Conference trucks::football;1

    In the strange absence of Mr Panes today, I hereby claim the first FE's
    note on the new conference. Latest buy is Lee Sinnott for #350k,
    presumably to replace Ninja Young at some point soon. So far we seem to
    have only strengthened the defence over the summer, Coppell obviously
    reckons that with Osborn coming on, the first chice mid field is strong
    enough to start the season, and then pick up a few players when the
    money rush quietens down.
    
    Likely starting line up not much different from last year:
    
    				Martyn
    
    	Humphrey	Young		Thorn		Bodin
    
    	 ????		Thomas		Gray		Salako
    
    			Bright		Wright
    
    
    The right side of midfield is the question mark. Eddie (The WotW &
    New Baresi) McGoldrick? Alan "Twin Towers" Pardew? Simon "I live in
    Trumpton" Osborn? Or maybe a new buy at the last minute such as Carter.
    
    We await the northern hordes arrival at Selhurst with interest.
    
    Paul

    Northern Horders indeed !
    
    Selhurst Park will resound to the cheers of the victorious Leeds United
    on Saturday. I was coming down to the match and to Old Oak Common Loco
    Depot open day this weekend, but a house move has sort of knackered
    that idea...
    
    Match of the Day I think, I wonder if it will be the Radio 5
    commentary?
    
    jb.

      <<< Note 44.1 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                         -< Where are you Stuart???? >-

    Likely starting line up not much different from last year:
    
    				Martyn
    
    	Humphrey	Young		Thorn		Bodin
    
    	 ????		Thomas		Gray		Salako
        Panes (S)
    	^^^^^		Bright		Wright
    




      Skill, speed, flair and locally born and bred. Surely its only
      a matter of time.

 
      Stuart
    
       
       

	Sat Aug 17 Leeds Utd  H		

	Tue Aug 20 Totts      A ( re-scheduled as the Totts have a ZDS pre-lim)

	Sat Aug 24 Man City   A

	Tue Aug 27 Wimbledon  H

	Sat Aug 31 Sheff Utd  H

	Wed Sep  4 Villa      A

	Sat Sep  7 Everton    A

	Sat Sep 14 Arzzzenal  H

	Tue Sep 17 West 'am   H

	Sat Sep 21 Oldham     A

	Sat Sep 28 Q.P.R      H

	Sat Oct  5 Sheff Wed  A

	Sat Oct 19 Coventry   A

	Sat OCT 26 Chelsea    H

	Sat Nov  2 Liverpool  A

	Sat Nov 16 S'oton     H

	Sat Nov 23 Forest     A

	Sat Nov 30 M.U.F.C    H

	Sat Dec  7 Norwich    A

	Sat Dec 14 Luton      H  ( could be switched to the Sunday )

	Sat Dec 21 Totts      H  (  "    "    "   "   "  "   "  "  )

	Thu Dec 26 Wimbledon  A ( don't make me laugh )

	Sat Dec 28 Sheff Utd  A

	Wed Jan  1 Notts Cnty H

	Sat Jan  4 FA Cup 3  

	Sat Jan 11 Man City   H
	
	Sat Jan 18 Leeds Utd  A

	Sat Jan 25 FA Cup 4

	Sat Feb  1 Coventry   H

	Sat Feb  8 Chelsea    A

	Sat Feb 15 Forest     H

	Sat Feb 22 M.U.F.C    A

	Sat Feb 29 Norwich    H

	Sat Mar  7 Luton      A

	Wed Mar 11 S'oton     A

	Sat Mar 14 Liverpool  H

	Sat Mar 21 Villa      H

	Sat Mar 28 Notts Cnty A

	Sat Apr  4 Everton    H

	Sat Apr 11 Arzzzenal  A

	Sat Apr 18 Oldham     H

	Mon Apr 20 West 'am   A

	Sat Apr 25 Sheff Wed  H

	Sat May  2 QPR        A



That concludes the fixtures for the forthcoming season, and now back to Des
in the studio.



Stuart

RE: 2

Jon,

 I reckon Arsenal will be the commentary match as Radio 5 normally see how the 
Champions start off.

Chris.

    re -1
    
    Zzzzzz pass the mogadon ;-)
    
    I'll have to listen to the Radio Leeds commentary then, and restrict my
    wanderings on Sat afternoon !
    
    jb.

    Re .7,
    
    For those of us who don't have access to the footie as reported by
    the Sun etc - could you explain exactly what Palace were up to
    (I'm quite familiar with the ground so a rough explanation will do)
    - did they underestimate the work and start late as did Spurs a year
    or two back?
    
    Or was it just Sainsbury's adding another row on the end for fresh
    vegetables or toiletries (:==:)
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

     <<< Note 44.8 by AIMTEC::WICKS_A "Atlanta's Most Infamous Welshman" >>>
                         -< What were they building? >-

>    Or was it just Sainsbury's adding another row on the end for fresh
>    vegetables 
     ^^^^^^^^^^

      Palace are not due to play Moancheaters United until later on in the 
      season.



      The reason the games are postponed is because the pig-pen isn't ready.

      I am well and truly appalled!!!!


      Stuart

    
    Now I wonder if Palace will be docked points, like Spurs. Then will
    Palace appeal and get them back, just like Spurs ? Any points lost
    could be crucial if they want to qualify for Europe.

.. now where were we..... oh yes the Arse's Ten Man Defence will be
visiting Selhurst on Saturday. To guarantee excitement I 'm taking a book.
No doubt Mr McCabe et al ( Al being the other Arse fan who goes to away
matches), will be there, with his tranny, thermos, car-coat and hooded
anorak, whingeing on about how few goals the Arse conceded last season, while
the people within earshot are filling in EXIT applications and giving the
Samaritans a call.

All this and their new away strip too.... be still my beating heart,


Stuart

    >> All this and their new away strip too...
    
    Stuart,
    
    Purlease don't mention that away strip and on that subject did'nt I see
    Palace get beat by Wales last night? Oh sorry, cough, cough, that was
    Brazil. Hey but did'nt I see Brazil play Aston Villa on T.V last week?
    Whoops! My mistake, it was the new Palace away strip. Delusions of
    grandeur there Stuo, methinks.
    
    
    Barro.
    
    
    
    
    
    

    re. last
    
    ouch! remind ME never to insult you Mike!
    Ian.
    

    I see the Mike and Stuart show's back on the road; large slabs of
    vitriol being thrown hurled. Great is'nt it? Ding! Ding! End of round
    two. 
    
    Barry.  
    
    

Mike,

One further word of warning. There are a few, I repeat few, young louts in
South London who trash away supporters cars. Might I suggest that should you
drive to the Mecca you remove your crochet'd steering wheel cover and the
sticker in the rear windscreen... you know the one " I brake for donkeys".


Your old chum,

Stuart

    Have you two thought of doing an act?
    
    P

    It is an act....
    
    PJ

    
    Man U/Liverpool, Celtic/Rangers fans please take note.  
    
    This beats that "You're S&*t", "You're S&*t too" brigade.
    
    Gary.

Palace 1 Arsenal 4


Arsenal outplayed Palace and were well worth the victory. In my opinion
all but two of the Palace side  didn't look interested. I am not going
to make excuses, but I have some theories.



Stuart

  Palace 2 West Ham 3


  No match report as I didn't go.  I was severely disenchanted with Pik Noades'
  remarks and despite "a superlative performance by the Arse , surely they
  must win this years Pan-Galactic  Mega-Cup" (  better Mike? ), I felt that
  P W Noades' comments were having an effect on the players, and I didn't
  want to be associated with the club. A futile gesture perhaps, but I slept
  well last night.  ( And probably will tonight - most regions I.T.V 20:00hrs).

  Zola Noades has now made a complete apology and I can get back to the Palace,
  and hopefully the F.E's can get back to winning.


  I kin only hope thet blerie min kips his mith shot in the fewcha.


  Stuart

    Re: 44.21
    
    >>remarks and despite "a superlative performance by the Arse , surely they
    >>must win this years Pan-Galactic  Mega-Cup" (  better Mike? ), I felt that
    
    Yeah, not bad Stuart, but I don't think your quite there yet.  However,
    if you continue to attend the group therapy sessions then I'm sure that
    very soon we will see a marked improvement in your condition.  Probably
    within twelve months you will be able to enter a note that doesn't
    mention Arsenal.  Difficult, I know, but I'm sure you can do it.  Will
    of iron, indomitable spirit and all that.  As to your other condition, 
    "glibitis", well I'm afraid that I think there is no cure unless there 
    are amazing advances in medical science in the next few years.  So, I 
    suppose Arsenal supporters everywhere will just have to accept the
    continuous use by you of the monotonous and repetitive; "carrot", 
    "donkey", "boring", "backpass" jibes and, of course, who could forget 
    that tried and trusted classic, "car-coat".  Still, great strides are 
    being made at the moment in curing cancer, so who knows maybe one day...
    
    Seriously though, you didn't attend Palace because of what Uncle Ron 
    said?  Surely, Uncle Ron was making his comments (which I must confess
    I haven't heard only read about) as a private individual and not on
    behalf of CPFC.  Although, I agree, if you mention Ron Noades one
    automatically thinks of CPFC.  Had David Dein opened his dirty great
    gob and uttered similar words as an individual I would still be "going 
    down the Arsenal" but I think I would have dropped dearest David a line 
    asking him to go forth and mulitply and take his opinions with him. 
    The club being bigger than any individual and all that. 
    
    Mike M
                                                           

Re last;

>    Seriously though, you didn't attend Palace because of what Uncle Ron 
>    said?  Surely, Uncle Ron was making his comments (which I must confess
>    I haven't heard only read about) as a private individual and not on
>    behalf of CPFC.  Although, I agree, if you mention Ron Noades one
>    automatically thinks of CPFC.  Had ***** **** opened his dirty great
>    gob and uttered similar words as an individual I would still be "going 
>    down the *******" but I think I would have dropped dearest ***** a line 
>    asking him to go forth and mulitply and take his opinions with him. 
>    The club being bigger than any individual and all that. 
    
>    Mike M
                                                           

     Apart from getting stuffed last Saturday ( afternoon! ), which was
     none too palatable - but accepted - the atmosphere at the ground/pubs etc
     was marred by Gattling Gob Rent-a-Quote Ron. Around the area of my
     season ticket some prats were spouting the kind of racist crap that
     Ron said was taken "out of context", but has since fully apologised for.
     His inane ramblings gave fuel to the brain-dead few.  One of the black
     fans who regular sits near us ( quite rightly ) got the mega-hump, and
     only through his own restraint was an "off" avoided. 

     Quite honestly I could do without all this. I go to football to enjoy
     myself and after a lot of reflection I decided that it would be 
     hypocritical, and masochistic, of me to go last night. The match was
     also against a team whose supporters are not known for their 
     egaliterian and cosmopolitan views.

     As to man being bigger than the club... well er .. Noades has straightened
     out the Palace, for which I applaud him...but......... He is , as has
     been amply demonstrated, a self-opionated , arrogant , intellectual
     pygmy, who in the past has banned people from the club because they
     had the gaul and temerity to question his views.  Do I want to be banned?
     No.

     Stuart

There is no wimbeldon topic, so this is as good as any..

	Could someone tell me why wimbeldon playing at selhurst and not
	plough lane.

Thanks
	Mick

    
    	Stuo.....
    
    	I friend of mine (no need to go too much into detail..) is an
    	Insolvency Accountant and has met Ron Noades at several beanos
    	through Football contacts he has made (he was handling Aldershot's
    	affairs during their problems).
    
    	Without wishing to express a view either way myself coz I don't 
    	know the guy, my friend doesn't have a good word to say about
    	Mr. Noades and has met him personnally at dinner functions etc.
    
    	His discription of Ron was "..an ignorant peasant.." as well as a
    	few other more fruity things and my mate is very down-to-earth-and-
    	not-at-all-likely-to-be-easily-offended.
    
    	What's going on at Palace ? They have enjoyed a couple of
    	tremendous seasons and become many fans' favorite "underdog/little
    	club/call-it-what-you-like...Their form this season is all over
    	the place. They seem to be on some sort of destruction course, and
    	that would be sad.
    
    	It would be terrible if a great ambassador such as Steve Coppell
    	should suffer the break-up of a very good team due to insufferable
    	bigottry of ANY discription.
    
    	What do the genuine Palace fans (and I certainly class you as one
    	of those!) think of all this?
    
    	Ando.

    Having been on hols and missed the fun.......
    
    Mr Noades seems to be fairly typical of club chairmen, and,
    unfortunately, fairly typical of the country as a whole when his views
    on black players are voiced. An "in the know" Arsenal fan (his brother
    goes to bar-b-q's with Stroller) tells me that said manager considers
    black players to be great when they are winning. but first to drop
    their heads when they start losing. A typical view from a typical Brit.
    
    Still the FEs seem to be getting it out of their system with Saturday's
    win at Oldham, and Nige will be back between the posts at Hartlepool,
    and Ninja is back in the defence. Lets hope that Sir Geoff is also back
    soon.
    
    Anybody got anymore on the paper talk of the Arse being after Wright?
    Can't see they need him, myself, and we ceratinly don't need Fashanu as
    a replacement, especially at the sort of prices the Wombles charge for
    their second rate players (#2m for Phelan - what a joke!!!)
    
    Normal winning ways will be resumed, and Mr Noades will keep his mouth
    zipped and his wallet open.
    
    thank you and good night.
    
    Paul
    
    (right Stu?)

    Latest is that Bright doesn't want to go to the Squatters and that
    hence they are asking - wait for it.....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    #3m for Fash!!!!
    
    
    Hopefully we'll buy Dion Dublin instead, he's younger and better.
    
    Paul

re. 25 

All I have said previously about Noades , stands - but now with Ian Wright
going , I find myself in the position of not being able to comment on
Il Duce,  in case the Network Police object.


Arsenal have secured a jewel. As to how GG selects the strikers, Lord only
knows, but he is now spoilt for choice.

I honestly beleive if Rent-a-quote Ron hadn't have opened his poisonous gob,
Wright would still be a Palace player.


Oh well,

Stuart

    There was an interesting article in the Observer on Sunday about
    Noades. They suggested that as opposed to racist, Noades was simply
    very foolish. Has he a history of saying racist things?

    
    	re last couple...
    
    	Sorry, perhaps .25 wasn't too clear, but I wasn't suggesting that
    	Mr. Noades is was or ever has been a racist or anything remotely
    	resembling one. He has just been conveyed to me via someone that
    	knows him personally as not a particularly nice chap per se.
    
    	I also believe, Stuo, that Wrighto would still be a Palace Star
    	if it hadn't been for the recent unheavel, whether the remarks
    	attributed to him were accurately interpretted or not.
    
    	Just my opinion....Your loss is Arsenal's gain. He is a fine
    	striker.
    
    
    	Andy.

    While its nice to think that Noades is to blame for Wright going, it
    has been widely reported that he wanted out from the start of the
    season. He's been linked with a fair few clubs since then, and at 28,
    couldn't afford to wait too long.
    
    I also don't think that Noades is a racist, just fairly typical of the
    white "nouveau riche" class of UK society. That is to say, 
    
    "Black people are very nice, and they are very good for my team, but,
    you know dear, they just haven't quite got the breeding we have.
    Nothing against them of course....."
    
    Noades has done a lot of good for Palace, and generally, promoted the
    cause well, he was just speaking from the hip rather than the
    diplomatic bag.
    
    And now life after Wright...
    
    Hartlepool tomorrow
    QPR Saturday
    Leeds next Tuesday 
    
    and Big Nige is back between the posts
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.33 by VOGON::HARKER "ISE/TPAG (ISVG-Europe)" >>>
                  -< Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie... out out out! >-

>No problem though,winter's coming and Eddie McGoldrick will be warming 
>up to "carry the Black players" anyhow :-)


Messrs Mod,

This man/woman has obviously been abusing drugs.


The W.O.T.W couldn't carry herpes.


Stuart


BTW Welcome VOGON::HARKER  to the topic dedicated to London's team.

>The W.O.T.W [Eddie McGoldrick] couldn't carry herpes.

My point exactly. Which only goes to show how stupid Noades' comments were 
in the first place. Doesn't Ron Noades watch the games or what?

PS back page of the Sun today looks hopeful at least.

      Palace have invested some of the fee received for Ian ( Ian Ian ) Wright
in Sunderland's Wunderkind, Marco Gabbiadini ( 1.8 mill ). 


I have had a brief conversation with Mike McCabe, and we are not sure what 
he will be called;

Gabba?
Gabbo?
Marco?
Marco(o)?
Zico?

Oh decisions, decisions. With a bit of luck we will make his debut against
Raynes Park Queenies tomorrow.


Stuart

    Not at all. Not a bad bit of business I reckon. What will Noadso have
    to say about him then? I mean he isn't exactly British what!

    Despite the name, Gabbiadini-o (not quite the right ring eh?) is
    British born & bred and is an England U21 International.
    
    Looking forward to seeing him on Saturday.
    
    Paul

    
    The guy has bags of talent and will score goals.  However he's also a
    flash harry and the bright lights and big city may be a problem.
    
    I bet the Sunderland fans are devastated.
    
    Gary.

    I thought he was form one of them funny Islands somewhere near France?

    
    	Steve, you're not thinking of Le Tissier are you?
    
    
    	Andy.

    Marco has an injury at present and is unlikely to make his debut 
    tomorrow.

    That might mean he can make his first appearance for Palace vs Leeds,
    and end up on the losing team vs Leeds for the 5th time on the trot.
    
    jb.

    >         Steve, you're not thinking of Le Tissier are you?
    
    
    	Hmmmm, very probably! 

  >> bright lights and big city may be a problem

 Gary...since when has Crystal Palace been "bright lights and big city"..
 its a dull suburb of SOUTH London ;-)

    i have only seen Gabbiadini once, for Sunderland against 'der' Barnsley.
    He was rubbish.
    
    He missed a wide open goal from 3 yards.
    We won 3-0
    i laughed.
    
    Ian.

     Crystal Palace Reserves 2    Q.P.R  2


A sorely depleted Palace side gave the "Rs" a gift of a goal after just 5 
minutes. Although Palace enjoyed most of the possesion they looked a little
lost in the final third of the pitch. The game was a delight for WOTW 
cognescenti, and of especial mention should be the way he went down 
after being "cruelly hacked" by a Rangers defender.

Palace conceded a penaly 10 minutes into the second half, and things were not
looking to good when Eric "Ninja" Young limped off. I was beginning to dread the
game against Leeds,  feeling that we would be well and truly stuffed., until
the last ten minutes when the F.E's pulled back two goals.

Ray Wilkins was sitting behind me, but unfortunatley I didn't see his reaction
when someone challenged him to take his bathing cap off.



Leeds ( Leeds Leeds ) tomorrow, Mr Blythe and all.


Stuart 

  According to today's Guardian , Mark Bright is on his toes, to either
  Chelsea, or wait for it
                               Everton (that'll put the mockers on "their" song)




   Stuart

    According to "inside sources" Palace still have an offer on the table
    for Brian Dean, so presumably Bright would go if it was accepted, but
    stay if not. I don't think he is actually asking for a move. There were
    also rumours somewhere of Juventus being after Geoff Thomas!
    
    As for tonight, we're back at virtually full strength, and I expect:
    
    				Martyn
    
    	Humphrey	Young		Thorn		Bodin
    
    	McGoldrick	Gray		Thomas		Salako
    
    			Bright		Gabbiadini
    
    	Subs	Osbourn
    		Sinnott
    
    	A draw is my prediction. 
    
    	Give us a wave Mr Blythe!
    
    Paul

    Well,
    
    I got the team totally wrong at the back! Coppell played Southgate and
    Sinnott at full back's and dropped Eddie WotW in favour of Osborn.
    
    Good thinking Steve - we played like a good team, even allowing for the
    fact that Marco #1.8m didn't 100% gel. He had a good game, and for all
    my admiration for Ian W, it was nice to see a Palace No10 passing and
    setting up others. (Sorry Stu :-) )
    
    Bad news is Salako. Radio &papers today talk about knee ligaments, any
    one got anymore news?
    
    If Salako had not been injured it would have been a bit easier and I
    reckon we'd have been a couple up at half time. Still Bright did the
    buso. 
    
    Rumours around of Bodin going to Sunderland as part payment for Owers,
    and that Deane is almost certain to replace Bright (shame that)
    
    Back up to 7th in the table and with games in hand over three of those
    above us. An away win at Sheff W on Saturday would go down nicely, and
    could see us in the top 5.
    
    paul

      <<< Note 44.52 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                           -< Comments Mr Blythe?? >-

    
>    Good thinking Steve - we played like a good team, even allowing for the
>    fact that Marco #1.8m didn't 100% gel. He had a good game, and for all
>    my admiration for Ian W, it was nice to see a Palace No10 passing and
>    setting up others. (Sorry Stu :-) )
 
     "Zico" faded a bit towards the end, but I thought he showed great 
     promise.
     
   
>    Bad news is Salako. Radio &papers today talk about knee ligaments, any
>    one got anymore news?
 
     According to today's papers, he is out for at least 3 months (bum bum bum).
   
    
>    Rumours around of Bodin going to Sunderland as part payment for Owers,
>    and that Deane is almost certain to replace Bright (shame that)
 
     I really wouldn't want to see Bright leave, but I think we need Owers.
     
   
>    Back up to 7th in the table and with games in hand over three of those
>    above us. An away win at Sheff W on Saturday would go down nicely, and
>    could see us in the top 5.
    
     Viv Anderson, Chris Woods et al , were sitting behind us during the
     game. I think they left before the goal, but we told them that they would
     get beaten on Saturday.


     As to Tuesday night's match.  Gosh aren't the tykes a "gritty" bunch!
     I thought the ref missed at least one penalty, ( Leeds No. 6 looked
     like he was measuring Bright up for a new suit).  Good to see Stan the
     Man have a go at goal, although why they put him wide I'll never know.
     Stan seems to need about a 50 yard run-up before he hits full speed.
     Andy Gray, once again was all over the pitch, and the prospect of him,
     a fully match fit Sir Geoffrey Thomas and Owers ( if we get him ), would
     be quite mouth watering.

     Good to see JB's comments about the crowd, but what he omits to say
     is that he tried to Stanley me at least five times on the way to the
     match.

     Sheffield  Wednesday away on Saturday ( right before we get paid),
     followed by the Cov at Highfield ( and the possibility of a box ). 

     I am told that B.R are doing major engineering works the weekend of the
     Liverpool game, so it looks like I will have to save up my bus fare or
     take up the 158 squid flying trip.

     
     Stuo Panesini

    I didn't try to Stanley you 5 times - it was 6. As I said in our note,
    Leeds didn't play too well (crap really). Hopefully, it will wake them
    up a bit and Sheff U will be crushed etc on Sat. Leeds are a team of
    injuries at the moment, hopefully Strachan will be back on Sat to tell
    'em how it's done.
    
    jb.

Heard on Radio 5 about 45 mins ago.

Salako had an exploritory operation on his knee yesterday, and from the results
the specialist doesn't think he'll be fit enough to play again until next season.

	Al

   Sheffield Wednesday 4 Palace 1

   Stuffed, but by all accounts the Palace didn't play as badly as the 
   scoreline suggests. 

   Apparently the Fab Ones are still inquiring about Dion Dublin ( of
   Showaddywaddy fame ), and Gary Owers continues to interest the management.

   Ian Wrong slotted again for the Arse, so TGA better watch out.

   Stuart

Palace 6 Hartlepool 1



Lots of goals, didn't go ( The Panes Exchequer somewhat knackered at the moment,
and a season ticket doesn't cover Cup games). Zico Gabbiadini off the mark.


Palace go through 7-2 on aggregate.


Stuart

    
    Doesn't Marco's brother play for Hartlepool?

    Palace have laid out 500K for a 23 year old midfielder from Villa
    called Mortimer. Anybody know anything about him?
    
    Paul

      <<< Note 44.59 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                              -< Palace signing >-

>    Palace have laid out 500K for a 23 year old midfielder from Villa
>    called Mortimer. Anybody know anything about him?
    
>    Paul



He's not offended by Rent-a-quote Ron's banal blubberings??


Stuart

    I think his full name is Dennis mortimer and he's 46 actually !!!
    
    

I think this must be Carl Mortimer who if memory serves Big Ron bought from
Charlton when he was at Wednesday and then subsequently to Villa. That means
he's only been at Villa for a few months.

I hope Atkinson didn't indulge in any Cameroonish humour regarding mud huts
like he did in the World Cup - if so it could be a case of Two Rons don't
make a Wright (or indeed a white ;-(   )

Bob

  Fresh from the press;

  Salako and Barnes have received donor tendons in L.A. ( Salako's injury
  is similar to the Mars Bar Kid's ).

  Palace visit the Raynes Park Queenies in the next round of the ZDS.

  Steve Harrison sacked from Millwall for playing a pratical joke ( probably
  used joined up handwriting durind a tatics session ) joins the F.E's
  coaching staff.


  Stuart


  .... and of course despite the predictions in another topic ..Les Aigles
  Fantastique to beat Chelsea at the Mecca on Saturday.



  
 

    Paneso...
    
    Did you attend the ZZZZDDDSS on Tuesday?
    
    If you didn't you missed Eddie Scissorfeet's marvellous solo goal - I
    kid not it was a stunning effort, in a pretty dross FEs performance.
    The new lad Mortimer played OK, he's definately a 12 month replacement
    for Salads, but he should be a good squad addition.
    
    Anothe goal for Brighty, that makes for the following stunning
    trivia...
    
    Bright has now scored in 8 consecutive games,
    
    In 10 of the past 11 games
    
    In 12 of the 15 games so far this season.
    
    Who was that guy who used to play at No 10, Kite? White? Something like
    that.
    
    Paul

      <<< Note 44.64 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                      -< From the Members Palatial Place >-

>    Paneso...
    
>    Did you attend the ZZZZDDDSS on Tuesday?
    
     I had to go to see The Mock Turtles.

>    If you didn't you missed Eddie Scissorfeet's marvellous solo goal - I
>    kid not it was a stunning effort, in a pretty dross FEs performance.
 
     I've always rated the WOTW.    


>    Who was that guy who used to play at No 10, Kite? White? Something like
>    that.
     
      Ian Wrong???


      How did Zico play?


      Stuart

    The boy Zico dun good, with an assist for Bright after a run down the
    left, and some good efforts. Eddie and Andy Forn are still confused by
    his practise of playing to feet and innovative things like that.
    
    He now has the requisite Palace haircut, just like Sir Geoff, and
    lasted until the end of the first half of extra time, when Steevie
    pulled off Zico and Bright for Osborn and Gordon to play safe. Brighty
    got all the attention as they went off tho', not surprisingly really.
    
    Paul

    Re .63
    According to the press, Steve Harrison's party trick was to stand|sit
    on a chest of drawers|table and defecate into a plastic cup on the
    floor -- in front of a crowd.

Palace 0 Chelsea 0


Full match report coming up..

   Dire.


Stuart


BTW  Mr Pateman...did we have some good luck on Saturday????

    Mr Panes.....
    
    Someone noticed!!!!
    
    Yup, I won ol'Big Mouth Noades' second prize of a week in La Manga. Not
    bad eh? Brightened up the game no-end. And my god did it need it!
    
    Mind you, I thought Elliot played very well for the boys in blue.
    
    Paul

    re. .67
    
    I have witnessed many times the tricks/stunts that Steve Harrison
    gets up to and many have been over the top, they have been so
    hilarious that everyone present laughed so much that they didn't
    care too much about the 'earthy' content.
    
    However, if the story at Millwall is true then that really does
    'take the biscuit' for lavatory humour. I can now see why Harry
    has resigned from the England coaching job. 
      
    Martin

    Paneso...
    
    A rumour has surfaced about swapping Bodin for Franz Carr. Palace seem
    determined to send Bodin oop north!
    
    Paul

      <<< Note 44.71 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                             -< Rumour Mill Time >-



Pray tell me, The Man from La Manga, where did you pick up this little
snippet, and why is Bod so out of favour?

Stuart

    The snippett came from them next door that do the flowers for the club,
    and look after Mark Bright's bay trees.
    
    As for why Bodin is out of favour, I guess its another "Steevie doesn't
    like him" scenario. He supposedly rates Sinnott as a left back (not
    sure why) and has Shaw as cover (tho' Shaw is right-footed) He reckons
    Bodin is too slow. Hmmm, I'd prefer him to either of the above. At the
    moment, my ideal side would be:
    
    				Martyn
    
    		Southgate   Young    Thorn	Bodin
    	
    		Osborn	    Gray     Thomas     Mortimer
    
    			    Bright   Gabbia-wotsit
    
    		Subs	Eddie WotW
    			Humphrey
    
    Waddaya reckon me ole mucker?
    
    The second floor       	

      <<< Note 44.73 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Ayrton Senna - World Tour 1991" >>>
                       -< The Man from La Manga say yes >-



Paul,

I always thought the W.o.t.W was your first name on the team sheet. (smiley
thing). 

Young Osbourne, I believe, needs to be brought in gradually . He has the
talent ( though not the size ), and should be used sparingly until
his confidence is sufficient and allow him  play to the best of his 
abilities. If he has a few stinkers, the rantings of the ignorant baying
morons might destroy his self-belief.


On an even more positive note, hasn't Andy Gray been playing well.


Stuart


BTW are you going up to watch the team who cheated us out of Europe?

    Thought about a trip to see "those who were banned but still qualified
    to get stuffed by some secound rate Frenchies", even thought about
    taking Ron's flying taxi, particularly as we'll miss the homw game
    against Soton due to DEC100 committments, but
    
    
    
    the rubgy won
    
    
    On Osborn, I reckon he's ready for the big time now (metaphorically
    speaking :-) ) as may also be Dean Gordon and Simon Rodger. Chris
    Coleman is also useful to have on the bench. But I'm afraid Stan
    Cauliflower doesn't seem to have what it takes, despite the opinions of
    the Holmesdale.
    
    Paulo

   Liverpool ( representing England in Europe ) 1 

   Crystal Palace ( tincy-wincy lil' ole team from South London ) 2

   

   PP.

   G Courtney

    Today's rumour mill -
    
    Franz Carr will not be coming to Selhurst as he needs cartledge
    surgery. However, Phelan from the Wombles is reportedly coming as soon
    as the new squatters get a replacement. What has Richard Shaw done
    wrong?
    
    Paul

	Paul, the Phelan business does seem a bit strange, but there again
I once doubted the purchase onf the Ninja.

	Apparently the Eagles ( fans ) were magnificient at Anfield, and
deemed "der, the best away fans", by the Reds. Palace were resplendent
in their away kit which was matched only by the Brazilian flags and 
sombreros. I am told all manner of headare could be seen.

         Some friends of mine were halted by the local constabulary on their
way into the nearest pub to the ground, only to realise that the Police wanted
to make sure that they were not 'Pool fans, because the pub had been taken over
by Eagles and the locals were turned away.

          Stuart


P.S I hope Andy and Sir Geoff silence a few critics tonight.

     Palace 1 ( Sir Geoffrey Thomas )  Southampton 0

 
     Very grim first half, slightly better second half.

     Stuart


     BTW I think this report should be submitted for a Pulitzer ( Ed. )

Calling Mr Pateman


Paul,

Did you go to the Rat City City game?

Stuart

    I'm here never fear.....
    
    Just been out peddling a few bits of tin for the last few days.
    
    Yup, went to the BCFC "match". Why do we do this to the fans?!?!?!
    
    Anyway, from our unaccustomed seats near the pitch in D block, two
    factors seemed to turn the match - crap finishing and good goalkeeping
    by both sides. The FEs had enough chances in the first half to go in 3
    or 4 up, and one miss by Bright was so embarrassing as to be untrue. It
    was just about a fair result, but the large contingent of Brummies
    could feel a little aggrieved as they are from D3 afterall. Still, we
    should get a result in two weeks time.
    
    As for the FEs, well, Eddie was magnificent, with never a duff cross or
    headless run all night. Something must have happened to him recently.
    Sir Geoff was good, Gray was on an off day, Humpy was at LEFT back!,
    Thorn wasn't fully fit, and Zico was Zico. Lots of nice touches but
    Bright didn't understand them and was having a duff match anyway.
    Martyn was excellent as ever.
    
    Still, if we can play this poorly with half a team and still be in both 
    Cups so far, and be 5th in the League, things can't be so bad.
    
    I see that Twin Towers Al Pardew has gone to the ex-squatters on a
    freebie, The Standard reckoned Salako's younger brother was coming our
    way but heard nothing since.
    
    The Man in D
    
    5th in the league it 

  Forest 5 Palace 1


  Comprehensively stuffed.

  Stuart

    Stuffed Eagle sounds about right. Now, I hope you lot will regain your
    composure in time for Saturday's visit of the Red Hordes of Man U, and
    take 2 or 3 points from them.
    
    jb, Temporary Eagles fan.
    
    

    <<< Note 44.83 by BAHTAT::BLYTHE "Ee bah gum th's trouble at t'mill" >>>
                                   -< Yes. >-

>    Stuffed Eagle sounds about right. Now, I hope you lot will regain your
>    composure in time for Saturday's visit of the Red Hordes of Man U, and
                                                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

     Given that OPG::TONY won't be able to make it, the "Red Hoardes" 
will be a few people who occasionally go to a game,and who have of course
"supported Man U all their lives".


Cynically yours,

Stuart

BTW I have been known to cheer on Leeds (Leeds Leeds).

    

    Having just been on to the box office.....
    
    They are already selling seats for the "away" match with the squatters
    on Boxing Day. Although we technically have the away fans section, you
    can actually buy any seat that hasn't got a season squatter on it. This
    is because they don't have a membership scheme. Not surprising eh?
    
    So - all of you who want to follow the stuffed turkey with eagles
    stuffing turkeys and sit in your normal seats, just dial the box
    office.
    
    Away fans? Laugh - I nearly paid #12m for Fash.
    
    As for tonite....
    
    The Sooper Hoops (promise I'll ask Stuart) at Loftus in the Zzzzzzds
    Cup. A good chance to get Forest out of the system before the Cup
    Final Robbers arrive on Saturday. Coppell was quoted as probably
    playing Coleman at left back tonite. Apparently Eddie is still shell
    shocked from marking Pearce! (or not as the case may be ;-( )
    
    Match report tomorrow for Paneso
    
    
    paul

    About this 12 million price tag on Fash. I thought that was a print 
    error in last weekend's Mirror. Sam Hamman(sp?) really is full of cr*p
    is'nt he? I mean, 12 million, c'mon, say it slowly Sam, ter-wel-ve 
    mil-li-on, for a TV presenter? I think Chelsea should move to Selhurst
    when their landlords throw them out. Then you could have Noades, Hamman
    and Bates all under one roof, a sort of directorial "Crazy Gang".  
    
    Barry.
    
    p.s. Since the Dons now share your ground, can we assume that
    a similar arrangement be made for all notes pertaining to
    them being posted in here? I know you think it's a swell idea.
    The Official Eagles/Dons note eh? 
                                                                      

    <<< Note 44.86 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "Hanging out your old Love Letters" >>>
                  -< Palace to share note with Dons Shocker! >-

>    when their landlords throw them out. Then you could have Noades, Hamman
>    and Bates all under one roof, a sort of directorial "Crazy Gang".  
 

     The nightmare scenario.   
    
    
>    p.s. Since the Dons now share your ground, can we assume that
>    a similar arrangement be made for all notes pertaining to
>   them being posted in here? I know you think it's a swell idea.
>   The Official Eagles/Dons note eh? 

    Barry,

    Go to your room.


    Stuart                                                                      

    Nice little ground Loftus Road, the fans give it a maximum of 2 "Come
    on you Rs" and then shut up.
    
    The FEs played to their usual current form, and cruised to a three goal
    lead with excellent goals from Sir Geoff (5th in 5 games), Gabbi (best
    game yet) and Ninja. They then let the Sooper Hoops back in with two
    soft goals as Nigel threw a wobbler for a while, and they nearly took
    it to extra time.
    
    However, the R's were pretty dire until they got 3 down, then they
    seemed to wake up.
    
    As for Palace, the line up was:
    
    				Martyn
    
    		Southgate  Young      Thorn	Coleman
    
    		McGoldrick Gray       Thomas    Mortimer
    
    			   Bright     Gabbiadini
    
    		Subs Humphrey for Southgate
    		     Osborn for Gabbiadini
    
    Coleman looke comfortable at left back, Bright had another stinker
    but Geoff was excellent.
    
    Anyone know the semi final draw?
    
    Paul	

    Not a bad game, watched it on SKY sports last night,  QPR were
    certainly taking Palace apart in the last 20 minutes!!  Gabbiadini's
    goal was quite good, kept his cool, and slotted it home.....but
    who is that donkey Martyn in goal??  Only joking, he made some good
    low saves, but he was wrong footed, missed high balls, misjudged balls
    going out (i.e second QPR goal), punched the ball away when he should
    have held it....hardly England standard.

    
<<< Note 44.88 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "CPFC - The McLaren of The First Division" >>>
                            -< The Holders Advance >-
 
>>    Anyone know the semi final draw?
    
    Southern section (Not sure of home advantage) :
    
    Crystal Palace v Chelsea
    Southampton v West Ham United
    
    Northern Section :
    
    Notts County v Leicester City
    Tranmere Rovers v Nottingham Forest
    
    Rob

	Brian,

	I was on holiday yesterday, so I am sorry for the late match report.

	I didn't get to see the first twenty minutes as I had to pick some
 	tickets up for some friends. Giggs had a marvelous game, and I hope
	for the sake of football he doesn't get his talent/confidence kicked
        out of him.

	Err thats it .

	Stuart

    Back from darkest Wales being MDC'ed....
    
    If you missed the first 20 Stuart you missed our best play. We were on
    top of them for around 30 minutes, and then we reverted to the Martyn's
    hoof form of attacking, and the Mancs pulled deservedly away.
    
