November 28 2005

Simon Jordan

Jamesey finds the words of Simon Jordan reassuringly sensible and articulate in the midst of the football circus

A disappointing 2-0 loss away to Luton yesterday (Nov 26) but it was on the tail of two lovely wins, so let's keep things in perspective.

It was certainly the first time that Iain Dowie has issued such public criticism of the team's performance. "Not enough drive and not enough hard work" and "with the exception of Boyce, no one played anywhere near the level I expect," thundered ID.

I listened to the game on the internet on BBC London Sport Digital and even that legendary Palace warhorse Gary O'Reilly who was one of the commentators, continually lapsed into despair at our well-known tendency to give away the ball constantly.

Gary reiterated the obvious fact that however much good work you do in other areas, if you give away the ball cheaply you will find it hard to score and always put your defence under pressure.

On the other hand, opening the Observer sports section today, turning to Simon Jordan's fortnightly column cheered me up considerably.

Simon's main theme is the cowardly attitude of clubs to big-name players like Roy Keane and Craig Bellamy. Star players are allowed to get away with murder an in the end become sacred monsters who think they are bigger than the club itself.

There are some interesting observations on Simon's discoveries when he took over CPFC five years ago.

There was a liberty culture at the club and players had "no respect, no one to answer to, no framework".

I can easily imagine the outrage that a self-made entrepreneur who had probably worked his backside off 19 hours a day, seven days a week, to build up a successful commercial outfit, would feel observing the Selhurst liberty culture.

Among all the indiscipline and mickey-taking, Simon mentions how Neil Ruddock took the team out on an alcoholic marathon in the middle of a relegation struggle and how Jamie Pollock resolutely refused to tackle his weight problem.

It certainly clarifies the rift with Steve Coppell and, I would imagine, was the main reason why Steve departed so soon after Simon's arrival.

Nobody could have more respect and admiration for Steve than myself but he was notorious for his laissez-faire attitude to player discipline and I can quite see why the chairman saw red.

Anyhow the tenor of what Simon is writing at the moment exemplifies the admirable change of an arrogant and shallow demigod into a thoughtful and intelligent club chairman who I personally am delighted to have at the Selhurst helm.

I recommend all our members to read the column.

Anyway, no shilly-shallying, I am off to Boro on Wednesday and hope to see a much improved Palace performance.

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

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