Crystal Palace (with English players only)

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League - Manchester United v Crystal Palace

I was understandably pessimistic about our chances in this one, so I made the decision to give most of the bench players an outing. Some of them are difficult to appease about not getting chances!

L.Cronin (GK), M.Cranie (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), A.Lennon (RM), N.Shipperly (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Manchester United open their account in the 33rd minute with a Wayne Rooney special. 1-0 Manchester United and the Old Trafford faithful erupt!


But it had been an even flowing first half with chances for both sides and in the 45th minute, Neil Shipperley (just out of frame) broke his long goal drought to make it 1-1


In the 51st minute a deathly silence when Neil Shipperley grabbed a second goal with this header. 2-1 Crystal Palace!


C.Ronaldo equalises with a free kick special in the 65th minute. 2-2


It was Crystal Palace who spurned the best chance to take the three points when Neil Shipperley's diving header went just wide in the 88th minute.
Final score 2-2

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 19) - Crystal Palace v Portsmouth

L.Cronin (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), T.Soares (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Black (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Hoping for revenge after losing 3-0 in our first encounter! Lance Cronin gets a second straight game, so Russell Hoult will be champing at the bit to resume his role as chief custodian for the next game.

Todorov opens the scoring for the visitors in the 10th minute as Cronin stands no chance. 1-0 Portsmouth


Andrew Johnson strikes in the 48th minute. 1-1


Andrew Johnson takes advantage of a defensive lapse to put Palace 2-1 ahead in the 70th minute.


Vincent Pericard makes it 2-2 in the 75th minute with a sweet header past Lance Cronin.


Final score 2-2

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 20) - Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

Spurs riding high in 2nd place. This would be a toughie!

R.Hoult (GK), L.Cranie (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), A.Lennon (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Souza puts Spurs 1-0 up in the 26th minute with a glancing header into the top corner. No chance for Russell Hoult.


Final score 1-0 to Spurs.

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 21) - Fulham v Crystal Palace

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), T.Soares (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Black (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Collins John moves onto a Claus Jensen free kick to poke the ball past Hoult in the 5th minute. 1-0 Fulham.


Andrew Johnson almost scores a spectacular goal, but the ball flies over the bar.


No further goals were scored in an evenly fought contest, Fulham the winners 1-0. Fulham keeper Edwin Van Der Sar was man of the match.



Big battle on our hands now to avoid the drop, but to be honest, this was expected. With none of the very best English players interested in moving to Palace, it was always going to be tough!

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 22) - Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Matthew Piper has regained sufficient fitness following his recovery from injury to be included in the lineup:

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), F.Hall (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), T.Soares (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), M.Piper (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Danny Butterfield only lasted 7 minutes before having to leave the field injured, Emmerson Boyce coming on to replace him at RB.

Juan Pablo Angel sneaks a free kick in at the post to give Aston Villa the lead against the run of play. 1-0 Aston Villa


Peter Castle picked up a second yellow card in the 70th minute and Palace were down to 10 men. Due to being behind and needing to seek the equaliser, I stuck with three at the back and kept four in midfield.

Thomas Hitzlsperger puts the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute. 2-0 Aston Villa

[GrahamNZ4]

English Cup Round 3 - Sunderland v Crystal Palace

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), B.Watson (CM), K.Nolan (CM), M.Piper (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Lennon (ST)

Kevin Nolan hammers a loose ball in after a goalmouth scramble in the 31st minute. Crystal Palace 1-0 up.


The game was proving to be a brutal affair and Danny Granville had to go off injured in the 38th minute. Martin Cranie came on to take over at left back.

Sunderland were reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute with Chris Leadbitter picking up a second yellow card after another vicious tackle.

The final moment of note was in the 80th minute when Ben Watson was scythed down in yet another nasty tackle. A second injury from the game for Palace. Tom Soares required to enter the fray in his place.

Thankfully we held on for the win to go through to the next round, but what a price to pay! Granville has a groin strain and will be out for three weeks, but Ben Watson is out for 5 months with a fractured metatarsal!

