After ending September on a high and beating Man Utd at Old Trafford 1-0, I think everyone was hoping we would continue in the same form.
Forest at Home
We would start the month with an evening kick off against Nottingham Forest, who's previous match ended in a one all draw against Brentford. Despite having Niakhate sent off during the second half in that game, meaning he was suspended and unable to play against us, they were still on a high.
Before the game the Holmesdale Fanatics held up a banner saying “No respect for carrying Knives” and a minutes applause was held for 15 year old Elianne Andam, who was tragically killed on her way to school in Croydon, just over a week before this game.
We went into this game with quite a long injury list with Ward, Doucoure and Eze still out. So Roy brought in Clyne, Riedewald and Edouard. He was also forced into naming 5 academy players on the bench. Then adding to our long list of injuries we were forced into an unexpected change when Schlupp went off injured to be replaced by Rak Sakyi.
The game itself was quite equal with both sides cancelling each other out, the best chance of the first half fell to Forest when Murillo beat our defence and took a shot on goal which was kept out superbly by the hands of Super Sam Johnstone.
As the second half started our best chance came from some lovely work from Mitchell on the left wing when he picked out Edouard, who in turn picked out Mateta in the box, who shot just wide.
The game continued and neither side could find the net. Defensively we had a good game with Andersen playing superbly. It ended nil nil. In my opinion we still need that number 9 or 10 that can stick the ball in the back of the net.
Newcastle away
Next up was an away game at Newcastle, which I was unable to attend due to the fact I no longer can travel those far distances. Looking back I'm quite glad I didn’t go as we were well beaten, losing 4-0 in the end. Mind you the way they are playing this season, I think a lot of clubs will struggle there.
Spurs at Home on Sky
The next game up was the one against Spurs which had been selected by Sky Sports.
We started with both Lerma and Hughes which seemed to me to mean we were to play the game from the midfield and hopefully catch them on the break. I was quite happy about that as I felt this was the best way to approach the game.
This seemed to have worked as the first half unfolded and neither team really looked as if they would score and we went it level at our usual half time score of 0-0.
Early in the second half they put a cross into the box which Ward tried to stop but he only managed to divert the ball into his own goal leaving Johnstone no chance of saving.
This seemed to give Spurs more confidence to go for the win and they started to play a lot more attacking football and in the 66th minute Son put them 2-0 up.
Shortly afterwards Roy was to make the first of 4 substitutes bring on Clynne and Ahamada in place of Mitchell and Hughes. They were shortly followed by Oliveira, on for his debut, in place of Lerma with Edouard replaced by Mateta.
I will admit I was happy to see that we didn’t give up hope and we still played some good football.
Then in the 4th minute of an additional 9 added minutes Ayew stepped up to put the ball in the back of the net with some great control. VAR checked for a possible handball in the build up but after a long review of about 5 minutes the goal was given. Palace tried their hardest to get the equaliser in the remaining 5 or 6 minutes left but it was not to be and the game ended 2-1 to Spurs.
So although we ended the month with two defeats in a row but it must be remembered these were two very hard games that I don't really think anyone expected we would really get a result at either of them.
Lets hope November is better for us as we need to pick up some points before Christmas to avoid slipping down the table.
Be Loud
Be Proud
Be Palace
Dave May
Chairman CPFC DSA
