Our series of 2015-16 Premier League team previews continue with a look at Crystal Palace, who with one of the bargain buys of the summer in Yohan Cabaye, look set to really give the top-half of the table a crack.
Summer transfers
Crystal Palace have been very aggressive during the summer transfer window, signing the French midfielder from Paris Saint German for £13 million, also securing the loan singing of Patrick Bamford, a young striker from Chelsea for the duration of the season. Another signing that has some promise is Alex McCarthy, a goalkeeper signed from Queens Park Rangers for £3.5 million, who will most likely be second choice behind Julian Speroni.
Last season
The start to last season for the Eagles saw the end of Neil Warnock as coach after the 3-1 loss to Southampton at home, which left them sitting in 18th position and chasing the hard task of survival.
This lead to the appointment of Alan Pardew, after being released from his managerial position at Newcastle under mutual consent. Pardew went on to take Crystal Palace to their best finishing position in the Premier League era and guided them to their record third successive season in the top flight of English football. They over-achieved what everybody thought would be possible, which might put added pressure for this year.
Manager
Alan Pardew came to the club halfway through the year and has instilled confidence within the ranks at Crystal Palace. After being under pressure to perform at Newcastle, at his new club he guided the Eagles to a record of 10 wins, seven losses and a draw against his old team in the second-half of the season.
He brought a system of counter-attacking play and has continued to build on that style in the tranfsers that have been brought in. The signing of a player he knows well from his time at Newcastle, in Cabaye, not only shows that he has the full support of the board who have confidence in what he wants to do, but also he intends to build on the strengths of this team, which is playing counter-attacking football.
The signing of Cabaye was a large amount of money being spent on one player which is now the record for the club may put pressure on Pardew to ensure that he performs at Palace.
Strengths
One of the main strengths of the Eagles is their ability to play on the counter. They have used it to great effect against the bigger sides such as Tottenham and Liverpool, where they were able to secure wins las campaign. The Tottenham win came in Pardew’s first game in charge, and the victory over the Reds away from home at Anfield. If they are able to continue with the success of their counter-attacking development, it will put them in a good place for the upcoming season.
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Weaknesses
An issue for Palace last season was holding the ball, standing bottom in the competition for average possession last season. This could be linked to the fact that their style of play is to break on the counter, however, this can lead to issues if the attack is not working. This can also put extra pressure on the back four if the opposition are able to gain a foothold in the game, and this probably cost them some valuable points last time around.
Key Player
The player that is key for the success of Crystal Palace will be captain Mile Jedinak. Although it seemed that the current club and Socceroo captain would be heading away from Selhurst Park, he appears to be a part of the thinking of Alan Pardew. It is vital that he does stay on at the club, as he is able to have big impacts and hold the defence in line. Last season was interrupted for Jedinak, missing most of January being on international duty for Australia in the Asian Cup, but will be able to dedicate his full time to the Eagles this year. He has popped up multiple times to score important goals against top teams, including a stunner against Liverpool from a free kick.
Best XI
(4-1-2-1-2): Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly; Jedinak, Cabaye, Zaha, Bolasi, Gayle, McCarthy.
Prediction
What Palace needs to succeed in 2015-16 is their new signing Cabaye to get on form quickly. He suits the style that the Eagles played last season and he has the potential to send shockwaves through the league. The link-up play between the midfield is going to be crucial as well, Pardew has a great young front line and should look to capitalise on that. Crystal Palace faithful should be confident in the ability to replicate the second-half of the previous campaign and continue the steps forward that were made.
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