Even after Jordan Ayew turned briefly into Lionel Messi to score a sensational individual goal to give Crystal Palace a late win against West Ham, Roy Hodgson still admitted strengthening his forward line in January is “vital”.
Palace are the second lowest goalscorers in the Premier League this season and have now also lost Christian Benteke to injury. Hodgson’s message to chairman Steve Parish was clear.
“They need more help”, said Hodgson after his injury-depleted squad moved into three points off fifth place.
If things had turned out differently last summer, Palace might have in-form Danny Ings lining up for them instead of against them at Southampton on Saturday.
Palace tried to sign Ings but he chose to join Southampton for £18million and is enjoying a brilliant goalscoring season. He has found the net 13 times and Hodgson will surely be thinking what might have been if he had signed a striker who he gave his one England cap in 2015.
“I do not now if I have forgiven him for not coming to us!” said Hodgson. “I have still got a bee in my bonnet about that one! He is a natural goalscorer and added to that he is a hard worker.”
Van Aanholt risk proves costly
The decision to rush Patrick van Aanholt back from his hamstring injury against West Ham proved to be costly for Hodgson.
Van Aanholt pulled up in the second half and now looks set to miss the remainder of the festive period, leaving Palace again without a natural left-back and short of defensive numbers for their trip to Southampton.
Jeffrey Schlupp, Gary Cahill, Joel Ward and Scott Dann are already out, along with Andros Townsend and Benteke.
Meyer gets his chance
Palace fans have been crying out for Max Meyer to be given more action and the German midfielder did well against West Ham on what was his first Premier League start since August 18.
The way Meyer found pockets of space and received the ball on the half-turn give Palace something a bit different and he has made a case to get more opportunities under Hodgson during the second half of the season.