    However, last night, despite the close score, we played some excellent
    football to beat Birmingham. In the first half we were a joy to watch.
    Eddie and Marco particularly were excellent and we should have been 4
    or 5 up with a bit of luck (Eddie hit a post, Gray had a stunning drive
    saved, and even Bright (who's been useless recently) got a lob only
    just over.
    
    After H-T Birmingham came more into it, and on the hour Smith (Coppell
    was in the stand) took of Marco and brought on the Palace fool -
    Collymore for some unknown reason. gabbi was having his best game by
    far (even david lacey in the Gruaniad rates him!) and looked well
    hacked off to be subbed.
    
    Still, Swindon on the 17th after disposing of Chelsea in the Zenith
    next week. I just hope Osborn keeps playing well as a sub for Sir
    Geoff, who I was priveledged to share the stand with last night, along
    with Salads Salako.
    
    Paul 
    

	I believe that if Salako had been playing ( and had retained his
form ), Giggs would have not been allowed so much space, as United would
have to keep a close eye ( a perhaps two players on our Wunderkind).

	Its amazing how people conveniently forget that it is not only
"big" clubs who lose star players to injury.

	As to last night Jonathan Pierce/Pearce was firing on all cylinders
and Bobby Moore gave the M.O.T.M to Andy Gray.

	I am not going to Norwich on Saturday, but instead will chanting
and stomping ( ooo-er the drugs are taking effect ) to Nancy Grifiths at
Hammersmith.

        Yeee-ha!

	Stuart

    The Salako point is a good one - at the moment Palace are missing:
    
    Salako
    Thomas
    Shaw
    		All regulars last season
    
    Sinnott	A regular most of this season
    
    Mortimer	Cup tied for the Rumbelows
    
    Then add the fact that Thorn, Thomas, Young, Martyn and others have all
    missed games and the stable side of last year has hardly ever played
    together.
    
    And we're still 7th, having lost 3 heavy games to screw the goal
    difference.
    
    Paul; 

	Paul,

	I think this topic has lost its way. Why oh why , do we insist in
	discussing football? We should take a leaf out of some of the other
	topics, and get into some seriously mindless bickering.

        <insert name of team apart from the Palace> are ****!

        See its really not that difficult.

	Stuart

        BTW Paul, if your passing the White Horse in Selhurst Road before a
            game, do drop in and you might win a pint. Come to think of it
            *YOU* might win the pub!
     

    Stuart,
    
    	You wouldn't by chance, be refering to the topics of two teams, from 
    the North West of England who play in red? 
    
    	And I used to slag off the Scottish noters! 
    
    
    		Steve

       <<< Note 44.98 by ASKFOR::HAIGH "Chuffed as a chocolate frog!" >>>

>    Stuart,
    
>    	You wouldn't by chance, be refering to the topics of two teams, from 
>    the North West of England who play in red? 
 

     As if I would.

     Stuart

    ZDC S Area Semi Final
    
    Palace 0 Chelsea 1 (Dixon)
    
    Att 8,000ish
    
    Toooooooo cold, pitch too hard, quality of play from both sides poor
    and uncommitted. Clive Allen a total waste of money. Andy Gray a totla
    plonker for prodding the ref and getting booked. Arson in the Members
    Stand holding the match up, and all we've got to look forward to is
    Luton on Sunday!
    
    Still, after that its Swindon in the Rumbelows, the Totts in the League
    and our "away" fixture with the Wombles. At least the Squatter matches
    are entertaining usually, even if not high quality -
    
    1990/91  H 4-3
    	     A 3-0 (Wright hat-trick)
    
    1991/92  H 3-2 (two sent off, Salako in goal, Segers coming up for
                    corners, ah those were the days!)
    
    But please, please, please, when are we going to flog Mark Bright or at
    least play to Gabbiadini's strengths rather than luzzing balls for a
    5'8"ish guy to try and win against quality like Paul Elliot?
    
    Any thoughts Dusty Panes?
    
    Paul 

	Bloody marvelous. Get out of a nice warm bed.. schlep down to 
the locale of the Mecca, bloody game is off. Only one thing to do really,
and I did.

	Stuart

    Well, the boy Marco finally come good, and has now got three goals in
    three games.
    
    2 away points and 3 home points over the holiday, although it should
    have been 9 really.
    
    1-1 "away" to the squatters
    
    Dire game. If anybody thinks the FEs play route one, they should watch
    Wimbledon. They have one tactic only - luz it up to "Big Fash" who's
    sole contributions against Palace were a missed header and a booking
    for elbowing Southgate in the face. The Dons equaliser was a tad
    off-side too, but the forwards confused the linesman by running
    backwards very quickly.
    
    1-1 away to Sheff Utd
    
    Sounded like a chance missed on the radio, but Marco's goal looked
    classy.
    
    1-0 home to Notts County
    
    Should have been at least 3 up at halftime and 5-1 would have been a
    fair result. But Cherry pulled off a couple of excellent saves (a
    brilliant one from the returning Sir Geoff) and Bright clearly had a
    hangover - then again, he's had one for most of the time since his pal
    left. Still, 3 points, and with games in hand, and home games against
    most of those above us we should be able to get back in the top 5 soon.
    
    2 big cup games to come, away to Leicester in the FA, and a chance to
    revenge ourselves on Forest in the League Q finals.
    
    Considering the injuries we've suffered we're doing OK. We have had
    only two ever presents this year, Bright and Gray, and when you look
    back at the almost totally stable team we had last year, all is not too
    bleak.
    
    How's the head Paneso?
    
    
    
    

   Paul,

   We haven't mentioned the Totts stealing three points. The Ref was awful,
   Allen was filth, but that nice Mr Lineker did despatch his goal with
   aplomb.


   OK, hands up all those who forgot the Wombles game was a noon kick-off and
   were still in their pit at 11:00!! Your match report concurs with all I
   that I had heard. Maybe beddy-bo-bos wasn't such a bad option.

   Yesterday, I laughed at danger, had a little light "luncheon" before the
   game and witnessed Marco lose his Mr Goal soubriquet ( as in - he missed a
   goal last week, missed a goal the week before).

   Whats happened to Bright?? He seems awfully demotivated at the moment.
   Maybe he could do with a rest.

   I have been very impressed with the Bisto kids ( Rodger and Osbourne ), and
   perhaps we have some quality players coming through the ranks at last.

  
   Happy New Year to all football lovers and extra-special wishes to the 
   followers of the F.Es.

   Stuart



   Am I right in thinking that Santa didn't get round to football until
   yesterday?
    

    I have now watched the match twice (live and on the box) and have read
    David Lacey's typically Palace-a-phobic report (why do the Guardian
    send him to games where he hates one of the teams? Mind you that
    includes most of Division 1) and I can't really believe we lost.
    
    A few points -
    
    Young deserved to be sent off, and deserves to be fined. It was stupid,
    pointless and probably lost us the game. However, I have not seen a
    single mention of the 3 Leicester players booked for crude hacks on
    Eddie McGoldrick, one in the first 5 minutes. No - Palace are the
    niggly side of course, 'cos Young has been sent off twice (once for
    dissent but don't mention that) and 'cos Thomas got involved in a
    push'n'shove at the end, but don't mention that he had just been kicked
    deliberately in the small of the back while lying on the ground.
    
    Palace could have been more adventurous for the first part of the
    second half. Leicester had generally been held on the edge of the box
    and Martyn had only had one serious shot to save. Also Gabbi had had a
    shot cleared off the line, and McGoldrick was causing all sorts of
    trouble down the right. Still, Coppell chose a tactic to contain them
    and it very nearly worked. It might have been even better if the ref
    had decided that Bright had been pulled down with only the keeper to
    beat late in the second half. I was 10 yards away and even allowing for
    bias it looked pretty blatant to me. Shame Sky chose to edit it out.
    
    Palace deserved the draw, but such is life. 
    
    Now for an apparantly lack-lustre Forest on Wednesday - YES MR LACEY -
    you are so upto date in your write up that you think we are still
    playing Swindon in the 4th round when we beat them before Xmas!
    
    The final indignaty of it all was being held in the ground for nearly
    20 minutes after the place had cleared. This must be some Midlands
    ritual as the only fans "kept in" at Selhurst this year have been
    Birmingham City from memory.
    
    Paul 

    
    re: being kept in
    
    It is a Midlands ritual. I was "kept in" at a Forest vs Villa game
    at the City Ground a couple of years ago. It was quite amusing
    since the section I was sitting in was a "mixed" section so there
    were quite a few peeved Forest fans in there with me. It was even
    more amusing when the police tried to herd us to the station and
    pack us onto trains to Birmingham since I didn't have a train
    ticket (I was staying in Nottingham), clearly did not have a 
    Brummie accent and didn't support either of the teams. I could 
    see myself getting arrested for having a North East accent and
    not having a train ticket to Birmingham !
    
    I've also had hassle with the police at Filbert Street when we
    tried to get in to the home end (with valid tickets) but did not
    have East Midlands accents (none of us had any club colours on).

    Palace 1	Forest 1
    Walker og	Clough
    
    Att 14,900+ (surprisingly low, but we did go out of the FA on Saturday,
    and it was a foul night)
    
    Oh dear! Typical '91/2 vintage FEs I'm afraid. Played very well until
    they got the lead and then tried to sit back and got walked on until
    the equalizer.
    
    All the FEs played well except Gray who is having problems adjusting to
    having Thomas back in the side. Sinnott was man of the match and
    deserved it. Bright was brighter than recently, but was still looking
    lazy. Humphrey has added good distribution to the defence, and was
    unlucky not to score just after they equalized.
    
    Pearce was very quiet, obviously fearful of Fast Eddie's devastating
    runs :-)
    
    Interestingly for the small group of palace boo-boys, Clough paid gabbi
    the complement of leaving Walker AND Pearce on him when Forest had
    corners etc. Also, when you compare how Walker totally subdued Ian
    Wright in the Cup this time last year, Gabbi gave him quite a torrid
    time, particularly in the first half.
    
    Palace also had a reasonable shout for a penalty when Pearce knocked
    down across with his arm and then let Eddie "run into him" but the ref
    wasn't interested. Generally though, both the ref and his second half
    sub were pretty good. No bookings either.
    
    Its not going to be easy at the City Ground.
    
    Paul
    
    by the way - 2 minutes of highlights ITV!?!?! After staying up til
    midnight?!?! I thought we were watching Thames Sport?

    Palace 1 (Bright) City 1 (Curle pen)
    
    Another meagre crowd (14,700ish) another appalling group of officials
    and another 2 points lost. Reasonable team performance by Palace,
    particularly gabbi, who had a great tussle with Curle. He beat him in
    the air almost every time (not bad for a 5'8" on a 6'+) and they
    battled well on the deck. Good for Bright to get a goal too, will
    probably stop him moaning at everybody (the crowd behind us wanted a
    new award - Barclay's Moaner of the Month, first winner - Bright)
    
    As for the penalty, does anybody other than the referee think it was a
    foul? Every paper/report I have read/heard has it down as:
    
    Dubious
    Harsh
    Poor decision
    "Adjudged to have fouled"
    
    When this is added to the linesman by us being totally incapable of
    judging off-side for either side........
    
    We sit half way up the stand level with a line about 10 yards outside
    the box, so a lot of offside decisions take place right in front of us
    as teams try and hold one another on the edge. On Saturday, I would
    estimate that the linesman got around 80% of his decisions wrong. He
    seemed to flag either as the ball passed the last defender or where he
    last saw a player rather than where they actually were when the ball
    was played. An example was Thomas standing offside while a player
    behind him was dribbling around going no-where, getting played on-side
    by a City defender rolling round goal-side of him just as the ball was
    played through. Thomas was on-side when it was played and would have
    been clear on goal. To be fair, City had their share of poor decisions
    too.
    
    Still, Leeds away on Saturday, after a double! We won there last
    season, but they looked pretty good yesterday, and we won't have Eric
    Young to look after Chapman. Hopefully they'll be knackered after
    playing the Mancs on Wednesday.
    
    Paul
    
    

    
    Hi Paul,
    
    	The reporter on the World Service said, 'City had enough chances to
    win this game easilly, but in the end salvaged a point with a dubious
    penalty'. It sounded a poor game by all accounts, but in your unbiased
    opinion (!), would you say that was true? Palace seem to be the only team 
    City can score penalties against!
    
    
    		Steve
    

    It wasn't a poor game, but it was a bit disjointed. City had a few
    "opportunities" but they weren't really close. The first half was
    evenly balanced despite what the press said. The second half saw Palace
    sitting on their lead a bit, and with Thomas not fully fit, they lost
    the midfield rather.
    
    White looked a good player but needs a cooler head, and Quinn caused no
    real problems apart from the penalty.
    
    Paul

  Could somebody post the European Nations Championship draw in this 
  topic.

  Thanks,

  Stuart

    Group 1
    -------
    SWEDEN
    FRANCE
    YUGOSLAVIA
    ENGLAND
    
    Group 2
    -------
    HOLLAND
    SCOTLAND
    CIS (Commonwealth of Independant States)
    GERMANY
    
    
    Stew.
    

    Leeds Utd 1 (Fairclough)	Palace 1 (Thomas)
    
    Well, what a place Elland Road is! Its quite an intimidating
    atmosphere, especially in the stands surrounded by Leeds die-hards!
    
    Anyway, for the first 20 minutes, Leeds were all over the place and the
    FEs should have been 3 up. Apart from Thomas's beautiful goal, Sothgate
    blasted wide after a lovely flick from Marco left him clear, and Bright
    missed yet another open goal - unmarked on the centre spot!
    
    Leeds then came back in a mad frenzy, and deserved their equaliser
    which was from a poorly marked Fairclough. Miuntes before the
    "unimpressive" (acca Guardian rag) Martyn, had produced a superb double
    save at the post. Nige did make one error when an awkward cross/shot
    pitched at his feet and nutmegged him, but that apart, he claimed
    virtually every cross comfortably (Chapman might have caused a few more
    probs tho' )
    
    In the second half the FEs played very defensively, and generally very
    solidly. True, Leeds hit the wood work, but apart from those two shots,
    they were mostly held at the edge of the box. They probably deserved
    the 3 points, but if Liverpool or Arse had played like Palace it would
    have been called a disciplined defensive performance, not negative.
    Equally, Liverpool with all their draws, have only lost one in 12 (to
    Palace) while Palace have only won one in 9, although they have only
    lost one too!
    
    Anyway, for Palace, the defense was excellent, particularly Sinnott.
    Their only fault was (as ever this season) their distribution which was
    very poor. Thomas had Batty at his heels like a terrier all game, Gray
    was poor again, but Simon Rodger was superb. Only 20 yet taking on
    Strachan and Sterland as an equal and holding them well a lot of the
    time. Great prospect. Eddie was good at sweeping in the first half but
    had less to do in the second as we were playing so deep. Bright was
    hopeless again, very disinterested - why did Coppell keep him on? Marco
    had some nice touches in the first half, but was not really needed
    after the break with the defensive style. However, when are they going
    to play the ball to his strengths? He was replaced by David Whyte who
    had one nice run, but was not really needed either. Osborn would have
    been a better sub, to shore up the midfield.
    
    Still another point away, and Leeds still have never beaten us under
    Wilkinson!
    
    Now for Forest on Wednesday - tough game!
    
    Paul

	On behalf of Sunderland AFC and their supporters, I would like to
wish Marco Gabbiadini a happy 24th birthday.

    On behalf of Crystal Palace supporters lest hope that his birthday
    present on wednesday consists of a few decent passes on the ground
    rather than hoofs onto his head! Then we might get some return on our
    1.8m notes.
    
    Not Stuart Panes
    

.115>    rather than hoofs onto his head! Then we might get some return on our
.115>    1.8m notes.
    
	A bargain at half the price :-)

    The match against Forest tonight was called off at 11.30 this morning
    'cos of a frozen pitch. No date for the rearranged match yet, but Weds
    5th Feb looks a possibility, assuming Forest can get past Hereford
    first time.
    
    Paul

    Palace's Rumbelows Q F replay with Forest has been rescheduled for Wed
    Feb 5th, KO 7.30.
    
    Coppel has placed Andy Gray on the transfer list after Gray has been
    not really training seriously, and generally showing a bad attitude. On
    the evidence of Gray's recent performances he will be no great loss,
    Simon Osborn will be a good replacement. However, it would be nice if
    we could remotivate him to get back to his performance levels of the
    beginning of the season. Estimated value is around #1m.
    
    paul

    Expect an announcement anytime soon that Gabbiadini is off to Derby for
    1.2m. Another shrewd Coppell move!
    
    Word from "an insider" at the club is that Everton have offerred Cottee
    in exchange for Gray, but Coppell has said no thanks, and that the
    Portsmouth 19 year old, Widdington (SP?) will be a Palace player for
    around #1m.
    
    Ho hum, just the sort of preparation for a key cup tie with notts
    forest!
    
    Paul

    
    	re last..
    
    	Paul, Guy Whittingham of Portsmouth is an excellent striker - could
    	be just what the FEs are looking for this season..
    
    	What surprises me most is that Jim Smith the Pompey manager would
    	consider selling him. He has tremendous potential with some of his
    	exciting young players at Fratton Park and Pompey could force their 
    	way into the promotion shake-up if their away form picks up at all. 
    
    	Money doesn't seem to be as much of a pressure at Pompey as it is at
    	some clubs and to sell Whittingham would come as a huge blow to
    	Portsmouth at this time.
 
    	Andy.

    Re last couple
    
    Are you talking about Whittingham or Anderton ?
    
    Whittingham's had a pretty poor season, scoring nowhere near as many
    goals as last season - Anderton is the youngster who scored two
    cracking goals for Pompey last week against Orient - watched by
    Coppell, Souness and others.
    
    Paul

    re. Anderton last week.
    
    And what about that one he missed, where he did a 360 degree drag back
    type thing, only to spoon it round the post. Hard luck mate. Great
    turn.
    
    F-reg.

    Guy Whittingham's much older than 19 isn't he - I remember seeing him
    1 million is not bad for him as they got him for 35,000 and some old
    army blankets and spam.
    
    can't they offload Aspinall or that other old has-been who's name
    escapes me from QPR or somewhere.
    
    Time to start a Portsmouth note?
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Anderton is the one I meant, although on Coppell's recent record of
    signings (Hodges, Bodin, Mortimer, Gabbi) maybe we'll be going for
    Aldo!
    
    paul

    Palace 0	Coventry 1
    
    Att 13,000+
    
    Oh my gawd....
    
    The post Gabbi era begins with a hatful of chances and half chances but
    no goals, and a missed penalty to boot.
    
    Coventry were were of the worst teams to visit Selhurst this year, but
    Palace are suffering from a severe lack of confidence and luck infront
    of goal. new boys Whyte and Moralee were OK, but Mortimer was dreadful,
    and if I wasn't more charitable I'd say Gray was trying to lose us the
    game with countless runs into trouble. Coppell made another cr*p show
    of how to use subs, taking one wrong player off, and leaving it far
    too late.
    
    At least Forest got a good stuffing at home but Wednesday's replay
    looks very tough.
    
    What did you think Stu?
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.126 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                               -< Getting Worse >-

>    What did you think Stu?
    
     It looks like I made the right decision in giving it a miss and going
     to the "Christmas" dinner and dance.

     If Gray is b*ggering about, I think we are best off without him. His
     petulent outbreaks and efforts at blackmailing the club are getting a
     wee bit tiresome.

     Bop 'till you drop,

     Stuart

	Paul,
	
	Anything on the rumour mill about a replacement for Marco
        Gabbiadonki?

        Stuart


	PS Whats the weather like in Nottingham?

    One things for sure - it won't be Stan Colleyflower. Apparantly, he's
    been fighting with people in training, including Sir Geoff! Bit career
    limiting that.
    
    Sherringham in an option, in a swap for Gray plus some dosh, but its
    all rumour.
    
    Squad for tonite:
    
    Martyn
    Humphrey
    Sinnott
    Southgate
    Thorn
    Thomas
    Osborn
    Rodger
    Bright
    Whyte
    McGoldrick
    Moralee
    Coleman
    
    Gray plays at Aldershot in the thirds or something like that.
    
    Good news is that Shaw played a full game on Monday. Another rumour is
    that part of Gabbi's problem was his salary - #2,700 per week plus
    bonus's. Other players of greater fame were a little miffed.
    
    If we win, the semi against Spurs is next Wednesday as the Met won't
    swap resources from the game at Cheslea on Saturday. Thus I miss it by
    being in Opio!
    
    
    Full review of the Forest game, win lose or draw tomorrow.
    
    Paul 
    

    
    
    Pray tell. What has happened to the promising John Salako ??
    
    JN.

    Salako damaged cruciate ligaments in our win over Leeds at Selhurst in
    the autumn. He fell awkwardly and landed on top of Sterland. Unlike
    certain other victims of said injury, he has been quietly recuperating
    after having a ligament transplant in the US. 
    
    He has been doing some TV, including the African Champs for C4 and had
    a column in the Croydon Advertiser. He was also on Sky last night and
    said that he will start running again in about two weeks and will be in
    full training by the late spring. However, he will not be back until
    next season.
    
    It was because of this that we got ripped off by Atkinson into paying
    500k for donkey Mortimer.
    
    Paul

	
.128>	Anything on the rumour mill about a replacement for Marco
.128>        Gabbiadonki?

	We have a few other *stars* you can have for 1.8 million :-)

	As we had a %age of profit deal included in the Fattiadini transfer,
	do we have to return some on the fee?

	He's doing well at Derby though. 

    
    Re last. Thanks for that. I obviously missed his departure 
    completely.
    
    Its a shame because he would have figured in Englands run
    up to the Euro finals. He had a good season for Palace last
    year and played well for England in the summer tour.
    
    I loved his FA cup equaliser in the last minutes against Forest.
    Lob that keeper.
    
    JN.

    
    RE .133. I was talking about Salako not Gabbi.
    Re last should have read .131. I took too long entering
    the note (phone call).
    
    JN.

    Forest 4	 Palace 2
    
    Sheringham 3 Bright
    Pearce	 Whyte
    
    Quite a good game and a better performance from the FEs than of late.
    Palace started well and deserved the lead when Bright flicked on
    Eddie's free kick. Forest then played their typical fast passing stuff
    and were greatly helped by a linesman who was totally ignorant of the
    off-side law. Even the local bobbies were gob-smacked. Sheringham
    equalised with a free header and a whiff of off-side, ad Forest took
    the lead after Martyn made a superb save from an edge of the box shot,
    only to find Pearce waiting to tap in the rebound. 
    
    They then scored the night's best goal, a drive from the left hand edge
    of the box by Sheringham again. The way he played last night, Andy Gray
    isn't worth his shin pads in a swap. All the above happened in about 15
    minutes just before half time.
    
    Palace came back into it in the second half and Whyte got his first
    goal, beating Des Walker and then Crossley from a long Martyn
    clearance. Palace then should have had a penalty when Bright got a
    Forest boot in the thigh area but somehow the ref called it dangerous
    play (I reckon) and we had an indirect in the box.
    
    Finally, Crosby was going no-where and had lost the ball, and Martyn
    was adjudged to have brought him down, giving Sheringham a hat-trick
    and Forest the semi-final place.
    
    The "new look" Palace played well, lining up:
    
    
    				Martyn
    
    	Humphrey	Southgate	Thorn		Sinnott
    
    				Thomas
    	
    		McGoldrick	Osborn		Rodger
    
    			Bright		Whyte
    
    Thomas was not fully fit tho' and was subbed by Coleman after 75 ish
    mins. If Geoff had been fully fit and not kicked a couple of times by
    Keane we might have equalised. Interesting to see if Young gets back
    in, and what happens when Shaw is match fit.
    
    What did they say on the box Stu?
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.135 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
              -< Why do they have those Wembley signs on the M1? >-

>    What did they say on the box Stu?
    
     About what one would expect from Alan Parry and Jimmy "Drinking really
     does affect the brain " Greaves.

     Good to hear the Eagles sing.


     Stuart

    I'm surprised you could here us sing... after the 3rd went in even the
    travelling Eagles morale flagged. It was one of the quietest away games
    I've been to.
    
    Paul

    
    What was the crowd last night ? - It said 10,000 on teletext.
    
    Paul

    According to the scoreboard it was 18,000+
    
    Paul

    
    Re -1
    
    i bet thats improved your Goal difference
    
    	:^)
    
    Sorry in advance 
    
    Chris

    
    Yes !...and my Aunt mary makes a marvellous Steak Pie !

    
    >	    Yes !...and my Aunt mary makes a marvellous Steak Pie !
    
    	Is that the Aunt Mary who had a canary ??

Officially ....."3"
So book the taxi...and dont forget the baloons!!!

	According to "Ricky's Dad", the F.E's will be playing host
to Luton on Tuesday. Bit of a bugger really, 'cos I am pre-booked.

	Stuart

                        <<< Note 44.144 by OPG::TONY >>>
                        -< As many as you wanted...!! >-

>Officially ....."3"
>So book the taxi...and dont forget the baloons!!!


Aw comon Tony. I know you are a M*FC season ticket holder, and I know that you
regularly go to O.T, but you weren't at Selhurst,  you didn't see the part-time
United supporters ( " I've supported Utd for n years " ), you obviously didn't
see ( cos I didn't ), the "Biggest Club in the World's" true away support.

Palace might not have the "Red Army" - but there again we're just a "little club".

Stuart 

RE. 147

Stu,

Dont take it so badly. It was only meant as a joke. Simple harmless fun..
Judging by some of the comments United get, I dont think it was that bad..!
We have to dish it out sometimes...You know as much as we get...type attitude.

> "Biggest Club in the World's"..

Now how come its always everyone else who says that ...

Henyways, I hope its a good game, if you're there enjoy it..

Cheers

Tony

   News;


   Andy Gray to the Totts on loan, with a view to buying him.


   According to the "comics" Palace have made a bid for Brian Deane of
   t'blades.

    
   Stuart

>>   According to the "comics" Palace have made a bid for Brian Deane of
>>   t'blades.
    
    What ? - Palace buying a black player - has 'Herr' Noades been informed
    of this ?
    
    Paul

    
    Re. 150
    
    I live in Basingstoke and follow Chelsea.  When we play the Mancs we
    normally get a train direct from Basingstoke via Reading, could save
    you a bit of time in future,
    
    Loz.

	re .155

>    I meet mates in London though.  Anyway, whatever way you go Manchester
>    is still a dump.  

	There speaks a man who has not been to Leeds.

	Tony

    Sophistication!? Sophistication?! Dont' talk to me about
    sophistication, I've *been* to Leeeds!!
    
    George Whitebread

    Re a few back....
    
    Rumour in the florists is that Gray and an end of season sale of Bright
    will be used to help fund #3m for Deane.
    
    Tricky one tonite against Luton, what's the betting on the lowest crowd
    of the season?
    
    Paul

re last 2

Why are you SHOUTING.

    Even more Cr*p than last year! Luton had two chances, one saved by
    Martin, and one soft penalty. Palace were slack to say the least. We
    had a seemingly good goal ruled off-side (an Eddie McG header no less),
    but the big blow was Sinnott being carried off. At least he was a
    walking wounded by half time.
    
    Goals remain a serious problem. The last league game we scored more
    than 1 in was Dec 7 (Norwich ironically). And what's all this garbage
    from Coppell about being nearly safe?? Is tht the summit of his
    aspirations?!? We nearly got into Europe last year, and a strong finish
    would see us top London club, probably in the top 5 or 6 and in with a
    chance of Europe again.... pah!
    
    We are facing serious stuffings by Norwich and Forest (on 03-03) at
    this rate.
    
    Disgruntled G blocker who saw nothing of merit on Tuesday

	School boy howlers from the F.E defence. 

	Stuart

Luton 1 F.Es 1

Well whadya expect??


Stuart ( Keeping the faith )

    Palace 1 Liverpool 0


    A thoroughly deserved win, which gave us the double over the Waffles.

    Due to unforeseen circumstances I missed the first few minutes.

    Now before the scousers start going on about injuries blah blah, just
    check out the Palace team sheet.

    Love'n'cuddles,

    Stuart


   

    re -1
    
    'Due to Unforseen circumstances .. missing the first few minutes '...
    
    Stuart, 
    
    This is not good enough. If I can get up, get a bus into town, imbibe x
    pints of Tetleys, eat an apple, shepherd som lost Wimbledon fans onto
    the Elland Rd special bus, get to the ground, buy a programme, go to
    the bog twice and still be there for the kick off, then surely you can.
    I seem to remember whwn I came to the Leeds game with you, you wouldn't
    leave the pub ....
    
    jb.

    <<< Note 44.169 by BAHTAT::BLYTHE "Ee bah gum th's trouble at t'mill" >>>
                         -< Shurely Shome Mishtake ? >-

>    I seem to remember whwn I came to the Leeds game with you, you wouldn't
>    leave the pub ....
    
>    jb.



     Jb,

     It is an offence to enter a football ground under the influence of 
     alcohol. I, as anybody who knows me will tell you, am a model of
     probity and a law abiding citizen.

     The traffic was er bad, there was er a big queue for the programmes.


     As to the Leeds ( Leeds Leeds ) game , the only reason I suggested leaving
     at the last moment, was to avoid the choas caused by the "Northern hoardes"
     and Notwork South-Easts inability to deal with the increased number of
     whippets.


     Stuart

    
    	Don't they have special carriages for Whippets down south?
    
    	What's all this about Wimbledon fans?
    
    

    I'm afraid the trains darn sarf are a bit short and infrequent -
    (political statement follows) 'cos the Govt won't let BR invest. The
    455's don't have toilets, so you'll have to cross your legs hurriedley.
    There are lots of old and semi decrepit trins on the LT&S and Sarf
    Lunnun (especially Kent Link), so Whippets are well catered for. There
    are more Whippets in the Newcastle / Sunderland area, but all the pits
    have shut, and they are in the bottom 1/2 of the 2nd division.
    
    Re Wombles fans - the taxi carrying them got lost in Leeds, and the 4
    occupants wandered into the Adelphi (next to Tetley's brewery) and
    started discussing Wimbledon's chances, they looked lost, so I took
    pity on them and guided them to the ground, where the other 400 or so
    Wombles fans were.
    
    jb.

Palace 0 Villa 0


Why did I get there on time?


Stuart

   Apparently A.C Milan have "sections" (Sp?) which identify supporters
   from towns other than Milano. It appears that there is now a Palace
   "section", ( which is growing in numbers on a weekly basis ). 

   This is the first time another team has been recognised at the San Siro.


   Forza Eagles,

   Stuart 

    Is there a section that whines and whinges ?
    
    
    Is it the 'Red Devils' section ?
    
    
    jb.

>   Is there a section that whines and whinges ?
    
    
>   Is it the 'Red Devils' section ?
    
    
>   jb.


Argh...Arghh...Very funny...

The section that spits and throws coins and generally hates everyone must be
called  "Elland Road"

Tony

> The section that spits and throws coins and generally hates everyone must be
> called  "Elland Road"


	No, no, no. The section that throws sharpened pennies is called
	"Villa Park".
	"Elland Road" is the section that sets fire to chip vans.

	Tony

    Stuart,
    
    Now would I?
    
    barry.

    
    	Anyone see that piece by David Baddiel (Mary Wighthouse Experience
    	infamy..) on Standing Room Only last night on Geoff Thomas?
    
    	Hilarious 8-) 8-) - yes, I have it on tape...
    
    	Andy.

A cracker of a sketch.

	Palace 0 Oldham 0

        Bright missed a sitter in the first minute, and the game went downhill
	from there on. It was tedious in the extreme , with the main talking
	point being Oldham's "unusual" away strip.

	W.H.U 0  Palace 2

	I didn't go, but the relegation doomed Hammers gifted the Palace
	with a couple of schoolboy howlers. The gate was in excess of 17,000
        at the start of the game and then dwindled to just 7,000 ( probably
        just the Eagles ).


        After the game on Saturday I went to the inaugural meeting of
        the Palace Independent Supporters Association ( P.I.S.A ), who in 
        line with other I.S.As hope to represent the interests of the true
        fans.

        Stuart 

         

        

    Mr Panes, you really should not be getting involved with these dubious
    ventures, Mr Noades will be most upset.
    
    Anyway, did you notice Nigel's deliberate mistake on Saturday?
    
    Answers in note 185 please.
    
    Paul
    
    (it was b'awful on Saturday wasn't it, and I didn't go on Monday
    either)

         <<< Note 44.184 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                             -< PISA schmeesa... >-

>    Mr Panes, you really should not be getting involved with these dubious
>    ventures, Mr Noades will be most upset.
    
     Although Chris "The prat in the hat" Wright was there, it was made 
     plain that P.I.S.A do not want to be associated with him. Mr Wright,
     by the way, assures me that he will win his libel case ( in the High
     Court ) against Mr Noades and News International.

     Stuart
     

    But what about the deliberate mistake.....
    
    paul

         <<< Note 44.186 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                        -< Noades in a fair man...... >-

>    But what about the deliberate mistake.....
    
>    paul


I slipped into a sub-catatonic trance after about 2 minutes.

Stuart

    You obviously didn't notice that he was late taking the green sward of
    play, and duly turned up in an OLDHAM keepers jersey with Bovis taped
    over. Obviously the FEs don't run to other than green keepers shirts
    and hence clashed with the previously mentioned stunning bile green
    Oldham away kit.
    
    (Does all Royal blue really clash with mostly red with some blue bits -
    or are the 'Lactics overstocked in the old club shop?)
    
    Paul

    I wish the Eagles luck vs Sheff Wed.
    
    jb.

    FE's 1 (Bright) Owls 1 (Can't remember)
    
    Commiserations to Sheffield, after the elation of the equaliser there
    was a pang for their excellent travelling fans that they couldn't rob
    the two who have had the title won since about October according to the
    press.
    
    Basically, they can only blame themselves as theysat on their lead and
    allowed us to come forward. We could have won it with a Southgate
    volley just over the bar and one that trickled past the post out of a
    scrum. Also, Palmer looked to have handled in the box, but the ref was
    only giving Wednesday any decisions :-)
    
    Anyway, we have now scored more goals in a first division season than
    any other Palace side, are guaranteed a finish no lower than 10th, and
    could go up to 7th or 8th if we beat the RRR's on Saturday. Not bad for
    a season which saw Wright and Gray go, Salako play only 5 games, Thomas
    Young and Thorn all miss over 25% of the season, and our two young
    stars (Osborn & Rodger) both miss the run in. We may not have played
    well, but we kept picking up points, and are well placed for a better
    run next season, with a couple of buys, a new partner for Bright (if we
    must keep him - I suppose 22 goals ain't that bad) and possibly a right
    winger to complement Salako.
    
    Waddya reckon Stu?
    
    Paul 

         <<< Note 44.190 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                      -< Not that bad a season I suppose >-

>    Waddya reckon Stu?
    
    Paul,

    What a weekend for footbal lovers. I thought the game was grim , but
    saved by a big turnout by Wednesday fans, a late equaliser and loads
    of grog.

    As to the season.... if you take into consideration all the facts you
    stated, I think "the boys done good".

    Next season a 44 quid hike in season ticket prices ( nice letter Ron ), bar
    facilities , but <fx man screaming and reaching for valium>, where I sit
    is next to the new brat area ( sorry, family enclosure ). I reckon I'll
    last two games before plod give me the red card.

    Its still fun being a Palace fan.

    Stuart 

    But Stuart.....
    
    
    You will be able to join in the end of half countdown from where you
    are!
    
    Paul
    
    BTW - good to see big Nige get his first full cap yesterday, plus Chris
    Coleman scoring for Wales, Young being "dominating" according to
    Ceefax, Eddie on a winning side for Eire, and David Lacey not slag off
    Geoff in the Eng B report

   "Rent-a-quote" Ron, has displayed his normal level of sensitivity and
    apparently announced that the F.E's will be touring Sith Efrica.

    This will be the first visit of an Englsih side since sanctions were
    lifted.  Personally, I am more than a little surprised that Everton 
    hadn't taken up the invitation.


    Stuart

    
    Everton were supposed to play last October (or should that be
    Oktober...), but appearantly, FIFA haven't actually lifted their ban
    yet. Still, it'll be  nice to see 'rocking Ron' out in Jo'burg with his
    old friends... (allegedly).... :-)
    
    The umbro advert for Everton's new away kit has a picture of a black
    lad wearing the new away strip - proving that Everton are not a racist
    club.
    
    Paul
         

    Is the palace tour to SA in doubt now ??  The grauniad was hinting at
    this the other day due to the recent events there ..
    
    Paul

                      <<< Note 44.195 by MIACT::RANKINE >>>
                       -< Time for a moral re-think ?? >-

>    Is the palace tour to SA in doubt now ??  The grauniad was hinting at
>    this the other day due to the recent events there ..
    
>    Paul



Uncle Ron ( who incidentally came round to my house the other day ), has been
at best stupid to consider this tour, and at worst displaying a singular lack
of sensitivity.

Maybe he wants to take control of Everton ( eh Watty? )

Stuart

>>>Maybe he wants to take control of Everton ( eh Watty? )
    
    Sorry Stuo,
    
    no room for racists at Goodison.
    
    Paul

    Palace played two games in Sarth Afreeka, they beat Kaiser Chiefs in
    front of 50,000 fans, score 3-2 (FE scorers Bright 2, Salako) They then
    lost to ????? Chieftens 2-1 (Bright scoring again from a Salako corner)
    
    Palace used all squad players apart from Andy Woodman, and both Salako
    and Richard Shaw came through full games OK. New signing Darren
    Patterson also made his debut.
    
    The FE's depart for Sweden shortly for their traditional pre-season
    tour. On the transfer front, Sheff Weds have supposedly got a #1.2m bid
    in for Bright and the FEs have a #3m bid on the table for Brian Deane.
    We also bid for Ferguson (?) from Dundee. McGoldrick is in contract
    negotiaitions again.
    
    Rumours abound of a change of playing style with McGoldrick and Ridger
    playing wide and Bright and Salako up front.
    
    First game - Kenny's Multi-Million Misfits at Selhurst on Sat 15th.
    
    Paul
    
    ps - Paneso - how was la Manga??

