Opinion

Crystal Palace fans say Newcastle dodged a bullet with Andros Townsend

With one goal and no assists in four months at Crystal Palace, fair to say that Andros Townsend hasn’t seen his dream move to Selhurst Park work out just yet.

Pressure is on everybody at the club as Palace fans find out what life under Alan Pardew is really like.

So the last thing you want is players who aren’t even giving 100% effort.

Step forward Andros Townsend.

His latest shocking performance saw Townsend dragged off at half-time on Saturday, the fifth time subbed from only 11 Premier League starts.

Palace fans are now having a right go (read comments below) about the winger’s lack of passion, desire and tracking back, accusing him of being unprofessional.

When Newcastle signed Andros Townsend I did wonder at the lack of other clubs in for him and after so little football for Tottenham, just what we would get out of him.

He played well in around half a dozen matches for Newcastle but to then desert the Magpies on relegation after being at St James Park just over three months was unforgivable.

The fact he had insisted on an escape clause showed even before he signed the thought of jumping ship was already in his head.

Leaving for Crystal Palace was just embarrassing, clearly England being the big thing for Andros Townsend and believing he needed to be in the Premier League to stand a chance of selection, playing for anybody – he just didn’t care.

I always wondered if his form would be short-lived and only brought on by hoping for a Euros place in France, from what the Palace supporters are saying below, it definitely looks like Newcastle dodged a bullet on Andros Townsend.

The winger is looking so bad, the Palace fans even think they should bring in Ashley Young as a replacement because he’d show more desire and effort!

These are a few things he said when leaving Newcastle, then the comments from Crystal Palace supporters follow.

Andros Townsend 1 July 2016:

“Hopefully he (Alan Pardew) can take my game to another level and build on the great start to the season they had last year.”

Andros Townsend 5 July 2016:

“When I decided that I wanted to go, it was about finding the best opportunity for me at this stage of my career.

“It was a pretty easy decision to choose Crystal Palace because of the direction they are heading.

“Sometimes you use your head as opposed to your heart.

“Nobody knows what is going on in your head, nobody thinks players are actually motivated about getting the best out of themselves”

Comments on Andros Townsend from Palace fans via their top Holmesdale message board:

‘Zero passion in his game, terrified of making a challenge, no desire to even remotely protect his full-back. Deservedly subbed at half time., I would think of starting Puncheon on the left for the Swansea game, with either Lee or Wickham playing off of Benteke up front.’

‘It makes you wonder what’s going on in his head.’

‘Very little, I’d guess.’

‘A little voice saying “You’re far too good for this place”.’

‘He is being unprofessional. He wants to play on the right. He is THE England player but Zaha is being preferred to him. He sulks around because he is not getting his own way.

Sorry Andros but Zaha is by far better player right now.’

‘It probably says all there is to say about the England set up at the moment. Yet another “non-threat” from Townsend. He’s a bit like the manager – good in (a few) lapses, s*it the rest.’

‘What I thought would be an upgrade on Bolasie has turned out to be a huge downgrade. How we miss him and his threat.’

‘There is no doubt Zaha is the better player and I also think he has the greater adaptability. Despite what people say Zaha does track back and would support Kelly more than Townsend.

How Zaha has been overlooked for England in favour of Townsend is ridiculous.’

‘Our base level requirement for a Palace player is commitment. Townsend isn’t cutting it. End of.’

‘Sign Ashley Young in January and it resolves some big issues.’

‘Would definitely rather have Ashley Young, been there done it, you know what your getting and can defend.’

‘Playing sloppily and with disregard looking like the rest of the team is too good for him and in doing so ruins any interest from England and any other parties interested in his footballing skills for the future.’

‘Because we can totally trust Ashley Young to have those commitment levels were missing…’