Unfortunately for me, I made the trip to Selhurst Park hoping to see Leeds continue their push for a play off place but it was back to a ‘no idea` display, as Leeds looked clueless in the 1-0 defeat that looks to have condemned Leeds to another season in the Championship.
Schmeichel 5
Didn`t have much to do after the second minute, was totally wrong footed for the goal that took a huge deflection but the shot was hit so tamely he didn`t need to go down as quick as he did.
Been saying it for a while now, doesn`t command his area like he was early season and is not keeping on top of his defence.
Connolly 5
Wasn`t really put under a great deal of pressure and tried to help create forward momentum, with little effect. Substituted at half time.
Naylor 6
Had one of his moments early on in the game when he missed the ball but overall it was another steady performance by Naylor. He wasn`t put under a great deal of pressure all afternoon.
O`Brien 5
Another player who isn`t looking like the player we first signed. For an experienced Premier League defender he should be commanding in defence and keeping on top of the players, he does none of that. He was a bit unlucky with the deflection that led to the goal.
Lichaj Star Man 6
As Leeds have faltered since February, Lichaj is the one player who as been consistent. Tried to help Snodgrass out down the right but it just wasn`t happening for Snoddy.
Howson 4
The first half past him by and when he was moved to a more defensive midfield role in the second half he might as well have joined me in the stands.
It was his poor clearance that led to the only goal of the game.
Livermore 1
Not sure where to start, I have now seen him play for Leeds three times and he has had a shocker every game. Supposed to be a strong ball winning midfielder? All he does is disappear and when he gets the ball, he gives it away. Send him back to Spurs, Premier League, he`s having a laugh.
Johnson 5
Battled hard in the first half and he was moved to left back in the second half as Grayson shuffled the pack.
Wasted at left back and with Palace not offering much in attack we might as well have played three in defence.
Paynter 2
Not good enough for the Championship, looks like he`s running in glue when he bothers to put a bit of effort in. How we have missed Becchio in the last two games.
Gradel 5
A quiet game for Gradel, he hardly looked like getting in behind the Palace defence.
Snodgrass 4
He hasn`t looked fit since the beginning of March and his balls into the box rarely beat the first man.
Subs
Kilkenny 6
Like he did on Friday when he came on, he gave us much more space on the ball as he picked the ball up and picked out players. Often though a lack of movement meant he had no one to pass too.
Watt 5
A few brief glimpses from Watt but he struggled to really get into the game.
Somma 5
Looked more lively than Paynter but that wasn`t hard. He had a few chances but wasted them both.
Grayson 3
Tried to change things at half time but nothing really fresh in his approach.
Gave another start to Livermore whilst Barry Bannan sat on the bench, I honestly can`t work that one out.
With Palace not offering much in attack, he stuck with four at the back and Billy Cart-horse on his own up front. He then takes him off and leaves Somma on his own up front. Snodgrass had the ball plenty of times on the right and no-one in the middle.
We needed a goal and he stuck with the same system, he lacks a plan B and saw Glynn Snodin come down to the technical area and have a right go at both Grayson and Ian Miller in the first half.
I don`t want to knock Grayson but he`s like a rabbit in headlights at times and his substitutes are usually called in the stands before he makes them they are that predictable.
I think we have now kissed goodbye to any chance of the play offs and to be honest since beating Queens Park Rangers in December we have looked an ordinary team.
One win now in eight games says it all. Time to start thinking about clearing out the dead wood and planning for next season.
Summary
Nearly 6,000 Leeds fans made the trip to Selhurst Park and tried to get the team going but it just never happened.
I had renewed optimism after the performance against Reading but it was back to a clueless performance again as there was no commitment or movement from the side to ever look like scoring.
Think we could still be playing on Friday and we wouldn`t have tested the Palace keeper.
I can handle a defeat when we at least put in a half-decent performance; unfortunately, it was again like a lot of away performances over the past few months.
Fed up of hearing, we would have settled for a top half finish before the season started. Maybe we would, but when we went second after beating Queens Park Rangers in December we had a great chance to push on and strengthen in January.
Whilst other clubs did strengthen, we didn`t and have once again relied on loan players, who apart from Lichaj don`t seem up to the task. Feel sorry for Bannan, as he has hardly been given a chance, despite making almost twenty Premier League appearances this season.
A great chance missed this season in a wide open Championship, it will be much tougher next season.
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