Connor Wickham Suspended 3 Matches: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
Jan 29, 2016
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Connor Wickham of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham has been banned for three games by the Football Association due to violent conduct.
News of the sanction came on Friday via the FA’s official website. The punishment has been handed out after an incident involving the forward and Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen during the meeting between the sides on January 23.
The ban comes into effect immediately, meaning Wickham will be unavailable for the Eagles’ FA Cup tie with Stoke City on Saturday.
The forward, who signed for Palace from Sunderland in the summer, appeared to swing an elbow in the direction of the Belgium international during the London derby, which was won by Spurs 3-1.
MailOnline Sport provided us with an image of the incident:
For Palace manager Alan Pardew, this suspension comes at the worst possible time, with his side already struggling at the point of the attack.
Vertonghen actually turned the ball into his own net during the game against Spurs, as we seen below courtesy of OptaJoe. Prior to that, Palace had long been toothless in their forward forays:
482 - Jan Vertonghen's own goal was the first that Crystal Palace have scored in 482 minutes in the Premier League. Blooper.
Although Wickham hasn’t been prolific since his summer move, scoring just one goal in the Premier League, he can be a strong foil for the Eagles’ other attacking talents. Indeed, his ability to rough up defenders, hold up the ball and dominate in the air will be missed against the Potters and subsequent matches against Bournemouth and Swansea City.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Connor Wickham of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Crystal Palace at the Britannia Stadium on December 19, 2015 in Stoke on Tren
The Eagles boss signed veteran striker Emmanuel Adebayor in an attempt to solve his woes up front. With Wickham missing, the much maligned Togolese will have to hit the ground running if Palace are to move up the Premier League table.
Emmanuel Adebayor Says He'll Use Google to Find out More About Crystal Palace
Jan 27, 2016
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Emmanuel Adebayor of Manchester City is challenged by Jose Fonte of Crystal Palace during the Carling Cup second round match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on August 27, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
New Crystal Palace forward Emmanuel Adebayor has got his relationship with his new club off to a rocky start—by admitting he'll have to use Google to learn more about the south London side's history.
"I don’t know much about the club but it’s better to learn so I’ll be going on Google and finding out more about them," he told the club's official website (via the Evening Standard).
"Whatever the team want to achieve I will follow them - I want to help them win games and that’s what I’m here for," he said. "They’re not far from the top five and that’ll be difficult to reach as there are a lot of big games to play, but let’s get out there, have fun and enjoy ourselves."
Adebayor is undoubtedly a proven Premier League marksman, but his latest contract has inspired a mixed reaction for Twitter. Plenty were positive about the move:
Adebayor will do well at Palace, him Zaha and Bolasie could be a very dangerous attacking trio for them
Why Crystal Palace Could Finish in the Premier League Top 4 This Season
Dec 7, 2015
Crystal Palace's English manager Alan Pardew watches his players during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park in south London on November 28, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
At the start of September, I sat opposite Alan Pardew in his office at Crystal Palace’s training ground as he reflected on how he had radically transformed the club over the previous nine months as manager.
At the time, Palace were second in the table, and while that has since proved to be unsustainable, there was still a confidence about Pardew and a glint in his eye that suggested he knew Palace could be on the brink of enjoying their best season in the Premier League.
“Look, I know I can set up a team that survives, but grinding out 1-0 wins doesn’t really enthrall me if I am honest,” he told me. “I want more than that…I want us to be recognised for playing exciting football.
“I am more comfortable with the team this year, they understand what I want…I would like to think we could get closer to the Europa League places this year.”
When Pardew took over in January this year, Palace were in the bottom three with no thoughts of Europe, but by the end of the season, he had guided them to 10th.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Yohan Cabaye (C) of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates James McArthur (L) and Wilfried Zaha (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at
He has quickly overhauled the entire culture of the club, from one that was content to survive and avoid defeat to one that now sets out to win every game, both home and away.
Along with Leicester City, who are at the very summit of the table, Palace are exponents of this new approach from the league’s less fashionable clubs that now sees them playing without any fear.
And already this season, this has helped Palace secure seven wins, including against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in August and last month at Anfield against a Liverpool side rejuvenated by Jurgen Klopp.
It might seem outlandish—silly, even—but could this approach take Palace all the way into the top four by the end of the season?
A win against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night would take Palace to sixth in the table, just four points from fourth place.
Palace should allow themselves to dream just a little because they are set up to take risks, and more often than not, this delivers wins.
“In the Premier League, you see a lot of good, technical players, but they never put the ball at risk,” Pardew told me. “I told the players I didn’t mind [doing it] because ultimately it will help us.”
Crystal Palace's French-born Congolese midfielder Yannick Bolasie controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park in south London on November 28, 2015. / AFP / ADRIAN DENN
The greatest risk-takers in this Palace side are Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie, who have come to symbolise the excitement and attacking freedom of Pardew’s football.
