is
If there is no secret to Burnley’s
as occasional obligation. No
better than chopping and
formation, their style is pretty
striker in the division has won
changing every week.
evident too. Dyche likes his team
more headers this season
to play direct football, either
than Chris Wood. He invariably
are astounding. The last time
crossing the ball from deep or
looks to flick the ball on to
Dyche strayed from either a
sending it long from back to
Ashley Barnes or hold it up
4-4-2 or slight variation 4-4-
front and maximising set-piece
and bring midfielders into
1-1 (with one smaller striker
opportunities. Again, he has
play. Palace must be wary not
dropping deeper) was on
rarely strayed from that mantra.
just of the initial pass but the
That strategy is made
second ball, too; at least one
reasons that being well-drilled
Even so, the statistics
Boxing Day 2018. Perhaps the
But Burnley take this approach by choice as well
explanation lies herein: Burnley
obvious by a quick glance at
defensive midfielder should aim
played three straight games
the numbers. Burnley have
to be within five yards of Wood
with a back five in a bid to be
attempted almost 200 more long
when he challenges a central
more resilient against Everton,
passes than any other Premier
defender in the air.
official matchday programme
45
Expect crosses from open play
M©Neil has completed
Burnley have consistently ranked low for chance creation since earning promotion. As with their direct passes, that’s at least partly by design. They cede possession (19th in the league) and look to limit their opponents’ chances, but in doing so know that they sacrifice some attacking intent. Burnley also rank 19th for chances created and non-blocked shots.
But one way they can be dangerous is through crosses from open play. That stands to reason - if you don’t pass your way to goal then crossing for a striker who possesses an aerial threat makes sense. Despite ranking 19th for possession and comfortably last for completed passes, Burnley rank 12th for crosses from open play. Only three teams register a higher percentage of their efforts from headers. Palace’s full-backs must close down their adversaries to block crosses and their central defenders must be ready for an aerial assault from out wide.
dribbles in the Premier League. Burnley’s next highest dribbler has completed just 31
M©Neil the exception to the Burnley rule For all the discipline of Burnley’s formation and style, they do have a player that breaks the mould. At just 21, Dwight McNeil is an academy graduate who has already started 74 Premier League matches and played seven times for England Under-21s. A left-winger, McNeil clearly has a role to play in Burnley’s direct style. Most of the Clarets’ attacks come down the left flank, from where he and first-choice leftback Charlie Taylor have provided 126 (46%) of Burnley’s 276 open-play crosses this season. In 2019/20, McNeil was Burnley’s top chance creator and takes most of their set-pieces. But McNeil can also bring some sparkle to Burnley’s play. He enjoys dropping in to the spaces between defence and midfield to pick the ball up deep and drive at the opposition. That makes him unique at Turf Moor: since the start of last season, McNeil has completed 115 dribbles in the Premier League. Burnley’s next highest dribbler has completed just 31.
daniel storey
Statistics correct as of February 4th, 2021
Despite ranking last for completed passes, Burnley rank 12th for crosses from open play
46
47
Questions linking Palace and today’s opponents that will test even the biggest Eagles fan. Time to earn your ‘Palace Encyclopaedia’ nickname.
01
06 John Oster had relatively short spells with
True or false: Palace and Burnley have never
both Burnley and Crystal Palace. However, his
met in a cup competition in the 21st century.
impact with the Eagles was instant, with the midfielder scoring on his debut in the League
07
Cup. Can you name the opponent?
Palace’s 2007 Player of the Season was Leon Cort, a defender who would later go on to play for Burnley. But which national team did Cort
02
make six appearances for?
Which season did Burnley and Palace first face-off in the Premier League?
08 Frank de Boer’s final Premier League match in
03 Upon joining Palace, Ade Akinbiyi’s desired
charge of Palace came against Sean Dyche’s
No.10 shirt was already taken. Which shirt
side. What was the score?
number did the former Burnley striker take, adding a plus sign to the back?
09 It was a stalemate the first time Palace and Burnley played one another in the Premier
04
League. But in the second meeting, Palace won
Which player has scored the most recent
2-3 at Turf Moor. Which Eagle bagged a brace
goal in a fixture between the Eagles and the
that day?
Clarets?
10 05
Ian Wright is synonymous with the Eagles and Gábor Király played for five English teams,
Arsenal. However, after those two long-term
including Burnley and, of course, the
spells, the striker had four further clubs in two
famous red and blue. Can you name the
years – one of those was today’s opponents.
remaining trio?
