Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers Saturday 30th January 2021 // 3pm
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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander
palace √ Wolves
Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director
30.01.21
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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david omilabu
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, Dinesh Sanassee Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers
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fixtures & results
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premier league
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we are on a solid footing for the remaining 18 games and we will again be in a position to secure Premier League football next season
W
elcome to Nuno, his staff and
to us. We saw earlier this month that Wolves
players and hello again to each
can still secure the outcomes they require
of you reading this. I hope you
and we must be at our best today if we are to
are well.
It has not been long since I last wrote
improve on our FA Cup result. Speaking more generally, we can be
in this column and no games have passed
satisfied with our season as a whole so far.
since, so I cannot comment on our match
We have ensured that we are on a solid
with West Ham United.
footing for the remaining 18 games and that
However, I can comment on our opposition today and the season so far, as we pass the halfway point in the 2020/21 campaign. Wolverhampton Wanderers are an
we will again be in a position to secure Premier League football next season. The sooner we can guarantee that, the sooner we can shift our attention to moving
example of a club where the structure is
further up the table and strive towards an
commendable throughout. Their manager,
improved league position.
staff and players have developed a
To do this, we have to continue working
formidable on-pitch setup that saw them
consistently and thoroughly to collect
deservedly reach laudable heights upon
points at every opportunity; so far, our
returning to this level.
highlights have been the victory away to
I must give credit to both their important approach and ethos but also to their recruitment. Many of Wolves’ regular players
Manchester United and the draws with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester. We now have the chance to
were signed immediately after promotion to
accumulate a strong set of results over
the Premier League and they have proved to
the next five matches in particular, which
be wise, impactful investments
could support our position and help
They have not enjoyed the success of recent seasons at the start of this campaign, but that makes them no less of a challenge
to develop some momentum before a challenging run-in. Enjoy the game.
The manager
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we have a real chance to get up the table, put pressure on the teams above us and improve our position very well
W
e welcome a very difficult team to
It is not often that you face a team twice
Selhurst Park today after the recent
in one month, and we have an advantage
match with West Ham United.
because the gaffer made a lot of changes for
I am writing this to you before the West
that game and they did not make many. This
Ham game so do not know the score but I
gives us a slightly better idea of their setup,
do know that it will have been a challenge
but we must still remain sharp and remember
against such an in-form side.
what a good team we are playing today.
Wolves are less in-form than West Ham.
We are now past the halfway point of the
They did not start this season like in their last
season and I am pleased with how we have
two campaigns, but that is no reason for us to
done so far. Sure, some games we could have
relax or to think we will have it easy.
got more points from or performed better in,
When teams experience results they are not used to, like every side across football does, it means they are always looking for a
but overall we have had some pleasing results and played some good football. The league is starting to space out now
game to get back to form or maybe to start
and teams are becoming more set in their
some momentum. Yes, Wolves are not getting
position but, if you look at the table, there
the points they were this time last year. But
is still just five or maybe six points between
they know how well they can play and where
Crystal Palace and the top 10. This gap does
they want to be in the table, so they will be
not take long to close. With the games coming
wanting to rediscover that ability in every
up in February, we have a real chance to get
game. This is dangerous; it means teams must
up the table, put pressure on the teams above
be very careful when playing them.
us and improve our position very well.
We are aware of this and the gaffer and
If we manage that, we are then near
coaches make sure we understand the opponent
teams like Chelsea and Arsenal, so we must
very well in each game. Of course, we have
remember how strong the Premier League is.
some knowledge on this already, after playing Wolves in the FA Cup just three weeks ago.
Today is another chance to collect more points and to make you proud. Make some noise! The captain
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W
elcome to the directors, staff and players of Wolves to Selhurst Park today for this important Premier
League clash. Regrettably, due to print deadlines, I’m penning these notes prior to Tuesday night’s match with West Ham United – so I am unable to comment on any Palace action since my last update. Several of our talented Academy prospects have been sent out on loan – we
Mark Bright is in regular contact with those players that do go on loan, as well as the clubs hosting them
recently announced that Nya Kirby will spend the rest of the season at Tranmere Rovers,
regulars but it presents a great opportunity for
whilst Rob Street will play for Torquay United,
others to step up.
Scott Banks has joined up with Dunfermline
Mark Bright is in regular contact with
Athletic and Ollie Webber has gone to Dover
those players that do go on loan, as well as the
Athletic. That is in addition to Rohan Luthra,
clubs hosting them, and we actively monitor
Jacob Russell, Lewis Hobbs and Jarosław
their progress on and off the field. It’s important
Jach spending time on loan too.
to remember that these guys are probably
The Category 1 league is definitely a step
living away from home for the first time too,
up, the games have more quality and are
and we always do our utmost to ensure they
more competitive, so balancing what is best
are getting the support and guidance they
for each individual is important. Aaron went
need. I’ve read Andros talk about how several
from the Under-23s directly into the first-team,
loan spells shaped his path as a footballer,
as has Tyrick, but it can be very important
accelerated his development and ultimately
for some players’ development to go to clubs
made him a better player, and I sincerely
in the Football League and gain valuable
hope that each of these young men grasp the
experience, where they are coming up
opportunity they have ahead of them.
against professionals in competitive matches every week. The players will quickly appreciate the
Elsewhere, I thoroughly enjoyed a video chat with Palace fan Eddie Izzard on Monday, as she yet again pushes new boundaries for
intensity and physicality of league football,
charity. Eddie is running 31 marathons on a
which offers a different prospect to the
treadmill in 31 days to raise money to give to
structured world of Academy life they are
charities that ‘Make Humanity Great’. Eddie is
used to; adapting to different styles of play and
such an inspiration to us all, consistently doing
living away from home can all contribute to a
amazing things for good causes, as well as
great learning experience. Clearly the moves
being a vocal supporter of our Foundation.
also create opportunities for younger players
I hope you enjoy today’s match – and most
to fill the gaps in the U23s. We know the next
importantly are reading this programme in
few games might be tough having lost a few
good health and spirits.
The chairman
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During one of the country’s toughest times, Cheikhou KouyatÊ maintains a wide smile and infectious attitude. Here, he explains his mindset to Ben Mountain, discussing how religion, upheaval and family have shaped his life.
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rofessional footballers may not work in the arts or academia, but are routinely asked broad,
pretentious questions about their life and career regardless. Such abstract angles (‘How does being a *insert position* affect your views on life?’) are typically met with a mystified sigh and, often, a footballing platitude. Next question. Cheikhou Kouyaté takes a different approach. When we fall into the very trap above (‘Where do you get your positivity from, Cheikhou?’), the Palace No.8 responds with a raucous laugh. “Aha!” he exclaims. “I get this energy from when I was younger. My mum told me, whenever she’s angry and then looks at me, she sees my teeth [smiling].” We have a whole page of broad, pretentious questions ahead of us, so there’s a sigh of relief at Kouyaté’s platitude-free answers. There’s no ‘I’m just focused on football’ with him. It’s the bleakest time of year – pandemic or not – and a second national lockdown only adds to the pressure and strain of the weeks ahead. How, then, does Palace’s most upbeat player sustain his trademark smile? Another broad question. Another raucous laugh. “Life is so short, you know, and you never know what will happen tomorrow. Just enjoy the moment and every time, be positive.
