Crystal Palace v Burnley matchday programme

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

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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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official matchday programme

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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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sponsor wrong colour 3 Crest on Newcastle shorts missing 4 Palace

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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

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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

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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

Jeffrey Schlupp

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.

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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