It’s not been the best of starts to Sam Allarydce’s Crystal Palace managerial career.

Since being announced as Palace gaffer last Christmas time, ‘Big Sam’s’ side have only racked up one league win. Losing six in his short spell at the club, Allardyce must start to consider changes to his starting line-up.

In Allardyce’s defence, he did try to bolster his side in the January transfer window, bringing in the likes of Mamadou Sakho and Patrick Van Aanholt.

But, one area of Palace’s side that Big Sam failed to upgrade was their attack.

Our Eagles fans here in the Tavern are frustrated at the lack of support Christian Benteke has received up top – they reckon he hasn’t been able to show his full potential at the club due to the deficiency of quality around him.

Considering these issues, then, let’s have a look at Palace’s three biggest flops this season – according to our landlord…

Andros Townsend

He had it, then he lost it. Had it again, nope, lost it again.

This couldn’t be more fitting to Townsend’s time at Selhurst Park. Often creating moments of individual brilliance yet in other games you can’t tell if he’s even on the pitch – the ex-Spurs winger defines inconsistency.

Townsend’s tendency to go alone rather than looking to supply his teammates has been frustrating Palace fans for too long now, Allardyce needs to bench him.

Jason Puncheon

Known for his never-ending gas tank when bombing down the flanks, it’s hard to deny that Puncheon is a versatile asset for Palace, and he always puts a solid shift in.

However, the 30-year-old is without a goal or even an assist in his last ten league games, showing just how ineffective he has been on Palace’s wings of late.

Big Sam should think of swapping out Puncheon for Bakary Sako, who has just recently returned from a hamstring injury.

Joel Ward

In the 25 times that Ward has started in the league for Palace, he has only picked up two clean sheets.

The right-back is a shell of his former self, looking in previous seasons as one of Palace’s standout players, putting in a shift and the back and occasionally contributing to or nabbing a goal up top.

Allardyce should consider making some changes in his back line, potentially shoving new signing Jeffrey Schlupp in Ward’s position.

Agree, Palace fans? Let us know below!

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David Silva has established himself as one of the finest players in the Premier League since arriving in English football but Manchester City’s reliance on the Spaniard has eased following the captures of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.Despite that, Silva remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s side and the 31-year-old has featured in 23 of the Citizens’ 26 Premier League matches this term- whilst also being a regular in the Champions League campaign and the FA Cup.Throughout his time in England, Silva has been renowned as a quality player on the ball, capable of carving out opportunities for his team-mates whilst also having an eye for goal himself. Just how good he is though has only just been identified.

Since the 2011/12 campaign, David Silva has created a remarkable 500 chances in the Premier League- which is particularly impressive as he’s made 209 Premier League appearances since joining the Citizens from Valencia in 2010.

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Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles has told IBTimes UK that he wants to stay at the club, despite rumours that the Toffees are hunting for a new shot-stopper.

What’s the word?

Robles was forced to take a back seat at the start of the season when Maarten Stekelenburg was bought by manager Ronald Koeman.

However, after the newbie suffered injury in December, Robles took his chance and ended up starting 10 consecutive Premier League games and keeping six clean sheets.

The 26-year-old will come to the end of his contract in the summer of 2018, and even though the club are yet to open talks over fresh terms, he wants to stay.

Robles told IBTimes UK:

“My contract will expire next season but I’m not worried. We have not spoken about anything yet but my first choice will be [to stay] at Everton. I have it very clear and I will not leave until the club tell me that they don’t want me here. If they tell me that I will pack the suitcases and leave but I have very clear that priority is to stay at Everton.”

Will Robles get a look-in next season?

Depending on who Everton sign or if they even manage to recruit a new goalkeeper, it is highly likely that Robles will be ousted from the number one spot.

The transfer rumour mill has linked the Merseyside outfit to Manchester City outcast Joe Hart, as well as Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford, but what is clear is that Koeman is hunting for a new first-choice option.

From Robles’s point of view, if he wants to stay put then he will be required to fight for his place, which could end up being third-choice keeper.

It is worth the Spaniard holding off on a move away this summer, but he should also use that approach when signing a new deal, unless he is happy to take a backseat.

Since his current terms do not expire until the end of next season, it may be worth reassessing his position next January.

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In reality, Arsenal are playing for nothing more than pride at the Emirates Stadium against Bayern Munich this week.

Having been swept aside with the emphatic nature of a severe mismatch, Arsene Wenger’s Gunners must at least perform to a level that avoids a humiliation. A repeat of the first leg 5-1 smashing would mean the ugly, unenviable result of a double figure tally for the Bavarians over two legs.

