Prior to Crystal Palace's 4-2 home defeat to Liverpool on Oct. 29, a statistic surfaced that showed how crucial a player Jason Puncheon is to Alan Pardew's side. Since the midfielder signed for the club in 2013, Palace haven't won a single league game he hasn't started.
Puncheon is an underrated midfield force in English football. A player with grace, tenacity, composure and a willingness to receive the ball whether surrounded by two players or five, he has qualities that so often seem rare in English players -- a continental touch of flare.
In the games preceding Palace's run of defeats, Puncheon was instrumental in creating chances, so much so he was ranked as having created the most in the division.
It was little surprise that when he suffered a knock in training prior to the 3-1 defeat at Leicester, Palace immediately lost some of their cohesion, especially in the final third.
Many would consider the player's Palace career to have been highlighted by the goal to put the Eagles 1-0 up in the FA Cup final against Manchester United last season. In fact, it was his contribution a few weeks prior, in the league fixture against Norwich City, that Puncheon underlined the value to this team.
With Palace gradually drifting towards a relegation battle, Puncheon put the winds in their sails, scoring a beautifully taken effort to give Pardew's side a 1-0 win.
While the FA Cup goal might have had greater significance had United not scored an equaliser so soon after, the Norwich strike ensured Palace's safety and after a spell disappointing results, lifted the mood greatly.
It's true Palace aren't in a similar scenario this season, with one of the defeats coming against the league champions and the other against a likely contender for the title, but there's certainly a case to be made that an improved performance against Burnley, with Puncheon in the team, would produce a significant and needed lift.
Burnley are a well-drilled and well organised side with infrequent flashes of quality, capable of grinding out the results they'll need to stay in the division. It's imperative that Palace, with the players they have, stay patient. It's also crucial chances are created. There is no better player to ensure that than Puncheon.
The midfielder should return to the side alongside Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur, rotating between the No.10 position and a deep-lying role as he had done before his injury.
It's unlikely the defence will see changes made, despite recent lapses in concentration, because there isn't a great deal of choice in terms of who could come in. While Martin Kelly has struggled at left-back, the only possible change would be for Joel Ward to swap positions, a tactic that has worked previously.
Meanwhile in attack, despite Pardew's suggestion that Andros Townsend wasn't comfortable playing on the left wing, it's imperative the attacker features. Whichever side he plays on, the consistently impressive Wilfried Zaha will line up on the opposite side, flanking Christian Benteke.
The striker needs better service, whether it's coming through the centre or from the flanks.
With Puncheon pulling the strings in midfield, there should be a marked improvement.