MATCH THREAD: “ CRYSTAL PALACE v CARDIFF CITY “ MATCH THREAD

Ahead of Cardiff City’s match against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, Neil Warnock spoke to the assembled media at the Vale Resort.



NEIL WARNOCK:

“I’m looking forward to the game,” the Gaffer began. “Because I’ve got some good friends there and it’s always a great atmosphere.

“I think we can get something from this match. We need a bit of luck, and we need to defend well.

“We need points away from home, and it’s as simple as that. Although we have a tough run of games coming up, I also don’t think there’s an easy game in the Premier League, full stop.

“We’ve got to go into these games and do our best to come away with something."

Warnock's side head into the Boxing Day clash outside of the Premier League bottom three. The Gaffer went on to assess City's upcoming run of fixtures.



“As difficult as it will be in this run of games, we know we will have to take our opportunities," he said.

“The one thing that you can be certain of is the support will be there. They’ve been there relentlessly away from home and they’ve been amazing.

“Despite the result, they were superb the other night against Manchester United, and I hope that they all have a nice Christmas."

“If they remember where we were and where we are now, let’s hope we can look forward to a good 2019."

Cardiff City take on Neil Warnock's former club Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this afternoon.




This will be the first meeting between Crystal Palace and Cardiff City since April 2014, when the Eagles won 3-0 away from home in a Premier League clash.


Cardiff have lost three of their last four league games against Crystal Palace (L1), including both home and away meetings in the 2013-14 Premier League season.


Crystal Palace have won both of their Premier League games against Cardiff without conceding (2-0 in December 2013 and 3-0 in April 2014).



Cardiff are winless in their last five league games played on Boxing Day (D2 L3), with their last such win coming against Crystal Palace in 2012-13 (2-1).


Crystal Palace have won their last two Premier League home games, keeping a clean sheet both times. Only twice in the competition have they won three in a row at home without conceding, in April 2017 under Sam Allardyce and in December 1992 under Steve Coppell.

Neil Etheridge Lee Peltier Bruno Manga Sol Bamba Sean Morrison Joe Bennett Victor Camarasa Joe Ralls
Junior Hoilett Kadeem Harris Bobby Decordova-Reid

Subs: Alex Smithies Greg Cunningham Harry Arter Aron Gunnarsson Josh Murphy
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Gary Madine

Kenneth Zohore apparently injured..

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Palace hit crossbar early on! Townsend

It looks like we are playing Peltier as a defensive midfielder from his positioning so far

Has he ever played that position ?

Its kind of like a 3232 formation
Very strange to work out

It looks like we are playing Peltier as a defensive midfielder from his positioning so far

Has he ever played that position ?

I do find myself sometimes wondering if our youth set up is so bad that we don’t have anyone who could come in and play in their NATURAL position [if we are making forced changes], or if Warnock just wants nothing to do with the younger players.

Playing someone like Peltier is risky enough in this league anyway. Playing him out of position, if that’s the case, is a potential disaster.

It’s almost as if we haven’t got anyone playing central midfield today. Palace playing through there with incredible amount of space, and no challenges.

Zaha having a brilliant game so far, all Palace

It’s almost as if we haven’t got anyone playing central midfield today. Palace playing through there with incredible amount of space, and no challenges.

Its strange
When we have the ball Peltier and Bennett are playing centre midfield holding behind Ralls and Camarasa then dropping into a back 5 when we lose it which is making bamba play left back on occasions.

The shape is awful and we are struggling to get the ball.

Another Palace effort

This time it’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who skies one well over after cutting in from the right.

Hoillets performance sums up the game so far....dreadful.
Bennett has played well tbf.

Townsend blasts one over after another nice Palace move!

All that's missing from this start is a goal...

It’s almost as if we haven’t got anyone playing central midfield today. Palace playing through there with incredible amount of space, and no challenges.

Its strange
When we have the ball Peltier and Bennett are playing centre midfield holding behind Ralls and Camarasa then dropping into a back 5 when we lose it which is making bamba play left back on occasions.

The shape is awful and we are struggling to get the ball.

The shape IS awful. Bennett has even been over at RB at one point. The players look like they have no idea where they are meant to be.

Resting Gunnar and Arter in the same game has, thus far, been a massive mistake. Hoping I’m just speaking too soon, though.

Zaha dominating

A lovely ball makes its way out to van Aanholt, who squares for Townsend on the edge of the area. Well over.

Bit of concern for Sol Bamba, who’s back to his feet after going down from a coming together in the build-up to that chance. Seems okay to continue.

Palace controlling midfield

We are lucky we are not 2-3 goals down

Hoillets performance sums up the game so far....dreadful.
Bennett has played well tbf.

You could say that about Hoillet all season. His two brilliant goals have masked the fact he has been absolutely awful all season.

Hoilett shoots

I make that Cardiff’s first shot of the game. Not a lot to write home about, though, as the Canadian’s drive just outside the box is easily gathered by Guaita.

The only positive so far is that we appear to be bringing Palace down to our level! one of the poorest games of the season. Stupid booking for Bamba now......

Yellow card for Bamba

Close! @bobbyreid93 heads just over from close range. Good chance for the #Bluebirds. (0-0)

Reid just now showed why we need a striker! Simple header 10yds our but completely out position to head towards goal had lots time to see where it was going and unchallenged.

Ralls fires one straight at Guaita.

Palace defence is caught napping as the Spaniard pounces on a loose ball and bursts into the area, but istead of shooting he decides to square it. It’s the wrong decision as Reid looks to play another pass that’s mis-placed and Palace clear.

45th min Hoilett booked.

0-0 h/t

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If we play like that 2nd half it will be 2 or 3 -0 defeat

No fluidity in our passing. It's all very slow square and like someone learning to play fifa for 1st time