Thanks to Barca Eagle at Holmesdale and the other lads from CPFC.org for taking the time to contribute.
What were your expectations at the start of the season?
New LP: Relegation but have a good time along the way.
Lewarse: A swift return to the Championship but a good earner for the club.
Ninjas Headband: A relegation fight to the last day of the season.
Beef: Do our best to avoid relegation. I was expecting it to go down to the last game but had a feeling we might stay up
Pistol Knight: Relegation battle
How do you look back on Holloway's tenure?New LP:It was very strange, we were inept for nearly all of it apart from 3 playoff games which included beating our biggest rivals in the semi final. I will always be grateful for that but it was 100% correct that he left
Lewarse: We probably would have won automatic promotion under Freedman. We had two of the best wingers in the division and a center forward who scored goals for fun- but more importantly we were defensively solid. Holloway came in and changed a winning formula - we had no problem scoring goals before his tenure but he still felt the need to sacrifice defence for attack. Under Freedman and co. that season our record was 8W-3D-3L. Under Holloway 11W-12D-9L. He got found out in the end but respect where it's due, he was an absolute genius in the playoffs.
Ninja's Headband: Big high's and sore Lows. Took over a team playing well, tried to change to his style of football, failed, realised in time to get us promoted but was ultimately his undoing as the huge task of keeping Palace in the Premier was too much for him.
Beef:Mixed feelings really, we stumbled into the playoffs and Holloway did an excellent job to get us promoted. It all fell to pieces after the summer - his tactics were shown up and his lack of defending exploited.
Pistol Knight: Mixed really, got us up then lost the plot
Barcelona Eagle: Holloway's tenure for me was typically Palace, a ride on rickety big dipper come log flume. The game before he took control we pumped Ipswich to go top, from then on in
we seemed to try our best to not get promotion. I hold him in high regard for Brighton away and Watford, and again for walking away (and becoming agent Ian in our mission to see scumwall in the third division, AGAIN).
Holloway left with 3 points out of 24. Even then, were you resigned to being relegated?New LP:I genuinely thought if we got Pulis then we have a chance of survival
Lewarse: I was resigned to relegation before a ball had been kicked...
Ninja's Headband:Yes. Feared that we might beat Derby’s record of fewest points in the top division.
Beef:After we lost to Fulham I was pretty much resigned. I didn't think we were as bad as the media made out but I struggled to see where we would get points.
Pistol Knight: More or less, but were Palace were used to this sort of crap.
Barca Eagle: I did think we would go down at that point as well as before the season had kicked off, like most I was none to confident with our summer signings. On the other hand I thought we were doing well, no one was whipping us.
Tony Pulis comes in, what were your expectations?New LP: That he would get us organised and make us hard to beat. I wasn't actually expecting the decent football we've actually played at times though.
Lewarse: I was happy with the choice. I thought we would go down with a fight and Pulis would start forming his squad for a promotion run next season
NH: Hard tackles and hoofball.
Beef:I expected him to get the team working for each other, ship out players with the wrong attitude and get us organised defensively.
PK: Clog our way out of trouble with a load of 6 foot monsters.
Barca Eagle: Gritty team performances was all I really expected, however, he has got them playing extraordinarily well. I am still amazed we are safe. Cardiologist was hoping for some more work this april/may, his new ferrari is now on hold.
How has he changed things?New LP: We are organised, everyone knows their jobs, he's made some good signings and gets the best out of anyone. He's a professional and I assure you that's not always a word you associate with CPFC!
Lewarse: We defend as a team now, much harder to break down. Less passing and possession but Rome wasn't built in a day. It's working, so absolutely no complaints.
NH:Pulis identified the main players for his starting line up, stuck by them to help give them belief. Introduced a hard work ethic with a well drilled team formation which was what the players needed.
Beef: He has dramatically improved our defence, settled on a system and a team, got the team fighting for each other and gave everyone the belief that we could stay up.
PK:Discipline, hard work and pace.
Barca Eagle:Holloway had his work cut out due to the well publicised scatter gun approach, after getting all those players in and some real late in the window he then had to gel them and get them all to know each other. TP has benefited from not having this period to deal with, that being said he has worked a mini miracle, I have no idea what he has instilled, but bless his cotton socks.
Looking forward, has Pulis created a rod for his own back will fans expect more?New LP: There will always be a few idiots, but I think most people realise how tough that second season will be.
Lewarse:Probably. Football fans are fickle. Even when we win a small minority will tell you we aren't winning in a beautiful way... because that is what we are used to at this club... sexy football...
NH:Most Palace fans are realistic with expectations. We know that the club still has some way to go before having the infrastructure expected of Premier League clubs.
Beef:Not at all. There are a lot of things to improve but most fans will be happy if we stay up again. I'd love to avoid a relegation scrap but you just never know.
PK:Nope next season will be a relegation battle.
Barca Eagle: I don't think he has yet set himself a benchmark, we still have to survive the famous second season syndrome, maybe after that some will start demanding champions league victories, for me though O just like looking down at The benders, the neanderthals and the clowns.
Who needs to be shown the exit door this summer and why?New LP:Some of the fringe players will leave, but most of them were not really involved much. It will be interesting to see if Cameron Jerome gets a deal.
Lewarse:Quite a few need to go. Off the top of my dome- Parr, Garvan, Dobbie, Kebe etc. Some just aren't good enough and we've had more than 1 panic buys. It will be interesting to see what happens to Campana who is a great little player but has some sort of problem.
NH:Moxey, Dobbie, Ramage and a few others.
Beef:There are some fringe players left from last summer's spending spree who have probably been told to find a new club. Nothing too disastrous though.