When they are in the mood, few defences can live with their movement, pace and blurring array of tricks.
Their ability to break with pace has been one of the main factors in Palace amassing 30 points away from home in 2015, the second-best away record in the entire Premier League behind Arsenal.
The surprise arrival of Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer has also given this Palace side a greater attacking threat; with him in the centre of midfield, the Eagles increasingly look for a forward pass rather than a sideways pass.
For a team set up to take risks and attack with such zeal, it is essential Palace are well-protected at the back.
In Joel Ward, Damien Delaney, Scott Dann—who has so far been strangely overlooked by England—and Pape Souare, Palace boast an unheralded collection of defenders who are doing just that.
After 14 games this season, Palace can claim the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League behind only Tottenham, Arsenal and the risk-averse Manchester United.
Palace should comfortably finish around 10th again this season, but Pardew wants more than that, and there is a way he could make it happen: Invest in a new striker next month.
It is a curiosity that for all their attacking intent and success this season, Palace don’t have a prolific or established striker.
In fact, the situation is so chronic that Palace’s stable of four strikers—Connor Wickham, Dwight Gayle, Frazier Campbell and the on-loan Patrick Bamford—have not scored a single league goal between them so far this season.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Connor Wickham of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park on November 23, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
A summer signing from Sunderland, Wickham has obvious potential but needs to show it more, while Gayle and Campbell are too lightweight and erratic, and Bamford is just passing through.
It means the decision to release Glenn Murray, the club’s leading scorer in the league last season with seven goals from only nine starts, increasingly looks to be a costly mistake.
And his poacher’s finish to secure victory for Bournemouth over Chelsea on Saturday evening was yet another painful reminder of their mistake.
But it is a mistake that can begin to be rectified in January if Palace are bold and ambitious in the transfer window.
They have a glaringly obvious vacancy to be filled up front, and it should be the wish of every striker to play in front of such creative talents as Zaha, Bolasie and Cabaye, as well as Jason Puncheon and Bakary Sako.
These players have proved they will create chances; Palace now need a striker to finish them and, in turn, help fuel an unlikely—but still possible—pursuit of a top-four finish.
Wilfried Zaha Gives 10% of His Salary to Charities in the UK and Ivory Coast
Dec 4, 2015
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace scores his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on November 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha hasn't forgotten his humble roots, judging by the revelation that he gives 10 percent of his salary to charity.
The former Manchester United man was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to south London in 1996, and he credits his mother for keeping him in touch.
"I give a 10th of my salary to charity every month so in terms of giving back, I do my best,” he told the E&H Foundation (via Callum Davis the Telegraph). "That's not just charities here, it's charities in the Ivory Coast too. My mum makes sure of it as soon as the end of the month comes; I do that as my good deed to help."
Zaha played a key role in Palace's promotion to the Premier League in 2013, and is now gradually rebuilding his career after a failed spell under David Moyes at Old Trafford.
Can Crystal Palace Break the Pattern of Alan Pardew's Career so Far?
Jul 22, 2015
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Alan Pardew manager of Crystal Palace looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Swansea City at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace's signing of Yohan Cabaye is one of the most impressive Premier League acquisitions of the summer so far. After their fantastic end to last season under Alan Pardew, the Eagles have every reason to feel confident going into the new season.
However, Palace should be more cautious than their form suggests they deserve to be. Despite Pardew's superb start to life as Palace manager, it's his past record that the Selhurst Park faithful should be mindful of.
After a bright start to his managerial career with Reading, Pardew joined West Ham United, where he first made a name for himself in the Premier League.
It was with the Hammers that the pattern that has come to undermine his undeniable attributes first emerged. In his second season, he guided them to the Premier League via the play-offs despite going through sustained patches of poor form.
His first season in the top flight was a nearly unmitigated success, taking the team to an extremely creditable ninth-place finish and reaching the FA Cup final. However, the season after their form collapsed. The Hammers were dumped out of the UEFA Cup and League Cup in the early rounds, and Pardew was sacked in December with the Hammers in 18th position.
His time at Charlton Athletic followed a similar trajectory. His arrival marked an upturn in form, although he was unable to prevent relegation. The Addicks toiled in the Championship for around a season and a half before mass protests against Pardew saw him sacked.
His travails with the Magpies have been well documented, but a snapshot of any of his four years at the helm reveals the same schizophrenic form. In 2013/14, for example, he oversaw a record six-game losing streak, as well as a run where United won seven out of nine, including games against Chelsea and away at Manchester United.
This inexplicable trend is indicative of a manager who lives and dies by his ability to motivate. When it works, his teams can beat anybody; when it doesn't, things unravel rapidly.
