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Crystal Palace might have been dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by Watford but there remain positives to be taken from the game - Michy Batshuayi scored again while Jeffrey Schlupp was a marked improvement on Patrick van Aanholt at left-back.

In the dugout, also, Roy Hodgson deserves praise for finally answering the pleas of Palace fans, who have been desperate to see one player in a certain position.

On the chalkboard

Most football fans were at least surprised when the Eagles signed Max Meyer on a free in the summer - the German 'wunderkind' had once been tipped as one of the brightest young starlets in Europe - and it seemed that the midfielder would capably fill the creative void left by Yohan Cabaye's departure.

However, Hodgson hasn't seemed to be on that same wavelength - the former England chief has preferred James McArthur as his third midfielder despite the Scotsman's technical ability being far worse than Meyer's.

The former Wigan man's redeeming factor is his tireless work-rate and this is likely why Hodgson elects to start him instead; the boss demands a lot from his two number 8's and Meyer doesn't have the physical attributes to operate in such a role in the Premier League - hence the incessant calls to start the former Schalke man further afield, in the number 10 spot.

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Roy finally delivers

The absence of Wilfried Zaha through injury at the weekend saw Hodgson finally stray from his preferred 4-3-3 to the approach that has been repeatedly suggested by the Selhurst Park faithful - this meant Meyer was deployed behind Batshuayi with wingers either side of the duo.

While the 23-year-old didn't exactly set the pitch alight on Saturday, he was once again calm in possession and looked to make things happen. Will he get more chances in the 10 role going forward?