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“Sometimes some people need that – some people are hungry, angry, they need something to smile about, to be a little bit positive.” Kouyaté describes himself as a ‘loner’ in the Palace squad – there’s no one with a mindset like him – but admits James McArthur is similarly vivacious: “Macca is the funny guy in the dressing room. He makes me laugh every time he talks to me. Jamesy is very, very special.” Underpinning Kouyaté’s outlook is a combination of character-defining traits, namely religion, upheaval and a deeplyrooted family encouragement. He explains the first of these,
Life is so short, you know, and you never know what will happen tomorrow. Just enjoy the moment and every time, be positive
saying: “I was born to a Muslim family and my grandad, people knew him as a religious person. Before he died, everyone knew him in the Muslim religion. My father put this discipline in me so this is why I pray five times a day – if I don’t pray one time, I’m no good. “When it’s time to pray, I need to do that – it helps me. I need to pray before the game, I need to pray after the game. This is my life. The most important thing in my life is prayer. “I pray in general – to have a good end to my life for me and my friends, for everyone. Sometimes you pray for the coronavirus, for people who are unwell. You pray for people in hospital. You pray for your father, your mother, your son and wife. For good spirit.
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“Sometimes you pray to win
“[In Senegal], young people don’t have a
the game or have a good game, to
little bit of money to have things – it’s very, very
not get injured, because you never
hard. If you’re a footballer, sometimes you need
know. Sometimes you do that.
to come to Europe to play and help your family.
Everything for my friends, I just ask
It’s not easy.
for positive things.” Kouyaté wakes up to pray at
“It’s not an easy life in Senegal – the easy life is here, you have money, your job… We have
6am each day. In fact, his routine is
too many players in Senegal who don’t get the
to rise, pray, sleep again and then
chance I had. They are much better, they have
drive to training.
much better players – I’m a very good player
It’s clear from talking to him that neither football, nor success in football, are taken for granted. “This is why I say every time
but these guys don’t get the chance to come to Europe. It’s very, very tough for them. “[The RWDM Brussels scout] said: ‘I want you to come to Europe.’ I was so happy but I
Alhamdulillah for everything;
remember my mum did not want me to go. She
thanks to God for everything, for
said: ‘You’re too young to go to Europe.’ My
the good moments and for the
grandmother said to me: ‘You want to go?... I’m
bad moments. Sometimes you
going to ask her.’ After 48 hours, my mum said:
might have lost the game, have a
‘Okay, you can go.’ I was so, so, so happy for that.
bad game, have an injury – in life
“It’s not easy if you’re a footballer there
you never know what’s going to
[Senegal] because it’s not the same league to
happen tomorrow.
Europe – Africa doesn’t have the same mentality.
“It’s hard in the beginning
It’s very hard. The first time I came to Europe I
[when setbacks happen] but after,
said thanks to God because I knew I was going
the next day, I forget and I’m
to work hard to help my family. This has always
looking to the future. This is life -
been my dream.”
you never know.” It may seem cliché, but
As it does for many young, emigrating footballers, the excitement of moving abroad
Kouyaté was forced to mould this
soon became reality for Kouyaté, however, and
attitude through his experiences
the teenager struggled to settle.
in football. The 31-year-old
Adapting to overseas, professional life
moved to Europe in January 2007
placed his infallible joie de vivre under pressure
when an RWDM Brussels scout
– and so the teenager’s third pillar of support
chanced upon him in a Senegal
came into play: his family.
youth match. Aged just 17, Kouyaté today
“In the beginning,” he says, “it was very hard in Belgium. Very tough. After my first
says he “had luck that day,”
experience, I said: ‘I want to go back to Senegal.’
and explains why and how the
I called my agent in Senegal and said: ‘No,
upheaval of leaving home was
Europe is no good. They say Europe is very good
such a seminal choice.
but it’s so cold and nobody talks to me.’
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“I said: ‘In Africa, you talk with everybody. It’s like a family. But if you come here in the beginning it is not like a family, you need to do everything for yourself. No, no. I want to go back.’ My agent said: ‘You know, you need to stay there, you need to do everything to play professional football because you need to do everything for your family and your father.’ Okay. No problem. This is my motivation: my family. I need to do everything to make them proud of me.” Clearly, Kouyaté’s familial incentive has continued even into
'if I tell our son he’s playing good, he’ll go and do nothing!'. I like that he pushes me every day to work hard. Everything I do on the field, I want to do my best for my dad
parenthood himself and, though coronavirus restrictions prevent his
100% through bad moments and good moments. I’m
parents from visiting, he still maintains
not alone, I have my family.
a close, constructive contact: “My dad watches every game
“My family can say: ‘You’re the best player’ and if other people say ‘no, no, you’re not good’, I tell them: ‘I
I play,” he said in a 2018 interview.
don’t care.’ I know I have my family and they trust me
“Every time, if I play well, he’ll say:
and help me. That is why I’m here today.”
‘No, no, you played badly.’ Every
Behind the scenes, Kouyaté is very much himself
time I play badly, he’ll say: ‘Yeah, you
– his animated presence still energising the training
played bad.’”
ground and changing rooms. He’s sustained his impact
Characteristically, even this tongue-in-cheek feedback has a
on teammates, management and staff, but there’s one group still missing: the supporters.
positive spin in Kouyaté’s eyes:
Explaining how Kouyaté stays positive may take a
“This is good, he wants me
full six pages, but for him and thousands of others, the
every time to push myself. He
most immediate solution could be very short: get fans
tells my mother: ‘If I tell our son
back to stadia.
he’s playing good, he’ll go and do nothing!’. I like that he pushes me every day to work hard. Everything I
‘Has the pandemic impacted your enjoyment of football?’ we end our time by asking. “You know me,” Kouyaté replies, “I like playing
do on the field, I want to do my best
with some people, the fans. They give you power, they
for my dad.
give you good energy and we need that. We need this
“Now, every time I’m playing, it doesn’t matter if some people say: ‘We love him’ [or not]. No, no, I know my family love me and support me
energy. Everything needs to go back to before because playing without fans is very, very boring.” A unique response to another broad question. Cheikhou Kouyaté: keeping positive without platitudes.
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snowpers 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.
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Play on Both in and out of football the world over, the pandemic is again at its most challenging. It’s difficult to say as a former player, but I think I would have wanted to play when possible. Players are tested several times a week in the Premier League and they’re finding cases very quickly so whoever needs to can isolate. That’s exactly how it should be. I do feel people need something to hold on to and that many people need football for their mental health and happiness. Neil Warnock spoke about it the other day – he said it would be disastrous to take football away given the mental pressure people in this country are under. I’ve heard arguments for a circuit-breaker and I’m all for player and staff safety. But two weeks won’t be enough – clubs have to train and, if they can’t train, they’ll need time to return to fitness. So, if there’s going to be a break, it’s got to be similar to last year, which will cause chaos.
