ALAN'S PROGRAMME NOTES: CRYSTAL PALACE

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Read the Chairman's notes ahead of the game

2021-11-20T12:35:55.977Z

ALAN'S PROGRAMME NOTES: CRYSTAL PALACE

Read the Chairman's notes ahead of the game

2021-11-20T12:35:55.977Z

Alan's notes ahead of this afternoon's game

Welcome to Turf Moor for today’s game against Crystal Palace. It’s my pleasure to extend a welcome to Palace’s staff, players, directors and supporters who have made the trip up from London today.

Following an international break where the Clarets on duty performed with distinction I look forward to welcoming Sean and the team back home and I’m sure we all hope we can pick up where we left off.

We had eight players called up to play for their countries which is always great to see and we’re very proud to have internationals play for the club. I was delighted to see Maxwel Cornet continue his brilliant form since joining the club for his country by scoring one and creating another in a 3-0 win for the Ivory Coast against Mozambique. Connor Roberts and Wayne Hennessey also helped Wales to vital results with Wayne now within close reach of 100 caps for his country – a tremendous achievement for any player.

Today we welcome a Crystal Palace team who have been hugely impressive this season under Patrick Vieira and come into the game 10th and on the back of a six-game unbeaten run. No doubt they will pose a big challenge, but they will hopefully face a Clarets team full of confidence after some excellent results before the break. The last home game against Brentford ended our winless run at Turf Moor since January which was a huge result and hopefully the beginning of re-establishing our historic stadium as a fortress to visit. It was a fantastic and dominant performance against a side that have impressed many with how they’ve adapted to life in the Premier League.

It was completely deserved after a period where Sean and the team have not earned the points the performances have probably warranted so far. To follow that up with a draw away to one of the title favourites in Chelsea was another massive boost and saw us head into the break with genuine momentum.

Away from the pitch, I was saddened to learn this week of our former captain John Pender’s diagnosis of motor neurone disease. While I don’t know John personally, his achievements for the club ensured he is held in the highest regard amongst fans and staff and I want to pass on my own best wishes to John and his family.

Finally, I wanted to extend my congratulations to Burnley FC Women who qualified for the Second Round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Durham Cestria. The team’s run to the fourth round against Manchester United was a real highlight of last season and it’s great to see Matt Bee’s team performing strongly in the cup for a second season in a row.