         <<< Note 44.198 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                               -< FE's on Tour >-

>    ps - Paneso - how was la Manga??


     La Manga is a golfer's paradise. Unfortunately I don't play the game
     so I had to concentrate on other pastimes and pursuits.  I don't
     know whether you had the sam eguy working in the bar below the flat
     but he wore the same t-shirt 3 days running, but he did allow us
     to walk through the bar to get to the apartment.

     Did I mention earlier that Lenny Lawrence, Bob "The Cat" Bevan , and
     assorted bods ( including a policeman who once arrested my travelling
     companion) where there.

     Stuart

     BTW I lost my Evening Standard cut out'n'keep fixture list. I you have
         one, please let me have a copy and I'll post it here.

Apologies for typos, and any other inaccuracies.


The home games are in capitals ( big letters )




Sat    August     15th  BLACKBURN ROVERS
Wed    August     19th  Oldham Athletic
Sat    August     22nd  Tottenham Hotspurs
Tues   August     25th  SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Sat    August     29th  NORWICH CITY
Wed    September   2nd  Manchester United 
Sat    September   5th  Aston Villa
Sat    September  12th  OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Sat    September  19th  Everton
Sat    September  26th  SOUTHAMPTON
Sat    October     3rd  Coventry City
Sat    October    17th  MANCHESTER CITY
Sat    October    24th  Ipswich Town
Wed    October    28th  Rumbelows Cup 3rd Round
Mon    November    2nd  ARSENAL
Sat    November    7th  Chelsea
Sat    November   21st  NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Sat    November   28th  Liverpool
Wed    December    2nd  Rumbelows Cup 4th Round
Sat    December    5th  SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sat    December   12th  Queens Park Rangers
Sat    December   19th  LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS UNITED
Sat    December   26th  WIMBLEDON
Mon    December   28th  Middlesborough     
Sat    January     2nd  F.A Cup 3rd Round
Wed    January     5th  Rumbelows Cup 5th Round
Sat    January     9th  EVERTON
Sat    January    16th  Southhampton
Sat    January    23rd  F.A Cup 4th Round
Wed    January    27th  Norwich City
Sat    January    30th  TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Sat    February    6th  Blackburn Rovers
Tues   February    9th  ASTON VILLA
Wed    February   10th  Rumbelows Cup Semi-Final
Sat    February   13th  MANCHESTER UNITED
Sat    February   20th  Sheffield Wednesday
Sat    February   27th  COVENTRY CITY
Sat    March       6th  Manchester City 
Wed    March      10th  Nottingham Forest
Sat    March      13th  CHELSEA
Sat    March      20th  Sheffield United
Tues   March      23rd  LIVERPOOL
Sat    April       3rd  QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Sun    April       4th  F.A. Semi-Final
Sat    April      10th  Wimbledon
Mon    April      12th  MIDDLESBOROUGH
Sat    April      17th  Leeds Leeds Leeds United
Sun    April      18th  Rumbelows Cup Final
Sat    May         1st  IPSWICH TOWN
Sat    May         8th  Arsenal
Sat    May        15th  F.A. Cup Final     

    Krazy Kenny is at it again. Supposedly he has made/is about to make a
    #3m bid for Sir Geoffrey. Nice timing Kenny, just as all the players
    and management have left the country! How bottomless is Blackburn's
    pocket?
    
    Anyway, having turned down the season's likely title hunters in the
    Arse (afterall theydo have the league's best striker who is an Eagle at
    heart) is Thomas really likely to go back to clog'n'cotton country from
    whence he came, and give up the rural Surrey country side where he
    lives now? Mind you, with the price of property in Kenley he could
    probably buy most of Lancashire anyway.
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.201 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                       -< King Kenny Kracks his Konkers >-

    
>    heart) is Thomas really likely to go back to clog'n'cotton country from
>    whence he came, and give up the rural Surrey country side where he
>    lives now? Mind you, with the price of property in Kenley he could
>    probably buy most of Lancashire anyway.
    
    Paul,
    
    A little parochial, but having been there a few times, I must throw
    my lot in with J.A.M.M.S and agree it is indeed "grim up north". If 
    King Whinger ..er sorry .. Kenny wants to buy Sir Geoff for 3 mill ( no
    northism intended ) then so be it, laugh - laugh - bank.

    Stuart 

    
    What do you mean 'grim up north' ?
    
    We've gone nearly a week now without a riot AND the sun is shining
    (it's still not warm enough to take off my five shell-suits yet though)
    
    Paul (ex detainee of HM prison AKA Basingstoke)

    Results from tour of Sweden:
    
    Can't remember the teams but the scores were:
    
    1-0
    1-0
    7-2
    11-1
    5-0
    
    Bright got 9 goals but the more worrying tit-bits were as follows:
    
    Shaw did not play in any games with a knee injury
    Thorn has damaged ankle ligaments
    Sinnott disclocated a shoulder
    Salako has pulled a hamstring
    Whyte went home with cartlidge problems
    
    Andy Woodman (our No2 keeper) played part of the last game in the
    outfield and scored!
    
    Looks like the FE's injury spate is not over yet.
    
    Paul
    

    Latest on the #3m man saga....
    
    P W Noades has said he will only be sold if:
    
    Geoff asks for a transfer officially (for an extra #4k per week I'd
    write a letter - but to be fair, Thomas has never asked to go during
    all this farting about)
    
    Blackburn meet a #3m fee (#2.7ish to the FE's plus an additional 15% to
    Crewe)
    
    Palace have signed a replacement
    
    That's from the Grauniad. From the Croydon Advertiser (published
    earlier) Palace are after a double buy from (surprise) Wimbledon of
    Phelan and Robbie Earle to avoid letting their shiny #3m gather dust
    and interest too long. Apparently the transfer deadline for the Premier
    League is now Friday (obviously the extra dosh from Sky has allowed
    the FA to buy a fax)
    
    Otherwise, Palace have a virtually injury free squad. Only definate
    outs are Simon Rodger with an ankel injury and David Whyte after a
    cartilage op. There are slight doubts about Thorn, McGoldrick (who's
    signed a new 3 year contract - never mind Stu!) and Sinnott.
    
    Squad for Saturday is:
    
    Martyn, Heald (on loan from Orient as Andy Woodman is suspended)
    Humphrey, Sinnott, Southgate, Shaw, Thorn, Young
    McGoldrick, Thomas, Salako, Osborn, Massey
    Bright, Coleman, Moralee
    
    Roll on tomorrow 3pm, so we can see which shirt Geoff is wearing!
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.205 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
             -< 28, blond England star and club captain for sale? >-

>    cartilage op. There are slight doubts about Thorn, McGoldrick (who's
>    signed a new 3 year contract - never mind Stu!) and Sinnott.
    
     Now now Paul,

     Have you ever heard me criticise the W.O.T.W ?  If Sir Geoff is worth
     3 mill then Eddie must be somewhere near a price that would stretch 
     the  Vatican*.

     Stuart



      * I have it on good authority that Kenny Doglead uses this conference
        as a shopping guide ( er.. I guess thats why he hasn't snapped up
        T.G.A) 

    FE's	3	Dalgliesh's Donkey's 3
    
    Bright, Southgate   Ripley, Shearer (2)
    Osborn
    
    Att 17,000ish
    
    Good game, but poor Geoff Thomas really wasn't with it, not
    surprisingly. Shearer did two things - score twice! As for the FE's,
    Salako showed he'll be back when he is fully match fit, Southgate was a
    revelation in the holding midfield role, Shaw looked to be back to his
    best, and the Bisto kids (Osborn & Rodger) came of the bench to get the
    equaliser. Downside was Eric Young looking decidedly off the pace, and
    very uncomfortable not being able to pass back!
    
    Noades apparently wentto Sweden for a look at an Andersson yesterday,
    as did Fergie. Presumably as a replacement for Sir Geoff.
    
    Stadium was in good shape, and had a drink in the new lounge before the
    game, with (ie also in the bar!) Ray Wilkins and Gordon Cowans.
    
    Whaddya say Paneso?
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.207 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                -< #3.4m worth? Well he scored two good goals >-

>    Whaddya say Paneso?
    
     I thought the ten man Palace team were well worth the point. 


     Great to see Salako back ( on a couple of occasions I thought " he
     wont be able to cross that", and bash me senseless with a kipper, he 
     did), he is obviously not fully match fit, but er (trite comment alert),
     time is a great healer.

     93 minute equaliser... laugh?...I almost slipped on an Arsenal away shirt.


    Stu

According to the Grdianau, Blackburn have pulled out of the deal for Sir
Geoff, and the Squatters have accepted the F.E's bid for ( the right )
Phelan. Its now down to "personal terms".


Stuart 

    Dear Palace grapevine,
    
    What's the problem between Geoff Thomas and Andy Gray then? 
    Judging by Thomas' attempt to go for the ball(s) at WHL on
    Saturday they don't appear to be the best of friends, although
    Thomas appears to be the best of fiends. Arf! Arf!
    
    barry. 
    

            <<< Note 44.210 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "elvis economics" >>>

>    Dear Palace grapevine,
    
>    What's the problem between Geoff Thomas and Andy Gray then? 
>    Judging by Thomas' attempt to go for the ball(s) at WHL on
>    Saturday they don't appear to be the best of friends, although
>    Thomas appears to be the best of fiends. Arf! Arf!
    
>    barry. 
    


 Gray was a disruptive influence at Selhurst. He is also an intellectual dwarf
 who probably to wind-up Sir Geoff with some "humour".

 Sir Geoff was back to something akin to his old self last night. Martyn made
 a bit of a schoolboy (h)owler to allow Wednesday to level the score. Palace
 had what looked to me like a perfectly good goal disallowed 2 minutes from the
 end. 

 The Eagles need Salako back as soon as possible as the attacking options at 
 the moment are somewhat limited.

 Stuart

  Lincoln in the Copa de Coca-Cola.

  Stuart:L.G.C

    Stu,
    
    See the FEs retained their unbeaten record while I was away, and also
    managed a few more injuries. When are people going to recognise the
    major problems that we have had over the past season and a half.
    
    The latest ones are:
    
    Richard Shaw	Broken cheekbone 
    John Salako		Hamstring - 50-50 for Norwich
    Dean Gordon		Ankle ligaments
    Simon Rodger	Ankle ligaments
    Mark Bright		Concussion - should be OK for Norwich
    David Whyte		Knee injury
    Jamie Moralee	Multiple injuries after collision with concrete
    			post in reserve game
    
    If Salako is unfit, we have no recognised leftsided midfielder fit.
    
    Add to this Coppell's refusal to buy a partner for Bright and 4 draws
    ain't bad.
    
    When I was in Dallas I found an area called Coppell, described as a
    whole new way of living. Maybe Stevie could go there for a holiday.
    
    Paul

Andy Thorn and Dean Gordon are to undergo surgery. This brings the total to
eight Palace players who have been under the knife since the beginning of
the season.

Stuart

    Stu,
    
    As we were two of the missing thousands on Saturday, can you provide an
    unbiased match report for me? Did the FE's stick with their new policy
    of playing total football!?! The goals looked quite well worked on the
    box. Also - why did Geoff go off at HT? Has Kenny made another offer?
    
    We deserve to be told....
    
    Paul

         <<< Note 44.216 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Life's a One Take Movie" >>>
                   -< We were at Wembley for the Ice Hockey >-
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   Hung onto your Wembley season ticket for old times sake?


 >   Stu,
    
 >   As we were two of the missing thousands on Saturday, can you provide an
 >   unbiased match report for me? Did the FE's stick with their new policy
 >   of playing total football!?! The goals looked quite well worked on the
 >   box. Also - why did Geoff go off at HT? Has Kenny made another offer?
    
 >   We deserve to be told....
    
 >   Paul


   Total football.... errr.... ermmm... not exactly, but Eddie did a 
   passable impression of Neeskens falling over.  It was a memorably 
   unforgetable game, except for Chris Armstrong grabbing a brace of goals
   in as many minutes. As to why Sir Geoff was taken off, I have no idea.

   I went to the P.I.S.A meeting afterwards, but again old age, dementia or
   the milk of amnesia seem to leave me with something less than total recall.

   I will be appearing next at the Southhampton game ( this should be a 
   rehearsal for the match against the North London Kickers ), Coppell's
   sublime to Branfoot's ridiculous.

    Stuart   

    I too am a long term Palace fan.I was at the Oldham game on Saturday
    and failed to see the first half plan.We appered to have McGoldrick
    sweeping and Salako at left back.Once we resorted to orthodox wingers
    in the second half it worked much better.However I cannot understand
    why the ball isn't played more from Humphries to MCGoldrick on the wing
    more often it seems to work well as against long balls down the middle.
    I beleive the second Oldham goal was down to not using this route more
    and taking the pressure off the Oldham defence.Any comments?
    
    Peter
    
    

Huge_great_mega_club_from_up_t'north_whos_chaiman_would_sign_a_black_player_if
_there_were_any_good_ones_honest_guv    0 

Teeny_weeny_little_club 2    ( Chris "Black as Newgate's knocker " Armstrong 2)



First win of the season. First time the F.E's have won at Goodison. Chris
Armstrong, four goals in four games. I take it Keown wasn't playing because
the game appears to have passed without incident.

Not content with have 8 players undergoing surgery this season, Palace's injury
list no extends to 11.

Stuart

    From the TV it looked like Salads was the driving force again - maybe
    Taylor will pick one good player in his squad for Norway.
    
    Paul

    Palace 3	Lincoln 1
    
    Southgate	??
    Salako
    McGoldrick
    
    First sight of the new style Eagles (slightly spoilt by the non
    availability of Armstrong - cup-tied) and very impressive. Only the
    Lincoln keeper kept it from being 7 or 8. We hit the woodwork twice,
    Southgate had a pile driver blocked, Salako had two excellent shots
    saved, Osborn had one blocked by the keepers legs and N'dah had a
    header just over on his first team debut. Lincoln scored from a Martyn
    error when a hard low shot escaped him, probably due to the very wet
    ball, and his total loack of activity for 87 minutes.
    
    Anyway, the FEs have now abandonned any pretence to the long ball apart
    from goalkicks, and build from Southgate pushing hard in midfield
    feeding Salako, McGoldrick, Williams (looks an excellent buy) and
    full-back Humphrey out wide. Osborn is taking the play maker role with
    Thomas out, and doing an excellent job. When the injuries clear we
    should be even better. I'd be happier with Shaw or maybe Rodger at left
    back, Thorn will bolster the middle, but on last night's evidence may
    come in for Young rather than Coleman, and then there is Geoff. To be
    honest, the midfield looked better without him, far more controlled and
    thoughtful.
    
    Anyway, the best moment last night was Salako's goal - he's wel and
    truely back and must surely be in line for Taylor's line up in front of
    journeyman Sinton.
    
    Paul

Paul,

Its a joy to read a report like that.

Stuart

   Palace 1 ( The Ninja ) Southampton 2 

   Palace missed a penalty ( so did I - nature calling ), and a bucketful
   of chances. The F.E's have now slipped to second from bottom, but whereas
   is season passim I would be full of gloom and despondency at least they
   are playing better football and creating openings. Its the high-flyers
   at Highfield on Saturday.

   Stuart

   Mr Pateman, please feel free to place a more fulsome match report. 

    Mr Panes
    
    This was one of the most depressing yet entertaining matches of recent
    years at Selhurst, the depressing bit was our inability to put the
    round thing between the tall white things with string between them.
    
    Johnny "will Taylor pick him" Salako had 4 good chances including the
    pen. If that had gone in I am sure we would have buried the Saints
    (not) by 4 or 5 and Salads would have had a hat-trick. Armstrong was
    let don by his first touch, Osborn had one go just over etc etc. As for
    Southampton - well, 5 bookings says most of it. Niggly, whingy - what
    do you expect with Adams, Speedie and Groves! The Sunday Mirror names
    Flowers MotM!!! And this a man who was blatantly wasting time from the
    25th minute!
    
    Anyway good performances from most of the Eaglets, but Armstrong was
    strongarmed for most of the game by Monkou. I hear we are looking at
    Gary Charles from Forest - that would be a good positive buy, as would
    bringing in Rodger (when fit) for Sinnot. But Thorn and Thomas will
    definately have a job getting back in if we start converting the
    chances.
    
    Paulo

    Stu,
    
    Now come on, can our beloved Eagles really be that bad? Unsurprisingly,
    the FEs were not top billing in the US over the Presidential election
    and the World Series so I didn't get the result 'til I got home. Sounds
    like I missed a thriller.
    
    What would you change to fix it? I still say Rodger for left back and
    buy Charles for right back. But I don't really want Thomas back unless
    he can definately be better than Southgate or Osborn.
    
    Tell us the truth Stu.
    
    Paul

     <<< Note 44.226 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "TOCA - Take Our Cocaine Abroad" >>>
                -< So I missed the game of the season then... >-

>    What would you change to fix it? 

    I would stop missing bloody penalties.

    Stuart  ( a match report when the mists clear).

    Stuart

  Branfoot's Booters 0 Palace 2 ( W.O.T.W Eeedddeeee McGoldrick 1
                                  John "The new <insert name> Salako 1)


  Only caught the goals on the telly but by all accounts Eddie tore the
  inappropriately name Saints apart, and Salako scored an extremely good
  goal.

   The Arse on Monday, and a chance for George Graham's cloggers to become
   thirty-somethings ( bookings that is!)

   Love and kisses ( especially to Mr McCabe ),

   Stuart

    According to the Evening Tory, Ian (GG made me an angry b*st*rd) Wright
    will not be playing tonight, neither will Dixon or Winterburn.
    
    Maybe this will be a good omen
    
    Paul

        
        
        ..and so to Selhurst for the Palace's first game on Sky. The 
        T.V company promised music, gurls and fireworks, and the still 
        South London sky was illuminated after a few minutes when a 
        well taken goal by Merson ( completely against the run of play 
        ) induced the pitiful Arsenal away support to rub the brush 
        nylon collars of their car-coats against the myriad of shell 
        suits thus causing a small electro-static storm.
        
        Palace  equalised later and then Ina Wrong got the winner. 
        ( up to your usual high standard of match reports Ed.)
        
        It was in fairness a "professional" display by the Arse , with 
        Bould and Adams all arms and fetlocks, but as to why the F.Es 
        persisted in playing the ball in the air and not run at the 
        quadrapeds is beyond me. After Armstrong was kicked out of the 
        game, Palace looked short of attacking options although I did 
        like the way that Coleman failed to be intimidated by our four 
        legged friends. 
        
        
        Well thats enough unbiased stuff.   People often ask me 
        "Stuart, who are your favourite past or present Manchester 
        United players?"
        
        "Mark Hughes?" - No say I, he's a cheating git!
        
        "Bobby Charlton?"  No, I reply... he's just a slim Stan 
        Flashman.
        
        "Clayton Blackmore?"  No, no, no, not whilst my mother is still 
        alive.
        
        "Stevie Coppell"... a gentlemen says I.
        
        "George Best"...easily the most outstanding British player I 
        have had the privilege to watch and last  night I got to meet 
        him ( you'll never believe this but he was in the bar).
        
        Stuart ( keeping the faith )



       BTW Referee Vic Callow is a cheating, biased incompetent waste of space.

    >>                                         as to why the F.Es 
    >>persisted in playing the ball in the air and not run at the 
    >>quadrapeds is beyond me. 
    
    It surely couldn't have anything to do with that's the only way they
    know how to play the game, could it?  
              
    Is there any truth in the rumour that the Gatwick air traffic control 
    staff are a might concerned about all the unidentified flying objects 
    that keep showing up on their radar screens every Saturday afternoon?  
    
    You'll not be surprised to here that at huge expense the CAA have invested
    millions in trying to discover the source of these UFOs, passenger
    safety and all that.  However, so far they haven't managed to solve the
    mystery.  The findings so far indicate that these UFOs are spherical
    objects, about 12 inches across, they appear on Saturday afternoons between 
    15.00 and 17.00 and make the odd appearance midweek in the early evening 
    The findings further show that these objects seem to emanate from an area 
    of London just south of Streatham.  A GATC spokesman is allegdedly quoted 
    as saying, "This has been going on for at least ten years, but in the past
    two years it's got much worse.  I have to tell you we're really concerned."
    
    Anyone with any information as to the possible cause of this phenomena
    should contact GATC as a matter of urgency.
    
    Mike M                            

    What a witty chap - obviously didn't see the match last night as the
    Arse caused GATC far more problems the the FEs with punts from Seaman
    and the twin stone towers of ball skills at the heart of their defence
    
    However, they deserved to win for taking their chances while we
    squandered ours. But - Bould should have got a yellow at least for his
    foul on Armstrong that took him out of the game, it was rather brutal.
    Also - two possible penalties - one when Dixon handed down a Salako
    cross at close range and another when rising star Osborn was hauled
    down but decided to get up again as he isn't an acting whinger like
    Smith.
    
    Nice stamp in the face too for Southgate from Hillier - he really is a
    delightful little chap - all studs and boots.
    
    Anyway - Fergie said on Sunday that we were better than our league
    position - lets hope we buy a couple of full backs and start winning.
    However a run of games like:
    
    Chelsea A
    Forest H
    Liverpool A
    Liverpool/Sheff Utd A - Coca Cola
    Sheff Utd H
    QPR A
    Leeds H
    Wombles H
    
    does not bode well
    
    Paul - who nearly got the ball in the head in the second half and must
    have been on the box.....
    

     <<< Note 44.232 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "TOCA - Take Our Cocaine Abroad" >>>
                    -< Adams & Bould - Men in Motion (NOT) >-

     Paul,

     Did you see Ray Parlour in the Players' Bar licking his wounds?

     Stuart

    BTW David Lacey ( Guardian hack and notorious Palace hater ) wrote
        "This season Crystal Palace have abandoned their dependence on the long
         ball, with the players pressing up behind it and much good has the
         change done them"......"Attractive though Palace's football was..."

         <<< Note 44.234 by IMBUSY::SPAIN "There's always the U.S." >>>
                           -< A cure for insoumnia >-

    
   A fair match report, but may I just point out that you didn't drink
   enough to survive that particular flavour of the Selhurst Experience.


   Stuart

   P.S Good trip?

    Fantastic first paragraph in Gary's note don't you think Stuart?
           
    barry. 

  Palace 1 Forest 1

  Not the classic that everyone predicted ( ahem ). At times Forest looked
  all over the place.  The F.E's took the lead with a nice finish from
  Armstrong, and then 7 minutes from the end Forest scrambled an equaliser.
  I have never seen Forest players celebrate so much.

  Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, and it's apparently party time again.
  After the success of the "Wear a hat to Anfield " last season, its scarf 
  time and the Eagle Eye is encouraging everyone to wave them them Barcelona
  Style. Unfortunately I wont be there.

  Stuart


  BTW The trainer's bench on Saturday was sponsored by Carter:The Unstoppable
      Sex Machine, hopefully staying up will not be The Impossible Dream.

    Injury update...
    
    John Salako is flying to LA to see the surgeon who fixed his knee to
    try and sort out why it is currently "unstable". This sounds ominous.
    
    Thomas and Simon Rodger are at Lilleshall for fitness rehabilitation
    and should be available for the Sheff Utd game on Dec 5th.
    
    Our Yugoslavian triallist Stankoivoich (Sp?) was supposed to play in
    the reserves at Soton but it was rained off. Apparently he is a right
    back-cum-sweeper.
    
    Not very optimistic about Saturday and Tuesday....
    
    Paul

     <<< Note 44.238 by FILOFX::PATEMAN "TOCA - Take Our Cocaine Abroad" >>>
                              -< Salako Worries >-

   Bad news indeed about Salako.

   Paul, are you going up to Anfield?

   Stuart ( bigger debts than B.C.C.I)

    Nope, not to either - off to see the in-laws on Saturday, missed Forest
    to as I was at my DEC100 do in Bath. Will be back on track with the
    Blades nd fat boy Hodges though.
    
    Paul

     <<< Note 44.240 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "TOCA - Take Our Cocaine Abroad" >>>
                                 -< Are you? >-

   Nope  my usual football buddies are going up tomorrow, the Panes Exchequer
   is struggling to keep body and soul together ( I have even knocked drinking
   on the head ). Funnily enough though, whilst moving my desk last weekend
   I found a Palace scarf that I won in a raffle, in the Eagles Nest, many
   pints ago.

   Stuart ( The thinking mans Bob Maxwell )

    Just to make you green....
    
    I won my third Lifeline prize this week! Another #25 consolation!
    As Robert palmer says....Some Guys etc
    
    Paul

    I can't believe that it's five days since the last reply to this note
    
    Did something happen on Saturday or what? (:==:)
    
    Will both Sainsbury row 12 (just behind the veg row) teams be relegated 
    this season??
    
    Regards,
                 
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    As neither Paneso nor I went, the result was obviously a forgone
    conclusion. Anyway, after all the scousers whinging about injuries,
    consider our list...
    
    Salako - possibly for the second season
    Thomas
    Rodger
    Whyte - natural deputy for Armstrong
    Barnes- another striker
    Gordon - deputy for Salako
    
    and now Paul Williams, so we went into last night's game without both
    our regular forwards and two debutants - N'dah at 17 and Bowery (21)
    who has only played non-legue and a few combi games, and the Palace
    grit came though, we nearly had you and if the young lads had taken
    their first half chances would have beaten you three or four nil. Even
    your penalty was iffy and scored by a player who should have been off
    for a professional foul on N'dah (clear with just Hooper to beat on the
    half way line when chopped by Marsh).
    
    Hopefully, with Thomas and Rodger back in the next two weeks (Rodger
    was the best of the three young midfielders playing last season) our
    season starts here!
    
    Paul
    
    Paneso - you can surface again now, the ghost has been laid!

     <<< Note 44.244 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "TOCA - Take Our Cocaine Abroad" >>>
                     -< FE's stuttering to take off again >-

>    Paul
    
>    Paneso - you can surface again now, the ghost has been laid!



Before entering anything about the thrashing Palace received on Saturday, I
wanted to speak to my men on the spot. Good result last night, but it looks
like I'm scuppered for the replay. Souness has been whingeing on ( somethings 
never change ), and Liverpoll got a dodgy penalty ( somethings never chanege).

The (dull) Blades on Saturday and it should be a belter ( ahem ). I have the
pleasure of introducing some colonials to the beautiful game, and what a
treat they are in for. Their first "soccer" match and its the Fab Ones at the
Theatre of Fun.

Stuart

    
    I was forced to listen to most of the game last night, and from an
    unbiased point of view I thought Palace were robbed. Liverpool started
    off as if all they had to do was turn up, but Palace surprised them on
    the break and could have been two or three up by half-time. On of the
    new blokes with an unpronouncable name - Nrorr or something like that
    caused all sorts of problems.
    
    After Palace took the lead, Liverpool dominated, but not long before
    their equaliser, Marsh should have been sent off when he pulled down a
    man who was clear - then just to make things worse, Marsh himself
    scored from the penalty spot after a very dodgy penalty.
    
    Paul

    Paul/Stuart,
    
    Is the replay all-ticket? are either of you going and would be
    interested in meeting up for a beer or two before and/or after.
    (or even getting me a ticket - i'll pay you back honest)
    
    I get to visit England (mainly Reading!) the week after next and can't
    believe my luck at getting a chance to see the League Champions/F.A Cup
    Winners/Coke cup winners Elect play at Selhurst.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    Andrew,
    
    You clearly haven't been to Selhurst recently, let me shatter your
    illusion. Palace get respectable crowds (15-20k depending on
    opposition) unlike the squatters (4k is they are lucky) but we haven't
    had an all ticketer since the arse in the year we came third.
    
    At the moment I'm a doubtful starter as we have a meal booked for that
    night. Not sure what Paneso is upto.
    
    BTW - Chairman Ron has just announced a 10% pay cut for all Palace
    staff (including himself) except for Coppell, Smith and the players.
    This is in response to falling gates, down 3k on last season.
    
    Trivia - I have just been let into a traffic queue by Steady/Fast Eddie
    McGoldrick, star sweeper of last nights' game in his new K reg BeeEmm 3
    series convertible, looks like he's spending the 10 goal bonus early!
    
    Paul

   Curses , rats and double rats.  If it is the 16th then I'm booked and
   if its the 15th ( don't the F.E's normally play on a Tuesday ), I 
   am out in the sticks and don't know what time I will be able to get away.

   Andrew, I there is a change in plans I will mail you.

   Cheers,

   Stuart

   P.S Of course if the referee hadn't of given an iffy penalty all of this
       would be academic.

    Snippetts
    
    John Salako is out for the rest of the season after a further knee
    operation in LA
    
    Sinnott (at own request) and Mortimer (at Coppells request) are on the
    transfer list
    
    Thomas and Rodger are due back for training on Monday and are likely to
    be in contention for the Leeds game on Sunday 21. Thomas is also an
    outside bet for a squad place against the scousers on Wednesday
    
    Paul Williams is out for the match against QPR, but should be back for
    the Coca Cola on Weds
    
    Whinge time -
    
    The Daily Mail's list of "fair play" has Palace near the bottom on the
    basis that they order the teams by least bookings, then least sendings
    off also in League only. Hence the FEs two red cards (Thorn most
    unluckily by all observers with Ruddock and Sinnott for two bookable
    offences one being handball) are about third from bottom, on bookings
    they are around 4th from top with 14. A Minor whinge but when you hear
    the Sky men talking of Liverpool's 22 bookings and 3 offs this season
    (but not just in the League) Palace's bad boys tag sits a bit harshly.
    
    Anyway, good performance against the Blades in the second half,
    Humphrey was superb, as was Armstrong. Good shows also from Southgate,
    N'dah and Bowery for the last 10 mins when he came on. Fast Eddie was
    very poor tho'.
    
    Paul

    >    The Daily Mail's list of "fair play" has Palace near the bottom on the
    
    Absolutely disgraceful show by the flatulent ones. Keep us informed on
    this Stuo.

Paul,

Bad news about Salako..doesn't he realise that only "big clubs" have injury
problems. As to you Spencer m'lad , off to your own topic and review the
Arse's unblemished record.


Stuart

     QPR 1 - Palace 3

     At last a win at the subbuteo ground. 

     After the game Steve Coppell and Eddie ( W.O.T.W ) McGoldrick were 
     attacked by fans ( presumably Rangers' ). Messrs Coppell and McGoldrick
     made their escape just in the nick of time, but I am surprised
     that Eddie managed to get to safety, because he normally falls over when
     he is chased.

     Scousepool in the Coca-Cola ( formerly known by some as the "Rumbleows ")
     tomorrow, then Leeds Leeds Leeds on Sunday ( 13:30 K.O ).

     Salako has denied allegations that his recurring injury has curtailed
     his career.  Godd news for Palace , England and all football lovers.


     Stuart

    On Salads...
    
    Coppell was quoted after the operation on his knee that it was now
    "tighter" than the good one. The problem was that the tendon implanted
    had got too slack causing the knee to flex too much. 
    
    Any news on the injuries to Coleman, N'dah and Williams? We could be
    rather short of strikers with Armstrong cup-tied, maybe they'll recall
    Stan the Man from Southend - NO! Quick nurse the screens!!!
    
    Paul

    Having slagged off Liverpool in their note, time to praise the FEs in
    ours. Great performance by all concerned. The defence now looks close
    to being as solid as when we finished 3rd in the league, and had the
    added benefit of Eddie McGoldrick sweeping up (still his best position
    I reckon). Southgate was superb in midfield and Osborn and Bowry
    batteled very hard. Rodger looked short of match sharpness but took
    some mean corners and it was his first first team game proper since
    late last season (and he played a full reserve game on Monday) and
    finally, Grant Watts - running his heart out at 18 years old and
    scoring too!
    
    Remember who's missing - Thomas, Salako, Armstrong, Williams, Coleman
    all regulars, and the age/experience of the team -
    
    Southgate - 22 first season in midfield
    Osborn - 21 first season as a regular
    Bowry - 21 three first team games
    Watts - 18 first full game
    N'dah - 17 5 or 6 full games
    Rodger - 22ish first game back from long term injury.
    
    Adrian Pearce on capital gold got it right - 
    
    The Palace Eaglets pecking the Liver Birds out of the cup
    
    Paul

>    Remember who's missing - Thomas, Salako, Armstrong, Williams, Coleman
>    all regulars, and the age/experience of the team -
    

>>>               -< Are you SURE this isn't the Liverpool note?!! >-
    
    No - some of the noters in here go to games.........
    
    :-)
    
    Only joking - this isn't a personal attack on any individuals.
    
    Paul

    Any update on the bookings/sendings-off front to report Stuart? ;-)

    >>Any update on the bookings/sendings-off front to report Stuart? ;-)
    
    C'mon, Peter, I surprised you have to ask.  Surely your aware of
    the FE's exemplary disciplinary record in the past four or five
    seasons.  Well they have, haven't they??
    
    Mike M

    What is it with you lot? Palace won a fair play award last season. We
    have an excellent record compared to certain other London teams we
    could discuss who have a liking for car coats.
    
    Paul (maybe Paneso is stiil celebrating Wednesday)

    FE's 1	Thorn
    Leeds 0
    
    Att 14,500ish
    
    Pretty dour match, Palace playing McGoldrick as sweeper plus a 4 man
    midfield with only Armstrong upfront, but at our end of the table
    points are more important than fancy football. The FEs played very well
    to a disciplined system and held Leeds mostly at the edge of the box,
    like they did Liverpool. Also good to see Thomas back and looking more
    like the player of last season. Leeds didn't come that close to scoring
    apart from a Varadi effort, and Young was again superb looking after
    Chapman. He did a far better (and cleaner) job than Whyte managed on
    Armstrong. If Coppell had decided to push out more by bringing on Watts
    alongside Armstrong we could have severely dented Leeds' defence. 
    
    Still, 3 league wins on the trot, and a good potential run coming up:
    
    Wombles at Home
    M'boro away
    Everton at Home
    Soton away
    
    plus cup games with Hartlepool and Chelsea. 8 points from those games
    should see us in mid table and the football can start flowing a bit
    more, but we got the 3 points which is the main thing.
    
    Paul 

Another fair report , Paul. I was impressed with the amount of work that
Armstrong got through, and although Palace only played one up front, he
didn't give the Leeds defence any opportunity to relax.

Three well earned points. I was a little disappointed with the bars being
closed after the game, but necessity is the mother of invention and a suitable
venue was found for some illicit Sunday afternoon grog.

The Wombles on Boxing day and hopefully the Palace's P.L position will look
more healthy.

Stuart


BTW Sir Geoff did look a lot more like his old self. Perhaps he realises that
    he is not automatically guaranteed a place in the starting line-up.

   There was a long article on Ina Wrong in yesterday's Observer, which ( and I
   paraphrase ) suggested that he was a fine player at the F.E's but has turned
   into a thug since joining the Arse.  

   Did the Arse pick up any bookings on Saturday? Am I any nearer my sweepstake
   winning 63?

Hi Stuart,

No comment on David Lacey today?? I thought he was quite nice about Palace!)

g

              <<< Note 44.263 by FORTY2::ASH "Grahame Ash @REO" >>>

>Hi Stuart,

>No comment on David Lacey today?? I thought he was quite nice about Palace!)

>g


Grahame,

I am still recovering from the shock. Perhaps he has acquired a ghost-writer
or maybe he is into the "season of goodwill" or perhaps he has finally realised
that Palace can ( and often do ) play good football, and that for hoofers and
hoolies he should look towards Norf London.


Stuart

BTW  Does anybody know which role Tony Adams has got in the Arsenal nativity
     play.

>BTW  Does anybody know which role Tony Adams has got in the Arsenal nativity
>     play.
    
    Yep, he's understudy to Geoff Thomas who's on a months nativity
    play loan from the Palace.
    
    barry.
     

 >> Palace can ( and often do ) play good football, and that for hoofers 
    
    Good one, Stuart!  Next you'll be telling us that Ron Noades is joining
    the Labour Party!  
    
    As for Tony Adams in the Arsenal nativity play, he isn't down to play
    Jesus, is he?  After all they both walk on water (particularly, so I'm
    told, after a few bevvies!)
    
    BTW I understand that the FEs also thought of doing a nativity play. 
    The only problem was they couldn't find one wise man let alone three! 
    
    Mike M        

    
    >BTW I understand that the FEs also thought of doing a nativity play. 
    
    I heard they were going to stage a seasonal "Black & White Minstrel
    Show", personally translated into Afrikaaner by Uncle Ron but I
    now understand that Everton have recently bought the rights to that
    one instead. 
    
    barry. 

    Before this errant gooner got admitted to these hallowed halls, another
    shriek inducing name was mentioned - David (I'm in love with seaweed in
    a Tesco bag) Lacey. However, I am seriously worried about this formerly
    entirely predictable and trustworthy individual, since he has now
    submitted two consecutive match reports praising Palace for their
    organisation, system approach and (in some cases) individual
    performance. Furthermore, Eric Young got the Grauniad Performanve of
    the Week! This is the second time it has gone to an FE player following
    Salads Salako winning it for his performance against the Sotons in the
    Fizzy Brown Water Cup.
    
    The final clincher was to here him come very close to praising Geoff
    Thomas.
    
    Something is clearly awry in the cloisters of Lacey land and the men
    from the Norwood omnibus need to be told, after all, he may turn up at
    Selhurst more often and we definately don't want that!
    
    paul

     Hartlepool 1 Palace 0

     I couldn't bring myself to watch the game, but I am told ( even by an
     Arsenal fan ) that the winning penalty was somewhat dubious.

     Palace entertain Chelsea in the quarter-final of the Coca-Cola nee
     Rumbleows (sic) nee League Cup on Wednesday.

     Stuart

Re. 269


Stu,

	I must say is very brave of you to actually enter the result..
I suppose you're sick as a parrot or can you say as an eagle..

Better luck in the Coke Cup

Tony

    And just when it was all going so well.....
    
