Club confidence will have taken another hit as Palace succumbed to their fifth defeat in six games at St. Marys. It is an important element for success, as Palace witnessed first hand last season during their run to the top and also in the play-offs, when they were viewed as the underdog.
It would be understandable given the current run of form that the team would be low on confidence, and this can be exhibited best today in Marouane Chamakh. Through on goal, a confident striker would have undoubtedly finished his chance to put the team 1-0 up. However, a lack of confidence showed as he instead tried to round the keeper before tumbling and receiving a yellow card for diving.
Chamakh has not had the best of time in English football, and the lack of game-time at Arsenal and West Ham will have had an impact. His arrival at Palace has meant to be the catalyst for change, but it would seem there is still work to do there.
Although Chamakh has been used as an obvious example here, it is not just individuals that are suffering with low confidence but the team as a collective. With a number of new additions coming into the squad there is a lack of understanding, simply because they don’t know each other.
In recent games this lack of understanding has been obvious through simple elements of play like passing. Possession has been given away too easily and this is the sort of thing that can take time to gel together.
Unfortunately, the Premier League is not known for allowing time which does not help with the confidence factor.
A third 2-0 defeat in a row is not promising and will have many fans feeling dejected about what is to come, with arresting this run needing to be the top priority.
Joel Ward’s return to the team is a bright point from the game as his performances this year have been one of the highlights and the presence he brings to the backline is crucial.
The Eagles have had some memorable results against Liverpool and certainly need another one in the next outing to help lift the club.
Daniel Smith - @dmsmith1987
Source: PalaceMAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