Window-shopping Every time it opens, the transfer window will be in some players’ minds at all football clubs. They’ll either want to leave or have an agent telling them they’ve got to move. But if you’re happy at a club - which most, if not all, Palace players seem to be - I don’t think it’s a concern. You get the same thing every window: speculation. This year has been different to most others given the pandemic and financial situations. I’m calling this early in the month so could be completely wrong by the time
Now the window’s closing, clubs and players can fully focus on what matters most, and that’s playing. But the window can throw up some unique and interesting moves, and I was involved in one myself when being loaned to Apollon Smyrnis in 2014. I went to Birmingham City from Palace and, for one reason or another, the manager Lee Clark and I didn’t see eye to eye on football. I didn't play much for Birmingham and I’d left my favourite team where I’d done well. In hindsight, it was a bad move. By my second year in Birmingham, I was training with the kids, which I found a bit degrading. They were talented lads, but I was a senior pro and a supposed marquee signing. Lee and I knew we didn’t get on, so he called me upstairs one day and said: ‘I’ve got a club for you: Oxford United. They’re in the play-offs at the moment, pushing for promotion. They want you until the end of the season with a contract agreed after that.’ Perfect. I went downstairs and spoke to Hayden Mullins, a good friend of mine. I told him about it and he said: ‘Why would you do that?’ I told him: ‘They could get promoted back to the Championship. It’s perfect.’ He pointed out that they were in League Two. I’ve got nothing against that level, of course, but I was with one of the Championship’s top clubs and I assumed they were going places in League One! I had a move to Athens with Apollon set up on the side because I knew their manager, Lawrie Sanchez. I turned away from Hayden, went straight back to Lee’s office and said: ‘It’s not happening. I want to go to Athens instead.’ He agreed immediately and so I was on the first plane out. I loved it. It was 30 degrees every day,
you read this, but I can’t see much movement
my apartment neighboured Lee Cook’s, my
taking place.
family came over and we stayed out there
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home-schooling the kids. It was brilliant. We were rock-bottom when I arrived and on the last game of the season we just needed a point against Olympiacos to avoid relegation. That’s difficult at the best of times, so ultimately we did go down. But it was successful for me individually – playing against historic European clubs, enjoying a new experience and having a fantastic time. I had the opportunity to stay out and sign for Panathinaikos when their Director of Football, my former Newcastle teammate, Nikos Dabizas, offered me a contract. My wife didn’t like living out there, though, so I put my family first and turned Nikos down. I regret it now – they were in the Champions League qualifiers! I came back to England in March, my agent rang Birmingham to say I was finished and ready to come back and they just said: ‘We don’t want him.’ So I had a fantastic six-month summer. Not bad.
The upper hand Palace have an advantage in this game – Wolves didn’t make many changes in the FA Cup and we did. We’re more than likely going to field a completely different
Palace have an advantage in this game – Wolves didn’t make many changes in the FA Cup and we did
side against them and they’ll likely use a similar one. In that sense, Palace should have the advantage. Additionally, Wolves aren’t in the greatest form, so it’s a good time to play them, albeit after three massive games. Roy will get the tactics spot on today because we played them so recently, so hopefully we can go out and get a good result.
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Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles
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Schools In Focus Remote learning Girls’ Primary School Officer, Charlie Spencer, has been creating online football videos for children at home. These videos started in Lockdown 2.0 and are now continuing in Lockdown 3.0! They include football challenges and skills, featuring appearances from Crystal Palace Women. The aim of these videos is to engage and encourage children at home to keep active and practise their football skills. Charlie said: “I have had good feedback from the videos, especially from my cohort of girls, with some parents sending in videos of their daughters completing the challenges!”
Guess who
Badge jumble
Can you guess the four players from today’s
Can you work out four of Wayne Hennessey’s
opponents in the below face mash-up?
clubs from the mixed-up badges?
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02
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04
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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:
Hennessey, Molineux, Neto, Freedman, Nuno, Wanderers. Now make a sentence that includes all of the words you’ve found!
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answers
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Junior EAgles
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different colour. Schlupp's socks 4 W88 logo '8' different colour 5 Schlupp's boots 2 Schlupp's wristband different colour 3 PUMA logo missing on Manchester City. Spot The Difference: 1 Poppy missing on Wolves shirt
D
Neves Badge Jumble: 1 Bristol City 2 Stockport County 3 Yeovil Town 4
N A W
Guess Who: 1 Adama Traoré 2 Fábio Silva 3 Conor Coady 4 Rúben
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146 LIVE GAMES
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When I Visit Selhurst Park I support Crystal Palace and always will, The atmosphere at Selhurst Park gives me a thrill, I miss going to watch them play, Come sunshine, snow or a rainy day! I love to hear the other fans roar and sing, Especially when Zaha boots a goal in, Guaita always makes some awesome saves, And it does make me laugh when some players misbehave! Thank you to every Crystal Palace player, Although sometimes you make my grandad’s hair go greyer, But every one of you always try your best, And because of that you are all better than the rest! We sing, we cheer, we clap, we cry, Because we are Crystal Palace till we die. I can’t wait for the day I can return to the ground, To watch Crystal Palace play and hear the Glad All Over sound!
Thanks to nine-year-old Season Ticket holder, Liam Hamilton-Patterson, for sending CEO Phil Alexander this fantastic poem. Great work, Liam!
fan message
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Est.
1877 opposition
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wolves match preview For two seasons now, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been the Premier League’s pin-up boys. Finishing seventh in consecutive campaigns since returning to the top-flight, Wolves became perhaps the most swiftly established competitor for Europe in the competition’s history. This season, however, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have hit a bump in the road during what many are describing as a ‘re-building season’. They are in unfamiliar territory in the league’s lower end of mid-table and have taken just two points from their last five games. Whether it’s the loss of key players such as Diogo Jota, Matt Doherty, and Raúl Jiménez to a head injury, or simply a prolonged dip in form, Wolves have lost their bite this season. The Eagles should beware, however, having lost three of their last three games with today’s opponents. Since their return to the top-flight, Palace have managed just one win and one draw from six games in all competitions against the Midlands outfit. Turn to page 24 for Darren Ambrose’s view on why Palace’s FA Cup defeat may help them and page 44 for Daniel Storey’s in-depth tactical analysis!
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Nuno Espírito Santo
We are aware that it’s not a good moment for us, it’s a bad moment, and a lot of things are going wrong. We have to react to it and work very hard for the next one recent outings
2-3
l {h) 16.01.21
1-2
l {h) 12.01.21
1-0
w {h) 08.01.21
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the wanderers premier league wins
all-timers Conor Coady
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Rui Patrício
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Raúl Jiménez
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João Moutinho
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Steven Fletcher
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Kevin Doyle
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Diogo Jota
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premier league goals
Raúl Jiménez
last time out 21 49 16 15 3 28 32 2 20 23 17
Ruddy Kilman Coady Boly Aït-Nouri Moutinho Dendoncker Hoever Vitinha Cutrone Silva
0-1 21 15
2
16
32
49
28
3
20
17
23 opposition
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player profile
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Age
32
Height
1.9m
Joined
18th June, 2018
Debut
11th August, 2018 v Everton
PREVIOUS CLUB: Sporting CP
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Rui Patrício POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
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Patrício made his name with Sporting CP having joined the Portuguese side in 2000. After making his debut in 2006, the 'keeper went on to appear 467 times for the Leões before handing in a transfer request after supporters attacked the side’s
Ki-Jana Hoever
Rayan Aït-Nouri
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: NETHERLANDS
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: FRANCE
players at their training ground.
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Since joining Wolves in 2018, Patrício has become one of the Premier League's most highly
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regarded ‘keepers.
