Premier League preview – why Crystal Palace are likely to prop up the table

On the surface it looks as if Crystal Palace will be the Premier League whipping boys this season, with a lack of Premier League experience and their main creative outlet missing after he moved to Manchester United.

In reality, they are a team with enough fight and spirit to play in the top flight and thrives under pressure. That was shown in the play-offs last season when no one gave them a chance after a terrible run of games towards the end of the regular season, but they pulled it off thanks to veteran Kevin Phillips, who has signed a one year deal for this season.

Manager Ian Holloway hasn’t brought in many players with Premier League experience, but he has been in football long enough to know that you don’t always need good players to play good football. Without Wilfried Zaha to create chances, Yannick Bolasie and Jonathan Williams will have to step up and become Palace’s main creative force, but might struggle with the physical nature of the Premier League.

One area that Palace really need to improve is the defence, they looked unstable at times last season and Holloway hasn’t brought in any defenders so far.

Crystal Palace will put up a good fight in a bid to stay in the Premier League for another season, but it looks unlikely considering the defensive issues.

Prediction: 20^th

Thomas Baxter