[Archived] Crystal Palace Preview

[braddock]

You can generally tell which fans pay attention during matches and understanding they are witnessing over an entire game when they think Rochina should be starting.

[Ralfinho]

You can generally tell which fans pay attention during matches and understanding they are witnessing over an entire game when they think Rochina should be starting.

We wouldnt have won v Watford last week if he wasnt on!!!

[braddock]

We wouldnt have won v Watford last week if he wasnt on!!!

Exactly, a useful player to sometimes have on near the end.

[Tom]

We wouldnt have won v Watford last week if he wasnt on!!!

He was pretty terrible for the most part, maybe ineffectual would be more accurate

Good impact sub though

[Ralfinho]

Exactly, a useful player to sometimes have on near the end.

I thought he did well throughout the match. He was chasing the ball down well when their defence had the ball and went on some decent mazy runs and also made some good passes. I would rather start a game on the offensive than have to bring him on and chase a game.

[Blue n White Rover]

You can generally tell which fans pay attention during matches and understanding they are witnessing over an entire game when they think Rochina should be starting.

Rochina goes missing when he's starting a game. He's more effective when the opposition is tired, where he can exploit them with his quick feet and trickery. One of Berg's managerial skills I'll be looking out for is the development of youngsters such as Rochina.

[braddock]

Rochina goes missing when he's starting a game. He's more effective when the opposition is tired, where he can exploit them with his quick feet and trickery. One of Berg's managerial skills I'll be looking out for is the development of youngsters such as Rochina.

Indeed. He has the potential. Great technique in striking a ball. But he's no starter for us at the moment.

[Guest Rovers4Good]

I was just curious to know who was playing RW and CM for the oppossing team. just incase last minute changes of heart came into play as Murphy and Etuhu's lack of oace and work-rate to date worry me in a two.

just out of curiousity did Berg stop training a lot? or giving instructions often during training? did they do any other work besides shape?

Thanks in advance, envious of your bedrooms location.

They don't really set the opposing team up and i know they're the starters as they always run through the set plays for 20 minutes whilst the others finish early

[Majiball]

Interesting thanks.

[adsfortheblues]

I thought he did well throughout the match. He was chasing the ball down well when their defence had the ball and went on some decent mazy runs and also made some good passes. I would rather start a game on the offensive than have to bring him on and chase a game.

So did I, played some really clever through balls to Rhodes and choose to ignore Orr on many occasions (because he knows Orr is useless). He also seems to have added tracking back into his game recently.

All in all with a good manager in charge (which hopefuly berg can be) he can come on even more.

[AspRover]

Thought I couldn't get to this one, now looks like I might. Only live half an hour from Palace, does anyone know if there will be away tickets available at the ground?

[K-Hod]

Think they're selling tickets on the gate at Selhurst Park for those that were asking....(in the away end)

[RevidgeBlue]

Berg's 1st line up in charge is as follows: (brace yourself)

GK: Robinson

RB: Henley

CB: Dann

CB: Hanley

LB: Olsson

RM: Pedersen

CM: Murphy

CM: Etuhu

LM: Olsson

CF: Rhodes

CF: Richards

Hope this is what you'd hoped for but i very much doubt it LOL

Not too sure which Olsson is where as they both look the same to me.

4-4-2 is the name of the game.

Till next time

If true, on the whole if CKR plays up front alongside Rhodes as a genuine striker then that looks a pretty well balanced line up to me. The only reservation I would have would be with MGP on the right wing, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the side at all. However again if true you can see what Berg's trying to achieve, width on either flank and a bit more support for Rhodes.

Henley should be a massive improvement on the useless Orr at right back and similarly I hope Martin Olsson is given the chance to play left midfield. Never understood why successive managers have played him at left back when he clearly looks more comfortable bombing forward.

I'll also be delighted if Black's dismal 3 centre back formation has been scrapped.

Cautiously optimistic!

[roversfan99]

The 3 at the back idea, which was worth a try I guess, was scrapped after Wolves at home.

I think Black will have picked the team for tomorrow.

Henley is a good call, I would prefer Givet in there, and Gomes up front too. Lowe's injury could be a blessing, I understand Murphy has been poor but he does have quality and is our only player apart from Dunn who can unlock defences with that incisive pass on a regular basis. Rochina etc are good but they are more individualistic.

[Tom]

Whilst an on form Olsson is clearly our best winger he was on the wing against Sheff Wed and our worst player on the night

[LeChuck]

Never understood why successive managers have played him at left back when he clearly looks more comfortable bombing forward.

It's highly possibly that's where Olsson asks to play. He plays left back for Sweden, so if he starts playing left wing for us he might lose his spot in the national team. There's a lot more competition in midfield and he probably knows he's unlikely to start there.

Not sure if it matters which way round the Olssons go to be honest, they've both performed to the same level this season. If anything Marcus has looked a little better.

[John]

Heading to this one, looking forward to it - should be good atmosphere.

[Mike Graham]

Hope the Blues fans enjoy tomorrow. Cannot make it and will be at Chorley instead.....please give Berg 100% support.

[jim mk2]

I'll also be delighted if Black's dismal 3 centre back formation has been scrapped.

Would that be the dismal 3 centre back formation that has steadied a porous defence and delivered almost as many clean sheets in Black's five-week reign as in 2 years under Kean ?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The midfield's as poor as kean, more so than usual, until that's addressed we're going nowhere.

[jim mk2]

Rome wasn't built in a day. Black's only had 5 weeks yet has managed to rectify the team's biggest problem.

[1mattjansen]

is there a pub people have in mind before hand?

[bazza]

is there a pub people have in mind before hand?

You want one for afterwards to drown your sorrows.

Rovers first away defeat of the season coming up. Palace are a very good side and Rovers rarely do well at Selhurst Park.

Besides, Berg is no miracle worker.

I'm not being pessimistic; just realistic.

[1mattjansen]

agreed...but still not the question

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

is there a pub people have in mind before hand?

Yeah, I'll be going to The Baum in Rochdale, CAMRA pub of the year for Greater Manchester. It's a quite painless remedy.