The Grockle
Formally Croydon Seagull
Was convinced by a mate to go along with him today (free ticket) and thought i'd post a few things about the game, atmosphere ect. Not my first visit but given we are competing in the same league thought i'd share my views.
First of all the match. West Ham were poor, struggled to break down Palace's midfield and resorted to hoofing the ball to Cole...it was like watching league one football again. Take nothing away from Palace they were the better team and deserved their lead, I think 2-1 would have been a fair result but they sat back and allowed W'ham to come at them. Murray looked class, won a lot in the air and took his goal well, looks like he's slotted into the team well, the fans seem to have taken to him as well (tuesday probably helped).
I have to be fair here and say palace looked a reasonable side peppered with some quality players, Zaha for example showed glimpses of real class. I think like ourselves they will do well this year, could be a decent battle with them for the playoffs I reckon.
Really can't see West ham doing well this year, they looked second best for most of the game and it was only because Palace let them come at them they salvaged a point, had Palace kept the tempo up I think they would have finished them off comfortably.
A few non footballing observations...
West Ham fans, despite there being at least a couple of thousand of them they were shocking, barely got behind their team at all, I guess going a goal down so early doesn't help but still poor for a club of their stature.
Palace fans, I was in the Holmesdale stand where the atmosphere was good, far from deafening but decent nonetheless. They have a good number of songs and plenty of people willing to get involved which meant there wasn't many quiet moments. i think like them, we need a few more repetative songs that everyone can get involved with, it really added to the general atmosphere.
Can't really say too many good things about Selhurst park, anyone who's been there will know it's a bit of a dump the only thing i'd swap with the Amex is the grassy area outside where fans can drink and smoke at half time and the number of pubs in close reach.
Sorry if this is of no interest to people but just thought i'd share.
First of all the match. West Ham were poor, struggled to break down Palace's midfield and resorted to hoofing the ball to Cole...it was like watching league one football again. Take nothing away from Palace they were the better team and deserved their lead, I think 2-1 would have been a fair result but they sat back and allowed W'ham to come at them. Murray looked class, won a lot in the air and took his goal well, looks like he's slotted into the team well, the fans seem to have taken to him as well (tuesday probably helped).
I have to be fair here and say palace looked a reasonable side peppered with some quality players, Zaha for example showed glimpses of real class. I think like ourselves they will do well this year, could be a decent battle with them for the playoffs I reckon.
Really can't see West ham doing well this year, they looked second best for most of the game and it was only because Palace let them come at them they salvaged a point, had Palace kept the tempo up I think they would have finished them off comfortably.
A few non footballing observations...
West Ham fans, despite there being at least a couple of thousand of them they were shocking, barely got behind their team at all, I guess going a goal down so early doesn't help but still poor for a club of their stature.
Palace fans, I was in the Holmesdale stand where the atmosphere was good, far from deafening but decent nonetheless. They have a good number of songs and plenty of people willing to get involved which meant there wasn't many quiet moments. i think like them, we need a few more repetative songs that everyone can get involved with, it really added to the general atmosphere.
Can't really say too many good things about Selhurst park, anyone who's been there will know it's a bit of a dump the only thing i'd swap with the Amex is the grassy area outside where fans can drink and smoke at half time and the number of pubs in close reach.
Sorry if this is of no interest to people but just thought i'd share.