But were the Clarets Wright’s final team?
answers Burnley 1-0 Palace 9 Dwight Gayle 10 Yes (Palace, Arsenal, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic and Burnley) 1 Hereford United 2 2014/15 3 55 4 Chris Wood 5 West Ham United, Aston Villa and Fulham 6 False 7 Guyana 8 opposition quiz
48
49
fantasy dinner party This week, former Palace forward Shefki Kuqi thinks long and hard before inviting some of football’s most iconic names:
Roy hodgson He’s a top, top, top guy. I don’t have words enough to describe what a gentleman he is. If I have to follow somebody, it will be him.
I don’t have words enough to describe what a gentleman he is
Ronaldo, Ronaldo… Savage.
David Sheepshanks He used to be Chairman of Ipswich. I still get on well with him and he’s a proper football fan as well, even as the Chairman.
ronaldo How can I explain this? In my view, he is one of the best ever. What he achieved as a player, and what he’s gone through in his career, that shows you the passion he had
hefki
about the ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo He’s achieved everything. All of what he’s achieved in his career – and he’s still going strong – is through hard work. If you compare them, I think [Lionel] Messi has got something which God gave him: that talent. But Ronaldo got everything he achieved through hard work.
Robbie Savage I used to hate him! I used to see him, how he comes across and I’d think: ‘Oh my God, I hate this guy!’ But when I actually went to Blackburn and spent the time with him, he is such a nice guy. Genuinely a top, top guy. And clever – very clever.
fantasy dinner party
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51
Over the road at Copers Cope
Victor Akinwale Copers Cope Road is home to Palace’s firstteam Training Ground and, just a few steps down on the other side of the road, you’ll find the Eagles’ Category 1 Academy complex.
over the road at copers cope
52
W
atch Under-18s striker Victor Akinwale play and you would assume the
sharp 16-year-old has always been accustomed to his position. He plays with a hungry directness and keen attacking instinct that’s seen him net five goals from 12 games at the time of writing. Technically gifted, yes, but he is very much a striker’s striker. However, case: “Originally I was a winger; I used to play left-wing. But in my grassroots teams I switched to a striker and have stayed there since I was 12-years-old and scoring goals, I loved it. I prefer playing as a striker because I score more goals. “My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo - I just tried to base my game from him. That’s when I was younger because Ronaldo played left-wing so I used to want to be like him. But now I look at players like [Edinson] Cavani, [Karim] Benzema, good No.9s that are good finishers.” Alongside David Omilabu and John-Kymani Gordon, Akinwale forms the spearhead to Palace Under-18s’ high-flying squad. Together, they’ve won the national Super Floodlit Cup – a final in which Akinwale earned two assists, after scoring twice in the regionals before – and currently sit top of the U18 Premier League South. “We’re really proud to be in this team,” Akinwale says. “We’re a very strong squad and I just love playing in this team. “I think what keeps us going is we’re a good group, we always just want to
official matchday programme
randon ictor ierrick kinwale
Akinwale says, that’s not always been the
53
push each other in training and we try our hardest in every single session. The coaches as well, they’re very good. They are ex-professionals, like Darren Powell and Paddy McCarthy. They are very good coaches so they are able to drive us every day. “Everyone is close together. We’ve known each other for years so everyone is best friends. We socialise outside of football and inside of football. We’re a very close group. “When, let’s say, things are down
Everyone is close together. We’ve known each other for years so everyone is best friends. We socialise outside of football and inside of football. We’re a very close group
on a gameday someone, the captain for example, will drive everyone. We all listen to him because we all respect each other as we’re very close friends.” But the lads at Palace don’t just
Thankfully for Akinwale, he, like many of the lads competing on Copers Cope Road, has just that: “My parents are very proud of me,” he
have each other in what is clearly a very
says. “They used to take me everywhere - up and
tight bond. Part of a club with proud
down the country when I had games and I was a
Academy heritage and a heightened
grassroots player.
focus on developing talent, the Under-
“So they’re just happy of where I am now and
18s even have relationships and support
they drive me, they keep me grounded to just stay
from some of the Premier League’s most
humble and always work hard every day. They’re
experienced figures.
the ones that keep me grounded.
Akinwale reveals who he has learned
“The last time my dad was able to come [to a
from already: “I’ve spoken to Jordan
match], when one parent was allowed, was West
Ayew before and he’s in my position. I’m
Ham away in November. But before that I don’t
a striker and he’s a striker and I can relate
think he’d come for months, so he was really happy
with him on things. If I ever need him he’s
to be there to watch that game live.
like my mentor… I can just speak to him about things and he really helps us.
“I think my dad’s favourite moment was probably the [regional Super Floodlit Cup] final, like
“He gives good advice which is great
sometimes he just brings it up in conversation: ‘So,
as we want to be in his position right now
do you remember this?’ He was really proud of me
as well, in the first-team.”
that day.”