94 apps 24 clean sheets official matchday programme
Marçal
Willy Boly
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: COTE D’IVOIRE
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19
22
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Jonny
Nélson Semedo
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
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95 apps 26 clean sheets
49 Conor Coady
Lewis Richards
Maximilian Kilman
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND
player profile
Coady joined then-Championship outfit Wolves in 2015 and played in
Age
27
Height
1.85m
While he featured throughout
Joined
3rd July 2015
Espírito Santo’s arrival in 2017 that
Debut
8th August, 2015 v Blackburn Rovers
multiple positions across the team. his first season, it was Nuno cemented his place. Becoming captain after Premier League promotion in 2018, Coady has since been ever-present in the Wolves squad and played a
PREVIOUS CLUBS:
staggering 57 times in 2019/20. His
Liverpool & Huddersfield Town
significance was recognised by an England debut in September 2020.
opposition
38
08
Rúben Neves
Daniel Podence
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
20
10
93 apps 36 wins
28 27
Romain Saïss
João Moutinho
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: MOROCCO
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
player profile
Vitinha
Moutinho brought a wealth of
Age
34
Height
1.7m
in 2018 having amassed over 700
Joined
24th July, 2018
He has sustained his ability aged
Debut
11th August, 2018 v Everton
experience when joining Wolves appearances before the move. 34 and is still one of Wolves’ most used players. He was recognised for his role in Wolves’ first campaign back in the Premier League with
PREVIOUS CLUBS:
their 2018/19 Player of the Season
Sporting CP, Porto & Monaco
award and has collected 129 caps for Portugal.
official matchday programme
37
player profile
39
Age
25
Height
1.78m
Joined
8th August, 2018
Debut
18th August, 2018 v Leicester City
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Barcelona, Aston Villa & Middlesbrough
32
Adama Traoré POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: SPAIN
07
Traoré has come into his own since the start of 2019/20, when he played 54 games. The La Masia graduate started life with Wolves as an impact substitute before cementing his place in the team in his second season. In 2020/21, his pace and
Leander Dendoncker
Pedro Neto
POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: BELGIUM
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
strength became mainstream
09
talking points across the league and, at just 25-years-old, Traoré is considered one of the competition’s
17
most eye-catching talents. His impressive recent form earned him a Spain debut in October 2020.
121 apps 5 goals
Raúl Jiménez
Fábio Silva
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: MEXICO
POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL
opposition
40
#31
#11
Guaita
PatrĂcio
player comparison
Age 34
position Goalkeeper
nationality esp
Age 32
position Goalkeeper
nationality prt
apps
Clean sheets
Saves
apps
Clean sheets
saves
223
223
Accurate long balls
Goals conceded
Punches
Catches
Passes per match
Accurate long balls
Goals conceded
24
Passes per match
92
Catches
19
Punches
72
44
20
24.8
443
94
14
17
19.6
635
110
official matchday programme
41
#11
#37
zaha
TraorĂŠ
player comparison
Age 28
position Forward
nationality CIV
Age 25
position Forward
nationality esp
apps
goals
Assists
apps
goals
Assists
0.19
35%
Big chances created
21.2
12
Interceptions
%
Shooting accuracy
5
Goals per match
120
Passes per match
Big chances created
26
Interceptions
Shooting accuracy
44
Goals per match
Passes per match
230
29
15
% 128
39
13.8
0.04
28%
opposition
42
officialLOCK matchday programme
EXPLODE
PLAY
43
Crystal Palace have lost their last three matches against Wolves in all competitions, failing to score in each defeat – the Eagles have never lost four in a row against Wolves
25
Wolves are looking to complete their first league double over Crystal Palace since 2008/09 in the Championship
29 2
1
season so far
22
21
GOALS
181 241 SHOTS
17
18
33
29
EXPECTED GOALS
GOALS CONCEDED
40
12
48
AVERAGE POSSESSION %
26
25
EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST
8
1
SHOT CONVERSION RATE %
6
POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING
3
4
CLEAN SHEETS
6
7
POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING
goal times time
SCORED
CONCEDED
time
SCORED
CONCEDED
0-15
6
4
0-15
3
5
16-30
3
6
16-30
4
4
31-45
3
3
31-45
5
2
46-60
3
4
46-60
1
8
61-75
4
4
61-75
3
3
76-90
3
12
76-90
5
7
opposition
44
what’s the storey
midfielders into play and then
Jiménez’s absence
getting into the box for the
doesn’t change that plan.
resulting cross. Without him,
Nuno Espírito Santo believes
Wolves have been forced to
the wingers are the most
adapt that style. With Silva
crucial aspect of it; there’s no
unable to hold up the ball
point ripping up the blueprints
in the same way, they must
following their injury
push more players forward
setback. Wolves rank 12th
Columnist, Daniel Storey, can be
to avoid becoming blunt in
for possession in the Premier
heard on The Totally Football Show
the offensive. In turn that can
League but no team has more
and seen in the Irish Examiner, the
leave them exposed to the
fast breaks or registered more
i paper and many more.
counter-attack. And that’s
shots from those fast breaks.
@danielstorey85
where Palace might flourish.
Wolves a different beast in Jiménez’s absence…
Jiménez’s other specialty
However that may suit Palace, who often try to do the
was his conversion rate of
same thing. If Roy Hodgson’s
shots to goals; again his
side can absorb Wolves’
absence has hampered
pressure - particularly if, as
Wolves. Last season they
discussed, it persuades them
There cannot be many more
converted 11.1% of their
to push more players forward
strikers in European football
shots, now reduced to 8.7% in
- Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi
who play such a vital role
2020/21. That might not seem
Eze can have some fun on the
in their team’s success as
a huge difference, but they
quick counter.
Raúl Jiménez. In 2018/19,
ranked ninth in the league by
One other tip: Don’t
after Wolves were promoted,
that measure last season and
play long balls against this
Jiménez scored or assisted
17th in the current campaign.
defence. No team in the
43% of their league goals. Last season, that increased to 45%. But his horrific head injury has left Wolves in a difficult
…but counterattacking remains the strategy
Premier League faces fewer than Wolves, with opposition managers wary of the aerial ability of Conor Coady and Willy Boly in particular.
situation. Having sold Diogo Jota and only just re-signed
Wolves enjoyed significant
Patrick Cutrone, Fábio Silva
success during their first two
has been Wolves’ starting
seasons back in the top-flight
centre-forward. Silva clearly
through strong results against
has huge potential, but at 18 is
the ‘Big Six’ teams. That was
Nuno has not been afraid to
still raw and understandably
a deliberate strategy, sitting
switch the team’s shape in
lacks Jiménez’s physicality.
back to soak up pressure and
search of a magic formula
then using quick wingers to
to cure Wolves’ issues with
Mexican excels at holding up
break as a pair with Jiménez
conceding goals and creating
the ball, bringing attacking
getting into the penalty area.
chances. They started the
When playing, the
official matchday programme
How many defenders?