Even Wenger’s top four spot is in jeopardy in the Premier League – something, particularly in the light of Alexis Sanchez’s dropping at the weekend, must change soon for Arsenal. They are on course for another largely disappointing campaign, but Wenger has shown little sign of really turning things around.

Bayern, even if progression is almost impossible, are opponents that should motivate Arsenal. They can prove something to themselves and to the rest of the footballing world with a positive performance and result on Tuesday night.

The question is, will Wenger name a team to enable that? With that in mind here are THREE stars he should axe…

Francis Coquelin

Unfortunately Mohamed Elneny is unavailable for the visit of Bayern, meaning Francis Coquelin will likely take up a midfield berth for Arsenal with his unique brand of reckless tackling, poor positional sense and clumsy fouling.

Too often thoughtless in possession, Coquelin is a severe risk against Bayern. He will be sucked in by the calm passing of their midfielders, leaving gaps for the opposition front three to exploit, as he did in the first leg (his stats are above).

In many ways, Coquelin epitomises the failings of Arsenal at the moment. His unlikely ascent to the first-team was impressive, but he is not a player to build a successful team around.

Gabriel

Although unlikely to play anyway, it is vital that Arsenal keep Gabriel miles away from their starting line-up. A liability in the first leg and a constant risk in defence, the Brazilian has really struggled throughout this season. He will be eaten alive by Bayern’s forwards once again if he gets on the pitch.

Defensive cover is a must for Arsenal next season unless Calum Chambers returns to the club. It’s hard to see how Gabriel turns this campaign around and ever becomes anything more than a glaring weakness.

Olivier Giroud

Javi Martinez and Mats Hummels are very, very good defenders. One thing they will both be able to cope with, however, is a less mobile centre forward like Olivier Giroud.

If Arsenal are to have any joy against Bayern they must attack them with pace, which should see Danny Welbeck, Lucas Perez and Alexis Sanchez all feature.

Giroud has his time and place for Arsenal. He is a quality striker with attributes that Arsenal should utilise more frequently, but matches with Liverpool and Bayern are not the time to opt for someone unable to run in behind a backline.

According to reports in The Sun, via HITC, West Ham United are said to be lining up a swoop on Premier League rivals Bournemouth for impressive forward Josh King.

The 25-year-old is enjoying his best-ever season at this level after scoring 11 goals in 28 top flight appearances – form which is starting to attract the interest of other managers.

Irons boss Slaven Bilic had the chance to see the attacker at his best – and not so best – when the Hammers were beaten 3-2 by the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium earlier this month – King took the match ball home as he scored a hat-trick, but missed a penalty too.

However, that was just a blip in a fine performance, and the Norway international has stepped up to the goalscoring plate for the south coast outfit following another serious injury suffered by striker Callum Wilson.

Usually playing just behind the striker or out wide, King’s stats for the season are certainly impressive.

His 11 goals in the Premier League have come from 36 shots at goal, which shows that the forward isn’t afraid to have a shot, and also doesn’t have a bad conversion rate considering he has never been a prolific player.

The 25-year-old has also shown he is a creator for Eddie Howe’s side too though, providing two assists for his teammates as well as 17 key passes.

King’s ability to run at defenders and cause them problems is probably one of the reasons he usually starts on the wing or in a less advanced role than the striker, and that is shown by the fact that he has completed 63 take-ons this term – something that West Ham have perhaps been missing in recent months following the departure of Dimitri Payet.

His 80% pass accuracy isn’t too shabby either for a forward, and it is no wonder that Bilic has been impressed with what he has seen.

While it wouldn’t be guaranteed that King could solve West Ham’s striker woes, he could certainly add goals and another dimension to the attack they have right now – if Bournemouth are willing to let him leave, that is.

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The belief of Newcastle United fans that they will be back in the Premier League next season is growing by the day.

On Wednesday night, Rafael Benitez’s side edged closer to automatic promotion with a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion at St James’ Park.

The Magpies sit at the top of the Championship table, one point above Brighton and 10 adrift of the playoffs with six games left to play.

Snatching all three points against Burton extended Newcastle’s unbeaten league run to three games, and the match did not go by without controversy.

The North-East outfit were given a penalty half an hour into the game after Dwight Gayle was fouled in the box, and Matt Ritchie converted from the spot.

