Jack Butland disappointed with Adama Traore goal – and reflects on ‘bittersweet’ Crystal Palace debut

BY SAM SMITH

Jack Butland was disappointed with the goal Adama Traore scored past him in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Traore cut inside from the right and thumped an effort into the roof of Butland’s goal. The Spaniard was not closed down quickly enough by either Patrick van Aanholt or Eberechi Eze.

The goalkeeper, signed from Stoke City in the summer transfer window, reflected on a “bittersweet” debut – deputising for the regular number one Vicente Guaita.

Butland told Palace TV: “I was always looking forward to the opportunity to showcase myself a bit and hopefully I’ve done that tonight. It’s a difficult game, a game of few chances, and I was a little bit disappointed with the goal – I was unsighted.

“I’ll look at it. I’m my biggest critic and I’ll always strive for the best, but I’m pleased with my overall performance and just disappointed we’re out.

“[We are] frustrated and, for me on a debut I’ve been looking forward to for a long time and hoping for a positive result, it’s bittersweet. [It was] nice to make my debut but also very frustrating to be out of the cup.”

Butland arrived at Selhurst Park to compete with Guaita, but the Spaniard’s good form has meant that the nine-times England international has had to wait for a debut.

The 27-year-old has reflected on the work that goes into improving the goalkeeping contingent with coach Dean Kiely.

He said: “The group of ‘keepers and the rest of the lads have been extremely welcoming. I’ve loved training with them. We set an extremely high standard in training, especially with the ‘keepers, and Deano leads that.

“We have great fun but I’d like to think you can see in the ‘keepers’ performances and the way Vicente’s been playing and the group that we’ve got, we train in a really good environment and push each other. That’s only going to get the best out of us all.”

Feature image: CPFC