45
season with a three-man central defence, either using a 3-4-3, 3-4-1-2 or 5-3-2 formation. Nuno then changed that to a 4-2-3-1, which earned them a draw against Southampton and victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. Since then, Nuno has again switched between threeand four-man defences with differing success. They beat Chelsea with a 3-4-1-2 but then lost to Burnley with the same formation. They drew with Tottenham Hotspur but then lost to Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion with their 4-2-3-1.
shots from dead-ball situations, third in the league by that measure
These results leave formation Nuno will pick at Selhurst Park. Does he stick with the flat back-four or go for a three-man defence that gives them greater solidity should they need to push players forward? If Nuno opts for the latter, does that mean one of the typical wingers - perhaps Adama Traoré playing as a wing-back? Either way, the lack of certainty means Hodgson and his coaching staff will be waiting keenly for the teamsheets to be published and watching Wolves closely in the warm-up. That may give them the best indication
Make use of set pieces Wolves’ matches see more reliance upon set pieces than any other team in the league. They have had 22 shots from dead-ball situations, third in the league by that measure, and no team has scored more set-piece goals. That’s just as well; only Burnley, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion have scored fewer times from open play. But, unusually for a team that thrives at attacking set-piece situations, Wolves have also been punished from them. They have only conceded 11 open-play goals, fewer than every team bar Leicester City, Manchester City and Tottenham, but no team has conceded more from set pieces. Interestingly, that includes a league-high six penalties conceded. With Zaha, Eze and potentially Jordan Ayew all happy dribbling inside the area, could that be a source of Palace joy?
of what they will face.
daniel storey
Statistics correct as of January 20th
us unsure which team and
46
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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 True or false: Wayne Hennessey has a
Whose career went: Crystal Palace –
Premier League assist.
Bournemouth (loan) – Gillingham (loan) – Swindon Town – Wolverhampton Wanderers?
02 John Humphrey had six years with
07
Wolverhampton Wanderers and five with
Former Palace and Wolves attacking
Crystal Palace, but which club did he finish his
midfielder Bakary Sako represents which
Football League career with?
country at international level?
08
03 Eric Young, who played for both of today’s
Geoff Thomas earned all his England
teams, represented Wales at international level.
appearances while with Palace. How many
But what country was he born in?
did he make?
09
04
Peter Taylor brought me to Palace. I played for
An £800,000 signing from Barnet, how many
the Republic of Ireland 34 times. I joined the
goals did Dougie Freedman score in 1995/96,
Eagles from Wolves and I started my career
his debut Palace season?
with Millwall before ending it with Ipswich Town. Who am I?
05 Freedman scored the club’s then-fastest
10
hat-trick (11 minutes) in a 5-0 win over
Kevin Muscat was born in Crawley, but
which side?
represented which national team 46 times?
answers 6 George Ndah 7 Mali 8 9 9 Mark Kennedy 10 Australia 1 True 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 3 Singapore 4 20 5 Grimsby Town opposition quiz
48
49
fantasy dinner party
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Denzel Washington
This week, Academy graduate and Palace right-back, Nathaniel Clyne,
Beyoncé
brings a star-studded lineup of entertainers round.
The Rock
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez can be the entertainment.
lyne
She can sing with Beyoncé!
Jennifer Lopez can be the entertainment. She can sing with Beyoncé!
fantasy dinner party
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51
Over the road at Copers Cope
David Omilabu 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
T
he story behind Crystal Palace Under-18s’ top goal scorer, David Omilabu, is one of perseverance
and ambition. “I signed [for Palace] when I was eight-years-old and then I got released when playing for the Under-12s,” he says, discussing the unique way his talent was unearthed, and revealing how he bounced back from being released through hard work. “A year later I went on trial at Fulham. We played Crystal Palace and I scored a hat-trick against them. Then my old coach said he wanted me back, Palace and got signed there.” Omilabu notes how being released “hurt a lot” but says he knew he was good enough to come back stronger. He was certainly proved right. Such ability to bounce back shows a desire and hunger to succeed and after hearing his motivations to do well, you understand why. Family is important to an Academy footballer’s life and David Omilabu is no different: he wants to repay the sacrifices his family made for him. “That is the one thing that motivates me a lot. If I don’t make it, what they did was a waste of time - for nothing - and I can’t let that happen.” Omilabu wants to make sure that days missed off work to drop him at training ultimately amount to something. Even more reason for parental praise is the decision which led to the discovery of Omilabu’s talent in the first place. “My mum told me the story the
official matchday programme
randon avid ierrick milabu
so the following week I went back to
53
other day,” he explains. “She said when I was younger, I was too energetic in the house, making noise. So she told my dad to go take me out to play football and that when I’d come back home, I’d be tired and just go to sleep.” Palace are certainly benefitting from getting Omilabu out of the house at a young age, a pastime which eventually led to Sunday League football with Junior Reds, where he was scouted for Academy level. From an energetic youngster to a “quick” and “mobile” striker. Academy football doesn’t come without its challenges, however. One
The opposition centre-back was weak in possession, so our coach told us to press him: ‘When we are pressing, make sure you press him hard,’ and then we got the ball back and scored from it
of the biggest competitions of the season is the FA Youth Cup. Palace fell to Fleetwood Town earlier this season and it was clear that the loss hurt.
He recalls one instance in particular: “The
But Omilabu reveals it was used as
opposition centre-back was weak in possession,
motivation for the rest of the season.
so our coach told us to press him: ‘When we are
“We had a good team and thought we could go far but we let ourselves down,” he says. “Getting knocked out of the FA
pressing, make sure you press him hard,’ and then we got the ball back and scored from it.” Omilabu says he enjoys tactical development, and it’s a focus evident in his play.
Youth Cup early hurt all of us, then
But it’s not the only off-pitch work he carries
after that game we said to ourselves
out, with the in-form striker setting short-term
that we are going to try our hardest to
targets and finding them helpful this season.
win the league.” Top of the table at the time of
He elaborates: “If there are four games in the month, I’ll say I want to score a certain
writing, Palace are certainly making
amount of goals in that month. I don’t set it like a
strides in this direction. One factor
whole target, a whole season thing.”
aiding their success is attention
Six to seven goals in a four-game period
to detail off the pitch, something
is his usual monthly target and the eight goals
Omilabu says plays a major role for the
he’s scored so far show the teenager has an
developing players.
eye for goal.
“A lot of people don’t know this but
“Hard work pays off,” David Omilabu ends
at academies there is a lot of tactical
his time by saying. If he sustains his interest and
work, more than you think.”
resolve, that may just prove true.
over the road at copers cope
tio n
su
p
po
rt
ed
by p
fou alace for life
nd
a
Palace Kitchen to feed thousands in need this winter Crystal Palace Football Club and Palace for Life Foundation have reopened The Palace Kitchen – the pioneering project that provides healthy and nutritious food to thousands of local people in need. Initially, club chefs will prepare around 350 meals a day, four days a week, throughout December with a commitment to cook more than 5,000 meals before Christmas. The club will continue to work with Croydon Council to identify vulnerable individuals and families in the greatest need of support. This will include those in emergency housing, the elderly, families and homeless people.
Donate here: www.justgiving.com/palacekitchen
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, the club’s longest-serving current member of staff, Terry Byfield, reveals how a chance meeting with Ron Noades today sees him work through his fourth decade at Selhurst Park.
