November 12 2003

Kit Symons

"I have got nothing to worry about. I can't get sacked because I haven't got a contract and I won’t go grey because I am already."

Kit Symons has nothing to lose as he takes charge of Palace for six games and his relaxed manner can only help Palace as they bid for survival.

Lying in 20th place in Division One, Saturday’s point has at least stopped the rot and prevented a fourth straight league defeat. The next five games in Symons' month in charge could prove even more fruitful.

Symons and assistant Stuart Gray will be in charge against Walsall (a), Stoke (a), Coventry (h), Aston Villa (a) in the league cup and the return clash with Preston (a) as they bid to make their jobs permanent.

Four away games looks tough, but getting away from a morgue-like Selhurst could prove a blessing in disguise, and having recently been sacked by Villa, Gray's knowledge of the Villains squad could spark an upset.

After less than five days in charge, Symons' selection and tactics on Saturday suggested Jordan may have got it right when turning to the former Fulham defender.

Selecting himself in the absence of Powell, Symons switched to a 4-4-2 and asked the players to get the basics right. He recalled Ben Watson for his first start since Millwall and dropped Danny Granville.

The result was a workmanlike performance from a team lacking confidence, but Symons led by example and Palace deserved at least a point.

Fans of our kick by kick service will have been affected by an interruption to our service over the last two weeks. We apologise for the inconvenience a technical fault may have caused, but rest assured that after the international break, we will be back to cover each and every game as usual.

Join me for the trip to Walsall's Bescott Stadium on Saturday, November 22, and then Neil will bring you all the action as it happens from Stoke's Britannia Stadium on Tuesday, November 25.

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