prophet:marginal wrote:So, how did he play? Genuinely interested.
He lacks a bit of tempo and intensity, but he's had no pre-season nor practice/reserve games. He's having to work himself to fitness in PL games - he's way below what he should be in that sense.
He did make a difference though - he won plenty in the air, his hold up play was good, link play okay - and got an extremely good reception from the crowd.
Last edited by bubbles1966 on Sat Dec 08, 2018 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
StackerJJ wrote:Did okay but sticks out like a sore thumb and will never fit in Pellegrinis system I don't think.
Were we're 1-0 down when he came on and ran out 3-2 winners. Not saying it was entirely down to him by any stretch of the imagination, but it can't be a coincidence can it?
If that's not fitting in, then I hope he never fits in
Oh times have changed now he isnt the talisman striker that we rely on where the entire focus being hoping when he would be fit.
Be really interesting to see how Andy does form wise. I just have a sneaky suspicion that now there isn’t any pressure on him (well maybe as cover) and we don’t really need him, he’s gonna end up having a blinder of a second half of the season.
AC certainly had a bigger influence in the second half than Perez did in the first half.
Won the free kick in which Hernandez scored from to make it 2-1
His hold up play was impressive, especially considering he is nowhere near fully match fit.
All in all, I think he did well in his 45 minute run out.
Hammer in Hornchurch wrote:AC certainly had a bigger influence in the second half than Perez did in the first half.
Won the free kick in which Hernandez scored from to make it 2-1
His hold up play was impressive, especially considering he is nowhere near fully match fit.
All in all, I think he did well in his 45 minute run out.
Agree with all that - there's room enough for Andy Carroll in this squad of ours .
I share the view he doesn't fit our system, I think his lack of pace was the only reason palace were able to apply the small bit of pressure they did at 3-2, for my money with someone mobile we would have nicked a 4th, still a good player for the right set-up we are no longer it
Hammer in Hornchurch wrote:AC certainly had a bigger influence in the second half than Perez did in the first half.
Won the free kick in which Hernandez scored from to make it 2-1
His hold up play was impressive, especially considering he is nowhere near fully match fit.
All in all, I think he did well in his 45 minute run out.
Agreed
Tomkins couldnt handle him at times despite him looking half fit
I wonder whether Carroll has reached the point where he accepts his body will never be up to 30 starts a season, and would prefer 25-30 games at 25-45 minutes compared to 12-15 games of 60 minutes?
I think having him available for a part of 25-30 games is probably more beneficial to the team and to his availability than a dozen starts.
BR7 Hammer wrote:I share the view he doesn't fit our system, I think his lack of pace was the only reason palace were able to apply the small bit of pressure they did at 3-2, for my money with someone mobile we would have nicked a 4th, still a good player for the right set-up we are no longer it
Yet we scored 3 goals when he came on and he held the ball up far, far better than Perez.
Personally, I think it's a myth about AC forcing his teams to play a certain way. He offers a diferent outlet certainly, but I think he can be utilised very effectively by those around him without dictating play.
I think we scored three in the second half simply because the players came back out and played better. As Pellegrini said, they weren't relaxed enough first half and were attempting to play too quick. Carroll did ok but he also looked slow and had difficulty keeping up with play at times.
I like Perez and was delighted with his brace midweek however if I'm a centre half and I'm looking at who I'm facing today, I'd much rather face Chicha and Perez than Chicha and Carroll. Even a semi fit Carroll gives us something different and something neither Chicha or Perez can offer.
