'Yohan Cabaye really is a cut above the rest' - HLTCO reflects on Crystal Palace's season so far

On the up: Alan Pardew has led Palace to five wins in their opening eight Premier League games
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Hltco7 October 2015

Crystal Palace squeezed into the top four ahead of the international break with victory over West Brom at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

It has been an incredible start for the Eagles, who took 16 games to reach 15 points last season, but have matched that tally in half as many games this time around.

So - with the domestic calendar again making way for another dose of international football - what better time to take stock?

Standard Sport spoke to HLTCO to get the Crystal Palace supporters' perspective after a solid start to the new season.

What is your revised target for this season?

After enjoying such a fantastic start to the season, I'd like to think it's realistic for us to target a place in the top six by the time May rolls around.

Each and every season under the ownership of CPFC2010 has seen us finish higher than the one before, so all the omens point towards further progress under Alan Pardew during the rest of this campaign.

Despite our great start, we as supporters do need to exercise a degree of caution though, there's no point in running before you can walk.

Predicted finish: 8th

What one player do you need to sign in January?

Following the departure of Glenn Murray, there is no doubt that we look a little light on the ground in the final third.

Admittedly, the presence of Gayle, Wickham, Campbell, Bamford and Chamakh looks, on paper at least, to be more than strong enough, but injuries to Wickham and the former Arsenal frontman have given us cause for concern.

Whilst Dwight Gayle will always score goals when given decent service, his diminutive stature puts him at a distinct disadvantage when used at the head of our side in the lone striker's role, forcing him to challenge for balls aerially when he would much rather have it played into his feet.

Should Pardew be able to find another natural goalscorer with a physical presence more akin to Murray or Wickham during the transfer window, we really could be firing on all cylinders in 2016.

Best moment...

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

The best moment so far this season would undoubtedly be our victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Whilst the weeks since have seen Jose Mourinho's side descend into full blown crisis, the manner of our victory over them that day was a shining example of our new-found confidence under the management of Alan Pardew. It was a performance that will live long in the memory for thousands of Palace fans.

... worst moment

Getty

The worst moment of the season so far would have to be our last minute defeat at home to Manchester City.

Having more than matched Manuel Pellegrini's side at a time when they still had their 100% record intact, to lose in the manner we did was a huge kick in the teeth.

That being said, the fact that a 1-0 loss to the table toppers qualifies as the low point of the season so far says a huge amount about our progress.

Standout performer?

It may sound like something of a cliché to suggest that the entire team have performed brilliantly so far this term, but in our specific circumstances, it’s the truth.

It would be almost impossible to choose between Scott Dann, Pape Souare and Yohan Cabaye as our outstanding individual performer so far. Whilst the first two have been stunningly consistent defensively since August, Cabaye’s ball retention, tenacity in the tackle and eye for a defence splitting pass have made him a firm fans’ favourite at Selhurst Park already. He really is a cut above the rest.

Ranking Crystal Palace's signings so far this season

1/5

Which player doesn't have a future at Selhurst Park?

We have a number of players who are struggling to break into Alan Pardew’s starting XI, given the strength in depth that is now available to the manager, particularly in midfield.

Whilst Mile Jedinak has been a pivotal member of our squad ever since he joined in 2011, the arrival of Yohan Cabaye this summer has seen the lovable Australian fall down the pecking order in SE25. Having been the subject of serious interest from Stoke already, you would guess that he may look to move on in January in search of regular football once again.

Which song title best describes your season so far?

It's A Beautiful Thing - Ocean Colour Scene

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