I morgon spelas den sista omgången av Premier League, för Liverpools del handlar det om att säkra fjärdeplatsen. Laget som står mellan oss och nästa säsongs Champions League är Roy Hodgsons Crystal Palace. Mycket på spel på Anfield i morgon med andra ord, ett Anfield som dessutom äntligen välkomnar tillbaka en del av publiken. Daniel Crame(@palacedann) berättar här om hur säsongen varit för våra motståndare.
It has been a strange season for most clubs are Palace are no exception following the pandemic and for this reason, saying it has been a bad campaign would be harsh however, there is room for improvement. As a season ticket holder myself, not being at each home game has been a huge disappointment. Some of the losses we have had at Selhurst this season would not have gone down the same way if fans were in attendance. Overall, I am pleased to see us avoid a relegation battle and sit comfortably in mid table for yet another campaign of which is no mean feat in the Premier League.
2. Now Roy Hodgson is leaving Palace, how will you remember him?
Roy Hodgson has been superb for Palace. He came in at a time when we were in disarray following Frank de Boer’s short stint at the club. His experience and knowledge of the game cannot be underestimated and without him, we could have been playing championship football this season. We recorded some fantastic wins under Roy including beating both Manchester sides on their own turf, dismantling Leicester 5-0 and beating Brighton with only two shots on target.
In contrast, I have shared the view of other Palace fans in the past that the style of play under Roy has been less than exciting in some matches but in hindsight, what more can a club like us expect? I am hoping that Steve Parish will replace Roy with someone who has a hunger to play a more expansive and attacking game as the club need to move forward, not backwards.
Away from the pitch, Roy has overseen what can only be described as Palace’s biggest development era as a club, building a category one youth academy. This is huge news for us and for the local community as Palace have previously missed out on young players to clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal due to the difference in facilities.
I will remember Roy as our best manager to date.
3. What kind of manager do you want to replace Hodgson? Are there any rumours about who will replace him?
Palace have been linked with many managers over the past year and recent reports suggested that Frank Lampard was going to take over. Others mentioned include Steve Cooper (Swansea), Eddie Howe and Valerien Ismael (Barnsley).
Whoever comes in next will be expected to change the way we play to push the club onto the next step. I am siding with Steve Cooper as I feel that he meets the criteria. He has done very well with Swansea on a limited transfer budget and if they do not get promoted, I would love us to get him in.
4.What do you hope to see from your club during the summer transfer window?
This summer transfer window will be huge for Palace. With Eze out injured for at least six months and eleven other players out of contract, the club need to invest in the squad. There is also yet again a question mark over Wilfried Zaha’s future but only time will tell on that front. I would like us to re-sign Andros Townsend, Gary Cahill, Christian Benteke, James McArthur, Joel Ward, Martin Kelly and then bring in a few new faces. I’m a big fan of Matheus Pereira of West Brom along with Tammy Abraham, Marc Guehi and Ademola Lookman.
5. Who has been your player of the season?
For me, Christan Benteke. His resurgence has been fantastic to watch, and I cannot wait to see him carry it into the Euros for Belgium. If you had told me, he would get ten goals in this campaign before it started, I would have laughed my head off! I am glad to be proven wrong and hope Palace offer him a new contract.
6. You are coming from a home loss against Arsenal, how is the current form?
For a team who are safe and do not have anything left to play for, our form is expected. That said, we played very well against Arsenal and were unfortunate to concede two late goals.
7. What kind of game do you expect at Anfield?
My heart says a win for Palace to dent Liverpool’s hopes of European football next season, but my head says a loss will be on the cards. However, the final day in the Premier League usually creates some unexpected results so I am stay optimistic!