November 24 2005

Wayne Andrews

Two games in three days was quite a workload for CPFC but the lads delivered the goods in the form of three points against Coventry City (Nov 22, 2-0). Jamesey reports

Perhaps it's my old bones but increasingly as every season passes, at this time of year, I really have to push myself to board that Selhurst train.

On a cold and biting Tuesday night and with some tempting European football on TV it would be so easy to stay at home in my cosy, centrally heated living room.

But no, duty must be done. It's strange when pursuing a hobby becomes a duty, but chilly Tuesday evenings can sometimes produce that effect.

In the event about 17,000 of us turned up to see a game that looked well winnable although the Curse of Selhurst always lurks in the background, especially noting the fact that Coventry had yet to win away this season.

And to be fair, we played well in fits and starts although if only Clinton Morrison had not had a bad day at the office, we could have won far more convincingly.

And it was good to see Wayne Andrews open his Palace account with what appeared to be a very well-taken goal.

I have been less than kind to Wayne in the past but then I have to remind myself of the hostile reception Ian Wright recieved from some quarters when he arrived in the mid-80s.

Sometimes, Ian seemed as if he could hardly run without tripping himself up but the talent was there waiting to exert itself although not many at the time would ever have dreamt he would go on to become a top European player and England international.

So maybe Wayne's goal will lift his confidence and let him go on to score quite a few more? Personally I am not over-optimistic.

Two Palace Old Boys playing for the Sky Blues interested me, in particular.

I was frightened that Dele Adebola might turn in the sort of performance which managers obviously think he is capable of.

To my uneducated eyes, he looked the same lumbering and slow carthorse that he always appeared to be in a Palace shirt, I am pleased to say.

The other player was always one of my favourites and after all these years it was great to see him still giving it his all with considerable skill.

Richard Shaw, if memory serves me well, first emerged round about our Cup Final year in 1990. He was one of a talented bunch of youngsters to come from our youth set-up which included John Salako and Gareth Southgate.

Richard man-marked Eric Cantona on that famous night 10 years ago when Man U came to town.

Cantona became so irritated by Richard's close attentions that he kicked out and got sent off.

The rest, as they say, is history. But when people talk about that night, they hardly ever mention Richard Shaw's role in the whole business.

He did his job so well that Cantona totally lost his rag and Man U were deprived of the services of their best player for a considerable time.

Good on you, Richard Shaw.

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