Support from teammates and senior
With backing from peers, mentors and family
role models is one thing, but every
alike, Akinwale may just be able to create more
aspiring footballer needs a bedrock of
memories for his father’s conversations. Watch
support at home to cope with the strains
the sharp 16-year-old play and you wouldn’t bet
and pressures of Academy life.
against it.
over the road at copers cope
146 LIVE GAMES
55
From the club’s current or past employees to unsung heroes, people looking to make a difference to those who have found fame: south London is a special place to live, work and experience. This week, Executive Head Chef Julien Maisonneuve reveals the lengths he and the club go to to feed players, staff and fans alike.
Voices of south london
56
T
here’s a certain perception of Premier
it’s great to see that – there is the demand
League footballers and their diet. It’s the
for it. It’s just a question of explaining
image of the super-sized man, crushing
what it does to their body; it’s very good
a quaking chair and powering through a mountain of boiled meat, pasta and more boiled meat. But head to Crystal Palace’s training ground
for recovery, for example.” Such is the attention to detail given to the Palace squad’s meals that it follows them around the country. Revealing how
and you’ll find something different. With a
the club monitors diets from Croydon
Michelin Star experienced Head Chef designing
when the players are in Newcastle, for
their meals, super-sized Palace players still
example, Julien says: “We have a ‘bible’
crush quaking chairs to eat mountains of food
we send to the hotel [in advance] – they
– but it’s packed with chia seeds, aniseed and
have strict regulations on what they can
other vegan options.
have pre-match.
“I like to be creative,” says Julien
“We have a strict menu. So, if we
Maisonneuve, the man responsible for feeding
need to have chicken, we say: ‘It needs to
every player, each member of training staff and
be this chicken, make sure there’s no fat
more than 2,000 fans on normal matchdays.
etc.’ It’s a bible for the chefs, so whoever
“We know they [the players] need to have a
has that can prep what we need… Post-
certain amount of protein per meal. Males with
match is cooked by us, placed onto the
normal activity will need 3,200 calories a day.
bus and then once they come back they
They need more like 5,500-6,000 calories.
take their meals.”
“Because we cook in no fat, no butter, no
But Julien’s job extends beyond the
cream, we don’t bring extra fat to anything. If
players and means he and his 12 full-time
you use chia seeds, for example, that brings the
chefs are responsible for every meal the
calories and protein up.
club serves. It would be easy, then, to go
“Plant-based is very big at the moment – all
for the burger van option – stack it high
of January I did plant-based [options] for them
and cook it quick – but Julien’s passion
and for my family as well. There’s a lot we can
for food and background in fine dining
take in terms of protein and energy from that.
produces a cultivated menu from the
“All breakfasts are plant-based apart from eggs, which they need to have. We do overnight porridge with our own compote of fruit which is
first-team, through the Academy, and for staff and fans in Premium lounges alike. “Everything is fresh,” he explains.
not sugary, it’s very healthy. We do a lot of chia
“One day we had cod arrive at 11am.
seeds, new grains, aniseed, things that are rich
At 11:30 it was prepped and 12:00 it was
in protein and omega.
served. That was a bit tight, to be honest!
“Recently we did chocolate mousse, but with no cream, no butter. It was different but
We try to work with the best, the freshest. “But the menus are not really up
they loved it. I love pushing plant-based food
to me – the way I work is based on the
and nutrition to the next level.
supplier. On a Friday, I call my fish guy, my
“Some of the players are really loving it and
official matchday programme
fruit, veg and cheese guys, and they tell
57
me what’s in season and what’s good in quality and value for money [that week]. “Based on those ingredients, I do my menu. The suppliers tell me what they have and, as a chef, I have to work with that. It’s the best way possible – they know what’s in season, which means the quality and price is good. “It’s important as a chef to understand that you don’t cook for yourself. You do that at home. I listen to the fans and they guide me on what they want to eat. If you listen to them, they feel very privileged. I try to be close to everybody – I try to go to all restaurants, speak to everybody and see what they think of the meals.
It’s important as a chef to understand that you don’t cook for yourself. You do that at home “Supporting local suppliers, British suppliers, working with them and working with what’s in season to do everything we can for the economy and sustainability is very important to me.” At the moment, the COVID-19 pandemic is restricting Julien and his staff on what they can do. Limited to just one kitchen for multiple sites, fewer than half the chefs available and with no fans to feed, cooking for Crystal Palace is now a vastly different job. But Julien hasn’t lost his appetite. “My background is mainly Michelin Star so I love doing Premium stuff,” he says. “At the moment, that can’t happen and we need to look after the players as a priority. But we can’t wait to have the stadium open, that’s for sure.”
