EDDIE Howe admits he would not have fancied a duel with Wilfried Zaha during his playing days.
Forward Zaha is the standout name in the Crystal Palace squad having made a flying start to the season with three goals in five Premier League games.
The Ivorian’s pace and trickery have proved a nightmare for defences and boss Howe is hoping the Cherries rearguard can stand firm at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (8pm).
Asked how he would have counteracted Zaha as a player, former defender Howe said: “I think there would only have been one way that I would have tried to deal with him and in the modern-day game, I’m not sure I would have been on the pitch too long!
“I certainly wouldn’t have wanted a race against him and I certainly would have feared for myself one-v-one against him.
“I would have been more comfortable in the middle of the pitch, whereas going into wide areas would have been a problem."
Howe added: “Zaha is difficult to stop because he is so individual. He is a player who can do things on his own.
“If you look at his goal against Huddersfield, there was nothing really on and seconds later he was curling the ball into the top corner.
“He is very good in tight spaces and can elude two or three men when it looks impossible.
“He is a talented guy and has done well. Many teams have come up with plans to try to stop him and haven’t been successful.
“We are going to have to be very good defensively from that viewpoint.”
