August 22 2004

Crystal Palace

A sparkling sunny day was the backdrop for our home opener against the Toffees. Jamesey chews it over

I didn't make it to Norwich (Aug 14), so our match with Everton at home (Aug 21) was my personal debut into the Barclays Premiership, this time round.

It certainly came home to me that we were back in the big time when I had to cough up £4 for a match programme, and a copy of "SE25" (which I didn't want).

My next concern, like at every new season, was as to who might be sitting next to me. With the reported massive surge in season ticket sales, I didn't particularly fancy sitting in close proximity to a gibbering idiot or a Neanderthal obscenity shouter for the next nine months.

Sigh of relief... all the old stalwart season holders were there and all the new faces seemed pleasant enough near my perch in the Main Stand.

As for the football? Well I always leave specific match comment in more capable and knowledgeable hands than mine.

It is, of course, disappointing to lose ones first home game 1-3, especially after such a bright start.

We appeared to resort to hoofing when under pressure and reverted to the old pre-Dowie perennial of making heavy weather of playing against 10 men.

But it's early days and we have a manager who learns fom mistakes and corrects them, so let's hope for the best.

For once it was not just the Holmesdale making all the noise - a good volume seemed to be coming from all four sides of the ground.

Let's also hope we can keep that up later in the season when things could get even stickier than they did against the Toffees.

Lastly, I will also have to change my open air luncheon venue because of the increased numbers milling around Selhurst this season.

The Chinese chippie in Whitehorse Lane (one of the best in south London) had already sprouted a 50-yard queue by 1.45pm.

I had to go for saucisson au pain avec moutarde (OK, a hot dog) for £2.50 from the stand near the Glaziers Lounge, consumed in the exquisite surroundings of the car park.

Not recommended.

Email Jamesey with any of your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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