February 5 2007

Leon Cort celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Ipswich

Despite an increasing tendency towards pessimism, Jamesey is pleased with our last two league results.

Yes our FA Cup exit (Jan 27) to Preston was a slap in the face.

But, in my book, a 0-0 result at Sunderland (Jan 30) is an extremely impressive result.

I was surprised at some of the reactions on the HOL boards - disappointment that we didn't go all guns blazing for a win.

That really would have been a Charge of the Stadium of Light Brigade with knobs on. And the end-product would have been another massacre in the Valley of Death.

No, to travel up to the inhospitable north-east and hold the Black Cats to a goalless draw was an admirable achievement and the heroic few red-and-blues who made the 600-mile round trip deserve a special commendation.

The 2-0 victory at home to Ipswich (Feb 3) was a peculiar game.

In the first half we were poor, exhibiting all our usual weaknesses, but at least we didn't concede a goal.

The second period was a different story. Shefki Kuqi's strong running and Paul Ifill's work on the right wing, in particular, were terrific to watch.

Ifill tore Town's defenders apart - a bravura performance.

Personally I can't hide my disappointment over Peter Taylor. But maybe many of us expected too much, and as we enter the final third of the season if we can turn in a few more performances like the one against Ipswich, who knows where we could go.

One of the big talking points at the moment has concerned Selhurst Park.

Do we go or do we stay? The decision, of course, hinges on many factors outside Simon Jordan's control but it now appears that his intention in buying the freehold of SP was to sell it for housing development and build a new stadium.

For supporters of my own vintage who have been going to Selhurst Park since the 1950s, to move would be a gut-wrenching experience, like having part of my own youth, history and memories surgically removed.

On the other hand, the stadium is quite frankly knackered and planning permission to improve it is fraught with obstacles. It would be more logical to sell it and build a new state-of-the-art ground.

So my heart says stay, but my head says go.

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

In Depth Jamesey's Veteran View Index