voices of south london
58
palace for life Crystal Palace F.C, Palace for Life Foundation and its patron Susanna Reid are backing a project that aims to redistribute computers, tablets and phones to those in need within the south London community. As many families are feeling the strain of sharing computers or laptops for home-schooling and working from home, Palace are calling on supporters to donate unused appliances to help give local school children and isolated elderly people IT devices for learning and communication. Supporters are being encouraged to donate old laptops, android phones, android tablets, dongles and webcams – ideally in good working order (this is not essential) - to the donation point at Selhurst Park stadium. Palace for Life Foundation patron and television presenter, Susanna Reid, said: “The digital
official matchday programme
Accessibility to these essential devices is a priority to ensure these young people can complete their schoolwork and continue to receive an education
59
Anyone who is able to donate a laptop or device to this appeal will be helping a crisis that’s happening right now divide risks damaging the life chances of this generation. Accessibility to these essential devices is a priority to ensure these young people can complete their schoolwork and continue to receive an education. Anyone who is able to donate a laptop or device to this appeal will be helping a crisis that’s happening right now on our doorsteps.” Lack of access to devices is being keenly felt in Croydon, where a survey of 24/200 Croydon schools found that 383 families do not have access to IT devices or the internet, with at least 600 further families having to share devices throughout their home, highlighting the urgency of this appeal. Working with #KeepCroydonConnected, a partnership between Croydon Commitment, Croydon Voluntary Action and Go2Games,
RACE THE EUROS
all devices that are received as a part of this campaign will be refurbished and distributed to local school children and isolated elderly people. To donate a device, the drop-off centre at Selhurst Park will be open and accepting donations Mondays and Thursdays 10-2. Alternatively, you can post it to: G2G Limited, PO Box 2069, London, CR90 9NF.
Race the Euros with us! Join our squad to take on the 13 other London United clubs in a virtual battle to race to each of the Euro 2021 host cities in the fastest time possible.
All donated items do need to be in working order, and the charger for the device would be
To find out more, visit
appreciated. When donating please reset to factory
palaceforlife.org and
settings and sanitise the device. If you have any questions please email Duncan
search: Race the Euros.
on DuncanRobinson@palaceforlife.org.
palace for life
GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk
61
game that changed my career A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved. However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest
3-0 18th October, 2008 Championship
impact on a player’s career. Throughout this season, we will be talking to past and present Eagles to find out which match has had the biggest bearing on their life. This week, Nathaniel Clyne recalls an impressive start to the professional world as he hit one milestone after the other.
Once I played in that game it gave me the confidence I could play first-team football and gave me the belief that I could be a professional footballer
All my family and friends were watching they all came down. I had like 40 tickets for that game. It was good; I enjoyed it and the memories
lyne
will always stay with me. I was nervous before the game but also excited to have been given the call-up to start. During that week I signed my first professional contract with the club and also passed my driving test! It was a very good week for me. Once I played in that game it gave me the confidence I could play first-team football and gave me the belief that I could be a professional footballer. How I performed live on Sky for my friends and family to see, that was definitely one of the best games.
game that changed my career
62 @pnm1979
official matchday programme
63
2006/07 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss reviews those desirable gems, those best-forgotten strips and does a bit of market research for those of you looking to snap up some of the Eagles’ iconic shirts. This week, Jordan Ayew models the away kit from 2006/07.
kit or miss
64
2006 A fter three seasons competing for or
in the Premier League, Palace’s topflight dream came crashing down in
2006/07, and the club had the promising but disappointing away strip to match. The early signs were encouraging for both team and kit. On-pitch matters were bright with three wins from the opening
What went wrong: Grey is not a Palace colour. It wasn’t before this kit and hasn’t been since. This shirt was also unfortunate in the time it was produced – it’s trying to be a clever, modern style but hasn’t quite had the run-up to get things right.
three games, a new manager and roster of signings. On their travels, Palace were sartorially aided by a smart new colour scheme, attempting a unique shirt pattern and a new sponsor to re-shape the look. The reality, however, went: finishing 12th, new manager Peter Taylor leaving early the next season and incoming transfers largely failing to make their mark. As for the kit, the colour was ditched,
How to save it: The colour itself is, admittedly, quite a nice one. It needs more Palace, however. Touches of red and blue are completely absent in all but the badge and sponsor. As for the grey-to-white pattern, perhaps a smarter fade like 18/19 would add a little more panache.
pattern never seen again and sponsor the most vibrant part of the ensemble. What, on paper, could and perhaps should be a well regarded season with a suitably popular kit is instead forgotten as one of the more disappointing combinations in recent Palace history.
Reminds us of: Shefki Kuqi.
Story of the season Palace fans expected to enjoy a promotion challenge in 2006/07. The Eagles reached the play-off
2007
semi-finals the season before and were boosted by Taylor’s arrival after an immensely successful time with Hull City. But poor runs at the start and end of the campaign consigned Palace to mid-table and left a squad of talented players perhaps frustrated at their own shortcoming. The south Londoners would end 2006/07 in 12th – sitting between
Saturday, 4th November, 2006 loftus road
fifth- and sixth-place finishes the seasons before and after. Perhaps the brightest takeaway from this campaign was Clinton Morrison’s ability as top scorer, the Academy graduate returning the season before to then fill much of the gap left by Andrew Johnson’s departure.