Voices of south london
56
O
n 11th May, 1979, Terry Byfield arrived
today: approachable, honest and
at Selhurst Park at 5:30pm to ensure
looking to give people a chance.
he secured his spot in the stand for
“I left college and I wrote
Crystal Palace v Burnley, in anticipation of
letters to media companies, local
the south Londoners securing promotion to
radio and newspapers asking for an
the First Division as champions.
opportunity,” Terry reveals. “And I
That night Terry managed to squeeze to
also wrote to Crystal Palace’s then-
the front of the Arthur Wait, despite tens of
Chairman, Ron Noades, in August of
thousands all having the same idea as him:
’84. There was nothing advertised but I
arriving two hours before kick-off.
just tried my luck.”
Having “grown up just few miles from
After all: if you don’t ask, you don’t
Selhurst Park,” moments such as those, for
get. Seven days after asking, Terry
a young man who started watching his local
received a letter back from Noades: “I
club in 1973 with his father, meant – and
was invited to come and meet him and
still mean - the world. But as fans invaded
the staff the following week.
the pitch in ’79 at the full-time whistle, little
“He asked me: ‘What would
did Terry realise just how important a role
you like to do?’ I wasn’t too sure. I
Palace would play in his life.
knew I just wanted to work for my
2019 saw Terry mark 35 years as an
local club. I mentioned an interest
employee at his local side, but you’d be
in the administrational side, working
misplaced in any assumptions that being
alongside the Club Secretary. He said:
behind the scenes, and working through two
‘Leave it with me.’
administrations, would lessen his enjoyment. “Not for one second has that dampened my enthusiasm as a fan,” Terry passionately knocks back. “It does just mean that I have
“Two days later, I received a letter offering me a job as part of the Youth Training Scheme on £26-a-week.” We probe Terry for his stories; he
to delay my disappointment or enjoyment
has countless that have entertained
at the result until I’m back at home after
staff around Selhurst Park throughout
finishing my day on a matchday.”
the years.
As the club’s Production Manager, you’ll
Laughing, he replies: “To me, after
find Terry in the gallery at the back of the
30+ years, I can assure you they aren’t
Main Stand on matchdays, coordinating the
interesting stories!”
Selhurst Park screen from birthday messages
We reject that suggestion, to which
to VAR reviews. But that’s not always been
he then admits: “Ok, when I relay them
the case; there’s hardly a job Terry hasn’t
to new colleagues, friends or fans I
tried during his decades in SE25.
bump into on a matchday, I realise
How he earned his Palace break in September 1984 is a story that typifies the
they’re still fascinating to others.” For now, the stories will remain
core values forming the bedrock of the
for the book that Terry must one day
established Premier League outfit we know
write, because he has heard, seen
official matchday programme
57
and experienced it all. During his time with the club Terry has worked in the marketing department, on the reception switchboard, formed the publications department with Pete King, before then becoming Press Officer and Programme and Content Editor. In fact, you can add grounds staff to the list, too: “During my time on reception, there was bad weather prior to a game on Saturday. I reported for work on a Friday morning to help the groundsman get the pitch ready to make sure the game could go ahead!” You won’t see Terry out forking the pitch anymore, the modern-day Crystal Palace no longer requires that of him. However, it’s clear that should the Eagles ever need him to do that again – or anything above and
Not for one second has that dampened my enthusiasm as a fan, It does just mean that I have to delay my disappointment or enjoyment at the result until I’m back at home after finishing my day on a matchday
beyond his duty as Production Manager – he’ll be there: pitchfork at the ready.
voices of south london
58
palace for life Palace for Life Foundation and Crystal Palace F.C. joined forces to launch Palace at Home, a virtual programme to support young Palace fans throughout the latest national lockdown. With a focus on education, entertainment, physical activity and mental wellbeing, Palace for Life will be hosting various challenges, spotlight sessions, webinars and live online sessions to support Palace fans of all ages and backgrounds during this difficult time. Our expert coaches will be running virtual sessions on a variety of topics from development to life skills and career advice. Palace at Home will also provide fitness and activity training opportunities, strength and conditioning workouts and mental health support resources to help tackle the impact COVID-19 has on our communities.
official matchday programme
Palace for Life Foundation and Crystal Palace joined forces to launch Palace at Home, a virtual programme to support young Palace fans throughout the latest national lockdown
59
there are various activities with an added Palace twist to support the learning of key subjects such as English, maths, art and PE. Not forgetting extra football training Additionally, schoolchildren across the country are having to take their learning home over the coming weeks with many youngsters being home-schooled, which poses a range of challenges. From filling time to keeping topics as engaging as possible, it can be tough for youngsters to sustain their interests when learning from home – so bring Palace at Home
RACE THE EUROS
into the mix to support any junior Eagles’ home-learning. Working with Crystal Palace, there are various activities with an added Palace twist to support the learning of key subjects such as English, maths, art and PE. Not forgetting extra football training, with weekly live football fitness sessions and skill video challenges from Palace
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.
for Life coaches! A weekly timetable made up of activities for all ages is available on the Palace for Life website. To get involved, and see all Palace at Home resources, visit palaceforlife.org and search
To find out more, visit palaceforlife.org and search: Race the Euros.
‘Palace at Home’.
palace for life
GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk
61
game that changed my career 1-0
A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved.
8th December, 2018 League One
However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest 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 it is Palace shot stopper, Stephen Henderson, who remembers a return to the pitch when Wycombe Wanderers faced
nderson
a crisis building up to Christmas.
that was my first competitive game back in the league when I didn’t think I’d end up playing again
I was on an emergency loan to Wycombe
Wanderers a couple of years ago, after being out for over two years, and that was my first competitive game back in the league when I didn’t think I’d end up playing again. We ended up winning and keeping a
clean sheet. But I remember pre-match being extremely grateful that I was there and couldn’t believe that I was actually about to play again.
game that changed my career
62 @pnm1979
official matchday programme
63
2005/// 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, Andros Townsend models the centenary kit from 2005.
kit or miss
64
1905 T o celebrate 100 years of
professional existence, Crystal
Palace launched this modern take
on a vintage look and, if there’s anything people universally enjoy, it’s modern takes on vintage looks. This effort blended some of the best elements of Palace kit history: the formative years’ claret and blue, the early ‘70s swansong central bars and
What we like: In an era of bland designs, opting for something more noteworthy was a smart and stylish move. Little details such as light blue tapering on each sleeve and the altered badge (greyed out and with the number 100 formed using the crest’s ball) make this classy touch just a touch classier.
the noughties’ Churchill Insurance. Worn in the summer of 2005, the shirt provided a well-received return to the old days but without producing those slightly-out-of-place replicas designed to look like a genuine relic. Instead, it allowed fans who were
Even better if: The collar’s a little of-its-time. Perhaps a buttoned design would have been a nice nod to the past.
slightly too cool for the mainstream red and blue, though not quite bold enough to go retro before it became fashionable, the chance to strut their stuff in a perfectly different but notDad’s-hand-me-down jersey.
Wore it best: Andrew Johnson, beneath his magic hat.
Story of the season 2005/06 was one of the most frustrating seasons in Palace’s recent history. After being cruelly
2005
relegated from the Premier League in 04/05, the club retained Johnson and Iain Dowie’s services as it launched a bid to return at the first chance. With a very strong squad, the
27 july 2005 Selhurst PArk
Eagles replicated their success in 2003/04 by finishing sixth but were defeated in the play-off semifinals by Watford, who would go on to earn promotion in Cardiff. This campaign marked the end of Palace’s yo-yo Premier League spell and it would take another seven seasons to climb back to the top-flight.