[mashnkg]

Gr8 diary. I can say without doubt that your team is a premiership material. Your draws against Manchester United and Arsenal proves my point.

KUTGW

[chrislouieII]

Great start to this diary - maybe you could include storylines?

[GrahamNZ4]

Thanks for the comments. I'm only a one finger typist, so typing up long storylines would be a real killer! I'll try to add the odd snippet now and then, but the format of my diary won't differ too much from what you already see. Sorry bout that.

Regarding Premiership survival, my main problem seems to be lack of firepower. Neil Shipperley and Andrew Johnson have no challengers for their spots as strikers. Wayne Andrews and Aaron Lennon (whose main position is RM) are it.

I was hoping to lure another striker to Palace during the January transfer window and have been scouting furiously, but the finances are into the red and the strikers on my wishlist are mainly developing youngsters around the 9+ level at present. I suspect I'm stuck with who I already have for this season!

The other problem has been getting quality crosses in from down the flanks. 18 year old Tom Soares has been playing well down the left, but the RM slot has caused headaches. I'm hoping that Matthew Piper might make that spot his now that he's returned from injury as Wayne Routledge and Tommy Black have not filled this role to my satisfaction.
Of course, now that Ben Watson is out for 5 months, the midfield problem is magnified. Tom Soares will need to partner Kevin Nolan in central midfield and Jason Puncheon will fill the LM position. Puncheon has struggled to impress in this position to date.

Russell Hoult and the defence are doing a great job in my opinion.

As the youngsters in my squad blossom, Crystal Palace should definitely foot it at Premier League level, but my gut feeling at this stage is that we'll need to work our way back up from the Championship division first as relegation looms largely this season!

Go the Palace!

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace

D.Butterfield has recovered from injury and comes back into the side.

R.Hoult (GK), M.Cranie (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), T.Soares (CM), K.Nolan (CM), M.Piper (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Reyna scores from a free kick in the 20th minute. Manchester City 1-0


Shaun Wright-Phillips eludes his marker and smashes one into the top corner. 2-0 Manchester City in the 31st minute.


Danny Butterfield was taken off as a precaution and replaced by Emmerson Boyce in the 62nd minute after being booked.
Antoine Sibierski heads in a third goal in the 68th minute to put the result beyond doubt. 3-0 Manchester City.


Andrew Johnson makes a spectacular effort to pull one back in the 72nd minute, but the shot flies wide.


And the thrashing is complete when Anelka powers in a header in the dying minutes. 4-0 Manchester City

[GrahamNZ4]

During the week Sam Togwell departed for West Bromwich Albion and Tommy Black headed across to fierce rivals Charlton. That should make for an interesting reaction from the fans when we next meet!
An offer was made to Stoke City to purchase their young striker Jermaine Palmer, but it's going to cost us an arm and a leg to prise him away. However, cover is desperately required for Shipperley and Johnson, so I haven't really got a choice! The exorbitant price will need to be paid with the transfer window closing in two weeks.


Premier League (Match 24) - Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs leading the Premier League, so another stiff test coming up for the Palace lads!

R.Hoult (GK), M.Cranie (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), T.Soares (CM), K.Nolan (CM), W.Routledge (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Palace have much the better of the first spell and deservedly go ahead in the 45th minute through a Kevin Nolan free kick. Palace ahead 1-0


Tom Soares adds a second goal in the 65th minute and the fans are ecstatic! Are Palace on their way to their first home win of the season?


Final score 2-0 Crystal Palace over the league leaders with central defender Mark Hudson named as man of the match! Is there hope yet?

[TVRfan1]

Some more great results keep up the great work.

[GrahamNZ4]

Thanks for your support. Much appreciated!

I decided that Jermaine Palmer's price and contract demands were too high, so I reluctantly pulled out of a possible deal.
I hurriedly sent my scout to have a look at Chris Porter from Bury. He came back with a glowing report and it was discovered that Chris had a release clause in his contract to boot! Fingers crossed that his contract demands are acceptable as we really do need that extra striker.

