The international break came at possibly the best time for Crystal Palace. The Eagles have peculiarly lost their last four Premier League games in a row and find themselves in big trouble right now. Sitting 16th in the table with 11 points, the South London club must improve really soon or else they could be dragged into a serious relegation battle. Pardew has got two weeks to come up with a plan to make the Eagles bounce back from the disaster.
Crystal Palace have spent big in the last few transfer windows to bring in quality players like Christian Benteke, Yohan Cabaye, Andros Townsend and several more and they probably need to break the bank once again in January in order to bolster their squad. Here are three areas where they need reinforcements.
Left-back
Pape Souare hurt himself earlier this season in a serious car crash and Crystal Palace are missing him big time this season. Martin Kelly and Zeki Fryers are being played at left-back this season but have not done a good job at all.
Souare is a brilliant crosser of the ball from the left flank and Crystal Palace miss his deliveries. The Eagles should go for a quality left-back who can offer some threat going forward as well in January. Someone who can provide good crosses for Benteke who thrives in such a game play would be a massive boost.
Attacking midfield
Crystal Palace look too reliant on their two wingers Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend for creating chances and there is not much service from the central areas. Pardew has tried both Yohan Cabaye and Jason Puncheon in the number ten role but neither has really been able to impress.
The Eagles should move for a natural number ten in January in order to add more creativity to their squad from the central areas who can provide more service to Benteke.
Central defence
This has been the biggest weakness for Crystal Palace since a very long time. The Eagles missed a quality defender who could partner skipper Scott Dann at the heart of the defense and the situation has not changed this season despite the signing of James Tomkins.
Alan Pardew needs to shore up his leaky defence in order to make the Eagles improve as a unit and should go for a quality central defender in January. Damien Delaney is any way at the dusk of his career and this could be his last season at Selhurst Park. So, they anyway should start looking for replacements of the veteran Irishman.
