THE holding centre-forward is deeply unfashionable in the modern game. Sure, West Ham still play with one in Andy Carroll, but the consensus appears to be that a forward who scores fewer but whose contribution is measured by their ability to bring others into play is a relic of the old game.
So as we began the Premier League campaign on Sunday against Tottenham, we witnessed one such holding centre-forward in Palace's line-up. Aaron Wilbraham's selection in the team was subject to plenty of disappointment and not a great deal of positivity from supporters.
Sure, given that he doesn't score many goals for Palace and that earlier in the week it looked like Darren Bent might sign, there was a sense of anti-climax.
Yet his contribution to what other players in the Palace line-up do seems to be wilfully ignored.
The former Stockport, MK Dons and Norwich City forward helped Palace win promotion with his determined, lone-ranger performances at Brighton away and then at Wembley against Watford.
He made defenders work – grinding them down and rarely giving them time to rest.
The same determined attitude was in evidence at Selhurst Park against Tottenham Hotspur. His display wasn't one of great excitement or goalscoring threat – it was, however, one that saw him bring others into the game and put Tottenham's defensive pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Michael Dawson under a fair deal of pressure.
Wilbraham does the job that Ian Holloway asks of him with little fanfare, but you won't see him sulk or shy away.
He took a fair few knocks against Spurs and kept getting up; knowing that doing so would give the likes of Dobbie and Gayle a little more opportunity.
With the introduction of Marouane Chamakh, we saw a difference in quality. Chamakh had a more deft touch and greater awareness of his team-mates' positioning. He looked like the player that Arsenal would have paid £60,000-a-week for.
Wilbraham isn't that kind of player. But he has made telling contributions to Palace's promotion and he can be trusted to do his job.
And for that, he deserves a little more respect.