Due to Ben Watson's long term injury, I also scoured the scene for a central midfielder. Darren Carter had the desire to leave Sunderland as he was sick of being left out of the picture there. Sunderland were happy to let him go and we agreed a long term contract that has seen him arrive during the week! The Palace lads were very happy to welcome Darren into the ranks and team morale is high. I'd tried to bring Darren to Selhurst Park earlier in the season without success, so it was pleasing to finally get our man!

Darren Powell left Palace to see out his career at Middlesborough.

English Cup Round 4 - Crystal Palace v Bolton Wanderers

With our place in the top flight in jeopardy, I've decided to give the cup a serious go!
Danny Granville is over his groin strain and takes the place of young LB Martin Cranie who has had a falling out with keeper Russell Hoult.
Darren Carter slots straight into the lineup with Tom Soares reverting back to LM.

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), T.Soares (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), A.Lennon (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Emmerson Boyce picked up a yellow card and was replaced by Danny Butterfield midway through the second half.
Augustine Okocha shocks the home crowd in the 74th minute. 1-0 Bolton


And unfortunately that's how it finished. Out of both cups, so 100% focus on Premiership survival.

[GrahamNZ4]

Chris Porter's contract demands were not looked upon kindly by the Board, but because he was coming to us on a free, I convinced them that we should acquiesce. Chris duly arrived the day before the transfer window closed and our first team squad is now complete for the remainder of this season.



Premier League (Match 25) - West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace

With the exception of back up keeper Lance Cronin, I fielded our potentially strongest side for this game.

L.Cronin (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Soares (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Neil Clement puts Albion in front in the 54th minute with a superb free kick. 1-0 WBA


Andrew Johnson scores the 88th minute equaliser with a good header. 1-1


Final score 1-1

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 26) - Crystal Palace v Bolton Wanderers

Russell Hoult back in as keeper and with Mark Hudson suspended, Fitz Hall comes into the side.

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), F.Hall (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Soares (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Neil Shipperley heads in to give the Palace fans something to cheer about! 1-0 Crystal Palace in the 12th minute


Two substitutions midway through the second half with Martin Cranie into LB replacing yellow carded Danny Granville and Chris Porter coming on up front for his debut in place of Andrew Johnson.

Bolton's task of rescuing something from the game got somewhat more difficult in the 71st minute when the ref pulled the red card from his pocket to give Yates his marching orders.

Chris Porter looked a little out of his league until he received an opportunity in the 90th minute. The free kick from Martin Cranie into the box, Porter moving onto it and pow! 2-0 to Crystal Palace with Porter scoring on debut!


Final score 2-0 Crystal Palace

[mashnkg]

I struggled to believe that after a very good start by your team, you are now lying on position 18. I think you should pull up your socks and avoid relegation. What is your schedule looking like? Is it advantageous or you are heading to the champions league?

Great diary

[chrislouieII]

Originally Posted by mashnkg

I struggled to believe that after a very good start by your team, you are now lying on position 18. I think you should pull up your socks and avoid relegation. What is your schedule looking like? Is it advantageous or you are heading to the champions league?

Great diary

I was just going to say the same thing. I had to look twice at all the tables between this post and my last post!

[GrahamNZ4]

Thanks for following my story and giving comments. I appreciate it.

Considering the English players only policy and the inexperienced sqad that Crystal Palace have, a relegation battle was always on the cards.
None of the top English players are interested in coming to Palace from the start, so we have to take players from the next tier down plus promising but inexperienced youngsters. Playing in Football God mode also makes the financial aspect a lot tougher regarding buying and selling players and agreeing contract terms.
The good start that you refer to was only after the first four games of the season. We've had it tough since then, steadily falling down the table. See the table after 8 games to see my point. However, all is not lost yet! It'll be touch and go though!
To be honest, although I'm obviously disappointed to be battling relegation, it's no wonder really considering all the circumstances. Not all stories are about top teams chasing the titles. I like a challenge!

More later when I get home from work!

[mashnkg]

You will get out of the relegation zone in no time. Try changing the formation of your team perhaps the problem lies there. All the best in moving to position 12 on the table.