    A comfortable 2-0 win over the Wombles, the only interest really being
    in how many of them would still be in the pitch at the end and trying
    to get the linesman to look at Vinnie Jones's feet when he took long
    throws, a hard fought 1-0 win at Middlesboro', upto 15th in the League,
    just 4 points behind the Arse who they still reckon can win the title
    (and we've lost two less games), and then some cr*ppy ref gives the
    softest penalty I've seen in years.
    
    Even Gary (The Blessed Ever Sitting on the Fence) Lineker thought it
    wasn't a penalty.
    
    Still, Cheslea on Weds could see Wembley getting closer in the Coca
    Cola and three points from the Toffee-midgets on Saturday could even
    see us above Looneypool in the League.
    
    Chin up Stu...
    
    Paul

    
    True, it wasn't a penalty, but judging from the TV highlights and reading
    the papers etc, it seems that Hartlepool deserved to win anyway.
    
    Tim

    Paul, 

    I have seen the Wombles many times over the last few seasons, but I was
    staggered to see just how dirty they now are. Anyway a useful 3 points.

    Football lovers and music fans all over the country , will be tuning
    into BBC 2 tonight ( 20:50 ) to watch Sean's Shorts which features
    not only C.P.F.C but Carter:U.S.M.


    T.V Quick
    
    

                                  
    	The penalty Hartlepool were awarded was a (very sick, if you're
    	a Palace fan, which I'm not) joke.
    
    	Steve Coppell may very well have been steaming mad, but gets great
    	credit for the sporting and magnanimous way he conducted himself
    	in the MotD interview. Even the 'pool manager didn't try and
    	convince us that it was a penalty. 
    
    	Harlepool didn't deserve to win from the hi-lites they showed on
    	the box. They had a lot of pressure in the last 20 minutes but 
    	Palace had created enough chances to be 2-0 up long before that.
    
    	All Palace seemed guilty of was settling for a replay with about
    	10 minutes still to play. Jmho...
    
    	Andy.

    
    The Palace game was shown in full on RTE on Saturday.  For me the
    highlight was not the dodgey penalty but a free kick from Geoff
    (England's top midfielder) Thomas. His free kick from 40 yards, not
    only sailed well over the bar but also well over the stand behind the
    goal.  The home fans intimated that he may well be related to a certain
    talented Arsenal centre back.
    
    Gary.

    Ignoring that last cruel jibe.....
    
    Team news tonight is that Paul Williams is finally fit for selction
    again, as is Andy Thorn. Osborn and Bowry both have injuries and face
    fitness tests. Southgate will be out for another month with a broken
    bone in his foot, and Armstrong is cuptied. 
    
    Squad:
    
    Martyn, Shaw, Humphrey, Young, Thorn, McGoldrick, Thomas, Osborn,
    Bowry, Rodger, Coleman, Sinnott, Watts, Williams
    
    By the way Mr Spain.....
    
    People at the match report a ludicrous decision by the ref calling the
    FEs back for a free kick when Armstrong was clear with only the keeper
    to beat. The Beeb didn't show this - is it true? Maybe it preceeded the
    free kick you refer to!
    
    Prediction for tonight.....
    
    FEs 2 Chelsea 1
    
    FE's then bound to be drawn against the Winners of
    Forest/Scarborough/Arse!
    
    Paul

  Gary ... go back to the L.O.I topic or I'll tell YUPPY::MCCABE what you said
  about the Arse.

  Paul,

  If Palace get through to the next round will Armstrong be eligible?

  Stuart

    Stu,
    
    Nope! He played for Millwall and is therefore out for the whole
    tournament for us.
    
    Paul

     What formation do you see the Palace playing tonight?

     Stuart

    Coppell (Manager of The Month - December) says he's unsure, but I'd be
    surprised if Eddie wasn't sweeping, therefore:
    
    				Martyn
    
    			      McGoldrick
    
    		Humphrey   Thorn      Young	Shaw
    
    		        Osborn  Thomas   Rodger
    
          		   Williams   Coleman
    
    May put Watts in for Williams, or even go for 4 in the middle with
    Bowry and just Coleman up front, depends on Chelsea. I'd still like to
    see Rodger tried at left back if we stick with a true sweeper and then
    buy someone like Gary Charles to take over from Humpy.
    
    Paul

    
    Is tonight's game live on SKY ??
    
    Cheers
    Nige.

    No, but its on Carlton at 10.40PM and Meridian at the same time.
    
    
    Gary

    Team Update:
    
    According to the Evening Staaaaaaaaanard..
    
    Osborn is definately out, and Shaw faces a fitness test. Watts is
    likely to start up front, and the FE's own version of Ryan Giggs,
    George N'dah is a possible.
    
    Paul

    
    re .276,  I don't remember that incident about Armstrong but the
    referee was awful so it wouldn't have stood out.
    
    As for last night, well it was just one of those nights.  I thought
    Chelsea gifted you the game but then that's football.
    
    Gary.

   

                Crystal Palace F.C 3    Chelsea 1


    Big game, big crowd, big atmosphere, piss poor conditions.

   Marvelous attendence by the followers of the King's Road Hairdresser's XI,
   made this a thoroughly enjoyable night despite the pitch which <cliche alert>
   turned the game into a bit of a lottery.
   A defensive schoolboy howler allied to a pool of water enabled a prostrate
   Chris Coleman to slide the ball pass a <aliteration alert>helpless and
   hapless Hitchcock. I dont think that the F.E's could believe that they were
   1-0 up with only a few minutes on the clock, and proceeded to allow Chelsea
   to dominate the game. The referee then decided to ignore a blatant foul
   which led to some bloke called Townsend ( he's rather a good player 
   methinks ) to score a well taken and well deserved equaliser. 

   Chelsea must have taken kit sponshorship to the limit, but a couple
   of their players kept showing us the bottom of their boots as they
   launched into two-footed tackles ( whatta bitch eh? ).

   To take the sting out of Chelsea dominance Ooh-ah George Ndah despatched
   the ball into net and then soon it was half time and a chance for some more
   quaff.
  
   Unfortunately I was just going back to my seat when Grant Watts scored
   the F.E's third. I don't know what mr Coppell said to the fledglings
   at half-time but young and old (Young) alike defended with a lot more
   composure in the second half. Eddie "The thinking man's Franco Baresi "
   McGoldrick barring a couple of "flamboyant " moments aquitted himself well 
   in the Libero role, Geoff Thomas is looking more and more like his old
   self , Martyn pulled off some fine saves and the youngsters ( average age
   14.5yrs) played out of their little skins.

   To be fair if it wasn't for the big crowd and television I am not entirely
   sure that the game would have gone ahead ( the referee showed what a
   dork his was during the game ), and a just result would probably have
   been a draw.

   Forest or the Arse in the next round and then who knows, Wembley again
   (I must find my season ticket for the twin towers ), Europe, and decade
   after decade of world domination.

    
   Stuart
   
  BTW I wished Paul Elliott good luck after his operation and then playfully
      kicked away his crutches ( actually I'm lieing about kicking away
      his crutches ).

    First leg of the semi is at the hallowed Selhurst on Sunday 7th Feb, ko
    3pm. This means that our triumph away at Kenny's Heroes will have to be
    postponed. Tickets on sale soon with season ticket slots held until Jan
    22nd. Prices are the same as for Chelsea.
    
    Hope we get Forest (we are seriously due a cup win against them)
    
    As Ayrton Senna used to say before that boring brummie won a few
    races.... "It was a great victory"
    
    Paul

    Second leg of the CC Semi is confirmed as Wednesday 10th March away at
    either Forest or The Arse, ko 8.05, live on ITV. This was scheduled to
    be our away fixture with Forest anyway so it will have to be
    re-arranged.
    
    The first leg tickets go on sale on Saturday at Selhurst. The semi on
    Feb 7 has meant that our league matach with Villa has been put back one
    day from Tues 9/02 to Weds 10/02.
    
    On the injuries, Shaw has a broken rib and will definately miss
    Everton, as (supposedly) will Osborn. Southgate is still in plaster and
    may be out for an extra week of so. Hopefully he'll be fit for the
    Semi. Likely that Watts will drop down to the bench for Saturday's game
    being replaced by Armstrong. Salako hope to be in the gym working on
    strength very soon.
    
    On the transfer front - Watford are said to be after Sinnott.
    
    Paul

    FEs 0	Short Ugly Toffee thingies 2
    
    Att 13,500 ish
    
    This one had 0-0 written on it all the way. The pitch was dead and very
    heavy after the rain and the Chelsea match, Everton couldn't get a
    decent attack going and Palace had forgotten what the goal looked like.
    In their defence, it was another patchwork team with people out of
    position and no cup tie atmosphere. (Side issue - who else was amused
    by John Barnes's excuses for Liverpool that had so many players out of
    position cos of injuries - welcome to the real world Johnny!)
    
    Anyway, three decisions changed it all. First Milford gave martyn a
    yellow not a red when he brought down Beardsley after Bowry's clearance
    had hit his own face and bounced through for the little man. It was a
    judgement call but I reckon Nigel went for the ball, even if I wouldn't
    have been surprised if it had been a red.
    
    Decision No2 was Coppell's - Thorn was injured when Snodin kicked him
    on the ground and had to go off at HT. Logical decision - pull Coleman
    (a natural centre half) back and bring on Ndah wide on the left. What
    do we do - bring on a debutant midfielder and put him centre half! He
    loks quite cultured but dwelt on the ball far too much. When Ndah did
    come on to give us width on the left, all we did was play they ball
    down the right!
    
    Decision No3 the first Everton goal. Young and Rideout had a tussle and
    the kick could have gone either way (I saw it as a Palace one, not
    surprisingly) but Everton took the kick about 15 yards to one side of
    the incident to allow them to put Jackson clean through on goal, and
    the ball was moving fast when it was taken! Thanks for nothing Roger
    Milford. Neil Midgely was on Sky yesterday and said that while the
    Martyn one was a judgement call, the first goal was out of order and a
    wrong decision.
    
    Still, we were crap, as Coppell said afterwards and didn't deserve more
    than a point. 0-0 would have been fair.
    
    And on a day when a win would have taken us into the top half too.....
    
    Such is life.
    
    Depressingly yours
    
    Paul

      A truly awful match. I agree with what Paul Pateman wrote, although I felt
      the second goal ( scored by Tom Cruise ) owed a lot to Palace being
      more adventurous.

      Stuart

      BTW My mum and dad woke up on Saturday morning only to find two goalposts
          and a cross-bar in their front garden. Were Scotland playing in 
          Croydon Friday night?

    
    Gloat time ...
    
    
    F.E.S  0   Toffee Midgets 2
    
    
    
    
    cheers
    
    Liam 
    
    
    
    KEEP CHEWING ..........

    I'd imagine Noades is demanding a king's ransom for the privilege of
    attending the first leg of the Coke Cup? Prices and allocation 
    anyone? 
    
    barry.

    <<<Note 44.292 by YUPPY::PANES "Bad football costs more at Sainsbury's End"
    
>    As to allocation - it will be a lot more than the Arse will give the 
>    Palace.

>    Stuart
    
     Don't fret Stuart, at least next term you'll be able to look at one
     of the finest stands in the land on top of the beautifully crafted
     East and West Stands we already have. I know you're jealous.
    
     barry.
    
              

    Injury news for the Soton game....
    
    Young misses two games 'cos of points ban, but will be back for the
    Arse
    
    Shaw still missing as is Southgate, who had the plaster off his foot
    this week. Osborn is 50-50 as is Thorn who suffered a dead-leg against
    Everton (kicked by Snodin) Slight doubts over Thomas and Armstrong.
    
    Could be a tough game tommorrow, still have a chance to get into the
    top half if we win and other results go our way.
    
    Any other FEs going?
    
    Paul

<<< Note 44.294 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Our Nige is Their Nige Now - Thank the Lord" >>>
                      -< Still can't get a full team out >-

>    Any other FEs going?
    
    Paul,

    Post-Christmas financial crisis has put the block on a visit to 
    Southampton's picturesque stadium.


    Stuart


    Btw  I had a long chat and a few beers with Chris Coleman on Tuesday.
         He seems like a very normal sort  of bloke and had some interesting
         things to "reveal".

      <<< Note 44.295 by YUPPY::PANES "Manic on the seats of Selhurst" >>>
                           -< game drop - name drop >-

    Btw  I had a long chat and a few beers with Chris Coleman on Tuesday.
         He seems like a very normal sort  of bloke and had some interesting
         things to "reveal".

Stuart, you're such a tease!!

g

    Soton 1	FEs 0
    
    Maddison
    
    Very little to say about the game - Palace looked reasonably solid at
    the back despite no Shaw and Young, but lacked anything in midfield.
    Thomas needs either a ball winner (Southgate) or a play maker (Osborn)
    alongside him and both were injured. Armstrong was generally well
    policed by Monkou and Watts looked out of it after missing an almost
    open goal in the first half. That seems to be the problem with the
    youngsters - they don't have the resilience for week-in/out League
    football yet. The main influence on the game was the dire ref - Philip
    Don who seemed intent on whistling for everything and missing most real
    incidents (like LeTissier's off the ball kick at Thomas).
    
    However, worst thing off the day was the terrible stewarding/policing
    at the beginning. If you've been to the Dell, you'll know that the
    visitors terrace has three pens. They started off on Satuday with two
    open, but these were full by well before ko. This caused a log jam on
    stairways and gangways and the police & co kept trying to shove more
    andmore peopl into the two pens, while refusing to open the third area.
    This caused the incident you might have seen on MotD where a steward
    got a ball in the face from Ndah. He was busy trying to move people
    between the two pens and was virtually on the pitch. In the end they
    relented and opened up the third area which ended up around half full.
    Obviously they have short memories on the south coast.
    
    Hopefully Shaw, Osborn & Southgate will be back soon, cos we were
    totally idealess on Saturday. We have a difficult run coming up...
    
    Norwich A (Wed 27)
    Spurs H   (Sat 30)
    Arsenal H (Sun 07) - CC Cup
    Villa H   (Wed 10)
    Man U H   (Sat 13) - FA Cup Permitting
    Sheff W A (Sat 20)
    
    Nothing like playing the big boys in a row eh?
    
    STUART -
    
    Did your mate Chris (did ok at centre half on Sat in place of Ninja)
    say what was up with Paul Williams? Or has he got Bodinitis?
    
    Paul

    Hi Paul,
               I went to the game but was in the Southampton end.
    We wondered what all the chaios was behind the goal and then noticed
    they were opening the far stand gates..
    
    BTW I think the steward got the best cheer of the game when getting
    hit!.It was a poor game apart from the well taken goal and a few good
    saves from Martyn.
    
    Monkou in my opinion was by far the best player on the pitch and
    stopped most of Palaces attacks.Cracking shot by Thomas at the end
    worthy of a goal....
    
    Aron...
    
    

    Injury news.....
    
    Paul Williams is still injured, Coppell reported to be rther gloomy and
    feeling he was sold a pup by the Owls. Any Owls fans know if Williams
    was injury prone?
    
    Shaw and Osborn are now back in training.
    
    Also, following a re-arrange, hows this for a run of games for a team
    trying to get of of the relegation mire:
    
    Weds 27/1	Norwich Away
    Sat  30/1	Spurs Home
    Tues 02/2	Blackburn Rvrs Away (FA Cup replays permitting)
    (Sun 07/2	Arsenal Home CC Cup Semi)
    Weds 10/2	A Villa Home
    Sat  13/2	Man Utd Home (if Brighton knock out the Mancs in the cup)
    Sat  20/2	Sheff Wed Away
    
    I know that there are no easy games in the Premier League but that run
    is really a bit much. Interesting opportunity for the FEs to influence
    the title race tho'.
    
    Paul

<<< Note 44.299 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Our Nige is Their Nige Now - Thank the Lord" >>>
                             -< Selhurst Stories >-

    
>    Also, following a re-arrange, hows this for a run of games for a team
>    trying to get of of the relegation mire:
    
     18 points and a trip to Wembley.

     Stuart

    
>     18 points and a trip to Wembley.

    Wembley Market that is. 
    

  <<< Note 44.301 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "Beat on the Brat wit a Baseball Bat" >>>
                       -< 4000 tickets will have to do. >-

    

>    Wembley Market that is. 
 

   Yo Bazza,
   
   Have we been at the one-liner pills again?

   Stuart   

        
        A few beers later and the discussion turns to the perennial 
        question - what constitutes a "big" club. This sets me musing. 
        Many clubs , Wolves for example , have an illustrious past, 
        but are they a "big" club? Some clubs like Forest have won 
        numerous domestic and European trophies, but do people regard 
        them as a "big" club? Everton and Liverpool are currently not 
        enjoying the best of seasons, but are they entitled to be 
        called "big" clubs? 
        
        So what are the criteria and who fits the "big" club bill? 
        Some would argue that Moancheaters United are the only "big" 
        club in English football. And what you may ask makes them 
        eligible for "big" club status?  Is it the memory of the glory 
        years of Busby? Is it that no matter which major European 
        resort you choose to holiday in, you will always see a group 
        of saddoes wearing Moan U shirts? Is it that they are, and 
        have been for many years, the darlings of the media? No. It is 
        my belief that what puts them ahead of others in pursuit of 
        "big" clubbishness is the number of their players who have 
        nicknames. Who cannot fail to be impressed with a line-up 
        which boasts imaginatively and evocatively named players such 
        as Schmikey, Pally, Brucey, Incey, Giggsy, Parky, Sparky, 
        Sharpy, Choccy and Kanchelskisisiisiisyy ( all rather amusing 
        as I'm sure you'll agree ).  The notable exception is of 
        course Robbo ( although some might think that Boosey might be 
        appropriate ). Just as an aside has anyone else noticed the 
        North-Western trait of abbreviating words and adding the 
        letter "O" to the end. Surely it is only a matter of time 
        before we hear a scouse voice screeching "Its a defo peno 
        lino!".
        
        Maybe if the Palace are serious about being a "big" club, a 
        lot more energy should be focused on producing nicknames of a 
        high quality.  However I am not convinced that the 
        Moancheaters approach is the right way. If this was applied to 
        say the Palace keeper, he would be known as Martyni. Whilst 
        seeing him salute the fans to strains of "anytime - anyplace - 
        anywhere" has a certain appeal, his detractors could start 
        singing "in his own time - all over the place - nowhere". 
        
        Amongst my friends Eddie McGoldrick is known variously as "The 
        Wizard" ( as in the Wizard of the Wing ), "Franco"  
        (self-explanatory ), "Kevin Webster" ( again no-need for 
        explanation) and a few seasons ago the somewhat oblique 
        "Hangyourbootsup Eddie" ( which I can only guess is a celtic 
        term of endearment ). None of these names have unfortunately 
        stuck. Perhaps the better read might be able to come up with a 
        character from literature, possibly a romantic hero full of 
        swashbuckling heroics and derring-do.  Why call Geoff Thomas 
        Tommo? Surely with his blond hair and high cheek-bones he 
        should be named after a Norse God or Dolph Lundgren? 
        
        For a brief time Marco Gabbiadini enjoyed "big" player fame 
        as "B" block screamed "Zico" everytime he got the ball ( which 
        was about 15 times ), but alas his sobriquet was to be more 
        short-lived than his stay at Selhurst.Of course we have The 
        Ninja, which is not only apt but original. I do hope that the 
        terrace wits can come up a few more which will inevitably help 
        launch Palace towards pan-global mega-stardom.

    
    	Brilliant note, Paneso....8-) 8-)
    
    	Made my day!!
    
    	Andyyoaoayo.

    Injury news....
    
    Gareth Southgate is out of plaster but will not be back for three
    weeks, hence missing the first leg against the Arse.
    
    Shaw palyed for the reserves, as did Paul Williams. Osborn should also
    be fit for Norwich.
    
    Moan at the Arse time.....
    
    They have only allocated us 2,080 tickets for the second leg against a
    cup regulation of 25% minimum. This does not apply tho' if police
    regulations specify segregation areas etc, and the true Arsenal fans,
    sorry the N Bank mural, :-) means that we have this pitiful allocation.
    
    Must be something to do with all those car coats taking up lots of
    space.
    
    Eh Stu?
    
    Paul

    errrhhh - what's a sue-brick-ett, whack ? I 'tink ye shood keep to
    werds 'at oos proper footie suppoorters kin oondertstand - no 't I
    meeen, kidder.
    

    
    	What? Speak English man ;-)

Re: Arse allocation

Paul,

I might get a ticket in amongst the Arse supporters. Obviously I will boo
the Arse remorsely that way they won't suss that I'm a Palace fan.

Stuart

    Anybody else going to turnip top land tonight as the Eagles try to
    swoop on the Canaries? 
    
    Fixture news:
    
    Blackbrun Rvrs away is confirmed as Tuesday 2/2
    Forest away is now Wednesday 3/3
    Chelsea home has been put back to Monday 15/3 (presumably for Sky)
    Man U home is now a TBA cuz they are still in the Cup
    
    Osborn and Shaw should both be back tonight, but no place for Paul
    Williams despite playing in 3 reserve games in the past 8 days.
    Definite Bodinitis I reckon! At least the Arse's replay with leeds
    means that Ian Wotsisname will have a game before they play us in the
    Coca Cola - and the Arse could be knackered if it goes to ET & Pens.
    
    Tots on Saturday at Selhurst, looking forward to seeing Barmby - and
    hopefully 3 points.
    
    Paul

    
    Interesting fact of the day......
    
    Everton have played more games at Selhurst Park this year than Crystal
    Palace.
    
    Thrilling eh ?
    
    Paul

   Paul ( Pateman ),

   Have a good time at Carrow Road tonight. I will be forced to watch 
   Sportsnight ( with Coleman? ).  I don't often make predictions but 
   I will stick my neck out and say a brace of goals for ooh-ah Chris Armstrong
   and one for ooh-ah Eddie McGoldrick.  If he plays ooh-ah Mark Robbins to
   reply for the Canaries.

   Ooh-ah Stuart

    Norwich 4	FE's 2
    Power (2)	Armstrong
    Goss        Thomas
    Sutton
    
    Nice ground, Carrow Road. Friendly stewards and plods, good facilities.
    However, the FE's seats were supposedly in the top tier of the new
    stand, but we were shown to a corner old the oldest stand (still good)
    and told "anywhere on the blue seats". This was because Spurs and
    Coventry fans had ripped up seats and thrown them onto Norwich fans
    below in the new stand - hence that was given back to the members. Good
    to know that not all clubs are good boys :-(
    
    Anyway, Palace played Eddie WotW on the wing and Sinnott replaced Young
    again. Shaw was back at left back and Osborn was back in the middle,
    with Coleman upfront with Armstrong. Robbins was on the bench for
    Norwich. The FE's genuinely had the better of the first half. After 1
    min, Coleman ran through a square defence to cross for Armstrong to tap
    home. Then we failed to clear a free-kick and Power equalised with an
    excellent volley. 
    
    Palace could have then gone 4-1 up as Gunn saved well from Coleman and
    Armstrong headers, and somehow kept out a Rodger volley by the angle of
    the crossbar. But - Palace again were caught from a dead-ball with
    Sinnott staying too deep and also allowing Sutton to take a ride on his
    back (definate foul) to head past Martyn. Megson hit the bar, but the
    FEs had most of the play upto half time and Thomas got on the end of a
    Thorn lob to head past Gunn for the equaliser. 2-2 at HT.
    
    In the second half, Norwich were again held back for the first 5
    minutes, but then a failed Palace free kick allowed Norwich to break
    clear and Goss to score. After that, try as we might, we couldn't break
    out of midfield. Norwich still played on the break, and Martyn came out
    well several times to clear. McGoldrick went close with a header,
    Armstrong nearly got clear several times, and Ndah (on for Humpy) had a
    good strike go just past the post. Right on time, Power broke away
    again to score a flattering 4th, again beating Sinnott (who had a
    stinker).
    
    So, a long drive home to think that if we had played like that against
    Soton and Everton we'd have had 6 more points. Thomas was excellent as
    was Thorn. And although Fox buzzed around a lot, Shaw generally marked
    him well. However, why does Coppell keep playing Coleman up front when
    Williams is now fit, he would complement Armstrong so much better, and
    would allow Coleman to have covered for Young! Also - Osborn looked out
    of sorts with his distribution, he was much better playing alongside
    Southgate (who we need back as the holding man in midfield).
    
    So - Spurs the seat throwers on Saturday, then Blackburn, the Arse and
    Villa.4 points from the league games and a win in the CC would be
    rather nice.
    
    Paul
    
    Stu - I brushed shoulders with the mighty Jonathon Pearce in the tean
    queue - and my ears survived!

<<< Note 44.312 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Our Nige is Their Nige Now - Thank the Lord" >>>
                    -< Its a long road from "A Fine City"  >-
    
>    Paul
    
>    Stu - I brushed shoulders with the mighty Jonathon Pearce in the tean
>    queue - and my ears survived!


He was on fine form last night. Anyway I think I better hang up my
predictions hat.

Tottering Hopeless on Saturday - followed by a P.I.S.A meeting at the 
( yes wait for it - the Wilton Arms).


Stuart

    
    I know its early but i,d like to nominate .303 for note of the year ..
    
    Classic drivel from a optimistic and hopeful "big" club supporter
    who really loves Everton because he mentions them every time he
    gets a chance ...8-)8-)
    
    
    Liam

    Dear Steve,
    
    Thanks for putting on such a wonderful display on Saturday, it was quite
    exhilarating to see such stunning attacking footbal - by Spurs for all
    of 15 minutes when we let them get three goals. It was bound to be a
    bad day when the Graunaid nominated Stan Colleymore, FE reject, for
    their performance of the week. He couldn't hit the stand at Selhurst,
    never mind the goal! To make it worse, he is also a goal of the month
    contender.
    
    Anyway, I think that your selection policy was inspired on Saturday.
    Humpy, generally reckoned to be playing his best football since joining
    us, gets dropped to the bench, Sinnott - culprit for all 4 goals on
    Wednesday stays in and goes to left back, and you swtich Shaw to the
    right! Well, you got it half right! Sinnott looked a good option on the
    left, better than Shaw ever has, but Shaw was dead meat against
    Samways, why didn't you bring Humpy back! Also, why do you persist with
    Coleman up front? He's keen and tireless, but is only going to score
    from tap ins and headers. Armstrong needs a Williams like player to
    help - lets hope he's fit soon.
    
    Also....why didn't we switch Eddie to sweep, 7 goals leaked on 3 games
    must have said something, and when he does sweep, why don't you let him
    push forward occasionally?
    
    Finally, how come every other club in the league is picking up little
    bargains from overseas for relatively small fees when we haven't seen
    new face since September?
    
    Still, we have three big games coming up, and I'll be shouting for the
    lads at two of them. Hopefully we'll have Williams and Southgate back
    soon and can field our best side. As a stands manager I would pick:
    
    				Martyn
    
    				McGoldrick
    
    	Humphrey	Young		Thorn		Sinnott/Coleman
    
    		Southgate	Thomas		Rodger
    
    			Williams	Armstrong
    
    Subs: Ndah
    	  Coleman/Bowry
    
    
    I know we all think we can do better than you Steve, but at least give
    the lads a good kicking from me before they go out at Blackburn
    tomorrow.
    
    Best regards
    
    
    Paul
    
    ps try reading Eagle Eye - lots of good suggestions in there 

    
    ...and you didnt get to see Barmby.
    
    Dave...

    Actually I did, in the bar signing autographs! My other half said who's
    that kid? Barmby? But he only looks about 12!
    
    Ho hum
    
    Paul

<<< Note 44.317 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Our Nige is Their Nige Now - Thank the Lord" >>>
                       -< How did the PISA AGM go Stu? >-
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Apparently I am now on the committee. I was truly disappointed with Saturday's
performance. I thought that Palace started like they *wanted* and were going
to win. Totts first attack and they score and then a couple of soft goals.

Blackpud this week ( tomorrow? ) and the the Arse on Sunday. I bloody hope
things pick up soon.

Stuart
 

    Does this mean that you may get to meet Ron!!!?!?!?!?!
    
    If so, can I have his autograph? His committment to the harmony at
    the Palace has always impressed me!
    
    
    BTW - does Nigel "kick em in the air" Winterburn's sending off mean he
    misses next Sunday? With a bit of luck, they could be without Bould,
    Limpar, Hillier, Jensen (on second thoughts he can play :-) and any
    others who get kicked at Leeds. Could Batty do us a few favours
    possibly?
    
    Nothing permanent, a one game abscence would be sufficient.
    
    Paul

  Blackpud 1        Palace 2
  Wegerie           Armstrong ( 50 yard run blistering shot )
                    Rodger    ( 3o yard bullet )
 



  Panes Info-Line relayed the last few minutes live to Australia and
  I thought the game would never finish. Palace appear to be a little
  fortunate but apparently two great goals from the Coca-Cola kids.

  Jonathan Pearce nearly exploded in the last fewm minutes, but there again
  he would make a slight rush at a bus stop sound like the storming of
  the Bastille.



  Stuart

    Great result for the kids last night, especially with no Thomas. I had
    hoped that he would be there to give Kenny's Kruggerands a good pasting
    after they threw his career into turmoil at the start of the season.
    
    Pearce was wonderful on the radio last night, especially when the ref
    seemed to be playing injury time until Rovers scored. 
    
    We put a pound on "Jolly" Rodger for the first goal on Saturday against
    Spurs - it just came a few days late! Seriously, he has been due a
    goal, I am convinced that he is the best of the youngsters, closely
    followed by Southgate. Rodger should definately have made the U21's by
    now but for his injury at the start of the season.
    
    Roll on the Arse! And the a final against Sheff Wed and Marky Bright.
    
    Paul

    How's the pitch at Somme-hurst Park faring? Do you think that the
    assembled hoardes will have to brush up on their WW1 trench songs
    should the heavens open? I'll be at home singing "Goodbyeeeee, 
    Gooddbyeeee!" in anticipation of your demise. Until then.....
    
    Lord Kitchener.                                              
    

            <<< Note 44.322 by ARRODS::OHAGANB "Hail Freedonia!" >>>
                 -< Should be a cracking, ill tempered game. >-

>    How's the pitch at Somme-hurst Park faring? Do you think that the
>    assembled hoardes will have to brush up on their WW1 trench songs
>    should the heavens open? I'll be at home singing "Goodbyeeeee, 
>    Gooddbyeeee!" in anticipation of your demise. Until then.....
    
>    Lord Kitchener.                                              
 


Bazza,

Wont you be able to see for yourself on Sunday as you sit in your favourite
armchair, bobble-hat and scarf on, a steaming hot mug of Bovril , some
cheese straws and watch the drama unfold on your television?   

You do have colour television in Norf Lundun don't you?


Stuart

         <<< Note 44.323 by YUPPY::PANES "Tarts Peanuts" >>>                   
    
> Wont you be able to see for yourself on Sunday as you sit in your favourite
> armchair, 
    
    Sofa futon mate.
    
> You do have colour television in Norf Lundun don't you?

    Indeedy. Is it true that whole streets in Sarf Lunun gather round 
    someone posh's black and white set?

    barry.

    
    Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 3  Yawn.
    
    The highlight was Ron Atkinson claiming that Arsenal were one of the
    top teams in Europe.  They may have been far superior top Palace today
    but gimme a break.
    
    Gary.

    Big Ron (author genuflects) initially made a comment to that effect
    but then realised his overstatement and chipped in with "one of the
    best foward lines in Europe". You can't argue with that. Wember-lee
    ....Wember-lee..... 
    
    barry. 

   What a load of crap....... Trying to compare any area in The Arse's team to
that of say Milan, Barcelona, Marseille, etc.... First of all ye got to qualify
for Europe before ye can start comparing...... And as regards winning something
in Europe..... dream on.......

                                                            -dave-

    Firstly comparisons never came into. Secondly I'd imagaine that 
    Atko's verdict owes more to assessing individual talent than their
    results as a unit.  
     
    barry.

    Palace leaving it late again! Poor tactical decision by Coppell in the
    first half to leave Coleman on his own upfront. In fact, given that
    Coleman is actually a left sided defender, we were playing with NO
    strikers! After the break we looked much better with Bowry and Osborn
    getting the better of Hillier and Selly, and Shaw doing a better job on
    Wright.
    
    When is Coppell going to realise that:
    
    A) Chris Coleman should not be playing up front
    B) We are at our best when McGoldrick is sweeping
    C) Shaw is a natural marker not a natural full back
    D) What on earth has Humphrey done wrong?
    
    On the second half we deserved at least the 1-1 draw we got, on the first 
    half we were lucky to get away with 0-2. Having said that, the neutrals
    behind me were saying how awful the ref (John Martin) was and Campbell
    looked to plough straight into two of our defenders before the third
    goal.
    
    So - Villa on Wednesday night and then 10 days off. By the time we try
    and get past the 2 goal deficit we will at least have Southgate back to
    tighten the midfield and (if Coppell picks him) Williams adding some
    wit up front.
    
    The saddest part is that our dire display was there for all to see on
    the box. Why don't performances like the one at Balckburn get shown?
    Come to that, why don't we play like that more often!!!
    
    Come on Stu, its safe to come out now.
    
    
    Paul

     Palace 1 Arzenal 3

     Basically the F.Es blew it. In the first half they stood off the
     Arze and allowed them to control the game. Eddie McGoldrick was
     placed on man to man marking on Ina Wrong with Eric "the Ninja" Young
     given the duty as the spare man ( not a role which suits him ).

     The Arze went ahead through a penalty after Ina Wrong rolled up
     South Norwood Hill , but had sufficient powers of recovery to convert
     kick.  A good save from Martyn rolled unfortunatly to Alan Smith 
     who slotted from 30 yards ( but his nose was at least 6 yards offside).

     A more purposeful Palace took the field for the second half with
     Sinnott ( pronounced useless lump of shite ) withdrawn , Watts
     coming on, and Eddie slipping into an attacking right back role.

     Palace converted a penalty after a quadraped or two dumped ( one 
     of the Simons - I always get confused ) and then lots of pushing
     in the Palace box allowed big nose to get his second.

     Some "robust" challenges from the Arze and would you believe that
     "Sniffer" Merson ( I picked up my first yellow card of the season
     for passing some advice onto him ) won M.O.T.M . The referee also 
     appeared to also indulge in the taking of recreational drugs. As to
     Dixon - he never fails to amaze me - the footballing brain of
     Benny from Crossroads coupled with the vision of Stevie Wonder.
     How this man is not a regular winner of European Footballer of the Year
     award completely stuns me.


     Stuart

     BTW The Arze deserved to win, and Place have a mountain to climb..
         we shall see. 

  Palace 1    Aston Villa 0

  A controlled performance by the F.Es and a first goal for 21 year old
  Bobby Bowry.


  Probably more when I collect my thoughts.

  Stuart

    
    Just when Palace prove to everybody live on TV that they're CRAP they
    go and beat Villa.  Why do you have to be hammered by the team nobody
    wants to win the Coke cup and then beat the team everyone wants to win
    the league (not that I'd mind Norwich winning it mind).  
    
    Anyway from the TV highlights it looked a good game.  Place were under
    the cosh for most of the 90 minutes but defended bravely and deserved
    to win.
    
    Gary.

>>wants to win the Coke cup and then beat the team everyone wants to win
>>the league (not that I'd mind Norwich winning it mind).  
  
The pathalogical and illogical United haters might wish this; many of us don't.

Villa are effectively 3 points behind; Norwich are quickly blowing up.

re. last

>Villa are effectively 3 points behind; Norwich are quickly blowing up.

Norwich have been "blowing up" since October, but are still only 3 points 
off the top, with a game in hand.  Don't write them off yet.

Jon

Stuart and all other Eagles..

Congrats on last nights win against the Villa..a well earned win ..!!
Normally when I want you chaps to win you never do ..but you prooved me wrong
last night..I had this one as a definite 3 pointer for Villa.


tony

	Inspired by Cunno's latest writings, I fell that I must say that
   Palace have also conceded the championship.  I guess this just makes 
   it a 20 horse race.

   Stuart

    Come on Stu - how can we concede yet, we can still get more points than
    the top team have already :-)
    
    With 42 points up for grabs we can still get 75 - could just be enough!
    
    Paul

        <<< Note 44.337 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Confessions of a Salesman" >>>
                  -< Going to see Nanci Griffiths this year? >-
                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  Paul,

  Surely I didn't confess to seeing her last time did I?  Anyway I was coerced,
  cajoled and other words beginning with c last time. Another knock for my
  street cred. 

  On the street cred plus side, it looks as if I have got a ticket for the 
  Arze, even if it does mean getting static from the nylon car-coat brigade.

  Stuart

   Mr Pateman,

   Does your trip to Hillsborough shed any light on why Coppell hasn't been
   playing Williams?

   Stuart

    Sorry for the delay Stu.....trying to sort of a job for FY94!
    
    Owls 2	FEs 1
    Warhurst	Armstrong
    Wilson
    
    Palace were pretty poor in the first half, line up was:
    
    				Martyn
    			      McGoldrick
    	Humphrey	Thorn		Young	Rodger
    			Shaw - man to man on Waddle
    		Bowry		Osborn
    			Williams	Armstrong
    
    The midlfield looked very light-weight, but Shaw handled Waddle quite
    well, and apart from the through ball for Warhurst to score he was
    stuck wide. Up front we were very poor. We played everything down the
    right and Worthington and Palmer had it very easy - Carlton is a bit
    taller than Williams. We has two shots, a Humpy volley from the edge of
    the box, and a delightful chip from Bowry which was cleared off the
    line.
    
    Williams limped off at the break and was replaced by Coleman (williams
    has injured his *other* ankle apparently) and suddenly we looked a
    class act. Hupy and Bowry were linking superbly down the right, Coleman
    looked a true striker in the Lee Chapman mould - hold the ball up and
    give off a good pass, and Armstrong was electric. For 30 minutes we had
    them well and truly on the rack. Shaw and Humpy hit the woodwork,
    Coleman has a header well saved by Woods and Bowry might have had a
    penalty if he had gone down when sandwiched on a superb through run.
    All this and Armstrong's goal.
    
    But then we threw it away with McGoldrick and Martyn's muddle, and were
    lucky to keep it to 2 with the penalty miss. It also got a bit niggly
    between Thorn and Warhurst too.
    