Palace are the club with whom Pardew enjoyed the best spell of his playing career, and he must hope that his affinity with the club will finally help his banish the demons that have beleaguered his career so far.
Yohan Cabaye to Crystal Palace: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
Jul 10, 2015
France's Yohan Cabaye listens questions during a press conference at the Teatro Pedro II in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. France will face Nigeria on Monday in the round of 16 at the World Cup. (AP Photo/David Vincent)
Yohan Cabaye has completed a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Crystal Palace, where he'll be reunited with former manager Alan Pardew.
The news was confirmed by the official Palace Twitter timeline:
The 29-year-old moved to the French capital in 2014 after a strong spell with Newcastle United, but never managed to nail down a spot in his new club's starting XI.
In need of regular playing time to secure his spot in France's Euro 2016 squad, a summer transfer appeared almost inevitable.
The Northern Echo's Scott Wilson thinks this deal is an incredible coup for the Eagles:
Others have said it, but if Palace sign Cabaye for £10m that's a hell of a deal. And something #NUFC/#SAFC should have been gate-crashing...
Cabaye adds some serious quality to a Crystal Palace side expected to comfortably survive in the Premier League next season, and while the presence of Pardew undoubtedly played into the Frenchman's decision, it's still telling that he chose Selhurst Park as his next home.
"There's a desire to build a strong team," Cabaye said, per Tom Williams of the AFP, "The owner wants to establish team in the top eight, and why not try win a cup?"
Just last year, he was one of the hottest names on the transfer market after a great season for Newcastle, before securing a move to France's biggest club.
That quality hasn't vanished, and for Palace to land a player of such stature is significant. Per the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon, it may just be a sign of the direction the Eagles are headed:
Fears of a Portsmouth-style implosion (or even a Wigan) are unfounded. The progress Palace are making obviously entails breaking the club's wage structure, but considering they've done that every summer for the last three years, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise. As for the player himself, he's proven technically and hasn't really got 'legs' to lose, softening the usual concerns over splashing out on someone his age.
But the real hope, from talking to those at Selhurst, is that signing a French international it doesn't provide a "shining light" moment like Lombardo's signing - a diamond sticking out in a poor side - but rather another yardstick of the club's ongoing progress.
Cabaye doesn't turn 30 until next year and still has plenty of years of playing at the highest level ahead of him. He brings experience and star quality to a club that ended the 2014-15 Premier League season in excellent form and appears to be headed in the right direction under Pardew.
The midfielder needs to have a strong season to secure his spot in France's squad, so expect Cabaye to hit the ground running. These are exciting times for the Eagles, who may have just pulled off one of the best-value signings of the summer.
Jason Puncheon the Star Centre Piece as Crystal Palace Build for Next Season
May 9, 2015
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace celebrates his team's first goal with Yannick Bolasie during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on May 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SELHURST PARK — Manchester United squeezed out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Juan Mata netted a contentious penalty in the first half before Jason Puncheon equalised in the second, but Marouane Fellaini scored the winner 12 minutes from time by heading home an Ashley Young cross.
It's at this stage of the season you'd have expected Palace to be fighting tooth and nail for every point and every position, but that's not how the 2014-15 campaign has panned out at all. With safety secured long ago following a remarkable run of form, there's not an awful lot left for Alan Pardew to glean from these end-of-season showings.
What he will be doing, though, is taking a breather after being parachuted in on a rescue mission and stopping to take stock of what he has at his disposal.
The Eagles are in the rare, luxurious position of being able to cool off and start planning for next season before this one has even finished. Pardew will review the tape of this match and look for nuggets of information in the summer, and one such nugget presented itself clear as day, once again, in the form of Jason Puncheon.
Puncheon's introduction at half-time changed the very complexion of this game; his set-piece goal, a free-kick from the edge of the box, reaffirmed what Pardew and every Palace fan in the ground already knows: He is central—literally central—to this team's fortunes, having converted to a central midfield role and taken to controlling games.
He's carved out a modest career, dropping down the leagues with the likes of Southampton, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers, but has returned to his hometown club and thrives off the love the crowd supply. He's a hero, a heartbeat in midfield and a fan favourite.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Alan Pardew manager of Crystal Palace shouts from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on May 3, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Image
During the first-half warm-up runs, Puncheon garnered by far the loudest cheer from the spectators on his side. A few called out to him and pointed out their "42. Puncheon" Palace shirts, and he grinned with approval, pointing at them and engaging.
Pardew opted to bring him off the bench at just the right moment—and in doing so corrected a formula that wasn't working. Joe Ledley departed and James McArthur settled back into a deeper role, allowing Puncheon the LCM position in a 4-3-3-esque midfield.
