August 1 2005

Palace v Inter

For his first live football since April, "drooling anticipation" would be a gross understatement to describe Jamesey's state of mind before our two home friendlies

First it was on... then it was off... then it was on again...then they were late.

When the fixture against Inter Milan finally kicked off on a drizzling Wednesday evening (July 27), we all breathed a sigh of relief.

Having drawn at home against two of the top three English clubs last season, we had no reason to fear anyone.

And, although it must be said, that a gap in class was well evident, to lose 0-2 to one of the world's elite is certainly no disgrace.

It was such a pleasure to be back at the hallowed home of CPFC again, that even if we had lost 0-14, I could laughed it off indulgently.

Aaaah, the roar of the hot dogs, the smell of the crowd.

I returned to Selhurst Park for the second time in four days for our final pre-season friendly against West Ham (July 30).

Perhaps this would be a game that gave us a better idea of our prospects for the coming season?

In my view, the Hammers looked the better side, duly winning 1-0, but so they should have - they are promoted and we went down. Although, in all fairness, we held our own for most of the early stages until the wholesale substitutions on both sides rendered the match meaningless form the spectator's point of view.

As usual, I leave technical comment on the game to those more knowledgeable than me.

But I will indulge myself with two comments. If Jobi McAnuff carries on in the excellent vein he demonstrated in the first half, the departure of Wayne Routledge will be of no consequence whatsoever.

On the other hand, I am reluctant to pick on any player because I could get nasty emails from his mum. But I have to say that Wayne Andrews on the right flank looked about as much use as a chocolate teapot!

Next Saturday (Aug 6) will, of course, be when we get down to serious business in our game against Luton in the Widely Known Bottled Drink Thingummybob League.

Nine months of hard slog and Palace in the Premiership once more at the end of it?

Who knows...

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

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