You've just reminded me why I never buy a paper nowadays.

Thanks Madcap thats put my mind at rest.......

Let's be realistic, in the current climate Cabaye is a £100,000 a week player and we can't avoid paying that sort of wage unless we want to move to the next level. The alternative is we take a massive gamble on an unproven talent who steps up to the plate straight away, which is risky at best. Market forces dictate that if demand for proven, established top 10 internationals outstrips supply then bullets have to be bitten if we are to build on what the board and Pardew have done, and their vision for the club.
It's a massive statement of intent by the club. It indicates to other high profile targets (Austin, Remy et al) that we are serious about kicking on and challenging for Europe.
It also indicates to the likes of Dann and Bolasie (I for one think that Dann would be crazy to leave now)that this could be a chance to do something very special with this club. IF he goes to Everton he will just plod along, be solid and finish mid-table for the next few years- I doubt he will become an Everton legend- but he could well be if he stays here. I genuinely think we have more potential with the squad we have (even before we add one or two quality players) than any team outside the top 6- and I'm generally one of the more pessimistic Palace fans!
If we can add a 20+ striker and a long-term partner for Dann Europe really isn't out of our reach.
And if we can consolidate for the next couple of years we MUST increase capacity or move. The catchment area for the club has to be one of the highest in Europe, never mind England.

'Impulse' advert- Advertising campaign whose slogan is expected to change in the light of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination: 'If someone you don't know suddenly offers you flowers- run like f***!'

Not signed. Any team could gazump. However, if he does, to have beaten WHU is one thing; I am not sure Arsenal were ever that interested; but Roma?... and apparently Atletico Madrid!?

Shows the advantage playing time actually has for some players. Edabayour [for example] would have gone to the one offering the largest cut of the signing on fee and the biggest wages irrespective of playing time.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

Agree with you. For SP & AP to persuade a player of Cabaye's type to sign for Palace is a huge achievement and shouldn't be understated. Of course there's risks but a calculated one and the wages whilst appear huge, SP doesn't do anything that puts the club's future in danger so we can rest assured the club can afford it and any other incoming signings.

Amazing times...about to sign the best player we have ever signed. Who would have thought that after Hillsborough

The ups and downs of Palace have left me older than my years