Within 10 minutes, his name was on the scoresheet, levelling proceedings in his side's favour, and he was initiating attacks from deep with a calm, measured stroke of the ball. All of a sudden, team-mates found Glenn Murray quicker and with more accuracy, allowing Palace to fling Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha forward and play into space.
When Puncheon plays, orchestrating from a central midfield position, Palace play their best football.
"In the first half Man Utd played well," Pardew admitted to journalists after the game. "They dominated possession, rotated in midfield and we just couldn't get to grips [with it].
Pardew had plenty of gripes with refereeing performance today. Said if handball given puncheon one should be #cpfcpic.twitter.com/oZNfv0CatU
"But second half, we changed our shape, that helped us, [and we] started to boss the game; [we had] a lot more control, more possession and got the equaliser, then had a great moment to take [the] lead. It was a fabulous save from goalkeeper. Outstanding."
Puncheon served as the source for the turning of the tide in this game, and although Palace couldn't hold out for the draw or go on to win the game—largely thanks to David De Gea's excellence in the United goal—he was the clear catalyst in a better second half. He's the man to build around; any signing Pardew makes should be with a view to playing with Puncheon.
Pardew has multiple areas of the squad to address this summer, with goalkeeper, left-back, central defence and striker all positions that could tempt him to spend in. They need depth or an alternative to Murray, and they need to find a left-back they're comfortable enough with so that Joel Ward can play 38 games a season at right-back—his actual position.
One conclusion has already been drawn, though, and that's that Puncheon should be the sparkling centre piece of this team moving forward.
Glenn Murray's Rejuvenation Epitomises Alan Pardew's Effect at Crystal Palace
Apr 6, 2015
SELHURST PARK — When Alan Pardew swapped Newcastle United for Crystal Palace in early January, it was said the deal was perfect for both parties. Indeed, St. James' Park wanted to get rid of the man perceived to be owner Mike Ashley's "puppet," and he was hardly smitten with the fans who called for his sacking every week without fail.
So when Palace came calling following their dismissal of Neil Warnock in the winter months, Pardew was only too happy to move to a club he knew he'd be loved at. A clear affiliation existed from his playing days, and he was born just a stone's throw away in Wimbledon, so his family are located close.
As we creep toward the end of the 2014-15 Premier League season, it's become clear only one side really benefitted from Pardew's move. Crystal Palace's epic 2-1 victory over Manchester City more or less confirmed safety as they moved onto 39 points for the season, while Newcastle, fresh off a painful derby-day defeat to Sunderland, have just two wins since the turn of the year under caretaker boss John Carver.
Pardew's impact at the club has been both immediate and durable, with too many points to count. Jason Puncheon has been phenomenal in a more central role, Wilfried Zaha is scoring goals and Scott Dann, in truth, is playing football worthy of notice from Roy Hodgson and England.
But perhaps the biggest change, and by proxy the most positive one, is the rejuvenation of Glenn Murray—Palace's goalscoring hero of the past four months. No story emanating from the club or individual turnaround matches his, and it's one Pardew can legitimately claim to be his own doing.
Murray was on the verge of being sold in January. He was out of favour and Championship clubs such as Reading were hovering with intent, per GetReading.co.uk. Pardew laid it plain and simple to reporters after his first Premier League win with Crystal Palace—a 2-1 defeat ofTottenham Hotspur—outlining his intent to speak to Murray and assure him he was in his plans. Shortly after, Murray signed a new deal.
Since then he's been an assassin in front of goal, a genuine unsung hero in a rapidly improving side. Zaha and Yannick Bolasie dominate the highlight reels and Puncheon's wand of a foot makes the headlines, but Murray's five goals in his last five games—including a crazy brace and red card at Upton Park—could and should be the focus.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Glenn Murray of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on April 6, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDon
His distinct improvement and increased belief in the cause epitomise the seismic shift in belief and performance levels at Selhurst Park since Pardew took over, and you can hardly blame the former Newcastle chief for feeling rather happy with his man after the game:
"We knew the centre-backs would be aggressive, we told Glenn he'd need to buy us fouls, win headers and work hard," the manager told reporters after the game. "It was an exceptional performance. Forget about his goal, [it was] a real lesson in how to play as a No. 9."
"He's had a terrible time with injuries. [We are] so pleased with him and the quality he has."
Pardew and Palace are building for next season and looking upward, not down. He won't admit it yet but they are safe, and he can take a more considered and calculated stab at the transfer window in the summer without rushing and signing duds. Striker won't be atop the wish list largely because Murray's the No. 1 choice.
A club like Palace need a manager who can extract every last drop from the resources available, and Pardew—adored by the terraces and, seemingly, the board too—is in the perfect place. The rejuvenation of Murray typifies what he has brought to the club. He looks an inspired choice by chairman Steve Parish.
