Paul Robinson predicts ‘different proposition’ for Tottenham v ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Crystal Palace
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Tottenham will face a “different proposition” at Selhurst Park when they face Crystal Palace, according to Paul Robinson.
High-flying Spurs take the trip to southeast London on Friday (27 October) in a bid to stay unbeaten and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, at least for now, to five points.
Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson’s Eagles would probably take anything better than their recent 4-0 thrashing against Newcastle but did show their mettle by defeating Manchester United earlier this season.
Palace’s form has been unsteady and Spurs will enter the tie as clear favourites. However, Spurs fans will feel their unbeaten run must come to an end at some point, and under the lights at Selhurst Park are good conditions for an upset.
Robinson admitted that Tottenham are a “completely different” outfit this season, but warned this fixture poses a “real test” for Ange Postecoglou’s side and fears Palace will be tough opponents.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “Selhurst Park is never an easy place to go, they’ve got a good record at home. Palace are always a difficult team to play against.
“They’ve been a bit Jekyll and Hyde this year. I saw them at Aston Villa. For 90 minutes they were very good, they had a game plan, they were rigid, they were hard to beat, but then they ended up losing the game.
“Then I saw a different Palace at Newcastle. It wasn’t the Crystal Palace that I saw earlier in the season.
“But at Selhurst, they’re a different proposition. Not many teams go there and get three points. It’s always a difficult place to go and it won’t be any different being a London derby.
“But they’re facing a Tottenham side that are completely different. This will be a real test away from home for Tottenham and it will be interesting to see how they get on against, I suspect, a more resilient Crystal Palace. It will be a tough game.”
In other Tottenham news, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reminded Spurs of his quality with a key contribution against Fulham.