Player of the Week – Jason Puncheon

Posted: January 21, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: News, Player of the Week | Leave a comment

What a turnaround in fortunes it has been for Jason Puncheon. Last week at Spurs he played the role of the pantomime villain after ballooning his penalty, that could have given Palace the lead, high over the bar. Just a week on from that disappointment however Puncheon has picked himself up and dusted himself down and put in a performance against Stoke City on Saturday of real character.

The on-loan Southampton winger picked up on a sloppy defensive error and jinked and dummied his way across the penalty area until he created that necessary half yard to steer the ball home and give Pulis and the Eagles fans the victory they were so desperate for against the gaffers former team. Having scored his second goal in three games early on in the second half, he continued to do his solid defensive duties assisting Mariappa down the right, whilst still providing an outlet through which to counter the Potters as the Eagles looked to hold onto their lead.

Whilst on the day he was perhaps eclipsed by several other Palace players, the sheer character required to pick himself up from the despair of White Hart lane and become the match winner at Selhurst Park means that he is well deserving of this weeks Player of the Week award.

Player of the Week: Johnny Williams

Posted: April 2, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Player of the Week | Leave a comment

This weeks award goes to Johnny Williams for his excellent mid-week performances for Wales where the young Palace graduate won his first 2 full international caps.

Coming off the bench for the crucial clash against bitter rivals Scotland, the diminutive midfielder played a key roll in setting up the second goal of the game after a trademark mazy dribble down the centre of the park ended in a defence splitting pass, which resulted in Robson-Kanu’s powerful header.

This fantastic 45 minute display earned Williams many plaudits from the media and his manager Chris Coleman who was full of praise for the youngster throughout the week. Coleman rewarded Williams with his first start 3 days later at the Liberty Stadium against a strong Croatia side. Although Wales lost the game 2-1 it was young Johnny Williams who again stood out from the crowd, putting in a man of the match display and showing maturity beyond his tender years.

Good Fridays clash with Birmingham, as we all know didn’t go quite to plan, and with Williams playing his third game in a week and starting out of position on the wing struggled to make an impact. However his tireless running and tracking back for the team displayed his defensive capabilities and his desire to win at all costs for his boyhood club.

Rumours are starting to circulate that the big boys of the Premier League are sniffing around the young prodigy, and if he continues to develop as he is, he is destined to follow fellow graduate Zaha to the very top.