Many Crystal Palace fans on Twitter were scathing towards manager Alan Pardew for a substitution they saw as unbalancing the team just before Manchester United’s late winner on Wednesday.
With the score at 1-1, and only a few minutes remaining, under-pressure Pardew sacrificed midfielder James McArthur for striker Frazier Campbell in an attempt to seize the initiative.
But moments later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored and many Palace supporters blamed the late change.
Unbelievably inept decision to take McArthur off for Campbell at the end off a game we were holding on for a point!! Why??? #cpfc
— Andrew Boakes (@ajb2429) December 14, 2016
Pardew cost us a big point there… 4 mins away from a good draw & he throws off midfielder for a striker #cpfc
— Jason Baster (@BasterJason) December 14, 2016
Campbell on for McArthur? That’s a funny way to ask for your P45. #CPFC #byePardew
— Daisy (@MissInformed11) December 14, 2016
Another inspired substitution from Pardew, take off a midfielder who was arguably our best player and put a forward on #nogamemanagement ❤️?
— Mark Baker (@markbaker1966) December 14, 2016
Pards deserves all the criticism he’ll get. Fryers instead of Townsend? McArthur off as you’re trying to close the game out? Stupid. #cpfc
— Robert Sutherland (@RoDuSu) December 14, 2016
To take off James Mcarthur for Fraizer Campbell ? Clueless manager… we could of possibly got a draw from that, stupid subs AGAIN #cpfc
— Gemma Swagsta (@GSwagsta) December 14, 2016
I went there expecting no points but when you are 4 mins from a point and an unnecessary sub is made you can’t help but feel annoyed #cpfc
— Emma (@EmmaKatharine27) December 14, 2016
There is no doubt in my mind that Pardew is sending us down, his tactics baffle me, Campbell for McArthur & IMO we clearly aren’t fit enough
— Alan Dunt (@Bald_Eagle_) December 14, 2016
However, Pardew did have some backing from fans, who either felt that McArthur was the natural player to be brought off or that his presence would not have prevented the United winner.
MacArthur was playing attacking mid before he was subbed off, stop acting like he was defensive mid and Pardew is all to blame ? #cpfc
— Gary (@GaryCPFC) December 14, 2016
I’m no Pardew fan, but I don’t blame him for tonight. JM was playing behind CB and would’ve had no impact on the goal. Decent performance.
— Daren Lowry (@darenlowry) December 14, 2016
Can’t blame Pardew for the winner, the quality in United’s players won them that game, JM wouldn’t have made much difference to the buildup
— Daniel T (@DTaylorCPFC) December 14, 2016