January 2 2010

Victor Moses

The New Year brings the opening of the transfer window and it is not all doom and gloom, writes Simon Pophale.

The fact is HOLers, it is going to be one of the most difficult windows for us as the family jewels (namely Julian Speroni, Darren Ambrose and Victor Moses) look set for pastures new. Let's hope not but every day that passes without them leaving is the chance that we may keep hold of some of them.

Of all the players we have, Victor is the one that we would all most like to keep and there has been no greater sight in December than that of Moses bearing down on opposition defenders.

Sadly, if the rumour mill is true that Liverpool have opened talks with us about his transfer, then it looks like he will be gone sooner rather than later... but there is nothing stranger than the world of football sometimes.

So, each week there will be a "watch" for the rumours of our boys and a watchful eye cast over all the transfers and which could, indirectly, affect us as we bid to be in the playoff shake-up come the end of the season.

It is Sheffield Wednesday next in the FA Cup and the team selection could be an indicator of which players may be on the way out. Neil Warnock wont want players cup-tied as it may reduce thier value so depending on who plays at Hillsborough, could be an indication on which players are being primed to be sold, or to be kept.

Warnock has re-iterated that he does not want to lose Speroni or Ambrose... so the team news on Saturday could tell us something.

Players certainly on thier way (if not gone out the door already) will be Freddie Sears (loan return to West Ham) and Nick Carle, as he is not getting any match-time this season. With the World Cup coming, he needs first team football.

January sales will bring nervousness for many clubs such as ourselves - Portsmouth being allegedly served with a winding-up order from HM Customs and many of the Premiership bottom-half residents will be casting a watchful eye over thier players.

Their situation could detract from our plight, but many clubs could be facing the need to sell rather than acquiring new talent, so expect some interesting dealings over the next four weeks.

At least we have an experienced manager who knows how to play the transfer market. We may have no money, but Warnock has been pulling rabbits out of hats all season with our results, he might have to pull them out of thin air if we are to have any new recruits.

So, every Friday will have the round up of the outs and abouts, it is going to be another bumpy ride on the rollercoaster that is Crystal Palace!

Email Simon with your comments to simonpophale@btinternet.com