Crystal Palace's Attacking Struggles: A String of Draws Expose Their Goal-Scoring Woes.

### Crystal Palace's Attacking Struggles: A String of Draws Expose Their Goal-Scoring Woes

In the Premier League, Crystal Palace has struggled to score goals consistently, with a string of draws leaving fans and pundits questioning their offensive prowess. This issue has become particularly pronounced in recent seasons, as the club has failed to break the deadlock against top-tier opponents.

#### The Context

Crystal Palace, known for its defensive solidity, often finds itself struggling to find the back of the net when it matters most. The team's inability to convert chances into goals has been a significant concern, especially considering their high-profile signings like Paul Pogba and Harry Kane. These players have added depth and quality to the squad but have yet to fully translate these assets into consistent goal-scoring.

#### Key Draws and Challenges

The club has faced several draw streaks throughout the season, including matches against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Each of these encounters saw Crystal Palace manage to keep the ball at their feet, forcing teams to play out long periods without clear-cut opportunities. This lack of pressure can lead to mistakes and missed chances, which ultimately result in drawn matches.

One notable example was their encounter with Liverpool on October 15th, where Crystal Palace had the opportunity to go ahead through a late goal from substitute Jamie Vardy. However, despite being well-drilled in set-pieces, they failed to capitalize on this golden chance, allowing Liverpool to maintain their lead until the final whistle.

#### Technical Issues

While Crystal Palace may be praised for their disciplined defense, their attacking play has also come under scrutiny. The team lacks a killer instinct that allows them to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Players such as Son Heung-min and Luke Shaw, who have proven themselves capable of scoring goals from distance, have not been able to replicate their performances in close quarters.

Additionally, Crystal Palace's possession-based approach can sometimes lead to overthinking situations and hesitation when it comes to shooting. This hesitation can cost them valuable moments when they should have taken control of the game.

#### Potential Solutions

To address these issues, Crystal Palace needs to focus on improving their goal-scoring abilities. This could involve:

1. **Enhancing Individual Play**: Encouraging individual creativity and decision-making among players like Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. They need to be more aggressive in taking chances and less hesitant in shooting.

2. **Improving Tactical Execution**: Working on tactical execution to better exploit weaknesses in opposing defenses. This includes understanding how to create space and opportunities for their forwards to cut inside or receive passes.

3. **Building a Stronger Team Culture**: Creating a culture that values goal-scoring and encourages players to push forward with confidence. This involves providing support and motivation to those who are struggling to break the deadlock.

4. **Training and Development**: Investing in training programs that specifically target goal-scoring techniques and tactics. This could include working with coaches to develop new strategies and drills that help players improve their performance.

By addressing these areas, Crystal Palace can hope to turn their defensive strength into offensive dominance, breaking their current draw streak and securing their place in the league table.