'Palace's biggest challenge is internal'
Like Nottingham Forest versus Manchester City, Crystal Palace against Aston Villa is an FA Cup semi-final of contrasting styles.Palace do not necessarily keep a lot of possession, but they have got the ability to attack at high speed.The Eagles' supporters - and Villa's - do not get the chance to travel to Wembley all the time for big cup matches, so it will be a a huge occasion for both clubs.Up until two or three weeks ago, Palace looked like one of the most solid teams in the Premier League.All of a sudden, they get hit for five - two weeks in a row.So, that has not only cast doubt over how we perceive them from the outside, but there will be players in the team who probably are not as comfortable as they were a fortnight ago. Maybe there are hints of doubt.It is really tough to call, but it might be one of those games dictated by that first goal, because the two styles of play are not that similar.However, the desire and the drive to try to win that game to get in the final is going to be enormous.Palace beat Villa comfortably 4-1 at home in February so they will have a belief that they can go and do it again.They will not fear Unai Emery's side. The biggest challenge is internal because they have never won a major trophy.It is such a big occasion and I think that makes it a really interesting game.Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
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The Herald Scotland
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- The Herald Scotland
Palace co-owner John Textor would sell shares for Europa League chance
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Belfast Telegraph
18 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland's ‘togetherness' helped us see off Iceland, hails Crystal Palace star
Leading by Isaac Price's first half goal, the Windsor Park friendly took a more challenging turn for the home side when Brodie Spencer was sent off in the 57th minute. Michael O'Neill's young guns had a fight on their hands to maintain their excellent recent home record, but battle they did to secure a morale boosting triumph in their last match before September's World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg and Germany – with Devenny insisting the Green and White Army played an important role. 'As soon as Brodie went off it was like we got our 11th man with the crowd. I thought they were amazing,' said the FA Cup winner. 'You can look at it however you want, but it was a friendly game and it sold out and that speaks volumes about the atmosphere and the crowd. 'On the pitch I thought everyone dug deep for each other. We showed that togetherness as a squad. We went down to 10 men but it didn't stop us working hard and doing the basics right. 'I think good teams win when they're up against it or when they've got a man sent off. We stuck together, which I think is key to this group. Everyone's there for each other and going above and beyond for each other. It's great to have that within a squad and I think that's what brings us up to that next level. 'On the park everyone's there talking to each other, making sure everyone's doing their jobs. That starts from Pierce (Charles) in goal all the way up to the striker. Everyone's good at that. 'It might not have been the prettiest game, but we got the result which we wanted. We'll look to improve the quality in the next one. 'The win gives us momentum going into the big games. We've got the qualifiers coming up and we're all focused on that now. 'You want to play at as high a level as possible. It's almost like you want to play in the Premier League and then you play in the Premier League and it's like, 'What's the next step?' It's just kind of always looking up. You could say the same for the World Cup. Again, it's what you dream of as a kid so yeah, I'm looking forward to it.' Quizzed on Spencer's emotions after his red card, Devenny said: 'He's just got to pick his head up. I think for him it'll probably be a bit of a learning experience. He's a good lad and he'll work hard.' On starting the last two internationals in an unfamiliar left wing back type role, Devenny added: 'It's probably not what I'm used to but I've enjoyed the two games that I've played there. I thought I did okay. "Maybe it wasn't my best game against Iceland but I think it's good balance for the team because Brodie had been playing there before on the right foot and just having a left foot there, I think that's what Michael wanted for the balance of the team and just being able to then open up on the left.'
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Club World Cup officials must be 'braver'
International referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has told officials to be "braver" with their offside decisions at the Club World Cup despite the introduction of speeded up semi-automated offside (SAO) enhanced SAO is programmed to notify assistant referees immediately with an 'offside, offside' message in their ear when a player who is more than 10cm offside touches the is quicker than the current SAO technology, which has to take into account actual positions before making a was only introduced into the Premier League on 12 April, before which the video assistant referee (VAR) made all offside is one of a number of initiatives that will be used at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts on Sunday. Others include:Referees wearing body cams that allow live pictures to be shown immediately before the eight-second countdown for goalkeepers to release the making in-stadium announcements to explain VAR decisions, and the VAR pictures being shown to fans in real time inside the ground. The introduction of the enhanced SAO comes a month after Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a serious abdominal injury after crashing into a post during their Premier League draw against had been chasing the ball despite a clear offside that had not been the aftermath, Awoniyi's team-mate Ola Aina said the injury "would never have happened" had the assistant referee raised their flag enhanced element of SAO will not work in situations where a player who doesn't play the ball is offside, or in a crowded situation, so Collina says officials need the courage of their convictions."Since the very beginning we have told the assistant referee 'in case of doubt, keep the flag down'," said Collina, the Italian World Cup final referee who is now chairman of world governing body Fifa's referees' committee."If you raise the flag, it kills everything, including the possibility that the VAR can help you."But we are aware this has led to some consequences."Probably the assistant referees went a bit far. What was a doubt became bigger and bigger and bigger. There are possible offside incidents where top assistant referees, as there are in many competitions around the world, would not have this doubt."Despite the introduction of this [technology] we have also reminded our assistant referees to be a bit braver and more courageous in putting the flag up when the offside is offside. Two metres offside cannot lead to a doubt." Countdown for goalkeepers A new plan to speed up the game will be implemented both at the Club World Cup and the European Under-21 Championship, in which referees will only allow goalkeepers eight seconds to release the time will start once the goalkeeper has control of the ball. After three seconds, the referee will raise his hand in the air and count down from five to notify the goalkeeper he has to release. If he fails, the attacking side will be awarded a believes it will largely be a preventative measure and said a corner had been awarded twice in 160 games when it was trialled in South he feels it necessary given the amount of time some goalkeepers are taking to release the ball."The referees should be flexible," he said. "If a goalkeeper has the ball for 8.1 seconds it is not necessarily a corner."But we have had a lot of instances of goalkeepers keeping the ball for 25 seconds. There is nothing entertaining about that." VAR decisions explained but discussions won't be heard As in previous Fifa tournaments, the on-pitch referee will communicate VAR decisions and the reasons for them to supporters inside the the first time, fans at the match will be able to see the replays the officials are being there will still be no broadcast of the actual discussions taking place in the VAR is urging patience to those who cannot understand why football is not yet implementing something commonplace in other sports like rugby, cricket and all the major American sports."I cannot tell you if something more might be added in the future," he said. "But we need to do it when we are sure this will not affect the decision-making process."When they are doing their job, which is very difficult, the VARs and the referees are under pressure. Knowing everyone is listening may add some pressure."We are a work in process. We have not to forget that although VAR feels as though it has existed forever, the first match with it was 2016."We have to be patient." Live images from bodycams - but only before game Fifa have pledged to show live images from the referees' bodycams - which will be attached to their earpieces - before the game, both in the tunnel and during the warm-up and coin there will be no live images shown during the game and anything controversial or in bad taste, such as a player suffering a nasty injury, will not the images would be available to VAR, Collina cannot see how a camera next to a referee's eye would detect something the official had it will do, Fifa believe, is show the game from a unique vantage point and "enhance the storytelling".To that end, it is an entertainment concept."That is clear," said Collina.
