Media view: Palace lowdown ahead of Selhurst trip

With the Cherries coming away 2-1 winners at Vitality Stadium earlier in the campaign, the two sides find themselves next to each other in the Premier League table with a game to go.

Ahead of the game, afcb.co.uk got the lowdown on the Eagles from Rob Warlow, Palace reporter for Football London.

afcb.co.uk: How have you assessed Palace’s season?

RW: It’s been up and down. After last year and the way they finished, I think there were high hopes that they could push on to finish in the top ten but it hasn’t quite materialised like that.

It’s another season where, they haven’t exactly been in the relegation zone, but they haven’t been far out of it. Having said that, there’s always been a confidence that they’d be ok and they’ve be safe, and you’ve seen that in the last few weeks.

They’ve picked up some good results and moved a long way clear now, they’ve secured safety and are pushing on. They could now finish towards the top of the bottom half which isn’t bad.

I think that home form hasn’t been as good as they would’ve liked and it’s been a complete contrast to the away form, which has been brilliant. They’ve picked up some great results at Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as a few others, whereas at home they’ve struggled with results.

afcb.co.uk: Who has stood out over the campaign?

RW: Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been superb. He broke into the team in February or March last year as a result of injuries and he shone straight away.

This year, he’s established himself as the first choice. Joel Ward, who has been there for years, has barely had a look-in because of Wan-Bissaka’s form.

He was unlucky not to be shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year as he’s been outstanding. He deservedly won the players’ player and fans’ player of the season award at Palace. 

afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game playing out on Sunday?

RW: From watching Bournemouth from afar, you expect the unexpected. There’s always a lot of goals in games that involve them. With Palace as well, when the two teams played each other, there’s been good games where both teams have scored, thinking of the 2-2 and a 1-1 in recent years.

It’s a typical end of season thing and, looking at Bournemouth’s last away game, it was 3-3 at Southampton!

I think both teams are quite attacking and Palace want to finish on a high at home. They haven’t had as many good results at home this season, but there is a feel good factor that they’ve won a few games on the road and are clear of relegation.

afcb.co.uk: What are the expectations for next season?

RW: Over the summer, they have to keep their best players and that’s always the trouble. Someone like Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha have been mentioned and other clubs will be interested after the season they’ve had. It’s important to keep these players if Palace want to push on.

They also have to try and strengthen because, as Roy Hodgson says, if you stand still then you go backwards. From one-to-eleven, when the first team is out at its full strength, I think it is good enough to finish in the top half.

In the past, they’ve struggled when injuries and suspensions have hit. They are getting a strong squad now though and Hodgson gets them organised. They were 16^th or 17^th for a while this season, but there’s always been a sense that they’re too good to go down and that’s been proven in the end.

Fans would like to see them push on. In terms of players and budget, I think top ten is realistic. That 7^th to 10^th bracket is achievable if they can have a consistent season.

You can follow Rob on Twitter here.