The lowest point: Losing 4-2 to Queens Park Rangers in a seventh game without winning. The Eagles had the lead and lost it twice, and then fell to Stoke City the following week to end one of two periods that limited success this season.
Where are they now? GAC Logistics are still going strong across the world. The global logistics company are in their eighth decade of business and still retain ties with football – becoming Aberdeen’s Official Logistics Partner in 2019. Their association with Palace helped transport the Eagles up the league, and GAC sponsored kits until the end of 2013/14.
kit or miss
65
66
We’ve made the beer better. Worth a try? Probably. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. Rebrewed for a crisper taste.
67
Club Historian, Ian King, looks back at the 1990/91 campaign that saw a Wembley return and confirmed Palace, for one season at least, as the third-best club in the country.
1990/91 season
68
Under pressure from Mark Bright, the shot-stopper raced out of his area to clear the under-hit ball and, as he did so, sent it veering towards the touchline 45-yards out where Salako was lurking. Salako said afterwards: “The ‘keeper still managed to clear it but only as far as me. I put my foot on the ball, looked up, hit it and basically hoped for the best.” In fact Salako produced an audacious 45-yard chip over the stranded Crossley. It is alleged the
W
furious Forest manager Brian Clough
ith two abortive trips to the
took out his frustration afterwards on
City Ground in Nottingham
the two players involved that meant
due to short-notice
another meeting back in Nottingham
postponements, the FA Cup Third Round
three days later.
replay finally got underway on the evening of Monday, 21st January. A goalless first-half gave no indication of the drama that would come at the end of the game. The Eagles edged ahead eight minutes into the second-half as a cross from John Salako spun off Des Walker’s head and there was Ian Wright to volley the loose ball into the net. Twenty minutes later and it was the luckless Richard Shaw who had to watch his deflection from Terry Wilson’s shot loop up and over Nigel Martyn for the Forest equaliser. And so to extra time; the additional period was only seven minutes old when Stuart Pearce
Thursday 24th January brought a
popped up to finish a Steve Hodge
third meteorological condition to cause
knock-down from close range.
yet another postponement, this time in
Then, with the final whistle on its
the form of thick fog, once again with
way, Roy Keane chose to pass the ball
supporters on their way. The game
back to his ‘keeper Mark Crossley.
was rearranged for Monday 28th - two
official matchday programme
69
days after the scheduled Fourth Round tie, with Newcastle United awaiting the winners. Finally the tie was settled in Forest’s favour
In the first-half Palace played on the counter-attack but as the match wore on Forest’s monopoly gradually receded as the Eagles
when they scored three goals in 11 minutes early
created several openings. Then four minutes from
in the second-half against a Palace team missing
the end came an opportunity from a free-kick as
the suspended Andy Thorn. Towards the end of
Andy Gray’s effort was perfectly weighted for
the game Forest manager Clough, having used his
Eric Young to rise above the Forest defenders and
two permitted substitutes, withdrew Steve Hodge
head home. On this sixth trip to the City Ground in
from the field to end the game with only 10 men,
four weeks the intrepid Palace supporters were
which angered the Palace staff.
finally rewarded.
Palace v Nottingham Forest, Jan-Feb 1991 •
6th January: Palace 0-0 Forest
•
9th January: Forest P-P Palace (rain)
•
16th January: Forest P-P Palace (ice)
•
21st January: Forest 2-2 Palace
•
24th January: Forest P-P Palace (fog)
•
28th January: Forest 3-0 Palace
•
2nd February: Forest 0-1 Palace
JOHN SALAKO
Afterwards Steve Coppell diplomatically said: “The telling moment of the whole tie was when the Forest secretary won the toss for the ground to play the second replay.” Five days later it was back to the East Midlands city for the scheduled Division One fixture with misty conditions still swirling around. This time Coppell had a plan for the game that he kept to himself, with assistant Alan Smith only telling the players in the pre-match tactics talk at a Nottingham hotel. Coppell opted to cede possession while playing Salako at left-back, Geoff Thomas continuing to stand in for Thorn with Shaw marking Nigel Clough and Alan Pardew following Hodge, while fit-again Phil Barber came in for Eddie McGoldrick.
