Adam Sells’ four takeaways from Palace’s 1-1 draw at Brentford – Eze needs attacking help and it’s time to get busy in transfer window

Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Brentford today – with Joachim Andersen on target to cancel out Kevin Schade’s first-half opener.

Adam Sells was at the Gtech Community Stadium. Here are his four takeaways:

COMETH THE HOUR

It was fitting that Joachim Andersen was the man to rescue a point for the Eagles here.

The great Dane was imperious in the rain and as Palace struggled to find a way through, it was the central defender’s endeavour and sheer brute force that meant the visitors left the Gtech Community Stadium with a share of the spoils.

After patiently trying to work an opening, all seemed lost until Andersen slid in attempt to rescue a Jordan Ayew pass and squeezed the ball past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

LACK OF THRUST MUST BE ADDRESSED

There’s not too much wrong with Roy Hodgson’s team. Palace were well worth a point here  – and may have had more. Five efforts on target compared to the home side’s one, suggests as much.

There is a very solid, competitive base, but there is a distinct lack of thrust in the final third.

There is the clever feet of Jordan Ayew on the right, who is better served as a central striker, Jeffrey Schlupp, utilised on the left, is more adept in central midfield. Odsonne Edouard has his moments and should have scored.

What was most evident was the visitors’ ability to hurt their opponents on the counter-attack, instead having to continually play through a low block with everybody in shape.

There is no doubt the Michael Olise and Matheus Franca will make a difference, but Palace need more pace in attack.

TACTICAL TWEAK MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE

Palace boss Hodgson made a tactical switch during the second period and it gave his team a real foothold in the game.

The change was to move Schlupp inside and adopt a 4-1-2-3 shape with the Eberechi Eze moved to the left-hand side.

The Palace magician started in the favoured number 10 role and will be more effective with pacier, orthodox wide players. Right now, he is the only real threat and it is too easy to nullify the Eagles as a result. With opponents able to restrict the England international. Eze is a top talent and will thrive when the likes of Olise and Franca alongside him.

TIME TO GET BUSY

Palace’s lack of transfer activity at this point is hard to comprehend.

It is understood that there will always be value and opportunity towards the end of the window.

But the injuries to Franca and Olise have been known about for weeks and months.

There is no doubt that the lack of alternatives within the squad has already cost points, which should not be the case after 10 seasons in the Premier League.

Having finished the season without any wide options on the bench and only one striker, it is hard to fathom why the summer and three games have been allowed to pass without any reinforcements given the urgency. The depth in other areas means they can hang on for a goalkeeper, full-back or a striker, but the wide areas should have been addressed urgently.

Palace are competing in the biggest and best league in the world. Points have been dropped unnecessarily. A golden opportunity was missed against Arsenal in midweek.

The season began on August 12 – and not when the transfer window closes.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD