It proved one thing today, keep playing a defender as a holding midfielder game after game and sooner or later you'll get found out. Tomka didn't really do the job today but as most have said, and as I predicted pre match, three games with the same players down a man for three games will take its toll. The issue for me is that it was clear the extra man in midfield was just getting in the way and Maynard was hopelessly under supported upfront. He must have been kicking himself when Baldock got two chances second half he would have loved, but to be fair to Baldock both were pretty difficult chances and not easy ones to dispatch, but at least he made the keeper work. Baldock's pace caused Palace problems when he came on, and he seemed to play off Cole better than Maynard. Felt sorry for the latter as he didn't get one decent ball all first half, it was either too high or,poor. Julien had a right stinker first half and was rightly yanked, but a few others could have been also, Collison was pretty poor first half but did better second, however I still have my doubts whether he has the guile to play central.

At least we didn't lose, and other results bar Southampton went our way agin so with the game in hand its hopefully back to the top and a point further ahead of the chasing pack.