I thought that Robinson was rusty still and caught out on more than one occasion. He will improve with each game and did enough to justify the faith in him. The space with him, Kevin and ESR gets very congested on our left wing and we often get funneled into dead ends, ESR needs to break into the 6 yd box and take a defender with him to create space more often. Overall so easily could have been 2-1 so a good night overall.
I agree Jim, Robinson is still recalibrating his defensive senses and Palace might have exploited it further in attack (as Clyne did). However, I think the work he and Kevin do with their overlaps and crosses is still good, and Smith Rowe was creating decent opportunities with his movement today - we're a little goalshy because we don't have particularly reliable goalscorers across the team (Jimenez and Wilson are our leading scorers and are both exhausted), which masks how many times we get the ball into dangerous areas.
With time I reckon a lot of this will sort itself out, particularly when we can rotate some of these players and they can get a much-needed rest!
Agree on Robinson, over the years he has clearly worked hard to improve the defensive part of his game, and this element appears to have been most impacted by his layoff.
He’s such an asset, and getting came time will hone him.
I believe Castagne will be the positive drive on the right that will open gaps centrally and provide a balanced attack - hence his popping up in the box. Tete always goes back, a few times square - rarely overlaps Wilson. Silva has a left-footed forward, Wilson, on the right wing which tends to play square. What is needed is an overlapping threat to the byline with accompanying crosses.
Most teams game plan appears to come down their left flank where they have more time to set up plays. Castagne, as he did last year, will challenge earlier and force turnovers - whereas now the opposition seemingly comes down the left 90% of the time and sets up a command post.
Also, despite Jedi's miscue and Tete not marking Mateta goalside, the referee stopping the game because of Cuenca's remonstrations for a foul was ridiculous in the extreme. A slap on the chin is a foul but by no means a head injury. The resulting 30 second absence of our left centreback meant no support for Robinson . . .
I thought that Robinson was rusty still and caught out on more than one occasion. He will improve with each game and did enough to justify the faith in him. The space with him, Kevin and ESR gets very congested on our left wing and we often get funneled into dead ends, ESR needs to break into the 6 yd box and take a defender with him to create space more often. Overall so easily could have been 2-1 so a good night overall.
I agree Jim, Robinson is still recalibrating his defensive senses and Palace might have exploited it further in attack (as Clyne did). However, I think the work he and Kevin do with their overlaps and crosses is still good, and Smith Rowe was creating decent opportunities with his movement today - we're a little goalshy because we don't have particularly reliable goalscorers across the team (Jimenez and Wilson are our leading scorers and are both exhausted), which masks how many times we get the ball into dangerous areas.
With time I reckon a lot of this will sort itself out, particularly when we can rotate some of these players and they can get a much-needed rest!
Agree on Robinson, over the years he has clearly worked hard to improve the defensive part of his game, and this element appears to have been most impacted by his layoff.
He’s such an asset, and getting came time will hone him.
Great read, as ever. The only thing I think is missing was an assessment of Andersen's passing tonight, really sloppy.
I believe Castagne will be the positive drive on the right that will open gaps centrally and provide a balanced attack - hence his popping up in the box. Tete always goes back, a few times square - rarely overlaps Wilson. Silva has a left-footed forward, Wilson, on the right wing which tends to play square. What is needed is an overlapping threat to the byline with accompanying crosses.
Most teams game plan appears to come down their left flank where they have more time to set up plays. Castagne, as he did last year, will challenge earlier and force turnovers - whereas now the opposition seemingly comes down the left 90% of the time and sets up a command post.
Also, despite Jedi's miscue and Tete not marking Mateta goalside, the referee stopping the game because of Cuenca's remonstrations for a foul was ridiculous in the extreme. A slap on the chin is a foul but by no means a head injury. The resulting 30 second absence of our left centreback meant no support for Robinson . . .