Player Ratings: Crystal Palace H

[Shogun]

Yes, I'm bringing it back even if I'm the only one who does it!

Pickford - 9 - Can you really fault him on anything yesterday? Brilliant save from Nketiah and made a few other solid saves. Very lucky to have him.

Rohl - 6 - I love him tbf. Thought he was ropey positionally in the first half but offers a lot going forward and is a much better option there than others. Looked a good player but he isn't a RB.
Tarkowski - 6 - Feel like he's our weak spot. Took about 3 minutes before he made a mistake but he was okay after that.
Branthwaite - 7 - Just makes it look easy.
Mykolenko - 6 - I actually thought he was pretty good by Mykolenko standards but obviously incredibly limited still.

Hackney - 7 - A very good debut and feel like he got better as the match went on. Very comfortable on the ball and looking to move the ball forward all the time.
Armstrong - 8 - Love how well he takes the ball on the half turn. Feels like he gets around everywhere. Such a good prospect and thought he was great yesterday.
KDH - 8 - Thought he was pretty rubbish for the first 30 minutes but not sure anyone else is capable of scoring the goal he did when he did and he's such an effective player.

Ndiaye - 7 - Such a good footballer and should have probably had a goal which I'll knock him down a point for. Peach of a cross for the goal and a joy to watch.
Barry - 7 - Giving him a 7 because he scored and that is his job but I do think he needs to influence the game far more in general play than he does. First half especially was too easy for Palace to play against him.
George - 8 - Feel like he has everything in his locker. Pace, skill, weight of pass, intelligence... Performances like yesterday feels like he has a high ceiling. Obviously needs to add goals and assists to his game but really really good.

[Matt1878]

Pickford - 8 : 1 dodgy clearance along the floor but another week another worldie from him. Brilliant.

Röhl - 7 : A couple of dodgy moments at the back positionally but its transformative for Ndiaye, having real quality to link up with, which more than makes up for it.

Tarks - 6.3 settled after a shaky start. Benefitted from having Hackney as a regular option to pass to.

Branthwaite - 7.3 We need to keep those hamstrings in bubblewrap elevates our defence and covers its shortcomings.

Myko - 6 even without having a shocker he will struggle to achieve above a 6. Offers little beyond sitting deep and alllowing George and Röhl freedom up the pitch.

Hackney - 7 : I was really happy with how he offered an out for the CBs, hunted in packs with his fellow CMs, neat tidy, great alternative and competition for a starting spot.

Armstrong - 8 My motm and suprised he wasn't spoken of more as a teen in the midldle of a Prem level midfield. Tackled loads, worked his way out of trouble and always looking for a progressive pass to release our wingers.

KDH - 8 : just makes us tick, took a bit to get going but links up with players all over the pitch great sense of awareness of space around him and his team mates. Took his finish with class, love it when he runs that channel. Can he force an England call up this season?

George - 7.5 : Ran and ran, cutting inside and sometimes a little too much across the pitch, but allowed him to link up and play 1-2's. Really looked the part, but I would like to see him go on the outside a bit more to get the MOTM

Ndiaye - 7.5 : Had his energy back, great cross for the goal, ball glued to his foot and wins back more posession than given credit for. Wish he was more clinical in front of goal, but a joy to watch 7.5.

Barry -7.5 Grew into the game after a quiet first 30, noticeably higher workrate, winning his share of headers not rolling around, 100% better attitude. Starting to link up with the midfield when ball played into feet. A statement goal for the new season. 14 more this campaign will do nicely.

[Cods]

Only differences

I'd say Rohl was a 7.5 Thought he was everywhere, and helping out in other places too. Amazing engine, fast, never looks to tire. Even if a few things he didn't do all that well in terms of positioning, he'll improve. One of his top 3 games for us. A continuation of pre-season.

Myko 7 Good, solid enough, he does have a few good games now and then.

Hackney 7.5 Just love how he picks it up off the CBs and turns and pings it in one motion. He's going to be great.

George 8.5 Maybe influenced by that highlights video shared in his thread, but just amazing to watch, love him Oooh and aaahs and wows watching that back. Unleash him, he does what he wants...

[StirlingBlue]

I’d actually rate Hackney and Armstrong a little bit lower.

I thought they were great on the ball but positional discipline was poor and it was too easy for Palace to receive the ball centrally between the lines.

I’d also give Tarks about a - but for some great saves and bad finishing we’d be talking about how his individual errors handed them goals. Just because they didn’t result in goals doesn’t make the error any better

[Surax]

I’d actually rate Hackney and Armstrong a little bit lower.

I thought they were great on the ball but positional discipline was poor and it was too easy for Palace to receive the ball centrally between the lines.

I’d also give Tarks about a - but for some great saves and bad finishing we’d be talking about how his individual errors handed them goals. Just because they didn’t result in goals doesn’t make the error any better

Pretty much what's in my head. Delighted with the 3 points, but this could easily have been a loss so I don't think we should get carried away really. Wharton picked us apart a few times and if it not for Pickford and some woeful finishing we'd have been in real trouble.

[Blueomar]

Agree with Cods on Merlin, really great seeing him overlap and provide a threat and service. Didn't look a liability defensively at all.

[Silas]

Pickford - 8 he's already ready to make the big save, as responsible for us winning than anyone

Rohl - 6 he's all over the pitch which isn't really what you want from a right back, but you can tell he's a player. Expect him to get far more minutes this season.
Tarkowski - 5 a few mistakes early on but did improve. He was always going to be made captain but really don't want to see him every week.
Branthwaite - 6 generally solid with good distribution but caught on his toes once or twice.
Mykolenko - 7 our best defender on the day and tried to get forward at least.

Hackney - 7 he's not going to lose the ball much and he's going to be great for us, part of a midfield that got bypassed easily thoguh
Armstrong - 7 in a word, industrious. Can see he can do a bit of everything. Just needs discipline alongside him.
KDH - 7 did nothing then came to life and scored a goal and then ran the show, great little player and probably going to be our top scorer this season.

Ndiaye - 8 he's so clever with the ball and he's totally unique to watch, yeah he should of scored but marked up for the assist
Barry - 7 parts of his game are a 4 parts are a 9, he sometimes has the touch of a genius and sometimes is so clumsy. So great and awful play but took his goal.
George - 8 terrified palace from the start, should have scored but responsible for keeping us on the front foot whenever he had the ball, good passing and pace. Just excellent.

Mention to Johnson who I thought was a real outlet and kept the momentum going well when he came on.

[kramer]

I think it’s worth noting that the players who performed the best yesterday rely heavily on Branthwaite and Hackney finding them between the lines with space to turn.

I think Branthwaite’s fitness and Hackney’s ability to remain in the team when everyone is fit are going to be huge indicators of success for us this year.

We have legit quality in attacking midfield (counting the wide players as part of this), even off the bench. If we can supply those players regularly, we’re going to be a good attacking team and a fun watch.

[777Kidnappings]

Mykolenko loses a mark and a half just for being mykolenko