August 18 2004

Sandor Torghelle

Palace's new £750,000 striker Sandor Torghelle will prove a real handful for Premiership defences according to Norwich defender Simon Charlton, by Joseph O'Shea.

The 22-year-old came within a face’s width of scoring on his debut on Saturday, when Robert Green unknowingly blocked his powerful second half drive.

And having struggled to cope with the Hungarian international’s physical and technical prowess, defender Simon Charlton thinks Palace have made a good signing.

Charlton told the Guardian: "He’s physical, tall and uses his body strength quite well. I think he’ll make a good target man for AJ to play off.

"The Premiership might suit him because as we saw today he likes the physical side of it. I felt I did OK against him but he’ll learn what the Premiership is all about, and once he gets to grips with it, he will be a real handful because he has good feet too."

Torghelle can barely speak a word of English, so could not give an interview but he is having lessons and will soon be able to understand the praise coming his way already.

Manager Iain Dowie said: "I thought big Sandor went to war and competed very hard. But for a great save by Robert Green, he would be on the score sheet."

And new strike partner Andy Johnson was delighted with Torghelle’s contribution and impact.

He told the Guardian: "I thought Sandor was brilliant, and was a right handful for their defenders. He put himself about and for someone who speaks very little English and has only played one game alongside me, I thought the partnership worked well. He took the man away for Wayne to create my goal and all game he was a constant threat.

"He doesn’t give up, he chases, he battles and he puts his foot in where it hurts. On another day he would have scored a couple of goals, but it will come, he’s a great player."

Live Croydon Guardian text commentary