January 27 2010

Neil Warnock

Manager Neil Warnock has revealed his devastation at Crystal Palace falling into administration.

The Palace boss heard about the club's plight while travelling up to Newcastle for tonight's Championship match and he now has the task of keeping the team in the division after they were hit with a 10-point penalty.

He said: "I knew, like everyone else, that cash has been tight at Selhurst Park but I could not believe the news that we'd been forced into administration.

"The timing just astonishes me. There's still a week to go in the transfer window and we are about to sell Victor Moses for millions. I'm devastated, shocked and hugely disappointed."

He continued: "I feel for Simon Jordan, our owner, who's been working harder than anyone can imagine to keep the club going and secure its' future. I know he's as devastated as I am.

"The players are also in shock. We had a meeting and explained as much as we could do them.

"I don't know what the future holds for me or the players. In all my years in the game I've not been at a club which has gone into administration before so I don't know where everyone stands.

"I'm hoping to speak to the administrators but it may have to wait until we're back in London.

"I'm obviously disappointed from a playing perspective as we'd been doing so well - we've only lost twice in our last 15 games and I really felt we'd a chance of making the play-offs.

"Now, suddenly, we find ourselves in a relegation battle. The players don't deserve that, or the fans, or the chairman."

Defender Matt Lawrence added: "It's just bitterly disappointing that all the hard work done by the players and the manager so far this season to get us where we are in the league has disappeared.

"We were two points off the play-offs but now we are just four points above the relegation zone. So obviously the focus has changed."