December 10 2007

Selhurst Park

After initial scepticism, Jamesey finds himself fast becoming a fully paid-up member of the NWAS (Neil Warnock Appreciation Society).

We all know it can't possibly last but, while it does, our unbeaten run is an unexpected and most agreeable experience.

In my last column, I wrote that our 1-1 home draw with West Bromwich Albion (Dec 1) was a highly creditable result in its context.

Since then we turned over QPR 1-2 (Dec 4) at Loftus Road and now a 0-0 draw at Barnsley (Dec 8) puts the icing on the pre-Christmas cake.

I didn't travel to Oakwell but listened to the match on BBC London Sport Radio and it was certainly a nerve-jangling affair.

The ball seemed to be careening about the two boxes or sailing over the respective crossbars for quite a bit of the time, according to the commentary.

Tyke territory has not been a happy hunting ground for us in the past. Of the 24 games we have played at Oakwell we have lost half of them, drawn four and won eight. Maybe it's the Yorkshire air?

Personally I felt as much elation that we were able to grind out a 0-0 result, as I did for the WBA home draw.

Sometimes the circumstances make what looks like a boring or inconsequential result really something special and both these games fell into that category.

We are not even out of the relegation frame yet in terms of points but the current squad is definitely not fodder for the drop. Not in a million years.

Neil Warnock is increasingly proving himself to be an astute and effective manager, blending the old hands, the Taylor imports, the kids and his own shrewd loan deals into a gutsy and formidable unit.

And on the subject of inspirational managers, while watching the Reading v Liverpool game on the box on Saturday evening, I was reminded of a similar scenario at Selhurst, 15 or so years ago.

Led by Lord Coppell, CPFC were very reminiscent of Reading at the moment - unfancied and unfashionable, struggling to stay with the Big Boys for much of the time, but blessed with a dogged bunch of players and a superb manager.

Liverpool came to Selhurst on that day in the early 90s and were defeated 1-0.

The scenes of jubilation at the Madejski Stadium at Reading's 3-1 triumph mirrored the delight of Eagles supporters at Selhurst at the time.

The Holmesdale Road was alive with the sound of "One-nil, we beat the Scousers one-nil..." as grinning fans headed homeward.

Happy memories.

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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