October 24 2007

Selhurst Park

Jamesey dared to hope that a new man at the helm would give the Eagles a fillip against Stoke City. Ahem....

There was movement, team spirit, some great co-ordination and mouth-watering shape on the pitch for our game against the Potters.

But regrettably that was only in the form of the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders who were wheeled out at half-time for some obscure reason.

Otherwise it was business as usual for Eagles supporters who were treated to a confused and unconvincing performance against dogged visitors, culminating in a 1-3 defeat.

I didn't travel to Blackpool but the Palace World commentary and much of the HOL member feedback gave the impression of a much-improved side.

Of course, there is usually the "new manager syndrome" where players are supposed to give that extra effort to prove their merit to the boss. One always has to question why they weren't giving 100% in the first place but that, I guess, is football.

New gaffer Neil Warnock was given a rousing ovation as he walked to the dug-out but to be frank, after well over a season of Taylor-made mediocrity, we would have cheered Daffy Duck (only a joke, Simon, honestly).

According to Neil's programme notes, he has already relocated himself and his family from Sheffield to near the Beckenham training ground, so he will have his work cut out in the coming months unless the return trip is forced upon him.

The price of even relative failure is high in the Book of Simon.

To be as charitable as one can, the Potters game was arguably a Warnock game-plan executed by Taylor players. But that is the material he has got to work with for the next couple of months unless he can attract some attractive loan signings.

Thinking it might be nice to review Neil Warnock's autobiography "Made in Sheffield" for HOL I called in at the club shop.

There was a pile of them above behind the counter and what a great idea it would have been to offer signed and cut-price books to supporters.

But no, the books were apparently unsigned and cost £18.99 which was several pounds more than this would-be reviewer was prepared to pay.

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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