PK:Quite a few, Kebe, Garvan, Thomas, Wilbraham, Alexander and either Moxey or Parr.
Barca Eagle: No one should be shown the exit door, the squad have produced this miracle, some have been better than others but I can't think of anyone who has played their part who should go, maybe some of the loaned out players, Kebe for instance.
What's the budget looking like for any recruitment?New LP:I'm not sure, it's difficult because we obviously want to be ambitious but our club knows more than anyone how the finances can go wrong. Also we need to redvelop Selhurst.
Lewarse: I seriously doubt we will spend the 30million which has been rumored, it will be much closer to 10-15million I expect. Bit anxious to see what happens as not only will we find out if we are going to be transformed into Stoke II, but also Pulis likes to get his way and his expensive signings in the past have hardly set the world alight... although I do think Ledley and Dann have been top buys for us.
NH:Rumours that Pulis would like 30 million with possibly a big signing for a striker.
Beef:Probably a decent amount available for three or four good additions. I think we'll try to be sensible and not overspend though
PK:Not a clue but don't think the board will throw money at aging players on big money. (I hope not anyway)
Barca Eagle: Not too sure on the budgets, I hope we stick to our current way of spending, nothing too extravagant whilst improving and with sensible contracts in place. Messi would be nice though.
I was at Anfield and travelling support were excellent. It arguably even better at home. What do you attribute this to? New LP:Our support is organised but it's been like this for some years now.
Lewarse:The HF. They sing - everybody else just joins in.
NH:Combination of things but the two main reasons are; 1. We almost lost our club 4 years ago which helped to create a siege mentality to support the team through thick and thin. 2. The HF (Holmesdale Fanatics) are central to keeping the singing going for 90 minutes and introducing songs to make this possible.
Beef:Passionate fans and excitement about the club's progress and future. For the younger fans (including myself) this is the first time they've seen Palace stay up.
PK:The HF (Ultras) they keep things going even when were losing.
Do you think Palace can consolidate their position in the Premier League over the next few seasons?New LP: If we keep Pulis yes.
Lewarse: If we can keep a hold of Pulis we will.
NH:We have the right people running our club to do this but there's still a lot of work to do, not least the long term development of the ground.
Beef:I think we can. Next season will be a good test.
Liverpool now
What has impressed you about Liverpool this season? New LP: Suarez-the best player in the league and Brendan Rodgers for turning them into genuine title contenders. Steven Gerrard obviously.
Lewarse:They are the most enjoyable team to watch this season. In terms of attack, nobody can match Liverpool.
NH:Entertaining football.
Beef:The strike-force and red nets.
Barca Eagle: The all out attack system you seem to have, reminds me of the Liverpool of the 80's, even Suarez has one me over a bit (still think he's a nasty little cùnt) but he has calmed down on the diving, racially abusing, booting and spitting and his football is second to nne. Sterling, Sturridge and Henderson have also come on leaps and bounds.
Do you think Brendan Rodgers has what it takes to be a consistent manager at the top level? New LP:Yes, but does he have a plan B when digging in is required?
Lewarse:100%.
NH:Yes.
Beef:Possibly but too early to judge. He has done a great job so far but we need to see how he manages a team competing in a lot of competitions.
PK: Yes
Barca Eagle: BR has been producing good successful (with what he had)football for a few years now, he looks like he could be a great coach, maybe one day England will again produce a great coach.
Where do you think Liverpool need to improve? 8 more players?New LP:You will know much better than me, but defensively perhaps? You concede too many and perhaps that's bitten you on the arse in the end?
Lewarse: Invest in defence. It's the only thing which is holding you back at the moment... you've conceded 3 more goals than us ... that may change on Monday though
PK: 8!! 2 or 3 good buys
Barca Eagle: Strength in depth, a couple of injuries to key players and you could be in trouble.
Do you think Liverpool played into Chelsea's hands last week, therefore they have only themselves to blame? New LP:Yes, Mourinho did a number on you I'm afraid.
Lewarse:Probably. Chelsea tend to struggle against defensive sides. Playing deep and counter attacking them might have worked at 0-0 but when you gift them a goal, what can you do? You had to go at them.
Beef:Yes. A team going for the championship needs to be able to adapt to different teams. I think the bleating about Chelsea's defending shows a certain immaturity.
PK: Yep the Mourhino effect
Style or substance. Is 'winning' football all that matters regardless of method? New LP:I think there are many ways of playing football, that's the beauty of it. It makes me laugh when managers criticise teams for daring to defend. Pelegrini did this to us after we held City to a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad. I'm sure he'd prefer us to of gone there and played open football; and shipped 5 or 6!
Lewarse: Everybody wants to see see their club play 'total football' - at Palace, we don't have a team capable of playing that way and still winning a game in the Premiership - we simply don't have the quality. It's a business and the players are paid to win at the end of the day. It's like polishing a turd - no matter how many passes we completed or how much possession we've had, a loss is a loss, and at a small club like ours we can't afford to take style over substance. I think most fans would rather take the Premiership title playing ugly football over finishing 2nd playing beautiful football.
NH:I'd take a scrappy win over a stylish defeat any day.
Beef: I think you only have to look at Arsenal for the answer to that. The best teams can attack with pace and purpose but can also defend for their lives. So the answer is probably a bit of both.
PK: Hard one, who says what style is easy on the eye and whats not, winning is the main aim for a lot of clubs.
Barca Eagle: A mixture is required if a team is to stay successful. Barca are getting sussed out now and Martino is struggling to implement a different approach or a plan B.
Care to predict the score?Barca Eagle: 9-0 revenge
Good luck winning the league, just not at Selhurst though.
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