The finest hour: Hosting Roberto Mancini’s Inter Milan in the ‘Centenary Challenge’ at Selhurst Park. The likes of Júlio César, Leonardo Bonucci and Esteban Cambiasso all made the journey from northern Italy to southern London to honour this fashionable kit. In the end, Palace lost 2-0. But they looked great while it happened.
Where are they now? Retro kits? Currently consigned to Club Shop replicas.
Buyers’ guide: Unsurprisingly, this one-off effort is tough to find. There was one on eBay recently for £120, but the £12 postage put us off.
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 seaon
68
Matters improved in the second-half as Forest ventured forward but could not find the vital finish and Wright could have won it at the end when his header, from a corner routine, was cleared off the line. The replay was scheduled for the following Wednesday evening but 75 minutes before kick-off, with the team and supporters arriving, the game was called off following torrential rain, the first meteorological condition to intervene on this tie. Palace were back on the road
J
again on Saturday with a visit to
anuary 1991 will be remembered
bottom-placed Sheffield United, who
by players and fans for the
were on a mini revival with three
number of trips to Nottingham
victories in their last four games.
Forest’s City Ground in order settle the
The Palace star that day was Eddie
outcome of the FA Cup Third Round.
McGoldrick, restored to the team when
The saga began at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 6th January, at 3:05pm in front of the television cameras. Palace Chairman Ron Noades was hoping for an attendance of over 20,000 and dropped ticket prices in order to encourage spectators. But just a week after the 1-0 success over Liverpool the crowd numbered 10,000 fewer. Historically, the Eagles seemed to struggle against Brian Clough’s Forest and this afternoon was no different. Employing Des Walker to mark Ian Wright was the main reason the game ended in a goalless draw that produced few moments of excitement. It could have been different if, in the first minute, Mark Bright had connected with an opportunity set up by John Humphrey but the opening 45 minutes were somewhat sterile.
official matchday programme
Phil Barber cracked a rib, and with his transfer request now forgotten.
69
A somewhat feisty and bruising encounter
with 15 minutes remaining. Despite the setback,
ensued, with Vinnie Jones part of the Blades’
Palace still remained in third place, ahead of
lineup. The clash remained goalless for 75
Leeds and Manchester United.
minutes, although Wright hit the bar and Geoff Thomas saw an effort cleared off the line. McGoldrick then collected the ball and set off inside his own half to the edge of the penalty area, where his resulting cross was blocked but, latching on to the rebound, he cut the ball back for Bright to
ANDY GRAY
net the game’s only goal from 10 yards, securing Palace’s first ‘double’ of the season. Afterwards, the club announced that Glyn Hodges would join the Blades on a month-long loan. Palace and Forest made a second attempt at the FA Cup replay on Wednesday, 16th January, but again another weather element intervened - only this time it was a frozen pitch that led to another fruitless journey to the East Midlands city. There would be disappointment at the end of a game at Selhurst Park the following Saturday when Norwich City took advantage of a below-par Palace performance to return to East Anglia with all three points. The omens were not good from the start when it was noticed that the referee was Alan Gunn of Burgess Hill, who had officiated both cup final games in May. The Canaries loaded their midfield to wrestle the upper hand from Thomas and Andy Gray and took the lead in the 20th minute. The Eagles’ best spell came at the start of the second-half when Bright conjured up a scrappy equaliser, but minutes later Robert Fleck gave Norwich the advantage again when latching on to a defensive error, colliding with Nigel Martyn before lobbing the ball home. The same player grabbed the Canaries’ third
Joined from: 1st) Dulwich Hamlet, November 1984 2nd) Queens Park Rangers, August 1989 Debut: 9th December 1984 v Cardiff City (H) Final Palace game: 1st February 1992 v Coventry City (H) Left for: 1st) Aston Villa, November 1987 2nd) Tottenham Hotspur, February 1992 Palace appearances: 242 Palace goals: 51
1990/91 season
70
official matchday programme
71
We gave the boys a bit of a break over Christmas and I’m delighted with how they returned
W
e ended 2020 with a comprehensive
concentration levels need to be high all the way
victory over Newcastle United with
through the 90 minutes. Having said that, I never
four first-team boys playing for us:
felt we were second best. We entered the final
Jaïro, James McCarthy, James Tomkins and Ty. When you have first-teamers playing Under-23s football, they raise everyone’s standards and as expected all four of them
third on a number of occasions and perhaps with a killer ball we could and should have got something out of the match. The second half of the season is the one
approached the game in the right manner.
where players may leave on loan and so we
Having those four allowed us to control the
might have to bring some of the Under-18s into
game and there were many positives from our
the squad. From a coaching perspective, that’s
younger players, too.
exciting. It’s what you want to do: develop players.
We gave the boys a bit of a break over
One lad who has secured a loan move
Christmas and I’m delighted with how they
is Rob Street, who’s spending the rest of
returned. They hadn’t had any downtime
the season with Torquay United. That’s
because it’s been constant for months, so we
a wonderful move to a really good level
gave them two weeks off.
of football and a big team with a vastly
In the first week, we allowed them to rest,
experienced manager. They’re flying and
didn’t contact them and let them relax at home.
surging towards promotion; when you’re
But in the second week we really ramped it up
involved at the top end of the table, it brings a
with the performance coaches Nick and Joel
different element of excitement.
setting them a programme and keeping a close
Rob has to try to get himself in that team
eye on their physical levels. The lads all came
and that’s a really, really big challenge for him
back as if they never went away and the levels
because they’ve got some good players. The
we were immediately able to train to were
experiences he has over the next four or five
testament to the work of the support staff.
months are going to be so valuable for him.
Our first game of the year was a loss to
It also sets the standard for other players. It
Fulham and, obviously, we were disappointed
shows that sheer hard work, determination
with the result because you want to win at
and professionalism get you rewards. We want
every level. The game was an example where
all of the lads to understand that.
shaun derry
leig
72
official matchday programme
nico
73
I’ve never been in a better environment than Palace in terms of getting the job done. It’s amazing to be part of this journey
G
rowing up playing for Celtic at youth level,
career, but I’ve got his shirt at home, framed next
moving to London to play for Arsenal was
to my Scotland caps.
always a dream of mine after someone in
my neighbourhood made that same journey. The opportunity came when I was 16-years-
A few years ago, I decided to shift my focus from professional football to my off-pitch career. I wanted to build a long-term future that I woke
old; I begged my dad to apply for trials at Arsenal
up and loved every day. That required sacrifices,
and, sure enough, they wanted to sign me.
including international football, but I’m really
It was the best day of my life – my dreams became reality. But, after the news sunk in, I
grateful to have made that decision. I’m a tutor and coach at a football
became petrified. Moving to London on my own
education company for aspiring female players.
as a teenager was terrifying – would I succeed
Recently, we became the best in the country
and make friends, or let people down? I didn’t
and have had over 18 female internationals
even know how to make toast, let alone leave
compete in the last six years. For me, that’s
home! After about six weeks, though, I was
my passion - I’m able to use my experiences
settled and I loved it. Since then, I’ve played for
to help and be there for the girls. There’s a
Reading, Millwall, Charlton and now, of course,
flipside, though; I play against a few of them on
Crystal Palace.
the weekend!