Joined from: Academy, signed professional forms in October 1986 Debut: 24th January, 1987 v Barnsley (H) Final Palace game: 14th May, 1995 v Newcastle United (A) Left for: Coventry City, August 1995 Palace appearances: 273 Palace goals: 34
1990/91 season
70
official matchday programme
71
we've got an abundance of talent both in and below the Under-23s who are geared towards making the next step-up
F
irst and foremost, we enjoyed an
real belief - they’re playing brave, fast, attacking
excellent performance against Arsenal
football and they’re pressing teams with intent
at the end of January, winning 3-2 at
to win the ball back in high areas.
home. Inviting teams of that calibre to our
With six Under-23s securing loan moves,
new facilities is always an unbelievable
we have a chance to let younger lads step-up.
occasion, but we knew the match was going
That means Noah Watson and John-Kymani
to be tough.
Gordon have sustained a place in the Under-23s
Arsenal were on the back of a five-
this season and Victor Akinwale, Joe Whitworth
game unbeaten run and were really starting
and Jesuran Rak-Sakyi were part of Shaun’s
to gather momentum with a squad full of
squad at the beginning of the month. I’m always
international players.
delighted when I see younger lads go and push
The lads approached the game with a belief that we could compete, get a result and control large parts of the match and that’s exactly what
into the Under-23s and then when they get on and perform it’s extremely pleasing. We’ve got an abundance of talent both
we did. I was delighted with the game for a
in and below the Under-23s who are geared
number of reasons - not only the result. The
towards making the next step-up. That
result was the icing on the cake.
competitive spirit means they’re pushing each
Facing an in-form side such as Arsenal
other every day in training, vying for a place not
requires specific preparation, of course it
only in the Under-18s but, if they perform, in the
does. But Professional Development demands
Under-23s as well.
a broad approach that prepares the lads for if
However it’s not just about letting my lads
and when they get to first-team level. Certainly
push-up – the natural process is to allow Under-
the latter part of the week is geared towards
16s to join the Under-18s when they’re ready, too.
the opposition, but most of our week is spent on
There’s a trickle-down effect. We’ll always look to
individual development and our game model.
progress an Under-16 whose performances are
We’ve had a real focus over these last
consistently excellent but he’s not getting enough
couple of years in developing a model where we
of a challenge. If we feel it’s right, we certainly
control possession and we’re starting to see the
won’t block anybody’s pathway at this football
benefit of that. The players are competing with
club. We’ve shown that in the past.
paddy m©carthy
Georgi
72
official matchday programme
Cliffor
73
Anything we can do to help at the moment is huge and pretty much all of the girls have signedup to make calls
I
moved away from home in the Cotswolds
Off the pitch, I’ve recently started my own
at 16 to join the Reading Academy
sports brand called Activation Sport. We’re
programme, which was obviously a
looking to produce equipment that helps
massive decision. I was with Reading for four
women’s footballers, tailored around what’s
years and earned my call-up to the first-team
currently not in the market. It’s a bit scary but
after two, which was a huge honour.
so was leaving home at 16 – this is something
At such a young age, it was crazy joining Fara Williams, Jo Potter, Jade Moore and
else to focus on and be driven for. Another exciting off-pitch development
other players I looked up to when I was
has been the club’s Zoom calls with players
younger. I then unfortunately injured my ACL
who aren’t able to compete at the moment. I’m
which set me back a bit. It was an incredibly
speaking with youth players from Tamworth F.C.
tough time, but having that injury so early
and the over-30s at Wheatley Oaks.
in your career makes you understand and appreciate football much more. Once I recovered, I decided I needed
I’ve got to shout-out Chloe Morgan, our goalkeeper. This was her initiative and when she put it in the group chat, we all pounced on it.
game-time. With Reading being such a big
We’re still playing football and still have that in our
club I knew I wasn’t going to get regular
lives but a lot of clubs don’t. Anything we can do
minutes, so I dropped down two leagues to
to help at the moment is huge and pretty much all
Oxford United. I earned Player of the Season
of the girls have signed-up to make calls.
in 2019/20 and shortly afterwards received
Lizzie Waldie recently did a call with 67
a call from Dean asking if I’d like to sign for
participants. We didn’t realise it was going to
Palace. Obviously that was my goal – to get
take off this much – we thought: ‘If we can speak
noticed and work my way up the leagues.
to one or two teams, that’ll be great.’ But then
Now I’m here, I’m enjoying being at such a
we had over 60 replies! We’re only a team of
great club – the staff, girls and environment
25, so we can’t speak to everyone, but if we can
are all great.
help 30 teams, we’re giving something back.