    Still, if we can play like we did in the 2nd half, plus get Southgate
    and Thomas back in, our next run of games should see us with enough
    points to get clear:
    
    Coventry - Home
    Forest - Away
    (The Arse will fall at Highbury!)
    Chelsea - Home
    Sheff Utd - Away
    L'pool - Home
    QPR - Home
    Wombles - "Away"
    Middleboro - Home
    
    It gets a bit harder after that with trips to Leeds, Man City, The Arse
    and visits from Man U and Ipswich, but 15+ points from the first 8
    games should see us to safety, and the return of Salads Salako to the
    Premier League
    
    
    Paul 

  The Arse - Palace 2nd semi of the Copa de Coca-Cola is NOT going to be
  shown live on T.V.  Sources close to the Arse suggest that this might
  because the Arse are having difficulty selling their ticket allocation.

  T.V Quick

    Palace 0	Coventry 0
    
    God that was dire! Palace were a team looking desperately for a final
    pass, and Coventry were just desperate. Quinn looked an old fat b*st*rd
    who goal hangs. Palace put together one good move which Armstrong
    should have tucked away, and Coventry missed a sitter in the first
    half. The only other point of note was the incredible speed (and total
    lack of vision) of the Coventry postman, Wiliams.
    
    However, before that game the minute's silence was observed completely,
    and made us realise how noisy even the "atmospheric" Selhurst usually
    is.
    
    Forest on Wednesday - bit of a 6 pointer.
    
    Paul

  Paul,

  It was an absolute belter of a game...... er.....not.

  Stuart

    Forest 1	FEs 1
    
    Keane	Southgate
    
    Att 20kish
    
    If you believe R5 and Ceefax, Palace played in the style of the
    Germans, rolling around on the ground, feigning injury and being
    pandered to by the ref. You will also have heard that the ref was
    abused for this by Mr Clough. Let me correct this impression. Firstly,
    Mr Clough abused the ref (I think) for turning down a penalty when
    Crosby tied himself in a knot on the edge of the box. As to the
    injuries, Dave West (the Palace physio) was on the pitch 3 time. The
    first was when Laws crippled Bowry (he had to be carried off) with a
    very late, very high tackle and didn't even get a word, let alone a
    card - but then Forest are a footballing side - , the Southgate went
    down like he was poleaxed and the ball went out anyway, and finally
    when Young got a full blooded Thorn hoof in the face, now Eric is
    hardly a shrinking violet is he. The only other trainer was for Chettle
    who got his head between Martyn's fist and the ball at a corner. This
    upset the Forest fans a bit as he was flat out in the box with play
    going on. Forest had the ball and didn't want to put it out, Chettle
    was offside and interfering as he was at Martyn's feet in the 6 yard
    box. Then a Forest pass went astray, Chettle got mended and Palace
    played on from the throw. The Trent end seemed to think they should
    have give NF the ball!
    
    Anyway, overall the ref was dire, he booked Young for a shirt tug on
    Rosario (what a donkey!) and let Laws go for a very crude tackle that
    could loe us Bowry for several games. Forest clearly have the grit to
    fight a bit in the basement, and also play a few long balls these days.
    
    As for the FEs, the line up was:
    
    				Martyn
    			     McGoldrick
    		Southgate  Thorn	Young	Rodger
    			Bowry  Thomas  Gordon
    			   Armstrong  Coleman
    
    	Humphrey came on for Gordon with Southgate going into midfield, and
    	then Ndah came on for the unfortunate Bowry.
    
    Coleman had a poor game against Tiler, proving again that we need a
    quality striker to play alongside Armstrong (who was excellent). For a
    brief period after Humpy came on, we were putting some excellent moves
    together on the right, Humpy and Bowry look very good together, and
    Ndah and Rodger were linking well on the left.
    
    However, we now have a week off before trying to put 2 or 3 past the
    Arse, and then get down to work with the final quarter. At least we
    have more games at home than away. I reckon our fate will be sealed by
    Easter. Unless we get a good set of results from Chelsea, Sheff Utd,
    L'pool, QPR, the Wombles and Middlesboro, we will be running uphill
    with the last few games against Leeds, Man U, Ipswich, Man City and the
    Arse.
    
    Paul 

    >>    <<< Note 44.344 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
    >>               -< Cloughie's baby cries a lot don't he? >-
    
    
    
    Paul,
    
    I presume you're referring to young Nigel ? There's an article from a
    'claivoyant' in the latest Notts County fanzine "The Pie" illustrating 
    that very matter :
    
    "Madam Zola's Revelations - November"
    
    "....Central televise a Nottingham Forest game, and when Nigel Clough is
    caught not moaning to the ref, the police begin an investigation,
    believing Master Clough has been kidnapped and an imposter has taken
    his place....."
    
    Not that the fans from the right side of the Trent would be biased or
    anything, just observant !
    
    Rob

    To confirm the awfulness of Laws's tackle on Bowry last night, he has
    knee ligament damage and will definately miss several games, possibly
    the rest of the season. Thanks Forest. Coppell's response when asked
    for what he thought of the tackle was "Not a Lot"
    
    Paul

    Coppell has been talking about next week's game with the Arse, and is
    promising a flat out go for it team. Eddie back being the WotW, and
    going out guns blazing. Expect to see Watts and Coleman up front,
    Rodger and McGoldrick wide, Southgate back in midfield and (probably)
    Shaw man to man on Wright.
    
    At least we can go out with pride if we have to go out.
    
    Paul

    Arzenal 2 Palace 0

   Sloppy marking from Palace led to Arzze's both goals, coupled with an 
   inept first half display from the Palace persuaded me that this was
   not going to be a good night so I cut my losses at half-time and 
   went drinking.

   I sat in amongst the local support and while I must praise the quality
   and comfort of the seating, I think it is only fair that I should 
   comment on the Arze's fans. I have long accepted that everyone who goes
   to football is an "expert".  I have heard Palace fans speak utter drivel
   but this is normally confined to conversation. Last night I thought I
   been transported to a land where people are born stupid and loutish.
   I was got totally hacked off with the local "intelegensia" shouting
   "Well played TONEEEEE ADDAAAAAMS" every time he hit a ball which was
   obviously going nowhere ( although to be fair to the "future captain
   of England" he did have a reasonable first half). Anyway thet say love
   is blind and these ****wits must be totally in love with the Arzzze.

   The Arzzzzze have booked one Wembley final can they make it two?

   Stuart

   >>I sat in amongst the local support and while I must praise the quality
   >>and comfort of the seating, I think it is only fair that I should 
   >>comment on the Arze's fans. I have long accepted that everyone who goes
   >>to football is an "expert".  I have heard Palace fans speak utter drivel
   >>but this is normally confined to conversation. Last night I thought I
   >>been transported to a land where people are born stupid and loutish.
   >>I was got totally hacked off with the local "intelegensia" shouting
   >>"Well played TONEEEEE ADDAAAAAMS" every time he hit a ball which was
   >>obviously going nowhere ( although to be fair to the "future captain
   >>of England" he did have a reasonable first half). Anyway thet say love
   >>is blind and these ****wits must be totally in love with the Arzzze.
    
    ...and of course it's a real treat, so I'm told, to sit near someone at
    Palace and get your lug-holes blasted by one of 'the local
    "intelegensia" shouting" abuse at Paul Merson.  Until of course the 
    coppers move in, "One more word and you're out mate."
    
    Mike M  

                   <<< Note 44.349 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                           -< Is that a black pot? >-

>   >>I sat in amongst the local support and while I must praise the quality
>   >>and comfort of the seating, I think it is only fair that I should 
>   >>comment on the Arze's fans. I have long accepted that everyone who goes
>   >>to football is an "expert".  I have heard Palace fans speak utter drivel
>   >>but this is normally confined to conversation. Last night I thought I
>   >>been transported to a land where people are born stupid and loutish.
>   >>I was got totally hacked off with the local "intelegensia" shouting
>   >>"Well played TONEEEEE ADDAAAAAMS" every time he hit a ball which was
>   >>obviously going nowhere ( although to be fair to the "future captain
>   >>of England" he did have a reasonable first half). Anyway thet say love
>   >>is blind and these ****wits must be totally in love with the Arzzze.
    
>    ...and of course it's a real treat, so I'm told, to sit near someone at
>    Palace and get your lug-holes blasted by one of 'the local
>    "intelegensia" shouting" abuse at Paul Merson.  Until of course the 
>    coppers move in, "One more word and you're out mate."
    
>    Mike M  


   Mike,

   I'm glad to see that a trip to Wembley has brought you out of your Rip Van 
   Winklesque sleep. If your comments about "the Merse" are directed at me
   than perhaps I could explain ( get someone to help you if you find it too
   difficult and remember if you are using scissors or anything sharp - ask
   an adult first ). "the Merse" committed a "clumsy" foul on a Palace player,
   I pointed this out - what I didn't do was make sub-caveman comments about
   the players or threaten any of the Arsenal fans sitting nearby.

   Last night some oaf had a go at a mate of mine sitting next me , but when the
   challenge was accepted he declined the offer - he obviously realised that
   he needed to be big amongst his chums but on his own he was a typical 
   Arsenal Wembley Boy.

   Stuart

>> >    ...and of course it's a real treat, so I'm told, to sit near someone at
>> >    Palace and get your lug-holes blasted by one of 'the local
>> >    "intelegensia" shouting" abuse at Paul Merson.  Until of course the 
>> >    coppers move in, "One more word and you're out mate."
      
>>   Mike,

>>   I'm glad to see that a trip to Wembley has brought you out of your Rip Van 
>>   Winklesque sleep. If your comments about "the Merse" are directed at me
    
    Er, nope.  A couple of years ago an aquaintance of mine, Peter Armsby, and 
    fellow Arsenal supporter, was sitting in the Arthur Wait stand at the
    Sainsbury's end.  It was about the time that Mr Merson had a problem
    playing pool.  He was sitting near a Palace supporter who loudly and
    frequently jumped to his feet to inform Merson of what he would do to
    him with a pool queue.  The law eventually came down and told the guy
    to shut it otherwise he was out.  I believe that was the end of the
    matter, but I don't know 'cause I wasn't there.  
    
    I could relate a similar story of "Baso", world famous Arsenal
    supporter (OK, Staines, Middx) at Oldham last season where a local was 
    also giving Merson (and Wright) a bit of grief.  From my own experience 
    I could relate similar incidents, involving different players, at 
    different grounds.  Winterburn at Man Utd; Davis, Thomas, Rocastle and 
    Caesar at Everton; Charlie George at Forest and any number of Arsenal 
    players in the West Stand at Chelsea, being prime examples.
    
    The point I was making, albeit briefly, was that the kind of loutish
    behaviour you describe happens at all grounds not just Arsenal and since
    you were refering to Arsenal in the Palace note I thought I'd give you
    an example of Palace loutishness.
    
    If you start going to away grounds on a regular basis, and have to sit 
    in with the locals through necessity, you'll find that there are 
    unfortuanately a lot of louts around.  Or at least people who are
    vociferous in their support and say things (moronic or otherwise) 
    contrary to your view.  Difficult though it maybe, it is grin and bear
    it time or you get involved in a lot of aggro.  Me?  I go for the
    former.
             
>>   than perhaps I could explain ( get someone to help you if you find it too
>>   difficult and remember if you are using scissors or anything sharp - ask
>>   an adult first ).
    
    Is this supposed to be witty?  I'm sorry but it's too clever for me.
    
>>   "the Merse" committed a "clumsy" foul on a Palace player,
>>   I pointed this out - what I didn't do was make sub-caveman comments about
>>   the players or threaten any of the Arsenal fans sitting nearby.

    No doubt you were equally vociferous last night when "Ninja" gave Alan
    Smith a fore-arm smash.  If you were threatened by an Arsenal "fan" last
    night I can't do anything about it, I can only offer you my sincere
    apologies.  But as I say every club has this moronic, thug or
    otherwise, element.
    
>>   Last night some oaf had a go at a mate of mine sitting next me, but when
>>   the challenge was accepted he declined the offer - he obviously realised 
>>   that he needed to be big amongst his chums but on his own he was a typical 
>>   Arsenal Wembley Boy.

    You and your mates seem to be really unlucky, is this the same one who was
    involved with Ray Parlour and didn't one of them have a problem some
    time last season?  I've been going to football for 25 years and never been 
    involved in a fight and I don't want to be.  I guess I've been lucky.
    Once again I can only apologise on behalf of the vast majority of Arsenal 
    supporters who aren't like the people you were unfortunate enough to meet 
    last night.
    
    Mike M   

>>>    Davis, Thomas, Rocastle and Caesar at Everton
    
    Wasn't that to do with their taste in women..... ?
    ;-)
    
    But seriously, racism is virtually dead at Goodison (other than in the
    directors box of course)
    
    Paul

                   <<< Note 44.351 by YUPPY::MCCABE "Mike" >>>
                               -< Ackshirley... >-

    
>    Er, nope.  A couple of years ago an aquaintance of mine, Peter Armsby, and 
>    fellow Arsenal supporter, was sitting in the Arthur Wait stand at the
>    Sainsbury's end.  It was about the time that Mr Merson had a problem
>    playing pool.  He was sitting near a Palace supporter who loudly and
>    frequently jumped to his feet to inform Merson of what he would do to
>    him with a pool queue.  The law eventually came down and told the guy
>    to shut it otherwise he was out.  I believe that was the end of the
>    matter, but I don't know 'cause I wasn't there.  
 
     Good to see plod taking some firm action ( although there is a gulf
     between gratuitous abuse and some wag shouting out a funny comment).

>    You and your mates seem to be really unlucky, is this the same one who was
>    involved with Ray Parlour and didn't one of them have a problem ome
>    time last season? 

      No. And just to set  the record straight, Parlour and his gang threaten
      the two guys involved. I guess they just weren't ready for the chaps 
      not backing down.


      Meanwhile back to the football, and Palace entertain Chelsea on Monday.
      I am going sitting amonsgt some of the more deranged Chelsea fans ( Bates
      etc ) as I have wormed my way into the Directors box.  Is Uncle Ron
      ready for this???


     Stuart

   T'Blades 0 Palace 1 ( Coleman )

   Three valuable points, but unfortunately Chris Armstrong was sent off and
   now faces suspension.

  Scousepool come to Selhurst on Tuesday.

   Stuart

    Stu,
    
    Looking forward to tomorrow night and another set of scouser scalps?
    Sorry to be away for a while, but I was off with flu last week and
    didn't even make it to the Chelsea game. Saturday sounded fraught from
    Capital Gold, but we got the 3 points even at the cost of losing Chris
    Armstrong. Does anyone know for sure how many games he misses? One or
    two? Either way, he's definately out for QPR and possibly the "away"
    match with the Dons.
    
    On a separate topic, what do you make of Colleymore fever?!? When he
    was at the FEs he was a total brain-fade, exceptionally fast, able to
    run with the ball and almost always going down blind alleys or shooting
    very wide. Now he's supposedly Super Stan, target of Notts Forest!! At
    least the FEs get a percentage of any future fee.
    
    Also, what have the Palace Eaglets like Rodger, Southgate, Ndah and,
    come to that, Armstrong(who are all eligible I think) got to do to get
    into the England u21 squad? Come to that how come a "striker of the
    month" like Warhurst [good though he is at the moment] gets into the
    main squad when Sherringham never gets mentioned? 
    
    Still, if we survive this season, and make a few judicious buys in the
    summer I reckon our youngsters will start to go places next term,
    particularly with Salads coming back too. Roll on the team of the 90s!
    
    Paul 

    FEs 1	Looneypool Whingers 1
    
    Armstrong	Rush
    
    Little Mr Blobby didn't even make the bench in the end. Palace had most
    of the play in the first half, with Coleman going close with a lob from
    the corner of the box, and also having a header well saved. Rodger also
    went close and the ref made a customary - if it hits a Liverpool player
    on the hands in the box it must be an accident decision. Burrows made a
    classy lunge through Geoff Thomas to get himself a card, and 'pool had
    one effort saved by Martyn.
    
    The scousers then caught us cold at the start of the second half with a
    class goal from Rush, set up by Whelan (he did play a few good balls
    Cunno but looked several yards short of Premier league pace). Palace
    then gradually got back into it and got a deserved equaliser from
    Armstrong. At this point the Liverpool bench and most notably Mr Angry
    decided that every time a Palace player tackled a Liverpool player it
    was the equivalent of GBH (in fact I reckon 'pool out-fouled the FEs
    2-1) and Souness first slagged a linesman and then swore at the ref
    (who had a pretty good game) and got banished from the bench to a waft
    of good hearted banter from the Palace fans (you know that sort of
    stuff - cheat, **** off back to Scotland, miserable git - that sort of
    stuff!)
    
    End to end for the last few minutes and then off home with a point and
    passing 40 in the league. For Palace, Thomas had his best game in a
    long time, Thorn was superb, Rodger also, as was Coleman, although he
    is still not a striker. Armstrong showed Nichol up to be the old man he
    is, but Burrows (when he wasn't kicking) kept up well with him for
    pace. Shaw was dire - far too slow and lost looking, and was replaced
    by Ooh Ah George Ndah, with Rodger switching to left back. As for
    'pool, Barnes sat on the wing and moaned looking fat, Rush had a chance
    and took it, Rosenthal fell over a lot, Mcmanaman came on for Rosenthal
    and stood off-side a lot, Whelan played some good passes, Burrows
    looked in good form and Walters looked dangerous when he knew what he
    wanted to do. James looks a bit dodgy tho'.
    
    Apart from Souness, funniest (and most irritating) part of the night
    was the collection of 'pool "fans" behind us on corporate season
    tickets. They are so devoted to their team that they kept thinking
    Walters was Barnes, were amazed at how tall James was, didn't know who
    Hutchison was (by the way he also got a card for verbals) and kept
    saying how much they missed the replays - obviously go to a lot of
    games :-)
    
    So - on to three "home games" to secure our future, unfortnuately
    probably having two of them without Armstrong and Young (Eric has
    passed 31 points - getting a bit of a liability he is).
    
    What did you see down your end Stu?
    
    Paul

    
  > What did you see down your end Stu?
    
    
    Erm, pur-lease I've just had me breakfast.
    
    barry.                                    

         
  > What did you see down your end Stu?
    
    
   Obviously a lot more than David Lacey. I think that your report is
   an accurate account of events.

   Had a bit of a problem with the stewards yesterday - but the end
   result was  Panes 1 Jobsworths 0 - a messy mid-field encounter but
   a worthy victory.

   I recommend that all football lovers buy the next issue of Eagle Eye 
   ( out Good Friday ) as it should contain a revealing interview with
   Jim Bob from Carter:USM ( and possibly some other old tosh).


   Stuart

   YUPPY::OHAGANB I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing wrong
   with my end.
   

   
     

  Palace 1 QPR 1

  Not a great match, and the memory is a little fuzzy. Perhaps that nice
  Mr Pateman can supply fuller details.

  Talking of which, I am a little confused about the kick off time for the
  Lodgers.


  Stuart

    Now you lot in IS have fixed yuppy.............................
    
    
    Palace dominated the match for long periods and the Rs only had two
    chances. Sorry, make that three cos they scored for us! Palace could
    have got the three points with a better final ball into the box. Ooh
    Aaah George N'dah looked on another planet and was subbed for a much
    more positive Dean Gordon, we also lost out on Rodger's crosses by
    having him at left back. However, on the plus side, Paul Williams made
    an excellent return in my opinion, giving us a new dimension up front,
    and showing a lot of good quick thinking and excellent control. He was
    unlucky not to get his first goal in the second half when Roberts made
    a superb save from a rising volley.
    
    I'm looking forward (with not too much hop Mr Coppell) to Armstrong and
    Williams teaming up.
    
    The Wombles on Friday - ko 3 o/c Paneso - and we are in the cheap
    seats, in the Arfur Waite.
    
    Wombles will be without Fash, Jones, Elkins and another donkey.
    
    Paul

    By the way - the new away strip for next year is supposedly black and
    white! All blotchy like Norwich and Coventry. Yuuukky me-thinks.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.361 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                           -< Forgot this snippett >-

>    By the way - the new away strip for next year is supposedly black and
>    white! All blotchy like Norwich and Coventry. Yuuukky me-thinks.
    
>    Paul


     I'm not too sure about that. We discussed it at the P.I.S.A comittee
     meeting after the game on Saturday, and I get the impression that the
     club knows how much people like the current away strip. I also believe
     that Tony Willis and Uncle Ron claim to have "designed" the present kit.
     The club did however register an all black kit as an away strip with the
     Premier League when Bukta went belly up.

     Given that its Sunday opening on Good Friday, I might re-live old 
     memories and stand on the Holmesdale, and save myself a packet.

     Paneso
     

Mr Pateman,

Is it Middlesborough on Monday and if so what time is kick-off?

Semi-detached Stuart

    Apropos of nothing at all, a bit of scurrilous gossip from the Brentford 
    fan-zine (fan in the singular) "Beesotted":
    When Phil Holder (that's Brentford's manager) was looking for a new 
    striker earlier in the season he asked his "old mate" Steve Coppell 
    for his opinion of Stan Collymore. Coppell allegedly told him Collymore 
    was slow and lazy and wouldn't be any good for him !!  8-)
    

           <<< Note 44.364 by MILE::PRIEST "All at sea at Solent" >>>
                               -< Some mate !! >-

>    Apropos of nothing at all, a bit of scurrilous gossip from the Brentford 
>    fan-zine (fan in the singular) "Beesotted":
>    When Phil Holder (that's Brentford's manager) was looking for a new 
>    striker earlier in the season he asked his "old mate" Steve Coppell 
>    for his opinion of Stan Collymore. Coppell allegedly told him Collymore 
>    was slow and lazy and wouldn't be any good for him !!  8-)
 

  Some might say that was fair comment. Did he mention Collymore's penchant
 for fighting with his team mates in training ( allegedly ).

  Stuart   

    Paneso - sorry I didn't answer - out at customers
    
    
    Wombles 4	FEs 0
    
    We were awful, it was embarrassing, it was shameful. But enough about
    the football.
    
    My real gripe is with the squatters. After a bit in the prog from Sam H
    about how the fans should love one another he starts ranting about how
    the Wombles shouldn't feel second class cos they won more games etc at
    Selhurst last season than we did! Real bridge building Sam! Also, he
    issues all the free admission kiddies with red/yellow cards to wave
    when they see a foul - naturally anytime a Palace player got near a
    Womble (not often to be fair!) Again - a great introduction to football
    and a real friendly act!
    
    God I wish they would push off back to Plough Lane.
    
    Paul

    Palace 4	M'boro 1
    
    Rodger      Wilkinson
    Young
    Armstrong
    Coleman
    
    That was much better! After a dull first half, the FEs took control
    with a deflected Rodger free kick, followed up with a Young header and
    sealed it with a wonder goal from Armstrong - watch out for it on goal
    of the month. Oh sorry, Chris doesn't play for Villa, Utd or Liverpool
    so it must have been cr*p ;->
    
    Coleman headed home to make it 4 and then we gave away a silly goal.
    
    Only gripe, why didn't Coppell play Williams with Armstrong? He has
    been excellent while Armstrong's been out. He could have pushed Coleman
    back to left back instead of the woeful Shaw and we could have had two
    real strikers.
    
    Transfer rumours - Sinclair from Blackpool as a striker, can't remember
    the name but looks like Carlton Palmer in midfield from Port Vale and
    a to be determined left back.
    
    Leeds away on Saturday, only real hope is that they have never beaten
    us since coming back up - but neither had the Wombles!
    
    Paul
    
    

  For only the second time ( I can remember anyway ), I left the Palace early
  during the pitiful display against the Wombles. To cap it all they called us
  the scum ( well both of them did anyway).

  Like you I was heartened by the second half display yesterday, and thought
  Armstong's goal wasan absolute belter.

  Whinge time.

  I went to take my seat only to find 300 bloody bandsman in the area. I 
  was asked if I wanted to insist on my usual position and decided that it
  wasn't worth the hassle and duly moved don the stand. Low and behold, 
  a steward came and told us we had to move because these seats were reserved
  for the bandsman . I don't think that this tattooed vision of loveliness
  was quite prepared for the vitriolic, hateful outburst he received from 
  my companions. We told him to get the senior steward who was then told to
  **** off in no uncertain terms. To cap it all the band decided to clear off.
  Order restored and a missive on its way to Uncle Ron.

  Did you get the Eagle Eye. I have a feeling that some people don't rate
  Sinnott, and others are not great fans of the Arse.

  Stuart

  Question Time.

  If Tony Adams and Ian Wright fell simultaneously from a tenth story window
  who would hit the ground first.    



  A:    Who cares.

    Paneso...
    
    I never realised you were a Journo, is your dad David Lacey?
    
    Articles in (the excellent) Eagle Eye [love "the yoof team"], meeting
    Carter USM I don't know. Thinking about giving up the day job.
    
    By the way, as we play the Donkeys on the Sat before their second final
    what are the odds on Ian Who? having a groin strain against us?
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.369 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                           -< Ipswich for the drop >-

>    By the way, as we play the Donkeys on the Sat before their second final
>    what are the odds on Ian Who? having a groin strain against us?
    
     You don't think that George Graham would resort to subterfuge in order
     to try and resue a woeful season , do you?

     Scoop Panes

   Big game against Salford United tomorrow night. I have a horrible feeling
   that the Palace will get stuff and abet Moan U's Championship push.

   I shall be soaking up the pre-match atmosphere ( and one or two pints  )
   tomorrow afternoon.

   So heres to a good match.

   Stuart

    Should be Palace's biggest gate of the season, as of Friday there were
    only 3,000 terrace tickets left and around 500 in the Members Stand,
    the Arfur Waite was sold out. Key question - will Coppell play Williams
    or Watts with Armstrong rather than Coleman? Pigs might fly!
    
    Our interest in Trevor Sinclair of Blackpool is now official with Villa
    and QPR also interested. Likely price #1m+
    
    Paul

    Palace 0	Mancs 2  	Att 30,115
    
    		Hughes (offside)
    		Ince (Not a bad goal for a whinging old woman)
    
    Great to see a full Selhurst, even if it was half full of deluded
    Londoners who have never been to Manchester but seem to think that a
    London team is not worthy of their support.
    
    Palace had the upper hand for the first hour, with Southgate going
    close with a 30 yd drive, and Armstrong having one off the post and two
    just past. The Diving Dane was in a right paddy with Bruce and
    Pallister and also had a shouting match with Fergie. Then Utd brought
    on L'homme Bionique from his wheel chair and got a goal that even Alan
    "If you're not in the Big 6 you don't play football" said was offside.
    It was Utd's first chance, the only shot in the first half being blown
    up for offside (but Nige saved it anyway)
    
    After that the FEs were chasing the game but we nearly got back in when
    Sch-thingumy let one through his legs and had to rely on Irwin
    toe-poking it away from Armstrong (not a missed open goal Mr Lacey).
    Utd sealed it with a good goal from Ince at the end and there fans
    stayed on to celebrate.
    
    Thorn was outstanding for us, Newman (in for Thomas who's father died
    yesterday) did all that could be expected in his first first team
    start, and Southgate had the better of Ince for much of the first half.
    Finally, Mr Dependable - John Humphrey had a very good game and
    shackled Giggs very well.
    
    Yet again Palace played 14 men as the officials gave everything to the
    "big team" - well, to be fair, one lino was total cr*p and got every
    decision wrong.
    
    If we play this well against Ipswich, M City and the Arse we should get
    the 3 points to guarantee safety, although realistically I reckon
    Forest and Boro are dead already. The casue will be helped by the
    return of Thomas and Rodger (injured at Leeds and missed for his
    corners and crosses) and is Coppell decides that Coleman needs a break
    and puts Williams on from the start. 
    
    On the assumption we survive I reckon we are well set for next year
    with a couple of buys and with some battle hardened young stars like
    Armstrong, Rodger, Southgate and Bowry.
    
    Roll on August (assuming we stay up!)
    
    Paul - and from Paneso after your day's holiday to build up?!?

   Good ( and fair ) report Paul.  

   Stuart

   BTW aren't the woodlice fans a charming bunch

    FE's 3		Ipswich 1	Att 18,881
    
    Young		Some farmer's boy
    Armstrong
    McGoldrick
    
    Excellent performance by the FEs to (almost) guarantee Premier League
    footie next year. We were all over Ipswich for most of the game and
    could have had several more.Superb show by Paul Williams when he came
    on for the injured Coleman, unlucky not to score himself and set up
    McGoldrick's 10th of the season. Now its Man City on Weds and the Arse
    (hoefully in pre Cup final slumber) on Saturday, and praying that
    Oldham don't win both their games! I actually reckon we'll get
    something out of the last two games anyway.
    
    Next season actually looks quite hopeful, if we add a couple of players
    like Sinclair from Blackpool, a creative midfielder and Salako back
    from injury (kicking and running on Saturday!) The young players like
    Rodger, Southgate, Bowry and Ndah will keep getting better, as will
    Chris Armstrong. I'm not sure we actually need the full back everybody
    says we are going to buy. Rodger and Salako on the left and Mr
    Dependable Humphrey on the right look capable (Humpy has got at least
    one more season).
    
    By the way - Paneso - was that you I saw embracing a Palace player on
    the pitch? My other half thought you looked a little "tired" :-)
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.375 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                             -< Safe as a Prefab >-
    
>    By the way - Paneso - was that you I saw embracing a Palace player on
>    the pitch? My other half thought you looked a little "tired" :-)
    
     Ermm um...it was my twin.

     Stuart

    Very simple for the FEs tonight, a win takes us to 14th (!) in the
    table and 100% cast iron safe. Anything less leaves us open to being
    caught by Oldham. It is very strange to be wanting a Looneypool win
    tonight!
    
    Looks like we will finally get the attack the fans want - Armstrong &
    Williams as Coleman is out with damaged ankle ligaments (courtesy of
    David Linighan on Saturday) Martyn is expected to be fit after a back
    strain. Also in the squad is another FE international who has yet to
    appear for us, Darren Patterson, on the bench for the last two N
    Ireland games and (I suspect) Eric Ninja's replacement in waiting.
    
    By the way, Stu - you will have missed this on Saturday, nice touch by
    the score board to put the scorer of the first goal up as NINJA against
    Ipswich.
    
    Come on Eagles, 3 more points and we can completely relax and maybe
    turn over the Arse on Saturday as well.
    
    Paul

Well, it's very quiet in here today! Now you have to avoid defeat at Arsenal, 
or hope Oldham don't beat Southampton. I'd be sweating . . .

g

    Don't know about Paneso but some of us spend time selling to customers.
    Bitterly disappointing last night - the commentary and the paper agreed
    that Palace won it on points but couldn't get the goal. If only
    Armstrong was fully fit rather than playing on painkillers for a broken
    bone in the foot.
    
    What is really ironic is how few games we have lost this season in
    comparison to the other bottom teams - 14 (from memory) against 18-21.
    We just have had too many draws. Converting even one of those would
    have been enough.
    
    Oh well - here's to Oldham performing to plan (they have not won three
    consecutive games this season) and Arsenal continuing their stuuning FA
    Cup build up - 0-0, 0-0, loadsa reerves, no goals.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.379 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                             -< The Waiting Game >-

>    Don't know about Paneso but some of us spend time selling to customers.
 

   I am sitting in abject pain with every bit of me crossed.


   Stuart

    Look on the bright side - Stoke and Port Vale are close together
    geographically and should be easy to find for those away games
    next season (:==:) and you'll also get to see TGA play.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    It all started to go wrong on Thursday. The dishwasher packed up
    overnight, I turned up for a customer meeting that the customer's sec
    had forgotten to cancel and the weather broke. Then, at 4.45 on
    Saturday the black thunder clouds over Croydon started to rain and 4
    years effort was over.
    
    The Graudiad has it right for a change, we are all stunned. Last
    Saturday we were 8 points clear and Oldham had to go to Villa AND
    entertain Liverpool. We even got a good away point at Man City (not so
    good in the context of what Everton did to them!) And now this!
    
    Southend and Stan Colleymore and Chris Powell
    Millwall and Moralee and Barber
    Charlton and Alan Pardew
    Watford and Perry Suckling
    and worst.....
    
    Derby and Zico Gabbiadini
    
    Still, at least there will be a whole new set of grounds to go to, and
    more elbow room at the bar at Selhurst :-(
    
    What is vital now is to hang on to at least Martyn and Armstrong.
    Thomas looks like he needs a change, Thorn would be great to keep but
    we have Coleman, Patterson and Holman as cover, and Eddie is on a long
    attractive contract (and Jack Charlton looks beyond the Premier anyway)
    Martyn and Armstrong will be key. We also need to add a second striker
    (we have trialed a guy called Ferdinand - from Carshalton Athletic!)
    plus a left back and we need Salako fit, plus it would be nice to see a
    fit David Whyte alongside Armstrong.
    
    If we can get a flying start and a few good wins under our belt the
    crowds will stay reasonable and the higher we are the bigger they'll
    be. Here's to bouncing straight back (and replacing Wimbledon -
    PLEASE!!!!)
    
    Next season can't come soon enough
    
    Paul 

    Stu,
    
    Looking on the positive side, what would you reckon to selling Thomas,
    Thorn, Shaw, Sinnott, and some youngsters to balance the books and
    playing the following (if we didn't buy anyone new)
    
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey  Southgate   Young	Coleman
    		McGoldrick Bowry      Rodger	Salako
    			Armstrong     Whyte (or Watts)
    
    That would give us Osborn, Ndah, Williams, Patterson and the 5th Form
    in reserve and we could maybe buy a couple of 500k prospects. Always
    assuming we can hang onto Armstrong & Martyn.
    
    Interesting how all the papers who slagged us off for 4 years are now
    very sorry for Coppell cos we got 49 pts and still went down.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.383 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                         -< First Division Champions? >-

     Paul,

     I have been suffering from a senses of bereavement (which was not helped
     by every bastard in the world has pointing out to me that Palace have been 
     relegated  - but I have a good memory. I also go to football matches
     and will continue my season ticket at the F.E's next season. Let the
     armchair sods snipe all they like - WTF do they know about football ).


     I wouldn't like to see Thorn go ( but Sinnott can go anytime he wants ).
     I think maybe Palace should give Gary Charles an opportunity to have a new 
     lease of life.


     The first few games of next season are crucial.

     See you at Selhurst, and I look forward to the Eaglets becoming the 
     "team of the ........"

     Stuo

    Loadsa stuff in the Croydon Advertiser today. Coppell has gone on hols
    'til Thursday and is mulling over things. Apparently his salary drops a
    fair bit on relegation. All out of contract players have been offered
    new contracts (Humpy, Young, Shaw, Newman, Bowry) as have several
    trainees. Only one player is being released - John Budden.
    
    Noades is being adamant that the players are not for sale, particularly
    Armstrong and states that a player will be bought to play along side
    him. He states that the priorities are:
    
    - reduce bank loans
    - reduce "lesser" players wages
    - get 800k worth of season ticket sales
    
    Tulip have confirmed they will be continuing as sponsor, as will Ribero
    for the kit. Home strip will stay red and blue, away strip will be
    white. Plans to play in black have been abandonned as Div 1 refs are
    still in black. This will be the "exhibition" strip.
    
    Friendlies set up against Brentford, Burnley and A N Other. A planned
    trip to Portugal pre-season is off, and Coppell partly blames all the
    pre-season tours last year for the poor start.
    
    The letters page is lively as ever, with most people supporting Coppell
    staying and saying how they will stay with the club. One guy ressurects
    the old transfer failures list again and finishes with a wonderfully
    naff comment along the lines of -
    
    they say you shouldn't kick a manager when he's down, but I say that's
    the best time to do it!
    
    A real true supporter.
    
    Finally, Salako's column confirms the importance of going straight back
    up as 1994/5 will see 3 down and 2 up. So we need that good season.
    
    Paul

   Paul,

   Is there any change in the season ticket prices?

   Stuart

    Yup, gone down in most areas apart from the new Members area on the
    Whitehorse Road end.
    
    The Players Lounge that we buy has gone from #238 to #209 (Lifeline
    before 31/05)
    
    Paul

    I have the directions to Oxford if required......
    
    .... what is the christian name of this Ferdinand bloke.  I played
    against a Barry Ferdinand who was playing for Malden Vale 3 years ago. 
    The only accurate play he made was when he gobbed in my face.  Can't
    believe any league club could be interested in him.
    
    		Brian

  Rumours abound that Steve Coppell is on his way, and that Alan Smith
  ( assistant manager ) wiil step up.  

  Is this the start of the decline?

  Stuart

  Coppell resigns.

    
    Stuart,
    
    It seems to have been downhill for Palace ever since that nice Mr
    Noades made his remarks about black players - do you reckon he'll be
    next to go ?
    
    Paul

Sources close to the club have informed me that so far the only player to
request a transfer is Eddie.

The new away kit is white , but a black strip will be used for "exhibition 
games".



Stuart

>The new away kit is white , but a black strip will be used for "exhibition 
>games".


So the Brazilian look hasn't worked then..!!!

Tony

    Alan Smith confirmed as new manager on a 2 year contract. No other
    candidates were considered.
    
    The back of the Croydon Advertiser has Smith saying that Palace will
    now completely abandon any pretence to long ball ply, and that this is
    also the desire of the players. He says not to expect a new Swindon
    overnight tho'.
    
    Also, they state that Martyn and Armstrong have stated that they desire
    to stay and that the club is adamant they will stay. However "some
    players will go" (Eddie? Thorn? Thomas?) Money will also be found to
    strengthen the squad.
    
    Gievn Smith's record of bringing on the youth team (Shaw, Southgate,
    Rodger, Osborn, Salako) I am cautiously optimistic. I also reckon he
    may wait to see how David Whyte fares on his return from injury before
    diving into the market.
    
    Comments Stu?
    
    Paul

    Paul,


   It looks like your predictions were correct and that Eddie ( W.O.T.W ) will
   be joining that very "interesting" team in Norf Lundun.  I wonder how he
   will get on with "Flair" Dixon.