A few years before moving south, I earned
I’ve never been in a better environment
my first international cap with Scotland Under-
than Palace in terms of getting the job done.
16s and have represented them at every youth
It’s amazing to be part of this journey. We’re
level since.
absolutely moving in the right direction,
When I made that Scotland debut, my
especially after our Continental Cup success.
family decided to tell me about my grandfather,
There’s a massive buzz about the place after a
Jimmy, who was a professional footballer. I
few big weeks to start the year.
didn’t know he’d been professional until that
Unfortunately, I broke my ankle in the
point as, sadly, he passed away at a young
match against London City Lionesses, so I’m
age. When I’m playing today, I always wonder:
waiting for details on how soon it’ll be until I’m
‘What would he think?’.
back with the team. In the meantime, I’ve not
His passing was very hard for my family and so they don’t make a huge noise about his
yet met the fans, so I’m hoping to be able to do that shortly after returning!
leigh nicol
74
First-team sponsors
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Joel Ward
2020/21
Patrick van Aanholt
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James Tomkins
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Jordan Ayew
Andros Townsend
Wilfried Zaha
Mamadou Sakho
Wayne Hennessey
Jeffrey Schlupp
James McArthur
James McCarthy
Michy Batshuayi
Gary Cahill
Eberechi Eze
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Jaïro Riedewald
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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
Leicester City
Blackburn Rovers
London Bees
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 24
Sun 7
Sun 14
Sun 7
Thu 25
Sun 4
Sun 25
Lewes
1-1
London City Lionesses
Sat 12
PP
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 dec JAN FEB MAR APR
STATS
Middlesbrough
Sat 1
Middlesbrough Mon 3 Fri 7
Sat 24
Newcastle United
Sat 8
West Bromwich Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham Hotpsur
Aston Villa
Southampton
Mon 26
PP
1-0
3-4
Sat 17
Stoke City
Mon 12
West Ham United Sat 3
Sunderland
Mon 22
Reading Sat 20
Reading
Fri 12
West Bromwich Albion Sat 13
Leeds United
Mon 1
Leicester City Sat 6
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sun 21
Norwich City Sat 27
Burnley
Mon 15
Chelsea Sat 20
Aston Villa
Fri 5
Fulham Sat 13
Norwich City
Mon 1
Sat 06
West Bromwich Albion
Mon 25
4-1 Arsenal Sat 30
2-3
Fulham
Mon 18
2-1 Fulham Sat 16
3-0
Newcastle United
Mon 21
1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion Sat 19
2-5
Fulham
Fri 4
1-5 Fleetwood Town
Fri 11
Stoke City
Tottenham Hotpsur Sat 05
Mon 30
2-1 Aston Villa
Sat 28
Sunderland
Mon 23
1-0 West Ham United
6-0
Reading
Sat 7
1-4
Leeds United
Mon 9
1-0 Reading
Sat 31
Sun 1
3-2 Leicester City
Sat 24
2-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mon 26
Norwich City
Sat 17
1-0
Burnley
Mon 19
Chelsea
Fri 2
0-1
Aston Villa
Fri 2
2-1
1-0
2-3
2-1
Arsenal
Sat 26
0-3
Norwich City
Southampton
Sat 19
Result
Opposition
Date
Fri 25
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
Sat 17
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1
14th
Sat 24
Fulham
2-1
8th
Sat 31
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-2
13th
Sat 7
Leeds United
4-1
8th
Mon 23
Burnley
0-1
11th
Fri 27
Newcastle United
0-2
15th
Sun 6
West Bromwich Albion
1-5
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
Sat 30
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tue 2
Newcastle United
Sat 6
Leeds United
Sat 13
Burnley
Mon 22
Brighton & Hove Albion
Sat 27
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
Wed 12
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 United
19
12
4
3
36
25
11
40
2
Manchester City
18
11
5
2
31
13
18
38
3
Leicester City
19
12
2
5
35
21
14
38
4
Liverpool
19
9
7
3
37
22
15
34
5
Tottenham Hotspur
18
9
6
3
33
17
16
33
6
Everton
17
10
2
5
28
21
7
32
7
West Ham United
19
9
5
5
27
22
5
32
8
Aston Villa
17
9
2
6
31
18
13
29
9
Chelsea
19
8
5
6
33
23
10
29
10
Southampton
18
8
5
5
26
21
5
29
11
Arsenal
19
8
3
8
23
19
4
27
12
Leeds United
18
7
2
9
30
34
-4
23
13
Crystal Palace
19
6
5
8
22
33
-11
23
14
Wolverhampton Wanderers
19
6
4
9
21
29
-8
22
15
Burnley
18
5
4
9
10
22
-12
19
16
Newcastle United
19
5
4
10
18
32
-14
19
17
Brighton and Hove Albion
19
3
8
8
22
29
-7
17
18
Fulham
18
2
6
10
15
27
-12
12
19
West Bromwich Albion
19
2
5
12
15
43 -28
11
20
Sheffield United
19
1
2
16
10
32 -22
5
Gameweek 20
premier league
All statistics correct as of 5pm Monday 25th January
everton √ newcastle
southampton √ aston villa
30th January 12:30
30th January 20:00
crystal palace √ wolves
chelsea √ burnley
30th January 15:00
31st January 12:00
man city √ sheffield utd
leicester √ leeds
30th January 15:00
31st January 14:00
west brom √ fulham
west ham √ liverpool
30th January 15:00
31st January 16:30
arsenal √ man utd
brighton √ spurs
30th January 17:30
31st January 19:15
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
01
Joel WARD
02
Patrick VAN AANHOLT
03
Luka MILIVOJEVIC
04
James TOMKINS
05
Scott DANN
06
Cheikhou KOUYATÉ
08
Jordan AYEW
09
Andros TOWNSEND
10
Wilfried ZAHA
11
Mamadou SAKHO
12
Jean-Philippe MATETA
14
Jeffrey SCHLUPP
15
Nathaniel CLYNE
17
James MCARTHUR
18
(GK) Stephen HENDERSON
19
Christian BENTEKE
20
James MCCARTHY
22
Michy BATSHUAYI
23
Gary CAHILL
24
Eberechi EZE
25
Tyrick MITCHELL
27
(GK) Vicente GUAITA
31
Martin KELLY
34
Sam WOODS
35
Nathan FERGUSON
36
Jaïro RIEDEWALD
44
wolverhampton wanderers f.c. 02 03 05 07 08 09 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 30 32 37 38 42 49 54 59 60 62 68 75
Ki-Jana HOEVER Rayan AÏT-NOURI MARÇAL Pedro NETO Rúben NEVES Raúl JIMÉNEZ Daniel PODENCE Rui PATRÍCIO (GK) Willian JOSÉ Willy BOLY Conor COADY Fábio SILVA Morgan GIBBS-WHITE JONNY VITINHA John RUDDY (GK) Nélson SEMEDO Patrick CUTRONE Taylor PERRY Romain SAÏSS João MOUTINHO Leonardo CAMPANA Leander DENDONCKER Adama TRAORÉ Meritan SHABANI Lewis RICHARDS Maximilian KILMAN Owen OTASOWIE Oskar BUUR Theo CORBEANU Andreas SØNDERGAARD (GK) Luke CUNDLE Christian MARQUES