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If nothing else the second half shows we really can’t trust Patterson at all and Charlie made some decent runs but played the wrong all (twice)

Unlucky not to be3 or 4 up though with Johnson’s miss, Harrison blazing one over the bar and the second penalty that wasn’t

AjaxAndy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:14 pm How'd Johnson look when he came on?

Fast, very direct but with a loose touch.

Could have had two goals and a one on one on another day. You can see that he'll lose the ball a lot but he's definitely going to generate some shots too.

Overall an ideal squad player to have on the bench for when you need a goal, but still should be behind Ndiaye, Dibling and George for me.

AllyBlue14 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:03 pm It's about expectations, though, mate isn't it?

Personally, after the last few years, I don't think expecting to finish in the top 7 is realistic. And then that becomes an unfair stick to beat Moyes with.

We've been crying out for stability for years and I think it's underrated. I've been pretty underwhelmed with much of the transfer business this summer but seeing them today, we've got some decent options, you know.

Totally get people wanting more but if we can give players like George, Rohl and Dibling minutes, while pushing for the top half, I'll be pleased. Then we'll have a stronger foundation to build on next year.

My expectations would be having those players to now push and challenge for europe. Came close to it last season and it fell away.

Moyes kept us and then built on last season as stability. It should be moving the dial again, but yeah it's expectations.

Dchans wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:16 pm If nothing else the second half shows we really can’t trust Patterson at all and Charlie made some decent runs but played the wrong all (twice)

Unlucky not to be3 or 4 up though with Johnson’s miss, Harrison blazing one over the bar and the second penalty that wasn’t

Charly’s gotta go.

I can’t think of a single situation I want him coming on with some of the other options we’ve added.

Also get the feeling more and more that the best option long term for the club is not to bring Grealish back.

We need Dibling and George to have plenty of opportunities to play and develop. Right now it looks like it will often be Ndiaye and one of them. If Grealish is back, plus Johnson vying for a spot and Moyes probabky putting Rohl out there from time to time I dont think we'd see enough of two very promising young players who need minutes.

I suspect we will still be in for Grealish and I love watching him play, just not convinced it's a good move for us.

Cantoffee wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:53 pm Also get the feeling more and more that the best option long term for the club is not to bring Grealish back.

We need Dibling and George to have plenty of opportunities to play and develop. Right now it looks like it will often be Ndiaye and one of them. If Grealish is back, plus Johnson vying for a spot and Moyes probabky putting Rohl out there from time to time I dont think we'd see enough of two very promising young players who need minutes.

I suspect we will still be in for Grealish and I love watching him play, just not convinced it's a good move for us.

Yeah. I loved watching Grealish but there’s no room for him unless Ndiaye goes.

Beto is never going to be good enough.
Patto is poor
Mykolenko is Mykolenko
Johnson will score goals once settled.
Rohl is beautiful as is Hackney.
Striker is where we'll struggle

AjaxAndy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:14 pm How'd Johnson look when he came on?

Pretty handy, two decent chances.

brap2 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 11:41 am Off the game today with two of the kids my dad and brother.

Train from aigburth then walk from Sandhills, dunno how long the kids will manage but worst case scenario we get a quiet walk back to the station after an hour!

Gunna cost my dad in sweets and juice I reckon.

Lasted 90 mins. Their first 90+ heartbreak of many, how sweet.


Other notes :

Only one restaurant open in the west lower corner, absolute bedlam. No fruit shoots in stock for no reason.

Plenty of bogs tho.

Indiantoffee75 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:43 pm My expectations would be having those players to now push and challenge for europe. Came close to it last season and it fell away.

Moyes kept us and then built on last season as stability. It should be moving the dial again, but yeah it's expectations.

Yeah, fair enough. To me, some of those players didn't feature (much) last season - particularly George and Dibling, but Rohl to an extent and Aznou too - so I'm not really sure they're going to suddenly push us into Europe.

Moyes seems to be taking a lot of flak for last season but it's easy to forget how we overperformed for much of it. To expect us to kick on again, while integrating several new/young/inexperienced players feels a bit like having your cake and eating it.

I would say we have 16-18 solid players we can rely on to play to a consistently good standard this season. If we are lucky with injuries then I am really hopeful we can achieve a top 10 finish this year. However if we get a bit unlucky and have to rely on squad depth, then like most seasons it’s going to be a problem.

We have to also remember that Garner and Norgaard are still yet to play, and they very well might be the pairing that Moyes ends up with post September once they are both bedded in. That will add competition and also means that we have good depth and quality in the centre mid area for the first time in many years with Garner, Norgaard, Rohl, Hackney, KDH and Armstrong all able to cover roles in the middle.

Hackney has started really well. Super impressed with his pre season. He feels like he is a Moyes favourite already. He picks the ball up and drops deep into the back line to receive the ball and then looks to move play on quickly. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to playing PL football. The key for him will be to not give possession away and if he can limit his mistakes he will be a cracking player for us as he has a lot of footballing ability.

Overall, it’s been a really good pre season, which the results don’t always show. The energy has been great, the fixtures/games were absolutely spot on throughout, playing a good standard, and we have played some really good football.

The players look fit, sharp and ready to go for Palace.

I left just after the worldy own goal attempt because the kids' attention had expired and were probably annoying the shit out of people.

We looked a good side I thought, im excited for the season. Really solid competition for centre midfield and the wings, we moved the ball well and created overloads. Barry looks a different player, so confident and positive. Rohl a breath of fresh air at RB, instead of seeing a CB struggling to get up and down.

brap2 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 6:20 pm Lasted 90 mins. Their first 90+ heartbreak of many, how sweet.


Other notes :

Only one restaurant open in the west lower corner, absolute bedlam. No fruit shoots in stock for no reason.

Plenty of bogs tho.

Good to see them running out of soft drinks again

80% of games I went to last season (all of them apart from three) they ran out of pop by half time

Just got back. Enjoyed first half with what was a younger side you could really see the movement and energy especially in midfield. Was so obvious a lack Of right back and striker will Hold us back though

Free Agent wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 3:39 pm Wish we had the cash to buy him

Going to Man City for £85m