The goal was disallowed by referee Keith Stroud due to Gayle encroaching in the penalty area, and an indirect free kick was given to Burton as a result.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement admitting after the match that the referee got it wrong and Ritchie should have been allowed to retake the penalty.

Luckily for the match officials, the decision was not too detrimental for the Magpies as Ritchie later scored to give the team a victory.

After the full whistle, fans tweeted their joy at the result.

Newcastle United secured an instant return to the Premier League following their 4-1 win against Preston North End at St James’ Park on Monday night.

The Magpies had suffered a disappointing relegation to the Championship less than a year ago, but Rafa Benitez’s side have bounced straight back following an impressive season in England’s second tier and they will compete among the elite again next term.

A brace from Ayoze Perez and further goals from Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie were enough to send St James’ Park into raptures and see off Simon Grayson’s men, and the fans can once again look forward to hosting the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the 2017/18 season.

Newcastle supporters were quick to have their say on promotion via social media, and they were understandably delighted to be back in the top flight.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction to their return to the Premier League…

The Man City fans want their side to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, but perhaps they should consider the implications of any deal for the striker…

On the surface, it is a deal that makes a lot of sense. M’Bappe is one of the most highly sought-after players in Europe, and has impressed this season – but that is just about where the positive implications of any potential deal will end.

Firstly, let us consider the cost. A whopping £110 million, according to the Sun, has been touted for any potential move – eclipsing the world record transfer fee currently held by Paul Pogba. His form this season has certainly suggested that he is worth a pretty penny, but over £100 million? For an 18-year-old striker? That is certainly a tough price to justify.

Of course, he has been on fire in recent weeks, but he has yet to reach the levels of a player like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, and so Man City would be wise to hold fire on any potential deal. Further to that, the breadth of clubs interested may well see that price rise even more – and that should send warning signs towards Pep Guardiola.

You also have to consider whether Man City really need him. They already have the trio of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Kelechi Iheanacho – arguably the most impressive attacking line in the Premier League. They have an excellent balance of experience, young talent and solidity in that trio – and M’Bappe would do very little to improve that line. You could argue that he is the replacement for Aguero, but where would that place Jesus in the standings?

In truth, it is a deal that makes little sense for all involved. A club like Man Utd, who have also been linked, would make far more sense for the Frenchman. There, he would come in and immediately be number one choice – potentially even bringing the best of Paul Pogba. For Man City, though, it may be best to steer clear.

Man City fans – thoughts?

Let us know below!

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has undergone hernia surgery, according to the Sun. 

What’s the word?

The 23-year-old, who has proved so influential to the club’s return to the Premier League this season has reportedly been playing through the pain barrier for the last four months, in an attempt to get the Toon Army over the line.

Rafa Benitez is understood to have wanted to keep the ailment under wraps, with only the club’s medical staff thought to have been aware.

Upon Newcastle’s promotion, the former Nottingham Forest defender is said to have visited a medical expert following the recent win over Preston North End, Lascelles’ 47th game of the promotion-winning campaign.

The specialist is believed to have been shocked he had been playing for so long without an operation, one he is reported to have undergone yesterday.

How long will he be out?

Well, the report claims the Magpies’ skipper will be ready for the start of next season. Having operated as the club’s first-choice central defender for swathes of the season – despite some dips in form – having him back fully fit will be a huge boost to Benitez’s cause.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta will leave the club at the end of the season after nine-years at The Etihad, the club have confirmed.

What’s the word?

The Sky Blues have confirmed what has long thought would be the case, that club stalwart and fan favourite Zabaleta will not have his contract extended beyond this year and will be leaving come the close of the season, with Tuesday night’s clash against West Brom his last home appearance.

The Argentine, has made well over 300 appearances in a Manchester City shirt since his move from Espanyol back in 2008, the same summer the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour.

With his future confirmed, it is now a guessing game of where the 32-year-old will be playing his football come the start of the 2017/18 season.

Most reports point confidently towards a deal with West Ham over the summer months, with Slaven Bilic needing to get his business right in order to improve on a poor first season at London Stadium.

A good deal?

It would seem so. West Ham’s failings this season have largely stemmed from the start and their woeful work in the summer window leading up to the season.

Having made a total of 13 signings before the window closed, there was an obvious dearth of experienced Premier League talent added to the squad, which has proven to be costly in the months since.

Despite Zabaleta’s age it is rare that the opportunity to sign a two-time Premier League title winner on a free transfer comes along and, given the Hammers’ troubles in the right-back department over the past couple of seasons, it seems a deal too good to pass upon.