   Stuart

  Stripped of his Knighthood , Geoff Thomas has moved to Wolves. Its a 
  shame really , his pronunciation was coming along a treat.

  Stuart

Has John Salako decided to stay at Palace or is he too joining the general 
exodus of players?

Mike

    <<< Note 44.397 by FORTY2::FOWLERM "Finishing's not his strong point" >>>

>Has John Salako decided to stay at Palace or is he too joining the general 
>exodus of players?

>Mike


Given his pass medical history, it was once thought that Salako might not
play again. I believe that he is expected to be fit sometime early in the
season, but it would be a gamble for any club to buy him. I suspect that the
best of Johnny S it yet to be seen, and if he gets back to full fitness 
( and confidence ) and strikes up a good understanding with Armstrong, it
could be entertaining times at the San Selhurst.




Stuart

    
    Couldn't see a Dundee Utd topic, so this is the next best thing....
    
    Steve Coppell may be taking over at Tannadice as Utd's new manager,
    exclusive on Scottish news tonight at 6.00.
    
    colin. 

    A small one-liner in the Grauniad today (amongst all the stuff about
    Ardiles) says that there are rumours of an El Tel buy out at Selhurst -
    anybody else heard it? I wouldn't be sorry to see the back of Noades
    and if Venables could overcome the ill feeling of creating and
    destroying "team of the 80's" it could be a very good thing.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.400 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                             -< Palace Hotspurs? >-

>    A small one-liner in the Grauniad today (amongst all the stuff about
>    Ardiles) says that there are rumours of an El Tel buy out at Selhurst -
>    anybody else heard it? I wouldn't be sorry to see the back of Noades
>    and if Venables could overcome the ill feeling of creating and
>    destroying "team of the 80's" it could be a very good thing.
    
>    Paul


     I wouldn't mind seeing Venners back at the San Selhurst. Perhaps this
     will allow Mr Noades a quiet retirement at his caravan on Canvey.


     Stuart

    Well,
    
    Time to accept the inevitable and get ready for Division 1. News from
    the Palace.....
    
    Tulip have dropped out as sponsor, not surprising given their financial
    state. The FEs hope to do an 18 month deal by Xmas.
    
    Young has still not signed a contract and has been told to stay at home
    until he does.
    
    Salako estimates he will be playing in October
    
    Chris Armstrong has signed a 2 year extension to his contract.
    
    Crawley Town dispatched 7-1 in a friendly, team was:
    
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey  Thorn		Shaw	Coleman
    		Whyte	  Bowry	    Southgate	Rodger
    			  Williams  Armstrong
    
    Plan seems to be to play Whyte & williams interchangeably on the right
    supporting Armstrong. When Salads gets back on the left that will be
    some forward line. My only concern is depth in the squad, we look ok in
    midfield but strikers are a bit thin, with only Watts as real cover for
    Armstrong.
    
    Still, here's to the joys of Tranmere and TGA on the first day of the
    season.
    
    Paul

    Friendly winning streak continues.....
    
    Seaweeds 0	Palace 3 (Southgate, Osborn, Bowry)
    
    Some good signs here, lots of goals, some coming from the midfielders,
    lets just hope we keep it up when the real stuff starts.
    
    Paul

    Teams in friendlies:
    
    V Brentford	
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey  Thorn       Shaw	Coleman
    		Osborn	  Bowry       Southgate Gordon	
                      	  Williams    Whyte
    		Sub - Newman for Bowry
    
    V Brighton
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey  Thorn       Young	Coleman
    		Osborn    Bowry       Southgate Gordon
    			  Williams    Whyte
    		Sub - Newman for Osborn
    
    Armstrong, Rodger and Shaw are expected to be fit for selection against
    Fulham, plus Darren Patterson has been playing well in Club XI games
    
    The Fulham side is expected to be the league team. I would expect:
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey   Thorn      Young 	Coleman
    		Whyte	   Bowry      Southgate	Rodger
    			   Williams   Armstrong
    
    		Subs - Shaw & Gordon
    
    Thorn has also been named Club Captain.
    
    No sign of the two most promising youngsters in the pre-seasons, Watts
    & Ndah.
    
    Paul

    Final Friendly:
    
    Fulham 0	Palace 5
    
    		Armstrong 3
    		Williams 2
    
    Interesting to see Patrick Barclay in the Observer almost writing us
    off for this season in favour of a midlands trio coming up. Why should
    Debry be any more consistent this season? My predicitions -
    
    Promotion between: Palace, Leicester, Forest, Wolves (if the side
    gels), Middlesboro
    
    Here's to giving TGA & Co a good stuffing on Saturday.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.405 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                      -< Still not got a ticket Paneso? >-
    
    Paul,

    Correct ... still no ticket. I also read Barclay's comments... what a 
    plank. But the most cutting comment of the weekend was by "her", when 
    surveying the new strips of the Premier League teams , she asked "Where's
    Crystal Palace??"

    Ho hum, but one of the rags compared Williams and Armstrong to Wright
    and Bright.




    Stuart

    Palace 0  Tranmere 0
    
    Att 14,700ish
    
    Well, the new Sainsbury's end look like a good investment. Actually, it
    wasn't too bad a game, and if Tranmere are up amongst the play off
    contenders we should be there too. As with lots of games last year, a
    couple of early breaks and it would have been very different. As it
    was, the only early break was Simon Osborn's (seemingly) dislocated
    shoulder (again) causing a sub at 10 minutes. David Whyte came on and
    looked excellent, but the side also looked a bit unbalanced as he
    played further forward than Osborn would have done.
    
    Still, the players looked like they wanted to hang onto the ball not
    pass it immediately, and they showed good ball skills that they
    obviously hid under the Coppell style. Also, the defence looked very
    solid. Coleman very sure at left back.
    
    Once Simon Rodger is back to provide some quality crosses things should
    improve even more.
    
    Still, Eagle Eye made a great read and it was a surprise to have the
    Players Lounge sunshine blotted out by Martin McCauge, English
    Australian - god is he tall!
    
    Where abouts were you Stu? How did you manage without Eddie?
    
    Paul 

  Paul,

  I knew the omens were'nt too good, as I got there in time to see the kick-off.
  This of course meant I saw the opportunity in the first minute just go
  over the bar. Nixon ( Tranmere 'keeper ) had a great game and I had to feel
  a little sorry for him getting a crowd induced booking for time-wasting. 
  
  Unfortunately I am off to parts foreign so will miss the Bristol game
  and possibly Forest, but all in all not a bad opening performance.

  Stuart

    Ossie is out for at least 2 months with a disclocated shoulder.
    Hopefully the other Bisto kid will be back for Bristol or N Forest.
    
    As for Nixon, I actually agreed with the booking, shades of Flowers
    last season. He was pretty tardy in getting things going.
    
    Paul

       <<< Note 44.409 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Scuba Dive in my Think Tank" >>>
                     -< Getting used to no paper reports >-

    
>    As for Nixon, I actually agreed with the booking, shades of Flowers
>    last season. He was pretty tardy in getting things going.
    
     Paul,

     There was still some time to go, and as far as I know the ref had
     not said anything to him. In fact I got the impression that the ref was
     interested until the Eagles started baying like bloodhounds.

     Still it gave me a chuckle, but I hope the standard of reffing
     gets better.

     Stuart

     BTW I'm sorry if I have lapsed in to reasonableness - must read a few
         of the other topics, and maybe I can be as blinkered and biased
         as some of our fellow noters.

    P.S  Gleaned from the Eagle Eye..


         Q: What do you call 200 hundred Arsenal fans at the bottom of the sea?


         A: A start.

     

>  This of course meant I saw the opportunity in the first minute just go
>  over the bar. 
        ^^^^^^^
    
    Which you happened to be in at the time.
    
    barry.
    

    Team news for Bristol City away...
    
    Osborn likely to be replaced by Simon Rodger, now recovered from an
    ankle injury.
    
    Richard Shaw may come in for John Humphrey at right back (WHY?!?!)
    
    David Whyte expected to start, probably for Dean Gordon, possibly
    switching roles with Williams. Likely line up:
    
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey/Shaw Thorn Young	Coleman
    		Williams   Bowry     Southgate  Rodger
    			   Whyte     Armstrong
    
    Martyn O'Connor also rumoured to be pushing for a place.
    
    Darren Patterson has asked for a transfer
    
    Alan Smith inquired about Paul Wilkinson from Middlesboro and got told
    that the price was #1.2m and rising by #3k per week!
    
    Paul

    After Saturday's little rural upset ---
    
    Palace 2	Forest	0	Att 15,000+
    
    Young
    Gordon
    
    Excellent performance by the new look FEs, with even this morning's
    Grauniad complementing their play. For the third game running we were
    forced to re-organise early when Andy Thorn pulled up with a hamstring
    problem and had to go off. This caused Chris Coleman to pull across to
    the centre and Dean Gordon to drop in at left back - a position he
    filled excellently.
    
    The team played good, pacy passing football, tackled exceptionally
    well and restricted Forest to just one effort on goal, from the #2m
    donkey Colleymore. The main revelation was Richard Shaw, playing as a
    ball carrying midfielder. He's always looked like Frank Rijkaard and
    last night he played like him! One run and shot from the half way line
    was superb. I never thought I'd rate Shaw as a candidate for MotM but
    he was last night!
    
    As for Forest, they were very poor, lots of pretty passing but no
    penetration, and a few lumping high balls to Rosario (another donkey).
    They could well struggle to get back at this rate. Their best player
    was Woan, and he could be a target if they look to be not going
    straight back.
    
    The Eagles are flying again!
    
    Paul

    FEs paired with Charlton in the Diet Coke Tab Aspartame Nutrasweet Cup.
    
    This means that we'll see quite a bit of them during September -
    
    7th		Away	Anglo-Italian
    21st	Home	CCola
    25th	Away	Division 1
    5th Oct?	Away	CCola
    
    That'll be quite enough of Twin Towers Al (Pardew) for one season!
    
    Paul

  Palace 5 Portsmouth 1

  Portmouth took the lead with a well taken goal ( aided and abetted by
  some slack defending ). The Eagles' defence was all over the place
  for the first twenty minutes and then the tide turned. Two-one up at
  half-time. Southgate who had a poor first half scired a tremendous
  goal after picking up the ball in his own half and unleashing a venomous
  shot.

  Armstrong picked up his first hat-trick.

  A few beers before hand render details a little fuzzy, but the result,
  a more beers and curry afterwards, ensured that a great time was had by all.

  Stuart

  BTW Palace are now sixth in the table.
  

    Brum 2	Palace 4
    		Williams, Armstrong (2), Shaw
    
    Listened to the game on Capital Gold, having missed the Pompey
    thrashing due to being 600 miles away in Scotland. Sounded like an
    excellent performance by the FEs with Paul Williams finally getting a
    well deserved first goal for Palace, Richard Shaw getting his second in
    around 160 games, and Chrissie A becoming the top scorer in the
    division with a brace following signing his new 4 year contract.
    Sounded like the Palace were generally on top, and the guy from
    Birmingham radio said we looked a class above Brum.
    
    Palace are now third. with 11 goals scored.
    
    Next two games, Bolton(A) and Charlton(A) in the Copa Italia may be
    postponed due to Young and Patterson (plus possibly Coleman) being on
    WC duty.
    
    Paul;

    Great, not only do we get rolled over by Charlton 4-1 but Chris
    Armstrong decides to get himself sent off for violent conduct! Now
    he'll be out for 3 games. And all for the micky mouse Ital Cup.
    
    Still, at least we're out of it now (Charlton through unless Millwall
    beat us by more than 3 goals at Selhurst) and can concentrate on proper
    competitions.
    
    Actually considering we were missing Young and Coleman on Wales duty,
    Thorn and Osborn injured, Bowry suspended and Young/Thorn's cover,
    Patterson, on NI duty we probably didn't do to bad.
    
    However, Alan Smith will need to watch the crime count, 2 sent off in 6
    games is not good, and we are getting silly bookings too.
    
    Paul

    God its good to read nice things about the FEs in the Grauniad!
    
    Palace 1	Sunderland 0
    
    Armstrong
    
    Att 11k+ (awful weather, live TV and a long way from Sunderland)
    
    Not a really sparkling performance from the lads, but with Thorn still
    out and Bowry missing too, it was the sort of game we regularly lost or
    drew last term. Bowry replaced by Stuart massey who played very well,
    and could stay in at Richard Shaw's expense when Bowry is back. Shaw
    and Southgate had anonymous games but there really wasn't too much of a
    threat. 
    
    God isn't Goodman a whinger! He never shut up!
    
    Salako was on Sky in the morning saying he had an agreed date for being
    back in action in the reserves - "in 2 or 3 weeks" so our "new #3m
    signing" should be back soon.
    
    Now up to second in the table, with a game in hand ovre leaders
    Charlton. Only cloud on the horizon is Armstrong's suspension for 3
    games.
    
    Paul

    Wouldn't you be a winger if you had the rest of that team around you!!
    
    I thought we defended quite well, on chances created we sould have been
    stuffed. We haven't had a midfield for years, without that we're nowt!!
    
    John.
    
    
                      

   Anglo Italian Cup Qualifying Round

   Palace 3 Millwall 0

   Scorers, Armstrong , Williams and Whyte. So David Whyte is fit and 
   bangin' them in.

   The game was played in front of OVER 2000 people.

   I didn't go, but I believe Mr Pateman did.

   Can we have a report please, Paul.

   Stuart 

    Ever able to oblige....
    
    Palace 3	Millwall 0	Att a Womble-ish 2717
    
    Williams 5
    Armstrong (Pen) 35ish
    Whyte 89
    
    Oh dear................
    
    Palace line up:
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey   Shaw      Southgate (c)	Gordon
    		Massey	   Newman    Rodger (sub OConnor) Ndah
    			   Williams  Armstong (sub Whyte)
    
    What an atmosphere - why the hell did we go?!?! Still it was
    entertaining to see the Millwall lads manage to get thrown out of teh
    ground for fighting with the police (no Palace fans in sight!) Palace
    put out a semi reserve side (Ninja, Coleman and Thorn were in the bar
    when we arrived) and still didn't really look troubled - and also
    looked pretty dire in the second half! First goal - throw from Martyn
    to Ooh-Ahh on the half way line, sprint past vdHawe, shot parried,
    Willow buries it. Second goal, through ball from Massey to Armstrong,
    round the keeper, pulled down, almost but not quite keeps feet to score
    - penalty. Ref (Vic Callow) doesn't realise its a noddy game and sends
    off keeper to universal disgust. Millwall in spot of bother as they
    have neglected to bring a sub keeper! Armstrong score from the spot.
    Other highlight - a lovely curler from 30 yds by Massey that clips the
    angle of the bar.
    
    Armstrong off at half time with a slight knock, plus to avoid anger at
    Judas chants from Millwallese, replaced by Whyte who misses two sitters
    when clean through. Palace generally lose shape and interest
    particularly when Jolly goes off and we fail to get one more cross in!
    OohAah looks seriously out of sorts, miss the third goal after leaving
    from boredom at non-serious cup. Oh - and Millwall hit a post once, but
    looked truly dire (no Barber or Moralee) Palace trialist Salou (?)
    sitting in the stand - dead ringer for Ninja. Interest only created by
    earwigging conversation by ex yoof captain Mark Holman on Coppell vs
    Smith, what a great deal Andy Turner at Spurs is on, how Salako's
    younger brother blew his chance of a Palace move, and what Gordon and
    OohAah's right legs are for (standing on only)
    
    Oh well - next weeks Caffine flavoured Water cup game should be a bit
    better.
    
    Yours enthralled....
    

.... and off to Rat City.....

        
        
        Despite the best efforts of various roadworks to prevent 
        an early arrival, we got to Birmingham a good 90 minutes 
        before kick-off. The few pubs which were open did not 
        allow us entry, and the Police even got the off licence 
        to close just before we got there.  I do not understand 
        this attitude, because all but the nearest pub to the 
        Palace, seem to let all and sundry in. Why is he telling 
        us this , I hear your murmur. Well, Dear Reader, I would 
        have been a lot happier watching the first half with a 
        little "milk of magnesia" inside me. The high flying 
        Eagles were all over the place.
        
        West Bromich dominated the first half playing some neat 
        football on approach to the F.Es penalty area. If they 
        had been a little less pretty pretty when in the danger 
        zone they could have had Palace dead and buried by 
        half-time. The Palace mid-field was appalling ( Shaw 
        ineffectual, and Southgate a waste of a clean shirt - 
        although one of the papers said he was man of the 
        match!!!).
        
        W.B.A took the lead through local hero Bob Taylor , who 
        took full advantage of some very sloppy Palace marking. 
        This led to taunts ( and I must admit a wry chuckle from 
        me ) when the locals chanted one-nil, one-nil etc in very 
        bad "cockney accents".This was followed by a spirited 
        rendition of the mystifying "Bo-ing Bo-ing Baggies " 
        song.
        
        Williams , who was concussed , did not come out for the 
        second half, and was replaced by David Whyte. Chris 
        Coleman opened the Palace account with a well placed 
        header. This rocked the Throstles and inspired Palace to 
        goon and score more. Three more in fact. A great turn by 
        Whyte left two defenders in his wake , before blasting 
        the ball past the WBA keeper. Southgate ( still having a 
        stinker in my opinion ) latched onto a off-side trap 
        breaking through ball and cooly rounded the keeper. Next 
        up that man Armstrong , who having earlier spurned a 
        similar chance , found himself with the keeper to beat, 
        and made no mistake. Earlier Shaw had been replaced by 
        Dean Gordon. 
        
        The next few weeks should prove interesting. Armstrong 
        banned , but appealing, against a three game suspension 
        is out for the Charlton Coca-Cola Cup, Charlton league 
        and Stoke league games. Williams is skillful but easily 
        knocked off the ball. Southgate has had a massive drop in 
        form. Shaw is out of sorts and out of position. Maybe it 
        is time that Alan Smith made a foray into the market , 
        and bought some experience to go with the youthful talent 
        that is coming through.
        
        Stuart

    Thank you Mr Panes - watching ceefax/CGold on Saturday I thought we
    were going to be done for, but unlike last year we piled back.
    
    News from that organ of reliability the Croydon Advertiser:
    
    Salako has pencilled in October 2nd vs Stoke to come back. Final visit
    to the specialist this week, and he's been "superb in training".
    I would speculate he would come in for Shaw with Rodger tucking inside
    on the left. Alternatively, Williams could drop into right wing and
    Salako go upfront.
    
    Palace are not signing Salou but have got Andy Salako training with
    them and he played for the reserves last week.
    
    Re Armstrong - one theory is for Coleman to temporarily go upfront but
    I hope not, I would go for Grant Watts.
    
    Paul

    Express headline:
    
    King Salako back at the Palace. Yes John Salako was back last night for
    the 3-1 defeat of Charlton, coming on as a 70th minute sub for Paul
    williams. He looked a class above the enitre Charlton defence, and the
    comment from a Charlton player sitting in front of us was....
    
    
    "If he's like this in his first game, what's he going to be like after
    10!"
    
    Good performance from Palace, despite missing Andy Thorn again and
    Chris Armstrong. On last night's evidence, I can see a forward pairing
    of Whyte and Armstrong coming together pretty soon. Southgate was CC
    MotM, and deservedly so, back to his best and a screamer of a goal.
    Slight wobble in the second half after we let them back in with a
    softish goal (very rare mistake by the Ninja) but the re-emergence of
    Salako gave the team and the crowd a huge boost.
    
    Current season record now stands at:
    
    P 10, W7, L2, D1, For 23 A 11 (and 4 of those were without our regular
    defence in the Anglo Italia!)
    
    Keeping them crossed for the rest of the season and the Premier in
    94/5.
    
    Paul

    Update for Sunday at the Valley, top of the table clash....
    
    Andy Thorn is fit and will be back in defence
    Salako has a slight groin strain and will most likely be on the bench
    again
    
    Otherwise, unchanged, Whyte and Williams up front with Armstrong out, I
    would expect Salako and Gordon to be on the bench.
    
    We seem to be getting a good squad now with competition for places,
    this must be a good sign for on-going chances of promotion.
    
    Paul

    Charlton 0	Palace 0
    
    Did you go Stuart? We were out motor racing and missed both TV and live
    versions.
    
    Looks like the live TV bogey struck again and the FEs played a stinker.
    Great match for David "Seaweed" Lacey to pick to turn up to. Still, we
    go back top and Salako played another half an hour. I think that at the
    moment the midfield is a little slanted to work rather than creation.
    Shaw, Southgate and Rodger are all grafters with only Bowry providing
    ideas. With Salako back for either Shaw or Rodger (hopefully the
    former!) we would have a bit more balance.
    
    Also, Whyte still seems inconsistent so maybe it will be Armstrong &
    Williams again.
    
    Stoke at Selhurst on Saturday but still no Armstrong.
    
    Paul

        
        
        Although Charlton ( on Police instructions ) raised the 
        allocation of tickets for the Palace, I was unable to get one. 
        I therefore settled down in front on a friend's t.v. and 
        eagerly awaited a feast of football.
        
        Unfortunately this was not to be. The weather combined with 
        familiarity of the teams, and the absence of both sides main strikers, 
        made for a pretty poor spectacle.
        
        Palace looked solid at the back ( although Coleman tried to 
        bring the game to life with a spectacular header which left 
        Martyn for dead ), the midfields canceled each other out, and 
        the strikers looked bereft of ideas.
        
        Even when Salako came on ( and to be fair he didn't do much ), 
        it looked as if both sides would settle for a point. It would 
        have been nice to see Salako down one flank, Bowry down the 
        other and perhaps - having already taken Williams off - pushed 
        Coleman up front to supply some knock-ons for Whyte.
        
        Palace's best chance came from a Salako low centre which Whyte 
        managed to miss ( Rodger was hurtling towards the penalty spot 
        and a drag back to him might have been more fruitful ).
        
        Again Shaw looked out of his depth, but this was offset by 
        "Twin Tower" Supa Al being equally ineffectual.
        
        
        Stoke on Saturday and Armstrong will be missing again.        
        
        
        Stuart

    Palace	4	Stoke 1	Att 12k and a bit
    
    Southgate		Stein
    Salako (3)
    
    Radio 5 (not Palace's fave station after their ads linking us with the
    Wombles and Cambridge) were a little harsh on Stoke. They played very
    well and have a pretty potent pair of strikers in Stein and Carruthers.
    However, they came upon a Premier quality defence and an England class
    keeper (martyn made three stunning saves), which left them shooting
    from long range. Meanwhile, their defence was tormented by John Salako
    proving that just like Shearer - he's back (and he doesn't cripple
    defenders so he can get past them) 
    
    Excellent performance all round and great to see Salad boy playing so
    well, and charging about despite the tricky surface. Now Smith has a
    problem - who to leave out to bering back Chris Armstrong? Paneso
    reckons that Salads will be rested for the Tab Clear cup and if the
    Leicester C match if off cos of Young and Coleman being on WC duty it
    may not be until Wolves come down on Sunday 17/10 that we'll know. My
    guess?
    
    Armstrong and Whyte up front
    Salako, Rodger, Southgate and Bowry across the middle
    
    Williams and Shaw on the bench
    
    Watch out Premier we're looking like we're coming back - with a much
    better side. Suppose we'll pass Swindon, Oldham and Sheff Utd (or WHU,
    Soton or Ipswich) on the way?
    
    Paul

    No mention at all in anything. Armstrong has just signed a 4 year
    contract and has committed himself to Palace several times. Also the
    management has committed that he will not be leaving under any
    circumstances. Anyway, #2.25m woulddn't be anywhere near enough in
    today's inflated prices, #3m would be nearer the mark if a donkey like
    Colleymore goes for #2m-ish.
    
    Why would Keegan want Armstrong anyway when he's got Cole? The two are
    very similar.
    
    Paul

    Charlton 0	Palace 1	Agg 1-4
    
    		Armstrong
    
    From the sound of Capital Gold, the FEs took a defensive view to the
    game, and played a very deep midfield until swapping Rodger for Salako
    with about 20 minutes to go. We then came forward and duly scored via
    Chris Armstrong. Saw the goal on London tonight - neat header after he
    had split the defence with a through ball for Bowry to cross. I think
    Bowry got MotM but I'm not sure (The Charlton fans booed so it must
    have been a Palace player!)
    
    Ray Clemence was very complementary about the defence but couldn't
    comment on the attack as we didn't do much!
    
    11 days off now until Wolves on October 17th, as the match at Leicester
    is off due to Coleman & Young being in the Welsh WC Squad.
    
    Side issue - talk last night of how p*ssed off Martyn must be with
    Taylor. He got assurances from GT on the US tour that being in the 1st
    Division wouldn't harm his England chances, and by general consent did
    well against the Germans. Now he isn't in the first 4! Woods plays crap
    and stays in the first 2, and Coton suddenly gets the standby slot. All
    this while martyn is playing very well and Palace have the best
    defensive record in Div 1! Mind you Taylor and McThingy have only
    picked 5 non Prem League players out of 50 for the two squads. What do
    people like Armstrong have to do to get a look in?
    
    Paul

    
    Re Chris Armstrong,
    
    Well, Terry Mac has stated on clubcall that Newcastle are not interested 
    in Armstrong. However, he's rebuffed claims of interest in a player in the 
    past, only for us to sign him (or attempt to) at a later date. Anyway,
    judging by last night's performance, there seems little need to buy a
    new striker at the moment.
    
    Tim

   Palace 1 Wolves 1

   The curse of the cameras hit the San Selhurst. A stunning goal by John
   Humphrey equalised for the under par Fab Ones, and brought a little joy
   to the Palace faithful. The Wolves central defence dealt extremely well with
   the F.E's naive tactics.

   Ho hum - still two games in hand.

   Stuart

 The Palace go to Goodison tonight to play Eugene Terreblanche's All Star XI,
 in the Panda Lo-Cal Mutual Assurance Windscreen Cup (formerly the "Rumbleows").

 After a  recent dip in league form  it will be interesting to see how the
 Eaglets perform against a Premier League side.

 Stuart
  

    Article today has Smithy asking for a bit less belief in their own
    publicity from the players and a bit more knuckling down and playing.
    Expect Salads to be on the bench with a super sub role.
    
    I predict either a 2-1 for the FEs or a draw and a turn over at
    Selhurst in 2 weeks
    
    Paul

    Strong performance from the former Premier Leaguers last night only to
    be robbed at the death. Still, it means more cash for the club from the
    replay. I bet we beat the 11k Everton managed last night.
    
    Unfortunately, Capital Gold stuck with the tedious two some of Arsenal
    and Chelsea last night, but from their snippets and from the papers, it
    seems that the FEs dominated and only Beagrie was any threat for the
    scousers. Goals from Thorn and Southgate, wood rattlers from Southgate
    and Gordon and Southall saves from Armstrong (twice). Also several
    "world class" saves from Martyn.
    
    Team:
    
    				Martyn
    		Humphrey   Thorn      Young	Coleman
    		Gordon	   Shaw	      Southgate	Gordon
    			   Armstrong  Whyte
    	
    		Sub - Salako for Gordon (Bowry not used)
    
    Replay - 9th November at Selhurst
    
    
    "Palace (.....), showed they are still Premiership quality and they
    were clearly the better team in terms of application and ideas"
    
    - Daily Telegraph
    
    Paul

    Coca Cola 5th Round:
    
    Palace/Everton vs Man Utd
    
    Now there's an incentive for the boys, and a potentially 30k Crowd at
    Selhurst.
    
    Not sure of the date, either 23/11 or 30/11 I guess.
    
    Paul

    
    Why would there be 30k at Sainsbury's car-park - watching Everton vs
    Man Utd on the big-screen ?
    
    Paul :-)

    Dream On Wattie!
    
    Paul

    Palace 1	Grimsby 0	Att 12k
    Southgate
    
    Just one of those games! Palace had endless chances, even missed a
    penalty, but found the woodwork and a goalkeeper in good form and had
    to settle for the one goal and three points. Grimsby took over an hour
    to have a shot, and to be fair came back with a bit of a flurry
    allowing Martyn to show his international class again (but will Taylor
    notice? Pah!)
    
    As for Palace, Whyte was in sparkling form and was desperately unlucky
    with a superb overhead in the second half. Armstrong was good too with
    a hit post and a close ovrehead kick in the first half, and a missed
    penalty via an excellent save in the second half.
    
    I would still prefer to see Salako in, Southgate looked uncomfortable
    on the wide right, and Gordon was anonymous in the second half. Maybe
    we will see some changes on Tuesday when 3 more points beckon against
    Luton.
    
    Paul
    
    ps - Not one of the suspensions were you Stuart?

  >   ps - Not one of the suspensions were you Stuart?


   Is this a reference to people being banned from the club?


  As to the game I totally agree about Whyte - the poor love didn't
  get the run of the ball when it mattered, but made some scintilating
  turns.

  News from Selhurst;

  *  Place to play PSV Eindhoven this month to open the new floodlights

  *  Palace were the first to sign the CRE anti-racist initiative. Uncle Ron
     was being blackmailed into putting a full page advert in the programme.
     He told them to poke it.

  *  Newcastle *did* make serious moves for Chris Armstrong ( but he appears
     to happy at San Selhurst despite his pushy agent).

  Stuart


  Luton on Tuesday ( what time is kick-off? ) on past matches this should be
  a thriller ( Not!)

    Palace 3	Luton 2	Att 10k ish
    
    Young, Shaw, Whyte
    
    First the bad news, Andy Thorn will be under the knife today for a
    cartledge op and will be out for 6 weeks. 
    
    Now the really bad news - we were crap!
    
    After letting Luton waltz into the lead twice we finally woke up and
    got some sort of control and could (and should) have pulled comfortably
    away in the second half. When Salako came on he was instantly a breath
    of fresh air. Presumably he will now be a regular with Gordon dropiing
    back to left back.
    
    In defence - the ref was the worst I have seen for years. Apparently
    when Alan Smith complained too loudly he went over to the dugout and
    said something like:
    
    "Look - I know I'm having a crap game but shouting won't make it any
    better"
    
    So much for professional refs! Still, 3 points and three goals and back
    to second, plus a reasonable crowd for a Tuesday with no (well a couple
    of hundred) away fans.
    
    Nott Co on Saturday and hopefully 3 more.
    
    Paul

 <<< Note 44.444 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "I'm a Mean Green Mutha from Outa Space" >>>
  

 I thought that Simon Rodger was the only Palace player in mid-field.

 The rest of my match report is with the Obscene Publications Squad.

 Stuart

 BTW I spoke to the Ninja after the game - scary bloke - I wonder if I'll
     sleep tonight.

    Stu - I thought Ninja was a closet accountant! Maybe he was just miffed
    at having a bad ankle?
    
    Anyway - did you go to Notts Co on Saturday? Shame that we seemed to
    forget that matches are 90 minutes long and that a good hiding for 20
    minutes doesn't necessarily get 3 points. Still, two great goals from
    Chris "Andy Cole - who he?" Armstrong. And most of the opposition
    managed to cock it up too.
    
    Now - Toffee on Wednesday night, and then a weekend off followed by 3
    away games!
    
    Barnsley	20/11
    Bolton	24/11
    Watford	28/11	(Sunday for TV)
    
    No games at Selhurst 'til 05/12 - Notts Co (unless we beat the midgets
    and play the Mancs on 01/12.
    
    Do you think that Southgate is totally wasted on the wide right?
    
    Paul

 <<< Note 44.446 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "I'm a Mean Green Mutha from Outa Space" >>>
                        -< It was a very iffy penalty >-

>    Stu - I thought Ninja was a closet accountant! Maybe he was just miffed
>    at having a bad ankle?
 
     He is training to be a chartered accountant. I wouldn't like to 
     work for the Inland Revenue when he gets his qualifications.
   
 >   Anyway - did you go to Notts Co on Saturday? Shame that we seemed to
 >   forget that matches are 90 minutes long and that a good hiding for 20
 >   minutes doesn't necessarily get 3 points. Still, two great goals from
 >   Chris "Andy Cole - who he?" Armstrong. And most of the opposition
 >   managed to cock it up too.
  

     I didn't go. As soon as I read that Thorn would be out for 6plus weeks
     I realised that one of the better defences in the league would start
     letting in a few goals. I hope that the Welsh internationals gel soon
     as the chasing pack has er chased and caught up. Anyway at least 
     yesterday the results went well for the Fab Ones.
     well for the F.E.'s   
        
>    Do you think that Southgate is totally wasted on the wide right?
 
     Yes.... but there again I'm normally totally wasted in Block "B".
      
    
    Time to start practising the "Hi-hoing".

    Stuart

    When asked how best to replace the injured Dean Gordon at left back,
    most FE fans would suggest Richard Shaw. Alan Smith got this right.
    
    When asked to replace Shaw in midfield, the answer would also be
    simple, add Bowry, or maybe the fit again Osborn, to Southgate, Salako
    and Rodger. Smith got this badly wrong. Not in the darkest nightmare
    did I ever think I would see Paul Mortimer in a Palace first team shirt
    again, much less in replacement for a fit John Salako. Mortimer has
    always been crap and last night was no exception. As surely as the ball
    followed him into crucial positions, he cocked it up. Smith compounded
    the error by substituting Bowry for Williams and leaving Mortimer
    sullying the pitch. It was obvious to all in the stadium that we were
    threatening down the right with Bowry, Southgate and Humphrey, and
    doing nothing down the left, where Shaw was having to play incredibly
    deep to block Preki 'cos Mortimer wouldn't tackle (touch of the Twin
    Towers Al eh Stu?)
    
    Anyway, Palace deserved their lead from an excellent Southgate shot and
    should have been two up when Armstrong blazed over (not shown on TV).
    This let Everton back in via a good goal from a corner. They then took
    the lead from a corner that shouldn't have been given followed by some
    slack defending. After that, Palace had to chase the game, Southall
    started blatantly time wasting and Palace got caught on the break twice
    for the penalty and the own goal.
    
    Interesting to note that Everton persist in building Palace up as the
    bad guys. Radio in Liverpool was billing us as "the most violent team
    in the country" before the first game, and Watson described last night
    as a battle. Funny, the booking for a foul went to Ablett, thought he
    played for Everton?
    
    Anyway - 10 days off for Gordon & Thorn to get fit, and for Smith to
    sort out the problem with Salako's "attitude". We are still amongst the
    best in Div 1, but need to be strengthened for the SS Premier. How
    about Gary Parker?
    
    Good news about Rideout, it looked very bad indeed when he went off
    motionless on a stretcher, but it was just mild concussion.
    
    Stu - what was the verdict from the Glaziers?
    
    Paul

    Paul,

    We were cheering for Mortimer. Obviously not the allegedly 3 grand 
    a week Paul, but his more talented namesake Bob.  I spotted Salako
    before the game and I guess that Alan Smith sees him in a sort of
    roving car park attendent role.,

    On a positive note at least we don't have to endure the ignorance of
    the "Galaxy's best supported team" souring the San Selhurst. Good
    luck to the Toffees in the next round.

    Stuart ( who left after the penalty).

    BTW We were knocked out of the cup by a "big" club - it could have been
        worse...imagaine losing to Kebabwaitersinnit FC.

    Palace beat a Guernsey Representative Team 8-0 in a friendly at the
    weekend. Goals from Armstrong (4), Mortimer (2), Whyte and an Osborn
    penalty. Fairly noddy team:
    
    Martyn, Humphrey, Southgate, Mortimer, Newman, Osborn, Salako, Rodger,
    Armstrong, Whyte, Shaw (I think), with Massey and Bowry on the bench.
    
    At least we didn't concede any goals!
    
    Paul

  Barnsley    1              Palace 3
  ( Palace reject Redfern)   Armstrong 1
                             Williams 2

  Palace took the lead with the third hand just coming up to 11 through
  Armstrong.  Williams with a brace of headers completed the scoring. Hopefully
  this victory will put to rest the little set back at Meadow Lane.
  
  Stuart
 

    Bolton 1 Palace 0
    I went to the game last night (working in Warrington for 2 days)1st
    half was fairly even.
    Palace were out-played in the second but should have had a penalty.
    Good support for a mid-week away game in the snow several hundred made
    the trip.
    I understand from terrace chat that Humphrey,Mortimer ,Patterson are
    transfer listed.I can't beleive we could possibly sell Humphrey he
    didn't play last night or Saturday.Can anyone confirm this?
    
    Pete
    
    

    Back after a week off - and a nice televised win over Watford, 3-1, to
    take us back to 3rd, still with games in hand. The next couple of weeks
    look interesting with home games against Notts Co and B'ham and trips
    to Leicester and Tranmere. 9 points from that lot would be nice.
    
    Good second half performance yesyetrady, with Simon Osborn looking in
    good form and spraying some neat passes around.
    
    Ref -1
    
    Yup, Humpy is on the list, along with Mortimer, Sinnott, O'Connor,
    Patterson and 6 youngsters. Smith supposedly has his eye on two new
    players, one I would guess being a right back. Also, Ninja stripped of
    the deputy captaincy for refusing to accept any blame for the defeats
    by Everton and Notts Co. I would guess that Ericwas the player fingered
    by Smith for letting Watson go against the toffees.
    
    As for Humpy, I would have thought that he would have seen the season
    out, but Shaw looked good there yesterday. Also, who makes way for
    Thorn? Coleman and Gordon are playing exceptionally well, so maybe the
    unthinkable and the Ninja?
    
    Paul

Stuart - did you read David Lacey today? Looks like he's found another London 
team to gripe about. Very entertaining!

g

      <<< Note 44.454 by FORTY2::ASH "Mail Interchange Group, Reading" >>>
                                  -< Rathole >-

>Stuart - did you read David Lacey today? Looks like he's found another London 
>team to gripe about. Very entertaining!

>g


Grahame,

I hope you are not referring to the fabulously entertaining Arse, who served
up yet another goal feast ( using their own particular brand of the Totts
60's push'n'run style called er... hit'n'hope ) in the Premier (sic) League?


Stuart

    Oh dear! Oh ****!
    
