You'll think I've lost the plot - but for me the player to stand alongside the likes of Jim Cannon (pbuh), Dave Swindlehurst, Dougie Freedman and Julian Speroni is David Wright. He was a bit Marmite and was limited skill-wise but his reading of the game and positional sense was second to none. I can't remember if it was the Doog or Paul Hart who put him into midfield but that change was one of THE main reasons we stayed in the championship. Freedman played him like a libero/sweeper - every time we ran into a dead end down the wing who was the spare man to receive a pass, make sure we kept possession and keep us on the offensive? David Wright. If the centre backs pushed up too far and the other team sent the ball long - who was there to sweep it up? David Wright. Then he'd turn up late into the box and have a shot. His left foot was marginally better than Christy Moore's and passing more than 10 yards was problematical, but he learnt to play in every position at Crewe under Gradi and we got the benefit. When he did the dirty work in midfield as a partner to Owen Garvan who could then do his stuff we were decent. Gave 100% every time, great respect for the club and fans - he's a youth team coach at Ipswich now I believe, preparing himself slowly and intelligently for management. With his qualities I could see him being an amazing manager, somewhere like Colchester (who he played for after us of course) - and when that happens I'll be having a few quid each-way at big odds that he gets whatever club very close to the top of their division very quickly.

Ben Watson aswell

R.I.P staffie

John Jackson
Jim Cannon
Steve Kember
and
Dave Swindlehurst

With a special mention for Nicky Chattertons dad

I am showing my age

Doris, or his brother Martin. Palace thru n thru.