Poor old Ben, injured again. The only bit lacking in his game was midfield bite, but he was an agressive player at youth level. SaW HIM V lORDSWOOD at 16 and he dominated the middle of the park with his tackling, but I suppose fear of injury inhibited his style. His passing was critisized, but I think this was due to the range and frequency of them. The passes that succeeded were remarkable.
Mabbutt and Elweisse also so unlucky, but they were like that when bought I believe, and the usual clever advice of the Palace staff couldn't make a difference here. Anton Outalowski (remember him?), was a crock, missold by the ooligans at Millwall, who was a hopeless case. He played against Palace and tore us apart. Blinded Palace ,who immedialtly wanted to sign him up. Millwall sure saw their chance!

I used to feel sorry for Neil Smillie, pacy tricky winger usually confined to the bench and unable to make a first team spot his own.

Portillo's teeth removed to boost pound

Boy roasts himself in sacrifice to Chris Kelly

Kevin Mabbutt was rated more highly than his brother Gary.

Too right, Salako could have had the left wing birth for years in that England set-up.

Can't feel Ben Watson is too unlucky, he did score a winning goal in an FA Cup final!

"they gave it everything, every ounce of blood, sweat and guts. They battled, they never ducked a challenge and, as their fans ripped their T-shirts off in the stands, creating the kind of heady atmosphere that has turned Selhurst Park into an amphitheatre" Matthew Syed

Don't really see how Bimbo fits at all. His battle with Leukemia didn't affect his football career; it happened after he retired and long after he had left Palace.

Shipps and Phillips aren't comparable in my view. For one thing, Phillips never got fat, and for another, Shipps played a lot more for us in the Prem than Phillips ever did even if he wasn't a regular (on the pitch, rather than at the post-match buffet table). Am I right recalling his winner the last time we won at White Hart Lane, or is my mind playing tricks on me? Bundled the ball in at close range from a cross from the right wing, or I could be totally mad.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

I am not sure about Wilf being unlucky. Getting a string of injuries is unlucky, but, in the long run, being left out of the first team is not about luck but about failing to show you have the ability and temperament required to deserve a place in the team.

He is a very good player, but, I still have some doubts as to whether he really has what it takes to make it at the very top, and I am not convinced he would have been "banging"in the goals for us this season. After all, he didn't score that many in the Championship last year ( although granted he created quite a few).

Anyway, he now has his chance at Cardiff to show if he can cut it in the Prem - time will tell.