2012/2013: 5th (Championship)
Transfer(s) In: Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal, Free), Elliot Grandin (Blackpool, Free), Kevin Phillips (Blackpool, Free), Jerome Thomas (West Bromwich Albion, Free), Dwight Gayle (Peterborough, £4 Million), Jose Campana (Sevilla, Undisc), Stephen Dobbie (Brighton, Undisc), Jason Puncheon (Southampton, Loan), Neil Alexander (Rangers, Free), Florian Marange (Bordeaux, Free), Jack Hunt (Huddersfield, £2 Million), Cameron Jerome (Stoke City, Loan), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa, £2 Million), Adrian Mariappa (Reading, £3 Million), Adlene Guediora (Nottingham Forest, £2.5 Million)
Transfer(s) Out: Andre Moritz (Bolton Wanderers, Free), Alex Marrow (Blackburn Rovers, Undisc), Jermaine Easter (Millwall, Undisc), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United, £15 Million)
Transfers Review:
As with all of the other promoted sides, I did not do a season review blog post, and therefore I cannot compare my transfer predictions with the actual incomings. However, I can review those transfers that have been made, both in and out. Beginning with the incomings, Ian Holloway has added to the strike force considerably over the summer, with Kevin Phillips and Stephen Dobbie signed on permanent deals from Blackpool and Brighton respectively, and new blood in the youngster Dwight Gayle and the more experienced Marouane Chamakh. Both I can see being successes at Selhurst Park, however both are risks. Chamakh has struggled at Arsenal, finding the net only 3 times last year, and Dwight Gayle, whilst a prolific goalscorer at Peterborough, has no experience at the highest level, and it is always difficult to predict how a player will cope with the step-up. David Nugent is testimony to that sentiment. Jerome Thomas and Elliot Grandin both had that top-flight experience at their respective clubs, and both will be valuable additions to Holloway's squad. Thomas, in particular, will need to perform well, in order to replace the side's star player from the last couple of seasons, Wilfried Zaha, on the wing. The only transfers that need to cross the English Channel are Florien Marange and Jose Campana. The 20-year-old central midfielder will add a bit of power in the centre of the park, and will enable the more creative players to work their magic.
Similarly to Cardiff, Crystal Palace have managed to keep the majority of their top players from the previous season. The only exception is Wilfried Zaha, however, with the deal agreed in January, it would be a little unfair to suggest that they have made a poor decision or they have not had time to replace him. Certainly the £15 Million they managed to extort from Manchester United will leave many Crystal Palace fans perfectly happy to let the 20-year-old go, as they have managed to bring in many names for much less than that. Other than Zaha, only a couple of players have left, and none of them would be considered to be critical to their survival this season.
Pre-Season:
The Eagles's pre-season has been undertaken entirely on home soil, travelling around the country to take part in multiple friendly matches against sides from all divisions. I have never been one for huge amount of easily winnable matches, as these do not prepare a squad for the mental and physical toughness of the Premier League. It certainly does give a very good opportunity for the youth players to get some experience, and to get some links between your new new players. This is clearly shown by results like the one away at Waterfront United, which the Eagles won 4-0. However, the marquee friendly was their final one at home to Lazio, in a match that would finally challenge Crystal Palace's ability to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
The Italian-cup holders were always going to be a test for the newly-promoted Crystal Palace, and this proved to be the case. Having dominated the opening stages, the Serie A side took the lead after just 12 minutes, with Miroslav Klose nodding in the rebound after Candreva's shot was parried. The dominance continued to the break, with only a clearance off the line denying Lazio a second. After half-time, Palace began to improve, creating several half-chances, with new boy Dwight Gayle looking particularly impressive. His relationship with Kevin Phillips also looked strong, and the two will be looking to link up more during the opening weeks of the season. However, despite some late pressure, Lazio hung on to condemn the Eagles to a defeat in their last pre-season game.
Key Players:
Whilst many of the signings brought in by Ian Holloway may prove to be integral to the first-team, I feel that they already have a couple of players that looked very impressive last year, and who i believe will be able to transfer comfortably to the Premier League stage. Kagisho Dikgacoi looked an impressive prospect last season. Though he did not get as many of the headlines as Wilfried Zaha, who on his day was unplayable, he was by far the more consistent performer for the Eagles. They will need him to be Mr Consistent for the promoted side this year, in order to help them avoid the drop.
Going forward, Ian Holloway has made several shrewd signings, as he has a couple of strikers that will score you double figures already, and so he can focus more on the youth. One of those strikers, Glenn Murray, is another to watch out for. The experienced Englishman had the season of his life last campaign, hitting 30 goals for the first time. If he can replicate the performances we saw last year, I am certain that he will trouble defences up and down the land.
Key Fixture Dates:
24/08/2013: Stoke vs Crystal Palace
23/11/2013: Hull vs Crystal Palace
30/11/2013: Norwich vs Crystal Palace
07/12/2013: Crystal Palace vs Cardiff
01/01/2014: Crystal Palace vs Norwich
18/01/2014: Crystal Palace vs Stoke
28/01/2014: Crystal Palace vs Hull
05/04/2014: Cardiff vs Crystal Palace
Top Goalscorer:
Glenn Murray is certainly the man that I see grabbing the majority of Crystal Palace's goals this campaign, if allowed by fitness. Kevin Phillips I think has gone past the point where he will score 20 goals a season, and the new recruits are all too inexperienced to challenge Murray for that top goalscorer berth. The Englishman's abilities in the air and on the ground makes him the typical number 9, and I think that is exactly what Crystal Palace needs.
Prediction:
Crystal Palace's goal for this season will be to avoid relegation by any means possible. Ian Holloway will be all too familiar with this task, having been given that objective by the Blackpool board a couple of seasons ago. Unfortunately for the Bristolian born man, as much as his antics make him a popular choice amongst the public, I fear he will be fighting a losing battle again this time around. The squad just doesn't have enough strength in depth to challenge with the rest of the Premier League, and I think that another couple of seasons in the Championship will prepare them for another tilt at the top flight.
Crystal Palace 2013/2014: 20th
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