Palace entertained and frustrated in equal measure. But the frustrating aspects of the game hurt us most. Here are five things we learned. 

(Photo by SebastianF)

1.  Tactics need to be blend of proactive and efficiently reactive

While admirable that Alan Pardew is looking to set the team up to dominate games and play on the front-foot, this has to be balanced by consideration to how the other team sets up or changes shape during a match. Against both West Ham and Leicester, Pardew has been slow to react to obvious changes in the opposition and in both games, it has cost us points. At Leicester, when Riyad Mahrez was finding it difficult to get space, Claudio Ranieri responded by moving him from wide to playing more centrally. Pardew did not react to this change and it took away the sense of control Palace had for 20 minutes, giving the initiative to Leicester which they subsequently capitalised on.

2. Mandanda style the way forward.

It may put some players not entirely comfortable with the ball at feet under pressure at times, but Steve Mandada has been brought in to the club for more than his obvious standard goalkeeping talents. While he did cause a heart-in-mouth moment against Leicester, he will be leading from the front from the back, as it were, in the team’s evolution into a side which can move the ball quicker. His late save from Mahrez has gone under the radar but showed his shot-stopping abilities. While Palace fans have been happy to have goalkeepers who make good saves and can clear the ball 60 yards, it’s time to appreciate a new kind of goalkeeping.

3. A positive transfer window; but clear shortcomings.

For the incomings at Palace, the transfer window has been heralded, with justification, as our best since promotion. However, the lack of depth in the squad has been apparent since the start of the season and has been further highlighted in the last two games where two defensive injuries have exposed the team at centre-back and left-back. Leicester targeted the weakness on the left side of our defence between Delaney and Kelly with the movement of their front line and West Ham had targeted it through overload in that area at times. It is a stark vulnerability which the club must counter until it can add personnel in January.

4. Benteke’s effectiveness limited by isolation

Christian Benteke’s quality is apparent; he has an excellent first touch, brings others into play and his heading ability is second to none. However, to maximise the effectiveness of a player with that talent and price-tag, Palace cannot afford to leave him isolated. This could be a key point to address in Pardew’s “transition” – to move to passing game-control tactic requires midfielders to pick the ball up deeper, the loss of a number 10 close to Benteke needs to be compensated by either a winger coming inside or a spare midfielder pushing up. Benteke’s full impact will be limited until this is solved.

5. Cabaye can aid resolve midfield indecision

By his own admission, it is only now Yohan Cabaye is up to the required level of fitness for the Premier League. Saturday was the first time he’s started in a team which looked to control possession and while at times, even during the winning run, Palace’s ball retention was riddled with indecision, Cabaye’s quick switching, ball rotation and availability to receive the ball all over the pitch demonstrated how his importance to the team can grow as the season progresses. For all of Joe Ledley’s attributes and James McArthur’s endeavour, neither possess the ability to start attacking moves from deep; Cabaye will add decisiveness to mix.