Welcome back to the Party at the Palace. If you haven't caught any of the previous posts, you can start from the beginning here.
Right, let's get to the start of the new episode.
We re join the party as we always do at the turn of the year. 2028 had ended like many other years so far in this save with the hope and optimism that we can finally break into the top 6 of the Premier League. Sat in 7th place and recovering from a spate of lengthy injuries it could be the perfect time to put of run of form together.
There were 2 games of the Europa League league phase to go too and our qualification into the Round of 16 was far from confirmed.
Lets get into the action shortly, but first The Transfer window.
January Transfer Window
After being very active in the summer January was all about adding some strength in depth as well as replacing some departing players.
Outs
Lets start with the departures, and there is another shock first teamer departs.
Olise had been refusing to start contract negotiations for a while and with his current deal running out at the end of the season. When it was clear that we were going to lose one of the stars of the save for free at the end of the season i was not happy at all.
But to my surprise Spurs were interested in buying him straight away to beat the host of other teams after his signature. £39 million for a player with less than 6 months left on his contract is just bonkers.
Ins
We were in need of reinforcements on the right wing and we dipped into the loan market to secure and exciting young talent from Spain.
We welcome Victor Leon in on loan from Atletico Madrid for the rest of the season.
With the departure of Olise and the fitness concerns around Mudryk, the emphasis will be on the youth players to fill a large void on the right side of attack.
We also picked up a bargain from South America.
Irineu De Souza joins from Sao Paulo for £13 Million.
Depth in the centre of the park is massively required as we play 3 in the middle we need as much cover in there as we can.
Another shrewd investment either way.
January 2029
So back to the action, and we have come out of the crazy December run of games still effecting the squads condition.
The Leeds game can just be put down to fitness and rotation. We struggled in the second half and conceded 3 sloppy late goals.
However the two week break and rotation saved the rest of the month as we bounce back to win three on the spin including a key victory against Newcastle.
We had our final two League phase games in the Europa League, we need at least 4 points from these games to secure automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
A walk over win and a very important point as we secured a top 8 spot by a singular point!
February & March 2029
With a short schedule in February, which was much needed we have combined it with March which was also only a 4 game month, but a tough on with games against Arsenal and United.
It was those hard games we stumbled on again. Good wins against Rivals Brighton and Brentford start us off on the right foot. Sadly we came up short against the clubs we need to be beating in the League more often.
It was also time for the round of 16 in the Europa League. We have been drawn against Belgian Giants Anderlecht. A tough start to the knockout phases.
Or maybe not. As straight forward as it comes. Onto the quarter final!
April 2029
This is a make or break month for the league campaign. We haven't really made much impression on the teams above us since the turn of the year.
Well that seals that. The villa result was poor, the Everton result was shocking and once again we fail to pick up points against the teams above us in the league. It looks like it will be another year outside of the Top 6.
With the league all but over for us, we turn to the Europa League Quarter Finals. Our toughest test to date as we draw Sevilla. This should be a fascinating encounter.
This is a huge result for us with Sevilla being the ultimate experts in winning in Europe. Two Semi Finals in our two appearances in the Europa League so far.
May 2029
The final month of the season is upon us and with not much to play for in terms of progressing up the table.
All dead rubbers as mentioned before. Lets move onto the Semi Finals of the Europa League.
We drew Villareal, the only team to beat us in this years campaign. Our second Spanish team and possibly a tougher test than Sevilla. A chance for our third European Final, first in the Europa League.
WE ARE FINAL BOUND!!
The first leg was key to get a decent foot hole in the tie. We put them to bed in the second leg with a stunning display at Selhurst Park.
Europa League Final
The Biggest game of the season so fair. Although not through the league as desired we have an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League. Just 90 minutes and these guys between us and the promised land.
We failed to beat Arsenal over both games in the league this season only managing a draw in a 3-3 thriller. This is going to be epic.
CRYSTAL PALACE ARE EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS!!
A stunning volley from Youngster Zayne Parfitt having only been given the chance to play after Olise's departure!! It was meant to be!!
I've been wanting to see this message for a few seasons now. We will be taking part in the League Phase of the Champions League next season.
Domestic Cups
We aren't quite finished yet as we still have the league and FA Cups to cover.
League Cup
I stated at the beginning of the season that we would put the cups on the back burner as we focused more on our league campaign.
This meant rotation and youth players getting their chance, lets see how the campaign went.
We bowed out at the Semi Final stage as Man City were one step too far. But a good run and some experienced earned for some squad players.
FA Cup
We are the current holders of the FA Cup thanks to our historic run in the competition last season.
With that in mind we wanted to give a good showing again, however the draw was not kind.
That is one hell of a difficult run through until the semi final. Know we have got this far its time to take advantage.
We faced a slightly kinder Semi Final opponent in Nottingham Forrest.
Back to back FA Cup finals for the Palace. Its a great achievement and we will be looking to retain the trophy that's for sure.
Fulham are our opponents this year and we are 90 minutes away from another Cup double.
Here we go....
FA CUP CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!
Final League Table
Its another 8th place finish is dissapointing, especially as we were setting our sights on a better league performance this season.
However it appears we have become something of a cup specialist team and the fact we have bagged another two trophies cant be sniffed at.
I will end on this, Its Champions League football next season for palace!
Thanks so much for reading.
I will leave you with the Season Review.
Cheers
Panda