    Palace 1	Notts Co 2
    
    Osborn (I thought it was Armstrong)
    
    A number of things went missing on Sunday - our defence being the most
    noticable. Others included our unbeaten home record, our 3rd place, our
    chance to go top on Wednesday with a win at Leicester, our points in
    hand over Charlton, our passion.
    
    What a dire performance. From that I exempt Osborn who tried very hard
    and for whom most things came off, and Armstrong who never gave up as
    usual. Partial exemption for Salako and Southgate, Salads for his
    stunning run and shot against the bar that nearly got us an undeserved
    point. To be honest, 3 or 4 - 1 would not have been unfair. And to a
    team with 1 point away this season, and no away win since Sept 1992!
    
    Changes? Well, we need Thorn back, but the sight of him on crutches
    before the game was depressing, I would also swallow some pride and get
    Humphrey back at right back. Switch Salako to the right and push Rodger
    wider. He and Gordon seem to link better than Salako and Gordon.
    Alternatively, bring Shaw in on the left of defence with Coleman and
    give Gordon a break. He's only 20 after all.
    
    As for the FA Cup, I should have guessed! Who are Palace playing the
    week after the 3rd round? Wolves away - oh that means that it will be
    Wolves in the Cup then, sure enough it was! Just the same as with
    Charlton in the C-C Cup and Forest in all sorts of Cups in the past few
    years. Two trips to Molyneux in 4 days.
    
    Paul 

  Gleaned from the E.E.

  What have Crystal Palace and Manchester United fans have in common?

  Yep you've guessed it...

  Very few come from Manchester.

  I thenk yew,

  Stuart

   Palace 2       Birmingham 1
   Southgate      A lucky deflection off the Ninja
   Salako

   Not the best of displays, but Palace displayed some seasonal finishing
   which allowed Barry Fry's new charges to leave the San Selhurst with
   a more respectable scoreline.

   The Eagle Eye book was officially launched. A must for literary fans
   everywhere.

   Stuart

    A little un-rose tinted Stuart! Better finishing (and a bit of luck)
    would have seen 5 or 6 go in.
    
    Anyway - any advance on the Graundiad's - "Palace for Rocastle" bit?
    Does 26 count as being an "old lag"?
    
    Paul

    From the Advertiser:
    
    Third string keeper Jimmy Glass is back in action after nearly two
    years out with broken wrists.
    
    Simon Rodger is fit again and in the squad for Tranmere. Expected to
    play in place of ??? My guess would be Bowry, with Newman, Southgate,
    Rodger and Salako making up the midfield.
    
    Turn down by Leeds on Rocastle confirmed, also that the FEs are
    watching three other players. Chairman Ron confirms that cash will be
    made available but that we have slipped a bit and are three points
    behind his target for us! Must be the Notts County game! He is clearly
    still worried by the thought of expensive players and a failed
    promotion bid.
    
    Humphrey and Sinnott confirmed as gone on loan, O'Connor turned down a
    move to Chesterfield, Mark Holman and Stokes paid off from their
    contracts.
    
    Also- BUY ONE TODAY: We All Follow the Palace, with mystery
    contributions from our own Paneso! (Stuart are you Percy Palace?)
    
    The best Fanzine book around.
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.461 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                                  -< FE News >-

    
>    Also- BUY ONE TODAY: We All Follow the Palace, with mystery
>    contributions from our own Paneso! (Stuart are you Percy Palace?)
                                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>    The best Fanzine book around.
    
>    Paul


     No, but like the rest of me my Percy is 100% Palace.


     Stuart

    >    <<< Note 44.462 by YUPPY::PANES "Hair by Edward Scissorhands" >>>
    >                       -< Booker Prize material >-

    
    > No, but like the rest of me my Percy is 100% Palace.

    Covered in blue and red stripes, no doubt.
    
    Paul.
    

                 <<< Note 44.463 by UPROAR::LEMP "Paul Lem" >>>
                                -< Poor Percy >-

  Aha, Lemp, I wonder how long it would be before we experienced the razor
  sharp yorkie humour that we missed for all those years.

  Stuart

    Best team on Merseyside 0	Palace 1
    				Williams
    
    Back to the top on the table on live tv with a prefessional if not
    sparkling performance. Generally solid in defence and the Great ***o
    allowed only one cr*p shot plus some very near things at the Tranmere
    end. Their goalkeeper kept them in it and was voted MotM. 
    
    Nice to start the festive season in pole position, 6 points off Oxford
    and Southend would set us up nicely for a new year's day clash with
    Millwall.
    
    Happy Xmas
    
    Paul

    Top of the league into 94 despite a poor show against Millwall and a
    rained off match vs Peterboro'. 6 points out of 9 over the holiday.
    
    vs Oxford	3-1 (Armstrong [2], Salako)
    
    Locked doors at the Manor Ground (but Mr Panes still got in somehow.
    Not too good a performance really, but Oxford only scored when the FEs
    were down to 10 men with Ninja off the pitch for stiches. Palace were
    pretty steady at the back most of the time but Oxford were pretty poor
    at the back.
    
    vs Southend 1-0 (Rodger)
    
    Good competitive match, Southend have a good player in Otto. Palace
    nicked it in the last minute with a Rodger goal from a beautiful Salako
    cross. One of those games that should have ended in a draw to be
    strictly fair, but who's complaining!
    
    vs Millwall 0-3
    
    Didn't go - but from the sound of it the FEs played well for 45
    minutes, attrociously for 15 minutes and averagely for the last 30. Did
    you go Stu?
    
    vs Peterboro'
    
    Rained off at 1.20pm
    
    Looking very tight at the top of Div 1 still, with anyone of 9 or 10
    teams in with a shout. My current guess would be 3 from Palace,
    Charlton, Millwall, Forest, Derby and Leicester. I don't think Tranmere
    and Southend will make it.
    
    Here's to Saturday at Wolves in the FA Cup and getting into the 4th
    Round for the first time since we made the Final!
    
    Paul

One thing for sure the "Missing Maxwell Millions" didn't go on ground
improvements at the Manor.

Stuart

    Update from todays Croydon Advertiser:
    
    Thorn is still out after "a slight setback" after his cartledge op.
    
    Southgate is the only other worry after having his foot stamped on
    against Southend. He played against Millwall with a painkilling jab,
    but would have missed the Peterboro game is it had gone ahead.
    Otherwise, expect Rodger and/or Osborn in the line up against Wolves.
    
    Plans have been confirmed for the Holmesdale Road stand. It will be a
    double decker and will mean the end will be closed all next season,
    reducing the capacity to 19k. It should be finished for 1995/6 season
    subject to cash. Current cost estimate is #3m with #1.5m coming from a
    grant.
    
    Palace are still favourites for the championship with Ladbrokes
    although the odds lengthened a bit after Millwall.
    
    Two players are being watched with a view to purchase - any clues
    Stuart?
    
    Oh, and Alan Smith was manager of the month for December, this is sure
    to mean an appalling January with no wins!
    
    Paul

    Wolves 1   Palace 0

    Kelly scored the only goal of a game which seemed destained 
    to be a draw.

    Good atmosphere at the game and a tidy old stadium.

    Stuart

    Stuart or Paul,
    
    As there isn't a seperate topic for the Squatters, I thought I'd put
    this in here. It's more to do with the scenic environs of "San
    Selhurst" anyway. I'm paying a visit to that part of Sarf Lundun
    tonight to watch the Owls play the Vauxhall Conference Misfits and
    wondered if you, or anyone else for that matter, could point me in the
    direction of a decent pub for the pre/after match beers. As we've got
    to travel back North of the river after, a pub near a railway station
    would be preferable. A good pint of bitter wouldn't go amiss as well. 
    
    Cheers,
    
    Paul.
    

     <<< Note 44.472 by UPROAR::LEMP "There ain't no Sanity Clause...." >>>
                          -< Croydon Good Beer Guide >-

>    Stuart or Paul,
    
>    As there isn't a seperate topic for the Squatters, I thought I'd put
>    this in here. It's more to do with the scenic environs of "San
>    Selhurst" anyway. I'm paying a visit to that part of Sarf Lundun
>    tonight to watch the Owls play the Vauxhall Conference Misfits and
>    wondered if you, or anyone else for that matter, could point me in the
>    direction of a decent pub for the pre/after match beers. As we've got
>    to travel back North of the river after, a pub near a railway station
>    would be preferable. A good pint of bitter wouldn't go amiss as well. 
    
>    Cheers,
    
>    Paul.
 
     I can't imagine why you thought I might know about pubs. I'm a
     one o'clock wait outside the gates and read the programme man.

     Aldridge Prior   

    Palace News......
    
    Humphrey has had his loan to Reading extended by a month
    
    Sinnott is still at Bradford (one paper said he had "re-signed")
    
    Grant Watts has gone to Colchester on loan
    (for non FE watchers - Watts scored the goal to put Looneypool out of
    last years Coca Cola but hasn't had much chance since Armstrong's been
    around)
    
    Andy Thorn missed the reserve game vs Chelsea cos of heavy ground and
    his knee puffing up slightly - looks like the home game to Leicester at
    least before he'll be back.
    
    Apparently we are watching the Brett Angell/Portsmouth scenario and
    could step in if it falls through - would have thought a midfielder
    would have been a better buy.
    
    Off to Wolves on Saturday for the revenge game - they won't have Bull,
    hopefully 3 points this time.
    
    Paul

>    Sinnott is still at Bradford (one paper said he had "re-signed")

                                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I saw this on Teletext last week. Can't remember the transfer fee though.

Al

    On recent form we will have PAID Bradford to take him back!!
    
    Paul

    Transfers:
    
    Smith & Noades are agreed we need to buy, Noades would prefer March!
    Anyway, we are looking at the following:
    
    Paul Furlong (again) and we have upped Tranmere's offer of #1m
    Alex Dyer (Watford) 18 yr old winger, looked good against us
    Brett Angell 
    An American with 50 caps playing in Germany (any ideas?)
    
    and.....
    
    (I'd put in a FF if I knew how:
    
    
    
    
    Paul Stewart on loan from 'pool (PLEASE NO!!!!!)
    
    Other bits:
    
    Sinnott went for #50k
    
    Only change for tomorrow's trip to Wolves is likely to be dropping
    Osborn (for Bowry? or Salako on the right with Williams back up front?)
    
    Peterborough game is rescehduled for Tues Feb 1st
    
    Oh, and some cretin has written in with "come back Andy Gray" at the
    botton of his letter!
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.477 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                           -< Advertiser Snippetts >-

  
>    Oh, and some cretin has written in with "come back Andy Gray" at the
>    botton of his letter!
    
>    Paul


    I'm definitely in the clear with this one.

    Stuart


    BTW 

     is control/L

    Well, it could have been worse - still second, and only on goals scored
    with a game in hand, AND playing Leicester at Selhurst on Saturday.
    That's the first of 3 consecutive home games that will hopefully see us
    rescue the winning habit - with the help of Paul Stewart from Liverpool
    on loan ( I remain sceptical about this move) and possibly Furlong.
    
    As for Saturday - well the Wolves stadium was nearly full (23.5k) and
    still had a great atmosphere, I particularly like the prekick off PA.
    After the team emerge to Fanfare for the Common Man a la Leeds, on
    comes either The Liquidator or Return of Django (any help from Wolves
    fans) during which the entire home support seems to get to its feet, do
    a little dance, and, at the final sequence of hand claps chant at the
    away fans " F*** O**" although I am sure the official words are
    different. However, it is done in a caring way :-)
    
    After the first 10 minutes when the FEs looked threatening Wolves took
    over, particularly on the right where they had almost total freedom. We
    had another good spell in the second half including a Southgate rasper
    which their keeper only just hung onto, but Wolves deserved it and
    looked capable of mounting a serious challenge for the title. Their new
    midfielder, Marsden, looked a good buy.
    
    As for Palace, we looked threatening down the left with Salako and
    Rodger, all at sea down the right with Shaw almost on his own most of
    the time, and missing in the middle. But for two superb saves from
    Martyn it could have been much worse. Hopefully Stewart will strenghten
    the midfiedl and add some final telling passes, seriously lacking on
    Saturday. The next priority will be a striker to pair with Armstrong.
    Williams is very streaky and is also looking lightweight on the heavy
    pitches against big defenders. David Whyte hasn't got the experience.
    On the strenght of his hat-trick on Saturday, Furlong would be a god
    buy at around #1.5m.
    
    Nice to see Palace in the news tho - firstly McMenamie using us as an
    example of how Soton have to buck up (we only lost 15 ganes and went
    down - the Saints have already lost 16) and David Lacey comparing Spurs
    to us - they have only 3 more points than we had at the same number of
    games last year.
    
    And finally....
    
    thanks to the ever friendly W Midlands police for throwing out some
    Palace fans on Saturday right behind us. God forbid that some noisy
    little oik spoil my enjoyment. I mean, they were miles from any Wolves
    fans (in the centre of the Palace block) and singing foootball songs
    (not like the Wolves 20,000 fans telling us to f-off) Makes you proud
    to be British :-(
    
    Paul

  Time Out this week reviews "We All Follow the Palace". It says "it stands 
  out as a worthy landmark in football literature"

  Stuart

    Palace 2	Leicester 1
    
    Coleman	Southgate (og)
    Armstrong
    
    Att:	17k
    
    Palace back on top thanks to the addition of Paul Stewart who looked a
    revalation up front. He added real ball winning skills to help
    Armstrong and in the second half we were all over our fellow leaders.
    
    First half was nothing special. Leicester went ahead after getting a
    highly dubious free kick about 30 yds out (the ref was dire - S Mirror
    gave hin 5/10). If was thumped vaguely goal wards only to flick off
    Southgate's head and loop over Martyn's head. Palace hit back
    immediately with Shaw hitting a post and then Coleman equalising with a
    half volley at the post. By this time the Leicester players (keeper
    particularly) were already playing for the point and wasting huge
    amounts of time. Not really fitting for the League leaders.
    
    After the break it was all Palace. Salako had a superb effort palmed
    away, Rodger had one blocked and then the rebound too as Armstrong was
    too casual, Coleman hit the bar and the keeper flicked Armstrong's
    header over the bar. Finally, Gordon released Armstrong to head round
    the keeper and seal the points. Leicester then had their second and
    third shots of the game, the second superbly saved by Martyn. It showed
    that they could have given us a real game if they had had more
    ambition. Stewart got a card for a foul (frustration at being kicked
    all afternoon I think) and looked drained at the end. 
    
    Alan Smith seems to think we'll buy him, and add Bruce Dyer from
    Watford too. This should see us through to the Premiership I hope.
    We'll need to add a right back and centre half in the close season
    though.
    
    Next game, Tuesday week vs Peterborough at Selhurst, this is our game
    in hand and hopefully will see us 4 pts clear. With Derby, Charlton and
    Millwall all to come to us - here's to three S Londoners going up.
    
    Paul

     Andy Thorn will not be back in training for another 2.5 weeks.

     Stuart

    So you were up there with Ashton were you?!?!
    
    I thought gambling was against your religion Stu?
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.483 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
               -< Got 16-1 om Jolly getting the first goal :-( >-

>    So you were up there with Ashton were you?!?!
    
     Without wishing to be picky, Ashton was up there with me.
  

>    I thought gambling was against your religion Stu?
    
     I've been know to have the odd punt - with unparalled poor results.

  
     Stuart

    Chris Armstrong (along with Ekokou) has been selected by Nigeria for
    the African Cup (?) tournament in Tunis. He has a Nigerian mother. To
    be honest i thought he had turned them down as he hoped to play for
    England, maybe he believes the Cole & Fowler hype. Anyway, I cannot
    believe the club will release him as the tournament runs for nearly 2
    weeks during March and April when we have 4 league games! A bit crucial
    wot! Same would go for Norwich on Ekokou as well I would think.
    
    Any other news Stu?
    
    Paul

re:          <<< Note 44.485 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                        -< Armstrong rather than Fash >-

       I hope he retains his English status , as he will be a vital
       part on of European Cup Campaign in a couple of seasons.

      Stuart

    Palace beat Derry City in a friendly last night 2-1 with goals from
    Dean Gordon and Paul Stewart. Team was as per vs Leicester except for
    Darren Patterson instead of Eric Young.
    
    Also, the club have been quoted that Chris Armstrong has no intention
    of playing for Nigeria as he wants to try and play for England.
    
    Paul

    Palace 3	Peterboro 2
    
    Salako   	Charlery 2
    Rodger
    Armstrong
    
    Phew, that was lucky. We were serios cr*p for 70 of the 90 minutes, but
    for the other 20 played sublime attacking football, particularly Salako
    who was back in England form. Stewart also looked sharper than in the
    first game. The other star was Dean Gordon who has surely made the left
    back slot his for keeps now.
    
    Peterborough should have been 2 up by half time, but didn't finish
    well.
    
    Its always the same - Palace get some attention, play poor opposition,
    have a good rest - and play serious garbage! Oh well, Derby on Saturday
    and an opportunity to get 3 points off another of the top 10. No
    further solid transfer rumours, L'pool wanted #1m for Stewart under
    Souness, but I think a further loan will be gone for as Smith wants a
    midfielder as well.
    
    The Wombles Andy Clark and Warren Barton were in the stand last night,
    supposedly along with Hoddle & Ardiles. In the case of Ardiles I hope
    he's spotted a Peterborough player he wants!
    
    Paul

    According to the Evening Standard Hoddle & Ardiles were at Selhurst to
    check out Gareth Southgate and Chris Armstrong. Alan Smith is quoted as
    saying neither is for sale. Southgate is supposedly rated at #1.5m, and
    Armstrong must be in the #2m+ bracket, probably close to #3m.
    
    I would ask both players a simple question:
    
    "Do you want to be relegated with Spurs or Chelsea, or be promoted and
    win the title with Palace?"
    
    Paul

    
    FYI
    
    Reported in the papers this morning that two of the Palace goals were
    controversial, but didn't say why they were, and that had the 'Boro
    striker Charlery been a bit more accurate there'd have been a serious
    upset.
    
    Alan Smith said, "It was pitiful. It's a mental not a football thing.
    They look at the table and think this will be alright"
    
    Don't slip up. The Islington Owls are looking forward to another "home"
    game next season.
    
    Paul
    

    The controversies both involved P Stewart esq.
    
    For the first, he challenged the keeper for a cross, the keeper
    fumbled, Stewart ended up in the net, and Rodger flicked home. Pboro
    thought the keeper was fouled but I reckon it was 50/50.
    
    For the second, Stewart was off the pitch to avoid off side, when the
    dust settled he nipped back on to put the cross in - I couldn't see if
    he was off side or not, but it was possibly iffy.
    
    As for Pboro - they could have had 2 more, but we could have had
    several more in our "purple patch". 
    
    We'll be back next year to give Arsenal their customary 6 points and
    Ian Who? a goal or two. Or then again - maybe things'll change.
    
    Paul

    Palace 1	Derby 1
    
    Gordon	Charles
    
    Phew - play cr*p, get a last minute (well 3rd minute of injury time)
    equaliser and INCREASE our lead! Derby came to spoil things with 5 at
    the back, and hardly got over the half way line in the first half. Mind
    you - neither did we! In the second half Palace went for a 5 man
    midfield and looked a bit better, but yet again fell into the trap of
    not trying to beat three central defenders on the ground rather than in
    the air. Derby scored on one of their breaks and the FEs seldom looked
    like getting back into it. Then Stewart chested off a Martyn clearance
    to Dean Gordon, who moved forward and let fly from 35 yards right into
    the top corner. A goal worthy of winning any match.
    
    We'll need to be better at Grimsby on Saturday, but will still be top
    regardless of the result, and then its another potential 1st vs 2nd at
    Forest.
    
    As for incoming players - Stewart has one more game to go before we
    need to decide - I would go for another month's loan, we need a "foot
    on the ball" midfielder and we need Thorn back to calm down the
    defence. 
    
    Paul

  
  Due to logisitical difficulties I missed the goal. Marvelous. I
  got to see it yesterday and was mightily impressed. I am still
  concerned that Smith has stuck with the Newman/Southgate 
  partnership, as I think they are too similar. One of the Sundays
  suggested that the F.E's are giving a trial to an experienced
  Italian midfielder.  

  I am still not sure about Paul Stewart. He adds some bite but
  seems less than 100% fit, and I don't think he is worth a
  million plus.

  Stuart

    Have any other FE fans noticed the alphabetic conspiracy occuring at
    Selhurst? Firstly, they tried to convince us we had two strikers -
    Wright and Bright, when everybody inside the club knew that they were
    the same person changing one letter of their name. Then someone nicked
    the letter I so that Whyte and Martyn had to spell their names oddly,
    and now someone is stealing the letter S all over the club!
    
    I mean......
    
    Rodger(s)
    Humphrey(s)
    Matthew(s)
    
    Other letters are under threat too....
    
    Osbo(u)rn(e)
    Thorn(e)
    
    The fans deserve to be told, is this a campaign by the Wombles to nick
    our best players letter by letter!?!?
    
    Yours derangedly

    Forest 1	Palace 1	Att 27k
    
    Bohinen	Matthew
    
    Well, not a feast of flowing football, but exciting enough. It was
    spoiled by a somewhat odd referee, and a lot of tension. Palace took
    about 2000 to the City Ground and we produced an excellent array of red
    blue and white balloons at the start. The first half was pretty flat.
    Martyn had one save to make to Crossley's 3 or 4. The best chance fell
    to Armstrong on half time. Matthew dispossed Chettle in the centre
    circle and put Armstrong clear but he managed to spoon it high and
    wide.
    
    After the break Forest were brighter but Palace had a possible goal
    disallowed. Crossley picked up a loose ball. Armstrong stood in front
    of him (not too close). Crossley threw the ball in the air and
    Armstrong headed it away from him, and ran on to tap in. Ref says fould
    on the keeper. Ho hum.
    
    Anyway, Forest went ahead from a shot from the edge of the box, and
    Palace hit back quickly with a defelected shot from Matthew, prompting
    a minor pitch celebration. Forest wound up the pressure in the last few 
    minutes and Martyn proved why he should be in the England reckoning.
    
    Bookings for Bohinen and Stewart (again) for kicking the ball away (to
    be honest Stewart looked unlucky as he actually knocked it back to
    Crossley) and one of the Forest defenders for a very late crude hack on
    Stewart. Forest we very weak up front mostly shooting from the edge of
    the box. Stone was their best player imho.
    
    As for Palace, excellent performances by Rodger, Martyn and Young, good
    ones by Coleman, Humphrey, & Matthew, patchy one from Armstrong,
    Stewart, Salako and Gordon and a nightmare one from Southgate. Salako
    got a lot of stick from the fans for not tackling back in the first
    half and not pushing on in the second, but I felt he was playing to
    orders. It was interesting that for most of the game we left Armstrong
    and Salako on the half way line at Forest corners which was hardly
    defensive. (Stewart was back marking Pearce - good move) Stewart
    dropped into midfield after the goal and it looked like we settled for
    the point.
    
    Bristol C at home on Tuesday (weather permitting - snow in Croydon this
    morning) and Bolton at home on Saturday. 6 points would come in very
    handy!
    
    Paul

    Palace 4	Bristol C 1	Att 11k
    
    Gordon (Pen) ___dunno
    Salako
    Armstrong 2
    
    I see that the Guardian persists in ignoring the Endsleigh League
    despite its protestations that the Premiership is not up to much!
    
    Anyway - the first half was poor, if open, neither side coming to terms
    with the heavy and partly snowy pitch. Bristol went ahead from almost
    their only attack when Martyn only palmed a lumped over cross into the
    path of a BC forward. The FEs hit back immediately and equalised though
    a Dean Gordon penalty for hands in the box - almost the first penalty I
    can remember us scoring at Selhurst for ages!
    
    Palace gradually would up the pressure in the second and ran riot in
    the last 30 minutes. First the Bristol keeper came out to clear a
    through ball, looked to handle it, tried to dribble round Stewart and
    Salako, only to have Salako collect the ball and curl a 30 yarder into
    the net - magic! Then, the best goal, a beautiful pass to Stewart from
    Southgate, a superb cross from the left and a killer header from
    Armstrong. For the first time in a few games we then started playing
    with confidence and showing what we can do, and Armstrong added a 4th
    from a David Whyte knock down. Armstrong could have had two more, Whyte
    curled a header just wide, Southgate put over the bar from 6 yards, and
    Matthew pulled a shot over as well - 6 or 7 could have been realistic.
    
    We still need a permanent partner for Armstrong - Stewart is not really
    a full time target man but has seen us (hopefully) through the worst of
    the heavy pitches, and Humphrey will possibly struggle in the Premier
    although he was superb last night. Also, Eric Young was done for pace
    several times by Wayne Allison - rather worrying that - but Andy Thorn
    is nearly back. Thorn's coolness will also take some pressure off
    Southgate and allow him to work on his passing more.
    
    All in all - an excellent night - roll on Bolton and stretching the
    lead even more!
    
    Paul
    
    
    PS - Game changes:
    
    	Charlton at Selhurst moved to Sunday 20/03 for TV
    	Middlesboro re-arranged for Weds 23/03 at Selhurst

    Palace 1	Bolton 1	Att 17,250
    Southgate	Coyle
    
    Never trust the understudy who becomes a star! Palace played very well
    for the first half, getting a deserved lead via Southgate's 11th goal
    of the season, and having several other excellent chances, plus a goal
    for Stewart diallowed by the lino for offside. Stewart picked up a
    rebound from the keeper after an excellent save from Coleman's shot -
    who it have been offside if it had gone straight in?
    
    Anyway, Bolton came more into it but never looked threatening 'til the
    ref swapped with said lino. This man had been subjected to fierce abuse
    from fans in my area for (correctly) not flagging offiside for some
    players running back - so we should have guessed. Two Bolton players
    went in the book - McAteer for kicking ball away and someone else for
    kicking Salako away, and Bolton duly equalised. They could have had a
    penalty on 90 mins when Young got between Coyle and the ball but then
    Mr Lino came into his own:
    
    Clearance from Martyn, chested off by Stewart to Armstrong, flicked
    into the box for Salako to head on, Armstrong gets into the 6yd box and
    powers a header home - crowd extascy, 3 points, but no - the ref sees a
    push that no-one else does and the balloon goes flat - very flat.
    
    Reasonable performance by Palace, hampered by a very dead and bumpy
    pitch sending passes awry. I still cannot make my mind up whether we
    need new blood in midfield or whether Andy Thorn's return in the next
    two weeks will sort it out.
    
    One side issue in our favour in the run in is that we will generally be
    playing mid-table drifters with only Charlton and Millwall of the top 6
    and both of those al Selhurst. Of the others Charlton, Millwall and
    Derby all have 5 or 6 games with the other top 7 or 8, in Charlton's
    case almost all away!
    
    New issue of Eagle Eye out on Saturday - good bits:
    
    Review of the Noades/Smith forum
    Rise & Fall of the Hooligan
    Crystal palace school of Diving
    Millwall - The Family Club
    Ian Wright Nope Poster - excellent
    Paul Stewart's influence on Crystal Palace
    Grimsby's view of Selhurst
    Stubyortoe
    
    Less good bits
    
    A few "reminiscence" articles presumably left over from "We all follow
    the Palace"
    
    The general tone of a lot of the comment slagging off Smith when we are
    clear at the top of the league
    
    Pauu

   Unfortunately due to "illness" I missed the first 25 minutes ( during
   which I am told ) the Palace were playing great football and should have
   stuffed T'Wanderers.

   I was at the end where the goal was disallowed and couldn't for the life
   see what was wrong with it. C'est la vie.

   re Eagle Eye.. did you see that my good pal Donny the Beast won the 
      David Seamen caption competition. His suggestion included the words 
      "Arse" "Pigeon" and "Wright". For some reason they wouldn't print the
      whole answer.


  Stuart

    Congratulations to Dean Gordon on getting a standby slot for the
    England U21's in his first season of regular first team football. Also,
    given El tel's comments that he was considering 5 keepers and 10
    strikers for the full side, Martyn and Armstrong must live in hope.
    
    Rumours of a bid for David Lee from Chelsea
    
    Andy Thorn due back in th reserves on Thursday
    
    Paul

    For the first time in ages a combination of a visit to relatives away
    from Capital Gold and Ceefax, and the Beeb concentrating on Rugby meant
    that the first we knew of the score was from the Vide-printer. Up came
    Portsmouth 0 (great - at least a point) then Palace 1. Then every other
    team bar Forest managed to lose ground, and Millwall and Leicester
    managed to lose a lot of face too with their dreadful display.
    
    So, 7 points clear, with a crucial 10 days starting next Saturday.
    
    12/03	WBA H
    15/03	Sunderland A
    20/03	Charlton H
    23/03	Middlesboro H
    
    A solid 9+ points from those games would see us well into the 70pts
    range and bang on track to get back as Champions.
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.500 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                              -< Did you go Stu? >-

     I was awake, I didn't have a hangover ( well at least not one of huge 
     proportions), I had paid for the coach, but alack and alas a quick check
    of the Panes sporran revealed that this, unfortunately, was a non-starter.

    Three good points.

   Stuart

  31 year old Massimo Mauro is training with Eagles. Apparently having
  played in the Italian league with the likes of Platini and Maradona
  as team mates , he wishes to fulfill a life-long ambition to play alongside
  Richard Shaw.

  Stuart

    Half in truth.....
    
    Mauro is described by Alan "he's got no hair but we don't care" Smith
    and a skillfull player who probably wouldn't fit in the English League,
    and anyway, whenever he trains he gets injured!
    
    More likely signing is Keith Millen, ex-Brentford Centre Back, who has
    been on trial. Likely to sign for around 100k as cover for Thorn,
    Coleman & Young. Palace also still interested in Furlong & Dyer of
    Watford. Expect a signing or two before the march 24th deadline, plus a
    decision on Stewart. Match trivia - Palace have now gone 8 games
    undefeated since the former Liverpool "Mr Angry" arrived.
    
    Paul

    
    What's the fans verdict on Damien 'leather-lungs' Matthew then?
    
    He used to be one of the fitest players at Chelsea but for one reason
    or another never seemed to be able to hold down a regular place.
    
    Andy

            <<< Note 44.504 by YUPPY::ASHLEYSMITH "ashib smitty?" >>>

    
>    What's the fans verdict on Damien 'leather-lungs' Matthew then?
    
>    He used to be one of the fitest players at Chelsea but for one reason
>    or another never seemed to be able to hold down a regular place.
    
     I've been quite impressed with the young man. He does a lot of work
     and his distribution has been pretty good. Whether or not he was a
     good buy ( bearing in mind that Richard Shaw is fit and available ),
     only time will tell.

     Stuart

    Stuart, how on earth can you compare Matthew to the future England
    midfield dynamo Richard Shaw?!?!? Fitness and boot-cleaning come to
    mind :-)
    
    Actually, I agree that Matthew has made a good impression in his first
    few games. He does a lot of work, puts in very good crosses, is a good
    passer (Selhurst pitch permitting) and knows which players are wearing
    the red & blue shirts. 
    
    All of which probably means he'll end up out of the team when we make
    our #5m bid for Terry Hurlock.
    
    Paul

    I took my sons to the game Saturday,good Palace support.Palace were on
    top most of the second half and could have had a couple more goals.
    As for Matthew he is making a difference,much sharper than R.U.Shaw
    and the otherone,whos name I cant remember (must have been impressed).
    I hope we sign Stewart he definatly adds the bite and the touch we have
    lacked in the past.
    
    PS I'ts going to cost Pompey a fortune to get their ground anywhere
    near the required standard.It's like something out of the 1950's.
    PPS they ran out of Programes,Burgers and Hotdogs which made me
    question the 13k gate reported in the papers ! 
    
    Pete
    

    pete,
    
    Portsmouth's ground is actually one of the better ones in the 1st (aka
    old second division) you should see some of the others! ah well next
    season you might be able to visit such state of the art grounds as
    the Dell.
    
    P.S there's actually 3 roads out of Pompey (:==:), M275, A27 and the
    middle one.
    
    regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks
             

    Andrew,
           point taken ! I am interested to know the capacity of Fratton
    Park because there seemed to be more than 13K at the match.I wasnt
    having a pop at Pompey but the traffic getting away was diabolical.
    I did here that they were looking at another site for the future as the
    cost to develop the current ground would be almost as much.
    
    Pete 

    Pete,
    
    I think the capacity has been cut again this season - it's two years
    since I saw them play - 4,000 miles is a bit far for a home game.
    
    Before the Fratton End itself was condemned and the back half
    demolished the capacity was around 25,000 though as recently as the 
    mid-eighties they had a crowd of about 35,000 - I would guess that 18,000 
    is about the safety limit now.
    
    maybe one of the other ex-pompey residents in this notes files knows.
    
    regards,
    
    Andrew.D.wicks 

   I have been led to believe ( by my spy in the Hornets ) that today
   Bruce Dyer will sign for the Palace for 1.4million. Of course if
   this doesn't happen "I will look like a prat".

   Stuart

    Remember when a 1m player was BIG news? Well, Palace completed the
    signing of Bruce Dyer (18 3/4) from Watford for 1.25m plus 150k based
    on appearances and England honours. He's likely to be sub tomorrow and 
    is thought to have been bought for long term grooming rather than short 
    term promotion push - a good sign that we are still ambitious. Also 
    signed this week is Ian Cox a 21yr old midfielder from Carshalton Ath 
    for 35k plus another 35 based on appearances.
    
    Andy Thorn has been told he still needs to rest after his carteledge op
    so must be doubtful for the rest of the season now. Dean Gordon WAS
    called up to the full U21 squad but didn't get on the bench. Smith has
    denied rumours of moves for Paul Williams and Simon Osborn.
    
    Paul Stewart's loan is likely to be extended to April 16 (the longest
    possible) and could well turn permanent if we are up (or very close) by
    then. We are also still interested in Furlong as a partner for
    Armstrong and are still mulling over Keith Millen as defensive cover.
    
    Finally - anybody fancying a night's tv - Palace away fixture with
    Sunderland is being shown live at the club (Weds 16th) for #10.
    
    Paul

    Palace 1 (Stewart) 	WBA 0	Att 16.5k
    
    I notice Mr Waite is a little quiet? I also notice rather fewer than
    3-4000 Baggy fans, my estimate was closer to 1000. Anyway, they saw a
    pretty lacklustre performance by the FEs but the 3 points came our way.
    "Star" of the show was the ref and his linesmen - they were truely
    dire, rated 3 by one of the papers. Palace pretty much ran things, with
    WBA getting in only one decent shot, which hit the post late in the
    game. As for the great Bob Taylor - he spent his time sending the ball
    into the executive boxes.
    
    The ref let everything go - he let Albion get away with murder. I have
    never seen a team use more flying elbows when jumping. One of their
    guys also saw off Dean Gordon with a dreadful tackle when the ball was
    already out for a throw but got nothing! On this evidence, Albion will
    never be in Europe, although they would do well in Italy with their
    acting. One of their forwards went down clutching his face attempting
    to get Eric Young in trouble when Ninja was no where near him.
    
    To quote Neil Webb, it wasn't meant to please the neutrals, but it got
    3 points for the fans and put us 8 points clear. We've now got 2 games
    a week for 4 weeks, which will hopefully see us clear into the top two
    and back aboard the good ship Premier.
    
    Paul

    Re 514
    
    Rubbish.  More than 1,000...  More like 2,000 - 2,500.  
    
    
    
    /GAry

    Sorry Gary - learn your arithmatic:
    
    Sainsbury's end	3k
    Holmesdale		4k approx
    Arfur Waite		3k
    Members		5k
    
    Total		15k Att 16.5 Therefore max WBA 1500
    
    As for your team playing better football, I don't call neaderthall
    elbowing by centre halves better football OR falling over feigning
    injury. The Young incident was right in front of us, and we were
    looking straight at it. There was no contact and the baggy fell over on
    his own. Sorry.
    
    Palace playing like the Wombles - sorry, wrong again. Yes we play some
    long balls to Armstrong, but also play it wide to Salako and Matthew to
    take it down the wings, and also for Gordon to bring it forward. We
    weren't clicking on all cylinders on Saturday, and during the heavy
    pitches (Selhurst is still rather bumpy) have played it long more often
    out of necessity. 
    
    Face facts - WBA were an OK team playing badly (and niggly) and we were
    a goodish team playing OK. result, a 1-0 win which if we had clicked
    like we did against Pompey or Leicester would have been 4 or 5. palace
    ALWAYS play poorly against weak opposition. Right Stu?
    
    Paul	

    RE 516
    
    Ho ho Paul.  Trying to have a laugh are yer... 1,500 tops... ho ho...
    
    As for young Donovan acting....yeah right.  Eric Young is a dirty
    player.  If the ref had bottle then he would have gone.  Punching of
    the ball is out of order.  
    
    Palace's play is a long boot from Young to over the top of the defence
    for Armstrong to chase.  Or the long boot for Armstong to flick to the
    wing.  Ala Wimbledon.  They've always played that way.   
    
    Also some of the fells were the same as Wimbledon.  Damn right dirty... 
    If it had been Wimbledon then I sure the press would have slated them.  
    Face facts Paul... The only difference between Wimbledon and Palace is
    Wimbledon are better.
    
    Now put a serious report in and stop wasting everyones time with your
    lies. 
    
    /GAry
    
    P. S  I have nothing against Palace.  My Uncle is a fan who used to
    travel everywhere.  He was also dissapointed with The Palace.
          

    This is hardly worth answering! Look at the table - look at the
    bookings on Saturday - 2 WBA for very bad tackles, Armstrong for
    blocking a free kick. Also look at the one sensible thing the ref did -
    taking "young Donovan" to task for play acting. If you were behind the
    pylon (and there was no need to be - there was plenty of space
    elsewhere) you were 2 or 3 times further away from the incident than we
    were.
    
    Please do not compare Palace to Wimbledon - Stu and I will set Ninja on
    you in a dark alley. Palace have only 23-24 bookings this season, and
    only 2 reds, both in the first few weeks of the season, and one highly
    dubious. Yes, Stewart is the bad boy, we recognise that, but he was
    getting incredible stick on Saturday. Your comment about cheers when he
    was clattered betrays a rather different view of football than comments
    about how dreadful Palace are. 
    
