October 5 2006

Jobi McAnuff

JOBI MCANUFF is glad that he decided to do a u-turn on handing in a transfer request during the summer.

The 24-year-old winger attracted interest from Watford at the end of last season and was reported to have handed in a transfer request by his agent.

However after talks with Peter Taylor and Simon Jordan, the former Cardiff man opted to concentrate on getting Palace into the Premiership.

"Once everything had been sorted out, my mind was focused firmly on doing a job for Crystal Palace," said MCANUFF.

"They are the club who pay my wages. I had a chat with the chairman, he was good to me and we dealt with the situation.

"I am doing the best I can for Palace and no one who has seen my performances could accuse me of being distracted."

Palace's next game is against his former club Cardiff - but not until October 14 due to internationals being played this weekend.

The fact that this weekend is the second international break since the season started has frustrated MCANUFF.

"I can't stand it," he said. "It's so annoying, and sometimes the scheduling just seems crazy.

"I realise that time has to be made for international football, but now we don't have a match for two weeks, followed by a spell of three games in a week. Then, later in the month, we revert to Saturday after Saturday.

"I don't know who makes these decisions, but it is tough on players. When you have had a break, it is difficult to get back into the rhythm of playing."