Palace lack guile in goalless draw

12:16pm Monday 11th August 2008

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Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock admitted his side needed another striker after Saturday’s dire goalless draw against Watford.

The Eagles failed to force Watford keeper Mart Poom into a decent save, although Victor Moses and Danny Butterfield missed guilt-edged chances.

Watford also lacked decent striking options but Julian Speroni had to be alert to make two good saves to deny the Hornets.

Warnock said: “I didn’t think we had enough guile in midfield but they swamped it with five men.

“It was two professional sides that cancelled each other out. I thought we looked more likely to score in the first half but they had more possession.

“I was pleased with the back lads though. Matt Lawrence has only played 45 minutes since May and McCarthy was superb and with a bit of luck he should have scored. Clint Hill has had a great pre-season too.

“We are not creating enough but we are not going to against that sort of system. We obviously need a striker or two but in the meantime we’ve got to give the kids some head way.”

McCarthy and Nick Carle made their debuts for Palace, who began in their familiar 4-3-3 formation with youngsters Moses and Sean Scannell flanking Jamie Scowcroft.

Tom Soares had the first effort on 13 minutes but his twenty yard drive hit Scowcroft and deflected over, before Moses showed a glimpse of his class when he twisted inside the box and flashed a shot across goal.

McCarthy did well block Tamas Priskin’s shot at the other end and Speroni saved well from ex-Eagle Jobi McAnuff twice in two minutes.

Before the break McCarthy found himself alone at the back post from Moses’ corner but his weak shot was cleared off the line, and then Moses blasted wide with just the keeper to beat from twelve yards.

Lee Williamson’s bad tackle on Lawrence sparked a 20-man brawl in front of the dug out on the hour mark, and three minutes later Williamson came closest to scoring by chipping on to the cross bar.

Jon Harley had an effort ruled out for offside before Danny Butterfield found himself with an open goal following Jay DeMerit’s block on Scowcroft’s shot, but the defender side-footed well wide as both teams settled for a draw.