‘When you’re in this predicament’ – Paddy McCarthy explains Crystal Palace team selection for Arsenal defeat
Crystal Palace interim boss Paddy McCarthy has explained why he chose to go for experienced players in their 4-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
The Palace U21 boss, who was in charge of the trip to the league leaders after the club sacked Patrick Vieira on Friday morning, named Joel Ward and Luka Milivojevic in his starting line-up.
Albert Sambi Lokonga was unable to feature due to being on loan from the Gunners.
McCarthy also called upon James Tomkins from the bench before kick-off, with Joachim Andersen pulling up in the pre-match warm-up with a calf injury.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Explaining his team selection in north London, the former Palace defender said: “When you’re in this predicament, you need experienced players who have been through the mill.
“The lads did really well today, given the circumstances.
“With Tonks, it’s 15 [before kick-off], and he gets the shout. He was excellent, given the circumstance.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“Experience is going to be important. Even players like James McArthur – he has been excellent around the place. He’s going to play a big role both on and off the pitch.
“Wilfried Zaha was really vocal and brought into everything we’re doing.
“Even until right until the end, he’s creating chances, making runs in and behind, and battling and fighting.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“All of these experienced players have been at the club a long time and have been through these circumstances and situations. They will play a big role in these coming weeks.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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We played experienced players who are too old to keep up with the opposition. This was totally the wrong tactic and definitely not an improvement on the team Viera would have chosen who I’m sure would have (once again) also chosen the wrong starting 11. We need a new manager who can pick the best players for the right positions, it’s not about players with experience, it’s about ability, effort and determination. The new manager also needs to know how to get the best out of our strikers, but to be honest I’m not sure if their best (Edouard and Mateta) is good enough for this league. We should have invested in a quality striker, but clearly the owners didn’t prioritise this and now we’re paying the price.
Zaha let the team down yesterday, he’s only interested in attacking, he was at fault for 2 of the goals. He gave the ball away and then just stood there watching Arsenal run towards the goal and score instead of trying to win the ball back. For another goal he let Saka stroll behind him for an easy shot on target instead of sticking with his man. He also needs to stop appealing for a foul whenever he is tackled, I admit he does get fouled a lot but he wants a free kick every time he is tackled and has a strop which affects the run of play.
It’s not a good time to be a Palace fan! The owners need to sort it out.