    Palace DO build from the back via Humphrey and Gordon, the problem we
    had on Saturday was that Southgate and matthew had poor games so the
    link from full back to the forwards was weak. Our regular move forward
    is Gordon to Salako overlap back to Gordon, cross for Armstrong or
    Stewart with Southgate and Rodger following up. We do not always lump
    it upfield.
    
    I am sure Msr Panes will agree
    
    Paul 

    
    As a neutral outsider Paul, I have to say that I find it very hard to
    believe what you are saying. I mean, its your word against Gary's and
    we all know how rational and unbiased Gary is 8-)
    
    JBG
    
    Ps. did Axl get booked??

Paul,

Unfortunately I have to agree with .519 on this one. 

Stuart

BTW Missed the game , but I also missed the mortars.

    >> Ps. did Axl get booked??
    
    	Actually, Axl got a Rose card...

    Re 518
    
    >>>Look at the table...
    
    Yeah, what about it???  West Brom were still the better team on
    Saturday.  WBA played the football whilst Palace relied heavily on the
    big boot.  
    
    >>>Look at the bookings on Saturday - 2 WBA for very bad tackles,
    >>>Armstrong for blocking a free-kick.  
    
    Well if yer gonna booked do it in style.  Bradley should never have
    been booked for his innocent tackle on Chris "fall over near the box"
    Armstrong.  
    
    >>>Also look at the one sensible thing the ref did - taking young
    >>>Donovan to task for play acting.
    
    This was a typical example of poor refereeing in my books.  Young
    should have been shown the red for swinging at him.  I was hoping
    "Young Donovan" would take revenge later on in the game with a strike
    of his own.
    
    >>>If you were behind the pylon (and there was no need to be - there
    >>>was plenty of space elsewhere).
    
    Where???  I had to struggle to get to the burger bar at half-time.  It
    looked and felt packed to me.  Are you sure you're not confusing the
    Albion away support to that of the Palace???  
    
    >>>Please do not compare Palace to Wimbledon - Stu and I will set Ninja
    >>>on you in a dark alley.
    
    Maybe thats what young Donovan done.  Compared you to Wimbledon and
    Eric Young (Ex-Wimbledon) thought he better clobber him.  Pity that it
    was in the daytime.  Maybe he couldn't see under his stupid head band
    that he wears.  
    
    >>>Palace have only 23-24 bookings this season, and only 2 reds, both in
    >>>the first few weeks of the season, and one was highly dubious.
    
    So you get away with murder...  The refereeing is weak.  
    
    >>>Yes, Stewart is the bad boy, we recognise that, but he was getting
    >>>incredible stick on Saturday.  You comment about cheers when he was
    >>>clattered betrays a different view of football than comments how
    >>>dreadful Palace are.
    
    Our cheers was what he deserved.  Mardon did well.  Stewart had fouled
    a couple of players earlier and this challenge by Mardon gave him what
    he deserved.  
    
    >>>Palace DO build from the back via Humphrey and Gordon, the problem
    >>>we had on Saturday was that Southgate and Matthew had poor games so the
    >>>link from full back to the forwards was weak.  Our regular move forward
    >>>is Gordon to Salako overlap back to Gordon, cross for Armstrong or
    >>>Stewart with Saouthgate and Rodger followingup.  We do not always lump
    >>>it upfield.
    
    Since Steve Coppell has left, Palace have changed into a worse
    Wimbledon.  Which has disapointed me... I thought better of Alan Smith. 
    The way they played on Saturday was....
    
    Young hoofed over Raven and Mardon for Armstrong to chase.  If it
    didn't make it past Raven or Mardon then Armstong would lay it off to
    the wing.  Similar to what Fash the bash does for the Dons.  
    
    All the best,
    
    /GAry
    
    
    Re 519
    
    Thanks Mr Goode.
                    

    Aah, Gary, and you sounded so rational on the telephone, clearly the
    misty eyes of youth and the mindless drone of GnR have addled the
    brain!
    
    The table I was refering to, ie the League one, show Palace top by 8
    points above the scrum of midland non-entities who have been scrabling
    to get back to the 'ship for seasons. My tip to up? Palace, Charlton
    and Forest. But maybe WBA will make a late run, afterall, they can
    still get 73 points!
    
    I won't go into the Ninja arguement again, nor the Palace being a dirty
    side issue. We blatantly are not - our yoof-ful midfield aren't allowed
    out past 6pm and so never get to see nasty things after dark.
    
    The Wombles/Coppell debate has some value - by the time he left, most
    Palace fans were convinced he had run out of ideas. He relied on a very
    few players, prefering to play "in" players out of position rather than
    bring in youngsters, despite them doing well in cup games. Hence Chris
    Coleman spending a season struggling as a make-shift centre forward at
    the expense of Grant Watts (or - say it softly - Stan Collymore [god
    forbid]) Alan Smith started the team playing very attractive, flowing
    football, with lots of pace and lots of movement. Look back at
    performances such as the 5-1 drubbing of Portsmouth, the second half
    at WBA and the demolition of Birmingham in the first few weeks.
    However, we started to believe we were invincible and got relaxed and a
    little soft, so some steel was put in and we got tighter. We also
    started to play in patches, like a stunning half hour against
    Peterborough and 20 minutes on the box vs Watford, rather than for 90 
    minutes. 
    
    Smith wants the style to be pass and move with lots of pace, not slow
    build ups, he encourages hitting the early ball, long or short. This
    season even Eric Young has been dribbling the ball out. The back 4
    regularly passes the ball across rather than just back to martyn for a
    hoof as in Coppell days.
    
    With the end in sight we are buckling down to get promotion, who cares
    if it gets a little un-pretty sometimes. Look at what happens when it
    stays pretty - Forest go down, Swindon concede 80 goals in 30 odd
    games, Spurs look totally toothless. We have learned to adapt and play
    as required. On another day, we would have swept forward and put 4 or 5
    past WBA in some style. It didn't work on Saturday.
    
    A Cunno-ism (is he your hero gary?) - we are the top scorers in the
    division, have the best goal difference, have the best home record,
    have lost only twice in 16 games and not at all in 9. It adds up to top
    of the League.
    
    Sunderland away on Wednesday, Charlton on TV on Sunday. Hopefully that
    will see more of the true Smith style.
    
    Paul
    
    ps - Stu - I won Lifeline Again! Must be a fix!
     

    Re 523
    
    Top you may be....But your style is still the same as Wimbledon's. 
    Hoof and hope.  And foul of the ball whenever possible.  
    
    As for that Cunno geezer.  I understand that he wants a signed picture
    of me to put up by his desk....
    
    /GAry

    :-) :-) :-)
    
    Oh well, at least you won't have to play us for quite a few seasons
    anyway, as we become the team of the nineties and you slide into
    Conference oblivion
    
    paul

    Re 525
    
    Thats true.  You'll be down in two years at the most and by that time
    Albion would have secured their place in the Premier league...
    
    Good luck Wimbledon....errr sorry Palace.  I keep getting confused. 
    Same ground, same players, same style and same sort of fans.
    
    /GAry

    For all Div 1 followers - apparently it's confirmed that all the games
    on the weekend of May 7 will be played on Sunday to avoid teams in
    televised fixtures getting preferencial treatment.
    
    But Palace will be Champions by then anyway, and WBA will be down, eh
    Gary? :-)
    
    paul

    Re 527
    
    What a load of tosh.. Another bloody victory for TV over supporters. 
    Anyway keep me away from Portsmouth that weekend.  Its the annual WBA
    beach party where everyone dresses up in....errrr beach gear.  I have
    my bermuda shorts ready but you won't catch me wearing any of those
    sandals that Stuart Cook likes to wear.   
    
    
    /GAry

    Sunderland 1	Palace 0
    
    Watched the game live at Selhurst on the big screens. Promising first
    half with Palace having the better of play against a gale force wind
    that blew goal kicks backwards. Several good chances for Southgate,
    Stewart and Armstrong, and Martyn never really tested. Bit of an upset
    when Matthew had to go off after about 20 minutes for wunderkid Dyer.
    Not sure of the extent of Matthew's injury. To disprove MR Waite we
    played nice neat passing football.
    
    In the second half we were rank. Sunderland came more into it and
    scored after 60 odd minutes from some slack marking. They could have
    had a couple more with two superb saves from Martyn plus one Martyn
    kick that hit a Sunderland forward and went over his head!
    
    Palace rarely threatened apart from one very close misss from Armstrong
    and some scrambles from corners/throws. Dyer really did look like the
    unfinished article. His control was generally excellent, but he had a
    worrying McGoldrick-ness in delaying crossing. Also, his crosses were
    singularly awful. From the left - well there wasn't anything. For some
    reason I couldn't fathom EVERYTHING came down the right, Salako and
    Gordon hardly got a kick. Every clearance went to Humpy (who was one of
    our best players) or Dyer. Southgate was very average again and Rodger
    never got in the game. Stewart won most things in the air again and
    showed good control but neer really had a distribution channel.
    
    Still, we are 5 points clear (2 if you count the game in hand of the
    pack) and have a chance to pick off Charlton on Sunday. The best news
    of the week is that the chasing pack has thinned a little with a gap
    opening up below Stoke. This leaves;
    
    Palace
    Leicester
    & Forest - all slightly clear
    
    Millwall
    Charlton
    Derby
    Notts Co
    Stoke
    Tranmere - a few points adrift
    
    Southend
    Wolves
    Bolton
    Bristol C
    Middlesboro
    Grimsby - struggling to keep up
    
    Paul

    FE's 2	Charlton 0	Att a miserable 14.4k (tv pah!)
    
    Armstrong
    Stewart
    
    Even David Seaweed Lacey managed to praise us this morning. The Sunday
    Times gave over their Sunday preview to this game, describing Palace's
    push and run style as opposed to Gary's perceived long ball hoof.
    
    Palace were missing Matthew after Wednesday and opted for Bowry rather
    than Dyer. First half was 60-40 Palace with us having the better
    chances. Stewart put it over from 10 yds, Salako put it inches wide
    after a stunning run from Armstrong, Rodger had a volley well saved,
    Armstrong pulled two saves from Vaughan before meeting a Rodger corner 
    superbly for the opener. Immediately afterwards, Bowry somehow managed 
    to slide it wide after Stewart had got through again. Charlton had one
    break through a Leaburn header that Nelson volleyed only for Martyn to
    make a superb save.
    
    Second half saw a little bit more pressure from Charlton but again,
    palace were on top and made it two when Stewart headed home a Salako
    cross. He is now a real crowd favourite and went off to a standing
    ovation. One of the papers speculates that he may now have found his
    niche again after never really being popular at Spurs or Looneypool.
    Vaughan pulled off stunning saves from Armstrong and Dyer, was in the
    right place for a Coleman header, and somehow three Palace players
    couldn't get a touch from 2 yards on an Armstrong cross. Charlton's
    best effort was a header that Martyn grabbed low, on the line at the
    post, only for Pardew to come in feet first and kick him over the line.
    
    Grurbishleyitt said "two crosses - two goals" and whinged that Palace
    had a #4m forward line when they can't buy anyone (for all his faults -
    Noades has sorted out the finances well of late), but was blind to the
    paucity of Charlton's forward line. if Leaburn doesn't frighten the
    defenders they struggle and he struggled against Young and Coleman.
    
    Palace 5 clear of Forest, who are 3 clear of Leicester. These 3 seems
    to have broken away a bit with Millwall a further 4 back but with games
    in hand. After Leicester, places 4 to 12 are covered by 8 points.
    
    Middlesbro' on Wednesday and the chance to go 8 clear of the back
    (having played 2 more admittedly). The Premiership beckons again.
    
    paul

    Please set the previous hidden as it seriously drags down the tone of
    this note. Funny that none of the TV people, nor the papers thought it
    was boring or poor.
    
    BTW - nice photo in the Palace prog showing one of those shrinking
    violet baggies elbowing Chris Armstrong in the chin. Relegation is too
    good for them.
    
    paul patEman

    I noticed in the Palace programme on Sunday that it will cost 10 quid
    for "The Last Stand" on the Homesdale at the Watford game with no
    reduction for kids or members.Perhaps this is a ploy to raise cash to
    by Stewart...It said the ticket will be a collectors item..er..yes..
    
    Pete(compound 1)
    

    It's actually because its the last time the Holmesdale will evr be used
    as its being torn down for a new stand - hence the "souvenir" value.
    The cash will go towards the second phase of the building work. There
    is also talk of selling off chunks of the terrace.
    
    Paul

    Re 536
    
    Rip-off...  Knock the whole ground down and start playing in the
    Croydon Sunday League....
    
    
    
    
    /GAry

    Wombles in yer ground and Baggies in yer notes file..bliss
    
    PC

    Quite an important game tonight. A win will take Palace 8 clear of the
    pack, albeit with a couple of extra games played, but we'll be over the
    70 point barrier. Equally, Middlesbro can get level with Derby Co if
    they win and on the edge of the playoff places. Allowing for games in
    hand, there is now a gap below Charlton of 5 points, leaving 1 play off
    place to get, and 10 or so teams chasing it.
    
    Here's to a "donkey" Armstrong super show like on Sunday.
    
    paul

    You're learning Mr Pateman.  Armstrong is a donkey and he'll never be
    as good as 'Super' Bob.  
    
    Also will Palace be playing the usual style of Young 'long ball' over
    the defence for Armstrong to chase.  Yeah... I thought so..
    
    Will you sign Cascarino???
    
    
    /GAry

             <<< Note 44.540 by SUBURB::WAITEG "WHO ARE YER???" >>>

     Gary,

     I have to admire your devotion to the plucky little Midlands club,
     but if you look at the amount of goals scored, you will find that
     the "donkey" Armstrong is second top scorer with 20. 

     I hope that West Brom's season doesn't end in disappointment and
     relegation, because it will mean missing out on "big" local derbies,
     with Wolves and Rat City City.


    Stuart

    Re 541
    
    Stu,
    
    Sir Bob Taylor has missed a lot of games through injury but the lad is
    coming back to his best.  He also tends to lay a lot of goals on for
    Sir Andy Hunt (Hunt Hunt) which is something Armstrong never does.  
    
    As for Albion getting relegation, I can't see it.  The lads are just
    about to give a good run for promotion and meet Palace in the Wembley
    play-off final.
    
    
    /Gary
         

    
    Gary,
    
    	it doesn't surprise me that you can't forsee the imminent
    relegation of your beloved WBA, given that you obviously go around
    wearing a blindfold......for instance, you haven't noticed that there
    is an obvious reason for Armstrong never laying on any goals for Andy
    Hunt. 8-)
    
    JBG

    I'm gonna miss you Mr Goode.  I'll never forget you:-)
    
    
    
    /GAry

    
    Wow, aren't I the lucky one.
    
    JBG

    Middlesbro 3 WBA 0 - wonder how Palace will do? last time (when we were
    both in the premier - how long since WBA said that?) we stuffed em 4-1
    and we are a much better side now.
    
    Strange that every one I have spoken to, all the papers, and all the TV
    people said what an excellent performance Palace put up on Sunday.
    Pacey, skillfull, quick passing. True we don't endlessly play the ball
    around in midfield like Forest - but then we are top and they are
    second. And WBA are.........???
    
    paul

    Ho ho, Mr Pateman.  Nice one....  Trying to  bait me into another
    argurment.  Well it won't work.  
    
    We all know that Palace love the kick and rush game.  We all know that
    since Stevie Coppell left that Palace haven't and never will be that
    superb team they once were.
    
    We all know that Alan Smith likes Wimbledon and the size of the Palace
    crowd isn't far of the mighty Dons.  What will the crowd be tonight??? 
    12,000 + if you're lucky.
    
    
    /GAry
        

    To get in with some honesty before GW arrives in the office......
    
    Palace 0	Middlesbro 1 (Young og)	Att 13k and a bit
    
    Palace strolled onto the pitch with a combined air of "we are the top
    team, we beat Charlton, the rest is gonna be easy, just let us score a
    couple you lot" and lethargy. Basically, we were cr*p.
    
    'bro went in front after a weak header out from Young fell directly to
    Hignett who's shot took a deflection off Young again past Martyn who
    was otherwise well placed. MBro caused general confusion in the Palace
    defence without ever really coming close again - you just thought that
    they would score sometime. Wilkinson led the line superbly and Hignett
    looked class. They also got their two full backs up very well and only
    started leaving 5 back for corners late in the second half. However,
    Stewart got an awful pasting from their defence and looked only half
    fit, He was also subdued after an early booking (one game ban - not
    sure when). A couple of MBro players then tried to rile him for a
    second card, notably the No 5 who play acted a push off the ball but
    the ref spotted him.
    
    Anyway, Palace were dire in the first half. No ideas, poor crosses, no
    bite in midfield, lots of aimless through balls. After a tongue lashing
    they looked slightly better in the second half, with Stewart bringing a
    superb save from Pears and Southgate (who generally had a stinker) and
    Armstrong going close. But by 10-15 minutes to go, with Dyer dribbling
    round in circles and midfield powerhouse Richard Shaw spending most of
    his time defending breaks we adopted headless chicken mode and after a
    brief dash about, lay down and died.
    
    Its so sad - 8 hours of anticipation through the day, day dreaming of 5
    or 6 and Armstrong hat-tricks only to see this garbage - AND having
    forked out #44 for away tickets to Peterboro and Southend!
    
    Smith reckons its only a glitch and Lennie Lawrence agreed. However,
    Mbro are now level on points with Derby with games in hand and looking
    good for the play offs - they are the team in form. What odds on the 3
    relegated last year going back up?
    
    Palace still face 2 games a week until after Easter with 3 games away
    in the next 4. But then we tend to battle better away........
    
    Paul

    I tell you something Mr Pateman.  You need Bob Taylor because as Palace
    showed yesterday they have no bottle.  Fear not if you win the rest of 
    your games you'll be crowned champions.  That will be thanks to WBA will 
    beat Notts Forest for you at the end of April.
    
    All the best to Palace and their supporters.  
    
    
    /Gary

    Stoke 0 Palace 2 (Gordon pen, Williams)
    
    Reports suggested it was a poor game, but we got the 3 points. Smith
    changed the team around a bit, bringing Dyer in for Bowry and Shaw for
    Salako (!!!) with Rodger pushed out wide. However, Armstron went off
    after 22 minutes for Williams to come on, and Young after 60 for
    Salako. Both are doubtful for Tuesday against Peterborough (to be
    watched by our fav mod Mr Spain perhaps)
    
    Martyn was in superb form, and with all the rest slippling up our 8
    point gap is restored, a couple of points from Mbro and Sunderland and
    it would have been 14 0r 16 clear!
    
    The Premiership beckons, and we can only screw up by ourselves no.
    Withg Peterborough, Oxford and Southend the next 3 games, we could be
    guaranteed the playoffs by next Wednesday.
    
    Paul

          <<< Note 44.550 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                       -< Where's GW when we need him? >-
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   Yep, my thoughts entirely. I wanted to hear Gary's comments about
   the unforunate slip in WBA's promotion push.

   Paul,

   If you have a moment please would supply the final ( revised ) dates
   for the Palace.

   Cheers,

   Stuart
   

    Great win for Palace.  I loved the dive by their striker to win a
    penalty.  
    
    Your going up,
    
    /GAry

    Oh my gawd - just when you thought it was safe to go back into
    notes....
    
    Anyway pour le monsieur Paneso
    
    Tues 29/03	Peterborough A (we'll be there)
    Sat  02/04	Oxford H (unfortunately being missed due to motor racing)
    Weds 06/04	Southend A (we'll be there)
    Sat  09/04	Millwall H
    Sat  16/04	Luton A (may be moved for TV?)
    Sat  23/04	Barnsley H
    Sat	 30/04	M'bro A
    Sun  08/05	Watford H
    
    Paul

  Thanks Paul.... the negotiating can now commence.


  Stuart

    Peterborough 1	Palace 1	Att 8.5k
    
    Iorfa		Rodger
    
    Oh dear oh dear, Premiership complacency hits Palace.
    
    Days hols to take a family outing to Posh, including mother-in-law for
    her first ever Palace game. Smith kept pretty much the same side as
    Saturday:
    
    				Martyn (10/10)
    	Humphrey(7)  	Young(5)	Coleman(7)	Gordon(3)
    	Dyer (6)	Southgate (4)	Shaw (6)	Rodger (8)
    			Stewart (7)	Williams (6)
    
    	Sub - Salako (5) for Gordon 
    
    Peterborough's 3rd biggest league crowd of the season, swelled by
    around 3-3500 Palace in excellent voice. Palace started well, and took
    the lead from an excellent run and cross from Dyer. The papers reckon
    Williams met it and forced the save, I thought it was Stewart (but it
    was the other end) and anyway, Rodger was there to nod in the rebound.
    First half was shaded by Palace but we looked to be playing at two
    thirds throttle. Peterborough looked dangerous whenever Iorfa got the
    ball and he gave Dean Gordon a dreadful time. But, martyn hardly had a
    save to make and their keeper was always busy.
    
    After the break, Palace seemed to go totally to sleep, it was almost
    all Peterborough, although again martyn wasn't really troubled for the
    first 25 minutes. Then Iorfa took an outrageous dive out of a Gordon
    tackle and got Deano a yellow card (despite the fact he took the ball
    cleanly). Smith brought on Salako for Gordon, with Shaw dropping back.
    Salako instantly made a superb run only to be robbed of the ball on the
    edge of the box when looking for a shot. Williams, free on the other
    side of the box, was not pleased! Iorfa then made yet another run, got
    into the box, shot, it hit Richard Shaw and ballooned over Martyn. That
    prompted palace to up their game, but to no real effect with Dyer yet
    again doing all the right things to beat players but then crossing too
    early, too poorly or not at all.
    
    Martyn then kept us in the game with a string of superb saves, real
    England class again, and at the end the Palace fans were grateful for
    the whistle.
    
    The pack is now sorting itself out a little, with Palace, Forest,
    Leicester & Millwall loooking to have the top two places between them,
    and anyone of Derby, Tranmere, Notts Co, Charlton, M'bro, Wolves,
    Grimsby, Stoke and a couple of others after the other two play off
    places. Palace still have the edge with the points in the bag, 4 or
    their last 7 games at home, and no top 8 teams bar Millwall to play.
    The others will (hopefully) all be taking points off one another.
    
    If we go up, we need some cash spending on younger defenders and a ball
    player in midfield. Maybe that could be Stewart with a new "tough guy
    up front"?
    
    Anyway - glad to get a point and then back in the car to hear the
    cricket score! Serious cr*p!!!
    
    Paul

    Palace have extended Paul Stewart's loan period to the maximum three
    months - ie 28th April. He misses the game at Southend due to
    accumulated points, and cannot play (I think) in the last two games of
    the season. However, should we go up - it looks like he'll be a
    permanent signing - hopefully in midfield playing just behind the front
    two, but possibly as a permanent striker.
    
    Paul

    This comes very hard, but it is Gary's last day....
    
    Thank you WBA for taking the points of Charlton. There I said it. At
    least Bob Taylor didn't score. 
    
    Anyway, generally good results for Palace last night with only Forest
    winning, and now they will be missing Stan the Man for 3 games. Looks
    to be between the FEs and Forest for the title. Millwall could sneak in
    but have to come to Selhurst, and entertain Forest. My current cash
    (not surprisingly) would be on Palace given that Forest face away trips
    to Middlesbro, Charlton, Millwall, Derby and draw specialists Grimsby,
    plus relegation battling Peterborough.
    
    6 points from the next two games (Oxford H, Southend A) and a win
    against the Lion Droppngs would see us almost guaranteed a place.
    
    Happy Easter
    
    Paul

        re: .555

    >Anyway - glad to get a point and then back in the car to hear the
    >cricket score! Serious cr*p!!!

    Not that I don't find your Palace reports interesting, Paul - but just
    what *was* the cricket score (result)? Cricket rarely makes the Italian
    press...

    Dom

    Dom,
    
    the great English cricket team scored a magnificent 46 ALL OUT to be just
    pipped by the Windies by about 500 runs....
    
    
    (snigger,  ha ha ha) 8v)
    
    Ray

    Whaaat? That's got to be some sort of record, even by our standards! I
    bought the Guardian last Monday, and they seemed to be doing OK then...
    
    Back to normal service.
    
    Dom 

    Second worst score for an England team ever, and only beating the worst
    by 1 run. Ambrose was 6 for 24. England lost 8 wickets in an 80 minute
    period.
    
    Makes you glad your first sport is footie, doesn't it.
    
    Paul.
    

  Palace 2       Oxford 1
  Armstrong      An Oxford player .. Byrne I think.
  Stewart


  An Arse-type performance from South London's finest. But , we are top of
  the league ( X 2 ).

  Stuart

    Thanks for the detailed match report Stu! I even missed videoing the
    highlights as LWT switched programs and had Alan Wicker on instead.
    
    Southend tonight, and a win will almost guarantee the play-offs.
    Another win on Saturday against Millwall will very nearly put us there.
    In fact, 3 wins makes it between us, Forest and (just) Millwall
    (assuming they are one of the wins) but realistically we'll be back
    with 9 points from the last 18.
    
    The situation below us is changing all the time with Notts Co now
    looking a prospect for the Play offs. My bet would be Millwall,
    Leicester, Derby and Notts Co on recent form. Now there's a nice bunch
    of fans to get together!
    
    Paul
    
    

    
    Is the great Jonathen Peirce an EEEEEEEAAAAAAAAGGGGLLLLLLEEEEESSSSSSSS
    fan or what ?, I know he lives out that way, but he claims to support
    Bristol City, but he's always babbling on about Palace.
    
    Dave...

           <<< Note 44.564 by PEKING::WILSOND1 "DAVE WILSON @WLC" >>>

    
   JP,

   He is an Bristol thingy fan, but he married a Croydon Gal and settled
   in the leafy environs of South London. I believe he has a fondness for the
   Fab Ones, but if you listen to his commentary on any London side he
   tries to give them a boost.


   Stuart

   BTW Southend v Palace on Carlton tonight.

    Southend 1 (Hunt)	Palace 2 (Young, Armstrong)
    
    Att 9.5k (4k+ Palace)
    
    The great advantage of mobile working - logged out of AI1 at home at
    5.30 - into the car and off to the seaside. 
    
    Superb performance by the Palace fans, totally taking over the place.
    The team almost did the same. Despite the Carlton editor's efforts,
    Palace ran the first half. Southend had one close header to take away,
    although they looked quite dangerous whenever Otto got the ball. Palace
    nearly went ahead after about 15 minutes when Armstrong broke clear
    from the half way line and brought out an excellent save from Sansom.
    It was a stream of Palace corners (we got 13 to their 1) that finally
    got the goal, Ninja heading home on the half hour.
    
    Southend took advantage of a post half time doze to equalise and press
    forward more threateningly, put good chances for Armstrong and Young
    showed we should be alright. Finally, Southgate swung over a cross
    which Armstrong neatly controlled, rounded the keeper and tapped home.
    Dyer came on for the lightweight Williams and brought off a superb
    strike which was tipped over and from the corner, Dean Gordon fired
    just over with the help of a deflection (un-noticed by the ref hence
    causing "no-hair" Smith to get a talking to.
    
    Mucho celebrationo at the end and a good all round performance. We
    missed Paul Stewart (one match ban for points - not 3 as the Carlton
    man thought - he also called Rodger Osborn or Rodgers) and Southgate
    was still not on song, neither was Salako, although there were some
    flashes from him in the second half.
    
    10 points clear and uncatchable by the likes of Wolves & Stoke, if the
    results go our way at the weekend it could be just us Millwall and
    Forest with just one win needed.
    
    paul

    Paul,
    
    Any chance of posting the top of the First Division. Is there any
    chance of 3 London teams getting promoted or does it look as though
    Forest have done enough for an automatic place?
    
    Cheers,
    
    Paul (Interested Islington Owl).
    

    In this case I'd be delighted
    
    Team	Played	Goals	Points
    
    Palace 	41	67	78
    Forest	39	62	68
    Millwall	38	51	64
    Leicester	39	62	62
    Notts Co	39	58	61
    Derby	39	60	60
    
    That's the current play off positions. Charlton are further back on 58
    points from 38 games. They look an outside bet for the play-offs but
    have had a bad run. The key games seem to be:
    
    09/04	Palace v Millwall	Charlton v Forest
    16/04	Millwall v Forest
    
    Those should sort out which of Millwall and Forest go up with us
    automatically (I hope). My money is on Forest.
    
    Paul

    Palace 1 (Armstrong) Millwall 0 Att 23.3k
    
    Again ITV manage to show the wrong game :-) Also, how about Helms as a
    commentator:
    
    "Crystal Palace have elected to play in their red & blue stripes, while
    Millwall play in their away strip" Odd for a game at Selhurst
    
    "And there is the scoreboard, and electronic one which shows the
    score..." Stunning!
    
    Anyway, the first half was pretty even, with Stewart always dangerous,
    and Millwall getting a couple of headers on target. main incident was
    Martyn colliding with Mitchell in front of the Millwall neaderthals.
    They bayed for red, our much hated ref, Mr Gunn, showed yellow, rightly
    as Mitchell was heading for the corner flag.
    
    Second half was almost all Palace. Stewart was again superb and should
    have had a penalty when he was sandwiched by van den Hauwe (who
    couldn't handle him at all) and some other defender, and then Armstrong
    got the goal - a superb header from a superb cross from Gordon.
    Millwall looked lightweight up front, Moralee looked outclassed against
    Young, and Allen just old. A win against Luton next Saturday will see
    us clear of everybody bar Millwall and Forest who play on the Sunday,
    and anything but a Millwall win will see us definately up, with
    possible championship celebrations against Barnsley the following week.
    
    News - the Middlesbro game has been switched to Sun 01/05 for TV. 
    	   Martyn, Young and Armstrong have all been selected for the PFA
           Div 1 team of the season:
    
    				Martyn
    		Charles	 Cooper		Young	Minto
    		McAteer	 Draper		Walsh	Gemmill
    			 Armstrong	Collymore
    
    	   Surprised at the midfield, thought one of Southgate, Rodger or
    	   Salako might have got in.
    
    Oh - and we won #30 on a 6-1 bet for a 1-0 scoreline on Saturday, and
    saw a few Millwall "lads" getting ejected.
    
    paul 

          <<< Note 44.569 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
                             -< Safe & Sound Stu? >-

   I vowed after I shaved my head that I wouldn't get my hair cut until
   Palace were back in the top flight. Four more points will save me from
   cultivating my Stig of the Dump look. 

   For all their huff and puff ( probably generated by their need for the
   points being greater than the Fab Ones' ), I thought that the 'Wall were
   well contained and had very few chances. Stewart should have done better 
   with a couple of efforts and once again I thought Southgate had a poor
   game and he should take a leaf out of Young Simon' Rodger's book.

   No problem with those charming chaps from badlands, but I did enjoy
   tremendously singing " Nowhere, Millwall are going nowhere".


   Stuart

    Gents,
         can anyone confirm that all Luton Tickets have gone ? If so how
    many were we allocated ?
    
    PC

    Yup, the game is all ticket and Palace were allocated 1900. They were
    announced as being sold out at half time on Saturday. I don't know if
    it's possible to but tickets in the Luton area? 
    
    Paul

>>          <<< Note 44.563 by YUPPY::PATEMAN "Some Fantastic Place" >>>
>>                     -< So close you can almost touch it >-
>>    The situation below us is changing all the time with Notts Co now
>>    looking a prospect for the Play offs. My bet would be Millwall,
>>    Leicester, Derby and Notts Co on recent form. Now there's a nice bunch
>>    of fans to get together!
    
    Please Mr P., do not lump the splendidly behaved U'Pies fans in with
    those other louts. Besides, there's not enough of us for it to be a
    fair contest!
    
    And, incidentally, looking at the remaining fixtures, I'm not putting
    any money on County - Tranmere, Wolves, Chalton at home with Derby,
    Stoke and Oxford away.
    
    My bet would be for Tranmere, now rejuvenated, to bag the fourth
    play-off place alonside your other three nominees.
    
    Rob
    

    Sorry Rob, no slur on Co intended - your lot had a great party at our
    place (and our expense!) when we allowed you to restart your season
    with your first away win in 11 months!
    
    Given the choice between your bit of the East Midlands and the other
    bit of S London - I hope you make it!
    
    Paul

    >announced as being sold out at half time on Saturday. I don't know if
    >it's possible to but tickets in the Luton area? 
    
    I tried to get a ticket on the day at Luton a few years ago. Couldn't
    get one anywhere so don't go up on spec as I did. It would be a wasted
    journey.
    
    Paul.
    

    Won't be there unfortunately - timing motor cars round in circles at
    Snetterton.
    
    Snippett from the reserves - last night - Swindon 0 Palace 6. Seems
    Swindon are the same at all levels!
    
    Also - heard Venebles on the radio last noght saying he was keeping his
    eye on Armstrong for the future. Personally, I can't see why Coton
    keeps getting in in front of Martyn. But then again, we're not in the
    Premiership (yet!)
    
    Paul

           Div 1 team of the season:
    
    				Martyn
    		Charles	 Cooper		Young	Minto
    		McAteer	 Draper		Walsh	Gemmill
                     Armstrong            Coolymore

I don't believe this selection. No TGA, it's the worst decision that I have
seen recently. How could they have left out the great one after all the goals
he's been scoring recently. Still if we win the world cup in July, it will
make up for this injustice.


C U N N O

    
    Maybe his fellow pro's thing the same as the rest of us, ie: HE'S
    CRAP!!
    
    Neil..

    Maybe, but at least he's a nice bloke ;-)

    Yup, TGA was mightly impressive against the FEs - we were quaking in
    our boots when the tashed one missed from 0 yards. But then, wouldn't
    you rather have a 36 (or 37?) year old has been when you could have
    players like Armstrong, Joachim, McGinlay, Coyle, Moralee, Bull,
    Colleymore (well maybe not :-) ), Scott Oakes, Ricky Otto, and not 
    forgetting Bob Taylor (of where for art thou GW?!?!)
    
    Get back to the reality of the Man U note Cunno, TGA will never play in
    the Premiership again.
    
    Paul

    Cunno,
    
    At the time the voting took place, TGA was languishing in
    mid-Goalscorers-Table having notched the supreme total of 11 league
    goals. 
    
    Why would his fellow pro's nominate him when he was not performing to
    the standards we are all aware that he is capable of of ;-)
    
    Rob

    Re: -2
    
>    Yup, TGA was mightly impressive against the FEs - we were quaking in
>    our boots when the tashed one missed from 0 yards. But then, wouldn't
    
    
    I think you meant to say Quacking ;-)
    
    
    Jerry.

    Ref 44.573
    
    You were right Rob - a draw against the 10 man Tranmere (even without
    TGA) has put Palace at least out of your reach. We now need a win on
    Saturday against Luton and anything other than a Millwall win against
    Forest to guarantee promotion.
    
    Looking at the other remaining fixtures, Derby have a good run in with
    4 out of 6 at home, and Leicester have probably the easiest set of
    games. I'm hopeful of the title for Palace as 3 of our games are
    against teams in the bottom 6 - but these can be harder than title
    deciders.
    
    Paul

        
        As the season draws to a conclusion and most find people 
        themselves thinking about promotion ( by no means a certainty 
        at the time of writing ), I find myself in reflective mood. 
        What has a season in the Endsleigh League Division One meant 
        to me?
        
        I suppose it all started to come into focus just after 
        Christmas. Fueled with the spirit of the season , we set off 
        for Oxford, to the rather "picturesque" Manor Ground ( when 
        the dust has settled , and the accounting firms conclude their 
        investigations, I can confidently predict that none of the 
        Maxwell Missing Millions will be found to have been invested 
        in this "homely" stadium). 
        
        The fiasco surrounding arrangements for entering the ground 
        have been well documented elsewhere, and I am sure someone has 
        previously commented on the wonderful catering facilities. I 
        do feel however that the Police and stewards were rather too 
        keen to enter into the pantomime spirit that engulfs us all at 
        that time of year.
        
        I digress. It was great to be back on the terraces amongst the 
        Palace faithful , it was also enjoyable , in a masochistic 
        way, to endure Wingnut's youthful enthusiasm as he tried to 
        chivvy us out of the pub, but the highlight for me was the 
        sudden realisation that Darwin and Bronowski has got it wrong.
        From Homo Erectus to Homo Sapiens the evolutionary theorists 
        had all missed out one vital stage -  Biggus Footus - typified 
        by Oxford's number two and other members of his "pack" in the 
        their defence.
        
        The veil , having been lifted from my eyes,  I started to 
        study other teams' back fours ( or often fives ) with this 
        revelation in mind. Christ, practically all the sides in the 
        Endsleigh are populated by these "honest journeyman" who sport 
        size 13 boots and who's idea of a good first touch is hoofing 
        the ball or player as far as possible. 
        
        OK.... the Palace have the Ninja, but some of the keener 
        observers might have noticed he occasionally dribbles his way 
        out of trouble ( one particularly mazy run at the Hawthorns 
        set my heart racing ). He also knows when to play the short 
        ball. He is hard in the tackle , admittedly not the fastest, 
        but no way is he Biggus Footus.
        
        OK... the Premiership has a number of Biggus Footi. In fact 
        the donkey sanctuary on the Piccadilly line probably has more 
        than most. But, begrudgingly , I must admit that even Mr Ed , I 
        mean Toneee Adams has certain skills that the average Biggus 
        Footus can only dream of attaining. Some would say he lacked a 
        little subtlety in getting the wall back ten yards, others 
        would argue that they wouldn't like to "hit the hut" when 
        Fireman Sam is in town, but he has won things. The typical 
        Endsleigh Biggus Footus has only the fantasies of trotting out 
        at Wembley and leading his team to glory.  
        
        Though I long to see the Palace back in the top flight, it 
        will be through rheumy eyes when I reflect on the Endsleigh 
        experience and those men of steel with feet like the Thames 
        barrier.