CRYSTAL MESS
As essential at Selhurst Park on matchdays as Ian Bright sitting next to Steve Parish looking sad, the Crystals cheerleaders haven't had much to wave their blue and red pom-poms about this season. Tasked with warming up the crowd before kick-off before forming a guard of honor at the entrance to the narrow tunnel of the south London ground, these entertainers can at least be trusted, unlike the home team they give welcome to the field, to put in a solid eight out of 10 performance regardless of the weather. Watching the Crystals strut their stuff is probably the only thing tonight's game between Crystal Palace and Chelsea has in common with last night's game. Super Bowla spectacle that seemed to be nothing more than the preamble to a Passionate post-match closing between Taylor Swift and her victorious squeeze Travis Kelce. There is unlikely to be love in the air at Selhurst Park, given that both Roy and Mauricio Pochettino have spoken in the build-up about the lack of affection they have inspired among their respective teams' fans.
“No,” said Poch, when asked if Chelsea fans had come to love him since his arrival at the club. “No, I need to be honest with you. No, because I understand that they were winning (Gran Cup), they won cups, the first division. Why are fans going to love me after six or seven months? We are in a final but we are not in a good position in the Premier League standings. “I think that at this moment I feel the respect of the fans, I see them on the street and they are all kind to me, but I can't lie.”
With Valentine's Day approaching and an annual reminder to Football Daily of what it feels like to be unloved, we can certainly empathize with Poch, but at least he has the chance to change things. Following by your side unusually impressive performance against Aston Villa Last time out, a win against a beleaguered Palace side would endear them even more to Chelsea fans, while a win over Liverpool in Sunday's Fizzy Cup final would be, at the very least, the equivalent of a quick shake on your knees, with endless romantic possibilities ahead. path.
Unfortunately for Roy, there are no such chances of redemption, now that his on-again, off-again relationship with Palace fans appears to have come to its inevitable end. Out of both cups and with nothing more exciting than avoiding a relegation battle, the 76-year-old appears to be simply going through the motions. to a newer, more glamorous replacement It can be found. “It's been the most difficult period of my career for a reason,” he said before tonight's game, apparently having recorded that Iceland fiasco to the vaults. “And the fans have turned so against us. “These are the people we can’t afford to turn against us because we need them.”
Palace also need Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi, three standout players who could make the difference against a Chelsea team known for being occasionally hot but mostly several degrees cold. Unfortunately for Mr. Roy, all three are sidelined for their ability, in a situation that greatly increases the chances of his otherwise excellent and average team being toned down. Should Palace lose in the same emphatic style as they did it against Brighton Last time we predicted a quick divorce.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Being a football fan, especially at this club… I came back twice to get them out of relegation… there will always be bad times. Let's be fair, in the last three years it has been the best time West Ham have had. Sixth and seventh in the League, semi-final of the Europa League, final of a European Cup and I still think that this club has grown. Without a doubt today we had a terrible day and I understand that they (the fans) are leaving, but sometimes in football clubs you are going to have bad days. We had a bad day today and I certainly won't forget the good ones” – David Moyes asks West Ham fans to see the bigger picture after your side They were embarrassed 6-0 at home against Arsenal. Not exactly Roy Hodgson levels of “you should be happy we're still in the Premier League”, but not far off.
Ifab's idea about blue cards (Friday football diary) seems to show your ignorance about colors and how they work. It may be necessary to consult a color expert (artist or designer). According to his plan, two blue cards would equal red, or a blue and yellow card would equal red. However, like anyone who knows about colors, blue and blue produce more blue, while blue and yellow produce more green. Or perhaps Ifab is simply colorblind, which goes hand in hand with the ignorance and arrogance behind this idea” – Nigel Assam.
For my sins, I referee soccer on Saturdays and hockey on Sundays. If my weekend is going to be ruined, I like to pass it on. In hockey, a green card is a two-minute sin-bin and a yellow card is a minimum five-minute sin-bin. And in both games red is red. In football, sanctions for professional fouls and disagreements (10 minutes) and for two yellow cards (20 minutes) are an improvement that should have been made long ago. “Brian of Northampton is a visionary, not a reactionary” – Roger Prowse.
Are the proposed cards to punish dissent colored blue to reflect the language they will penalize? – Richard O’Hagan.
Just to put an end to the recent Lionel Messi not playing issue In Hong Kong. He couldn't have seemed more disinterested throughout the entire trip. While David Beckham engaged in training sessions with local children and schools, pressing palms, kissing babies' heads, signing autographs and generously spending time posing for selfies with fans, Messi remained holed up in his hotel. On the day of the match, while it is understandable that he was unfortunately unwell, at least he could have shown some interest, said a few words (admittedly in Spanish, but with translation) and posed for photos and signed autograph books. He seemed moody, bored and desperate to get out of town. His prestige and reputation here in Hong Kong could not be lower” – Marc Meldrum.
Re: Matthias Schill (and others) on Daily Friday Football Cards. Abe Simpson does not enter or leave a brothel in the famous gif, but rather a burlesque house. The brothel, although mentioned in Bart After Dark, is never seen. And yes, I should get out more” – Adam Griffiths (and others).
send letters to el.boss@theguardian.com. Today's winner of our non-prize card of the day is… Richard O'Hagan.
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