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 27) - Arsenal v Crystal Palace

The trip to Highbury was seen as a chance to appease some of the squad members who haven't had much game time recently.

L.Cronin (GK), M.Cranie (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), E.Boyce (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), A.Lennon (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), A.Johnson (ST)

Patrick Viera opened the scoring in the 24th minute following a free kick. 1-0 Arsenal


And then the very reason why I went to such lengths to secure another sriker before the transfer deadline. Andrew Johnson going down heavily in a brutal tackle and having to be assisted from the pitch in the 71st minute. Chris Porter on to replace him up front with much more game time to come due to Johnson's medial ligament damage sidelining him for 7 weeks.

Lance Cronin kept the Arsenal strikers at bay in a man of the match performance that saw the final score kept at 1-0.

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 28 ) - Crystal Palace v Birmingham City

L.Cronin (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), F.Hall (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), T.Soares (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), M.Piper (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), C.Porter (ST)

Jesper Gronkjaer shocks the home fans in the 22nd minute. 1-0 Birmingham City


Danny Granville equalises from a free kick after Chris Porter is pulled down just outside the area.


Danny Butterfield was replaced by Emmerson Boyce midway through the second half having been yellowcarded earlier.

The game looked to be heading towards a tame draw until Chris Porter stole in at the far post to head home the winner. Crystal Palace with a much needed 2-1 victory!

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 29) - Crystal Palace v Manchester United

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), P.Castle (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Soares (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), C.Porter (ST)

Up against the league leaders, it looked likely that we'd sneak away with a scoreless draw until Gary Neville broke down the right in the 85th minute and crossed into the path of Ruud Van Nistelrooy who slammed home the winning goal. 1-0 Manchester United.

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 30) - Chelsea v Crystal Palace

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), F.Hall (CD), P.Castle (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), J.Puncheon (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), T.Soares (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), C.Porter (ST)

Claude Makele scrambles the loose ball home from a corner in the 26th minute. 1-0 Chelsea


Neil Shipperley heads home an equaliser in the 36th minute. 1-1


Geremi breaks the deadlock with a late goal in the 86th minute. 2-1 the final score in Chelsea's favour.

[mashnkg]

congratulations on your win. The two games against Manchester United and Chelsea were always going to be difficult. Now since the bigger guns are out of the way concentrate on winning at least 4 games.

[GrahamNZ4]

Premier League (Match 31) - Crystal Palace v Middlesborough

R.Hoult (GK), D.Granville (LB), F.Hall (CD), M.Hudson (CD), D.Butterfield (RB), T.Soares (LM), D.Carter (CM), K.Nolan (CM), M.Piper (RM), N.Shipperley (ST), C.Porter (ST)

A promising start for Palace with Tom Soares shooting against the crossbar in the 5th minute, but from the breakaway, Mark Viduka was pulled down from behind by Mark Hudson as he headed towards the box. Red card for Hudson and we're down to 10 men after only 6 minutes!
Darren Carter taken off to allow Emmerson Boyce to bolster the defence. Now a 4-3-2 formation.
Then disaster as Viduka breaks free again and after sprinting clear he slides the ball past Russell Hoult to give the visitors a 1-0 lead after 16 minutes.


I changed to a more aggressive 3-4-2 formation midway through the second spell as we became more desperate to take someting from the game. Danny Butterfield was taken off leaving a back three of Granville, Hall and Boyce. Wayne Routledge came on into an AM role with Kevin Nolan dropping back slightly in central midfield.

Further poor luck in the 67th minute when Neil Shipperley had to go off injured. Andrew Lennon on to partner Chris Porter up front - a very inexperienced strike force! Fortunately Andrew Johnson has recovered from his injury and is almost fit enough to come back into the picture. All these setbacks make me wonder whether circumstances are conspiring against us in our battle to avoid the drop!

Then disaster as George Boateng strode through a hole in the defence to put the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute. 2-0 Middlesborough.


Final score 2-0 to Middlesborough. This was a game I was counting on winning!