At times, it was hard to watch. At times, there were murmurs of a potential challenge for the Europa League. However, it petered out into a season that many were expecting from Crystal Palace.
It was an inconsistent season by Palace. A run of one defeat in nine games over the Christmas period can be overshadowed by the fact that six of those games ended in a draw.
While safety was secured for another season, there is certainly room for improvement in the 2020/21 campaign.
The 2019/20 Season Was One That Was Expected From Crystal Palace
Tale of the Campaign
Three games essentially saved Roy Hodgson’s side from disaster. While they never looked to be in any impending danger, those three games, where nine points were collected without conceding a goal, prevented them from a relegation battle.
However, those three games epitomised the season as a whole for Palace. A lack of goals coupled with defensive grit and determination saw them across the line. They hardly dominated in any of the 1-0 wins over Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion or Watford, but they did the basics right.
However, throughout much of the season, they looked like a side that knew it was coming to the end of its cycle. They lacked the legs to compete throughout, and Hodgson lacked the tactical nous to compete with his esteemed colleagues.
For every 2-1 win away to Manchester United, there seemed to be a bitterly disappointing 2-0 defeat. It was one step forward, followed by two steps back.
Lack of Goals The Major Talking Point Throughout the Season at Crystal Palace
Palace failing to score more than three goals in a single game throughout the entire season sets a precedent for how drastic the goal drought was.
A lot changed for the Eagles last season. Instead of making the opposition fear them in attack, they often feared themselves. A return of 31 goals was down by 20 from the previous season, a dismal record when you consider that very little had changed.
Roy Hodgson’s set up, at times, was void of any creativity. There was no Plan B, as Plan A continued to be handing it to Wilfried Zaha and hoping for the best.
Yes, of course, Zaha is without a doubt the star player. However, he was soon marked out of the game by the opposition, and more often than not, became ineffective. In reason, this is partially why they won fewer penalties than the 2018/19 campaign.
Set-pieces also became largely pointless. They only scored twice from a set-piece, a considerable downturn in stats. When you consider the threats from set-pieces that they have, it only makes it worse.
Frugal Transfer Business Saves Palace
Recent transfer windows have seen Palace spend very little.
However, it is those signings that were made during those windows that saved Roy Hodgson’s men.
Ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill moved to Selhurst Park last summer initially as a back-up. However, he soon became an important part of the defence, and was a worthy leader at the back.
Jordan Ayew looked a different player to the one he did during his loan spell in SE25. His nine goals, including a world-class finish against West Ham United on Boxing Day, saw him win the club’s player of the year trophy.
Perhaps it shows a sign of the club’s transfer strategy. Signing players with a point to prove has long been a successful policy. When they have gone for expensive and exuberant signings in recent years, they have rarely paid off.
Player of the Season – Vicente Guaita
Without Ayew’s goals, Palace would have been relegated. Without Guaita’s saves and, at times, phenomenal goalkeeping displays, they would have gone down with a whimper.
Yes, there were mistakes against Sheffield United and in games against Burnley and Chelsea following the restart, however, you could equally bask in the glory of his performances.
The Spaniard’s reaction saves from close-range shots is where he won a lot of his praise. His save against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he tipped a close-range header from Matt Doherty, had the whole of Selhurst Park on its feet.
There were several occasions like that, too. While efforts from long-range have caused the Spaniard problems, there is no doubt that without him, Roy Hodgson’s men would have been relegated.
Game of the Season – 1-0 Win Against Bournemouth
Historically, the 2-1 win over Manchester United will be recognised as Palace’s best performance of the season.
However, their 1-0 at home to Bournemouth, the first game to be shown on Amazon Prime, was a classic Palace performance.
They spent more than 70 minutes playing with ten men after Mamadou Sakho was sent off for a rash challenge. From there, however, they only seem to get better.
Against a Bournemouth side drastically down on confidence, Palace never looked threatened. The home side continued to put their bodies on the line, and utilised their well-drilled defensive to its full effect.
When they did score, after Jeffrey Schlupp raced through from the halfway line before firing beyond Aaron Ramsdale, the roof seemed to lift off. It was a reminder of how they can play, and the special moments that can be produced.
What to Hope for Next Season
There has to be an improvement on how the season finished. Eight games without a win, including seven defeats, is unacceptable.
Palace will have to put that behind them and start the season afresh, despite the short turnaround.
However, how they start the season could depend on their activity in the transfer market over the next month. There have been links to exciting players, most prominently Eberechi Eze, but they still need more.
Elsewhere, if Palace continue their barren run spell of poor form in attack, it could be a very long season.
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