#androstownsend

ANDROS TOWNSEND SIGNS FOR EVERTON | FIRST INTERVIEW WITH NEW BLUES WINGER

Crystal Palace emerged 3-1 victors over Burnley on Saturday despite Roy Hodgson having made five changes to the team that lost to Manchester United last time out, dropping the likes of Andros Townsend and first-choice goalkeeper Vicente Guaita in favour of a different look starting XI. There was, of course, a starting spot for the ever-influential Wilfried Zaha, who is loving Palace’s new-found luxury. WHAT DID HE SAY? Speaking about the weekend’s win, in which he scored, the 26-year-old said: “Obviously, the gaffer [Hodgson] gives us a game plan and away from home we can’t be as open so we stay tight and try to break on teams. “We went through stages where there were so many injuries and you looked at the bench and you can’t really mix it up the way the gaffer did [at Burnley]. “It’s nice to see because we obviously put some fresh legs out there and it made a difference. It’s hard when you play a three-game week, so it made a difference changing it up.” BREATHING ROOM FOR PALACE’S STARS In Palace’s five-year spell in the Premier League, there has largely been a big gulf between the starting XI and the bench or reserves but that is no longer the case, despite the Eagles spending frugally since a big-spending January two years ago. Hodgson was able to call upon Max Meyer, Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey and all deputised capably and, as Zaha says, this new-found depth makes Palace’s life far easier when the fixtures come thick and fast. Additionally, when the Selhurst Park outfit’s key men burn out – Townsend in particular has hardly had a rest at all this season – it is crucial that they are able to be benched and that a back-up can step in and not look out of their depth in the starting XI. Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below… The pressure on the big names – Zaha, Townsend, Mamadou Sakho and Michy Batshuayi, for instance – therefore, is alleviated as they know they are in company that can still make a difference when they are absent, be it through injury or otherwise. Unfortunately for him, Ivorian Zaha remains undroppable and Palace have a long way to go before they can afford to leave the electric number 11 on the bench but, nevertheless, the improvement in squad depth is there for all to see. #CrystalPalace #WilfriedZaha #AndrosTownsend

Crystal Palace recorded a great result on Saturday as they took three points from Turf Moor in their clash with Burnley, with Roy Hodgson making five changes to the team that lost to Manchester United on Wednesday. Although one was certainly bemusing – they proved effective. In his post-match interview, the 71-year-old boss explained why he made certain decisions and now it all makes sense. WHAT DID HE SAY? Asked by Palace’s media if he was pleased with the players who came in for the 3-1 win, Hodgson said: “Absolutely. But it was really just a question of giving our players who have played a lot of games the opportunity to get some rest, in particular [James] McArthur and Andros Townsend. “They’ve played every game, battling away and yet, for people like Max Meyer and Cheikhou [Kouyate] who’ve been patiently awaiting a chance they’ve got fresh legs and plenty of enthusiasm so it [the Burnley game] was a great opportunity to put them in. “Scott Dann, we thought was probably the right man to counter the sort of play we knew we would be facing and the same goes for Wayne Hennessey, the goalkeeper.” GREAT NEWS While plenty of Palace fans were alarmed by the decision to omit the previously impressive Vicente Guaita from the starting XI in favour of a start for Hennessey – particular amid reports of the Spaniard possibly seeking an exit – Hodgson has surely relieved that panic in his post-match interview. Guaita dropped? Bad decision. — Josef Saruman (@Sharman39) March 2, 2019 HENNESSEY?! — G? (@CPFC_GH) March 2, 2019 ? why’s Hennessy back in the team!! The back 4 look instantly more nervous when he plays!!! — Ray (@rayapp82) March 2, 2019 The Clarets are renowned for their direct, long-ball approach and the decision to start 6-foot-6 Hennessey in such a physical game is of no surprise now that Hodgson has explained that was the reasoning behind dropping Guaita. Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below… Hennessey, who has 81 caps for Wales, was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet having brilliantly tipped Peter Crouch’s effort past the post although he was culpable for Ashley Barnes’ late consolation and it would be a real surprise if he keeps his place ahead of Guaita for the hot-blooded clash with Brighton this weekend. #MaxMeyer #CrystalPalace #AndrosTownsend

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