Andros Townsend: We’re not plain for missed Crystal Palace chances

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Andros Townsend admitted his Crystal Palace team needs to be more clinical.

The Eagles had 62 per cent possession in Saturday’s frustrating stalemate with Newcastle United – producing 16 shots and nine corners.

“We created loads of chances and probably should – and could – have won the game but it’s one of those days again where nothing would go in for us,” said the 27-year-old to cpfc.co.uk.

“We were the more dominant of the two teams and a lot of our attacking players had chances to score, but I am not going to blame it on one or two players as everyone had chances and no-one took them.

“We were not clinical. We didn’t get the three points that we deserved so we have to take the point and move onto the next game.

On one hand we have to be positive and take the performance and the positives into the next game and remember how well we did play, but on the other hand it’s a missed opportunity.”

Palace play West Bromwich Albion away tonight in the EFL Cup, with manager Roy Hodgson expected to make numerous changes.

The Eagles are back in Premier League action on Monday night when they travel to Bournemouth.

“In the Premier League you can’t be creating seven or eight chances and not scoring” said Townsend.

“If you look at the scoreline [against Newcastle] it was a strong performance in defence and going forward, but we are in a results-based business.

“We didn’t play well [against Huddersfield] but got the three points, this Saturday we played well but didn’t get the three points – that’s the way it goes unfortunately.

We have to learn from that and this week we need to work hard again on the training pitch so next Monday we can create the same chances – but put them away.”