Georgia Clifford
74
First-team sponsors & messages
2020/21
In loving memory of Mr Ernest Ronald Bradnam, who sadly left us in December. A loving husband, dad, grandad, great grandad and brother, you will be missed but never forgotten. We love you dearly, from the whole family. RIP Grandad love you xxx
Roy Hodgson
PALACE DETECTIVES Proud supporters of CPSCC
Joel Ward
Patrick van Aanholt
Luka Milivojevic
Scott Dann
Cheikhou Kouyaté
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL 01737 225 711 |
W S PA . C O . U K
logo-crystal-palace-dec-2017.indd 1
29/12/2017 09:17
Jordan Ayew
Andros Townsend
Wilfried Zaha
Wayne Hennessey
Jean-Philippe Mateta
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James McArthur
James McCarthy
Michy Batshuayi
Gary Cahill
Eberechi Eze
Tyrick Mitchell
Vicente Guaita
Martin Kelly
Jaïro Riedewald
Contact liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk to discuss our player sponsorship packages.
official matchday programme
Sep
oct
nov
dec
jan
feb
mar
2-3
0-2 1-4 0-3 2-4 3-1
0-0 0-1
Blackburn Rovers
London Bees
Lewes
Durham
Leicester City
Sheffield United
Bristol City
Coventry United
London Bees
Liverpool
Lewes
London City Lionesses
Leicester City
Durham
Blackburn Rovers
London Bees
Leicester City
Liverpool
Charlton Athletic
Sheffield United
Coventry United
Sun 27
Sun 4
Wed 7
Sun 11
Sun 18
Sun 1
Thu 5
Sun 8
Thu 19
Sun 6
Sun 13
Sun 10
Thu 14
Sun 17
Sun 7
Sun 14
Sun 28
Sun 7
Thu 25
Sun 4
Sun 25
Lewes
1-1
London City Lionesses
Sat 12
2-2
0-1
2-0
0-4
6-1
2-1
4-1
2-2
Charlton Athletic
Sun 6
may Sun 2
apr
Sep oct nov JAN
dec FEB MAR APR
STATS
0-3 0-1 1-0 2-1 1-4 6-0
2-5 3-0 2-3 4-0
Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United Reading Sunderland Stoke City Fulham Newcastle United Fulham Norwich City Aston Villa
Fri 25 Fri 2 Mon 19 Mon 26 Sun 1 Mon 9 Mon 23 Mon 30 Fri 4 Mon 21 Mon 18 Mon 1 Fri 5
Fri 7
Middlesbrough
Sat 8
Sat 17 Sat 1
Southampton Sat 3
Middlesbrough
West Ham United Sat 20
Mon 3
Reading
Sat 13
West Bromwich Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham Hotpsur
Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion
Sat 6
Sat 24
Leicester City
Sat 27
Newcastle United
Norwich City Sat 20
Mon 26
Chelsea Sat 13
Stoke City
Fulham
Sat 06
Mon 12
Arsenal Sat 30
West Bromwich Albion
Fulham Sat 16
Mon 29
Brighton & Hove Albion Sat 19
Sunderland
3-2
Fleetwood Town
Fri 11
Mon 22
4-1
Tottenham Hotpsur Sat 05
Reading
2-1
Aston Villa
Sat 28
Fri 12
1-2
West Ham United
Sat 7
Leeds United
1-5
Reading
Sat 31
Mon 1
2-1
Leicester City
Sat 24
Burnley
1-0
Norwich City
Sat 17
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-0
Chelsea
Fri 2
Mon 22
3-2
Arsenal
Sat 26
2-0
2-1
1-0
2-3
2-1
Southampton
Sat 19
Result
Opposition
Date
Mon 15
4-4
1-0
3-4
3-3
West Bromwich Albion
Mon 21
Result
Opposition
Date
Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)
may
Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may
Result
Opposition
Date
75
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
Date
Opposition
Result
Position
Sat 12
Southampton
1-0
7th
Tue 15
Bournemouth
0-0
Sat 19
Manchester United
3-1
Sat 26
Everton
1-2
6th
Sat 3
Chelsea
0-4
12th
Sun 18
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1
14th
Sat 24
Fulham
2-1
8th
Fri 30
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-2
13th
Mon 8
Leeds United
4-1
8th
Mon 23
Burnley
0-1
11th
Fri 27
Newcastle United
0-2
15th
Sun 6
West Bromwich Albion
5-1
11th
Sun 13
Tottenham Hotspur
1-1
11th
Wed 16
West Ham United
1-1
12th
Sat 19
Liverpool
0-7
13th
Sat 26
Aston Villa
0-3
13th
Mon 28
Leicester City
1-1
13th
Sat 2
Sheffield United
2-0
14th
Fri 8
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-1
R3
Thu 14
Arsenal
0-0
13th
Sun 17
Manchester City
0-4
13th
Tue 26
West Ham United
2-3
13th
Sat 30
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-0
13th
Tue 2
Newcastle United
2-1
13th
Sat 6
Leeds United
0-2
13th
Sat 13
Burnley
Mon 22
Brighton & Hove Albion
Sun 28
Fulham
Sat 6
Tottenham Hotspur
Sat 13
West Bromwich Albion
Sat 20
Manchester United
Sat 3
Everton
Sat 10
Chelsea
Sat 17
Southampton
Sat 24
Leicester City
Sat 1
Manchester City
Sat 8
Sheffield United
Tue 11
Aston Villa
Sat 15
Arsenal
Sun 23
Liverpool
official matchday programme
(10-11)
R2 5th
Cheikhou KouyatĂŠ
Card Red Card
Max Meyer
Yellow
Scott Dann
Goal(s)
James Tomkins
Unused Sub
Luka Milivojevic
Used Sub
Patrick van Aanholt
Started
Joel Ward
Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture - Palace score shown first.
Jack Butland
76
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Jordan Ayew Andros Townsend Wilfried Zaha Mamadou Sakho Wayne Hennessey Jean-Philippe Mateta Jeffrey Schlupp Nathaniel Clyne James McArthur Stephen Henderson Christian Benteke James McCarthy Michy Batshuayi Gary Cahill Eberechi Eze Tyrick Mitchell Vicente Guaita Jaroslaw Jach Martin Kelly Sam Woods Nathan Ferguson Nya Kirby Brandon Pierrick JaĂŻro Riedewald
77
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 40 44
Fixtures & results
78
Club
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD Pts
1
Manchester City
22
15
5
2
43
14
29
50
2
Manchester United
23
13
6
4
49
30
19
45
3
Leicester City
23
13
4
6
39
25
14
43
4
Liverpool
23
11
7
5
44
29
15
40
5
Chelsea
23
11
6
6
38
24
14
39
6
West Ham United
23
11
6
6
34
28
6
39
7
Everton
21
11
4
6
34
28
6
37
8
Tottenham Hotspur
22
10
6
6
36
22
14
36
9
Aston Villa
21
11
2
8
36
24
12
35
10
Leeds United
22
10
2
10
38
38
0
32
11
Arsenal
23
9
4
10
27
23
4
31
12
Southampton
22
8
5
9
29
37
-8
29
13
Crystal Palace
23
8
5
10
27
39
-12 29
14
Wolverhampton Wanderers
23
7
6
10
23
31
-8
27
15
Brighton & Hove Albion
23
5
10
8
25
30
-5
25
16
Newcastle United
23
7
4
12
25
38
-13 25
17
Burnley
22
6
5
11
14
29
-15 23
18
Fulham
22
2
9
11
17
31
-14
19
West Bromwich Albion
23
2
6
15
18
54 -36 12
20
Sheffield United
23
3
2
18
15
37 -22
Gameweek 24
premier league
15
11
All statistics correct as of 5pm Tuesday 9th February
leicester √ liverpool
west brom √ man utd
13th February 12:30
14th February 14:00
crystal palace √ burnley
arsenal √ leeds
13th February 15:00
14th February 16:30
man city √ spurs
everton √ fulham
13th February 17:30
14th February 19:00
brighton √ aston villa
west ham √ sheffield utd
13th February 20:00
15th February 18:00
southampton √ wolves
chelsea √ newcastle
14th February 12:00
15th February 20:00
Crystal Palace and the rest of the Premier League will not tolerate racism, anywhere, and we are taking action to combat all forms of discrimination. But we can all do more. Challenge it, report it, change it, and together we can make a positive impact. Visit premierleague.com/noroomforracism to find out more. #NoRoomForRacism
Challenge it. Report it. Change it.
Crystal palace f.c. (GK) Jack BUTLAND Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Jordan AYEW Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO (GK) Wayne HENNESSEY Jean-Philippe MATETA Jeffrey SCHLUPP Nathaniel CLYNE James MCARTHUR Christian BENTEKE Connor WICKHAM James MCCARTHY Michy BATSHUAYI Gary CAHILL Eberechi EZE Tyrick MITCHELL (GK) Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD
01 02 03 04 05 06 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 31 34 36 44
burnley f.c. 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 15 16 18 19 23 25 26 27 28 31 33 34 35 38 41 44 45 46
Nick POPE (GK) Matthew LOWTON Charlie TAYLOR Jack CORK James TARKOWSKI Ben MEE Jóhann GUÐMUNDSSON Josh BROWNHILL Chris WOOD Ashley BARNES Dwight McNEIL Robbie BRADY Bailey PEACOCK-FARRELL (GK) Dale STEPHENS Ashley WESTWOOD Jay RODRIGUEZ Erik PIETERS Will NORRIS (GK) Phil BARDSLEY Matej VYDRA Kevin LONG Richard NARTEY Max THOMPSON Jimmy DUNNE Anthony MANCINI Lewis RICHARDSON Josh BENSON Mace GOODRIDGE Anthony DRISCOLL-GLENNON Joel MUMBONGO