January 5 2012

The Den

Resignation, jubilation and irritation - but not necessarily in that order below - were Jamesey's reactions after CPFC's three holiday fixtures.

Jubilation - well, let's deal with the really good news first and our 0-1 defeat of Millwall at the New Den (Dec 31).

It was the first time we had won in Bermondsey since 1996 and, although I was regrettably not present in the latest encounter, I was there for our 4-1 dismembering of 'Wall and still have the mental scars to prove it.

Many HOL members who were recently there on Boxing Day have said that the club has cleaned up its safety precautions for visiting supporters and that is good news for everyone in the game.

However in 1996, this was not the case and I vividly remember emerging from the away area blissfully smiling and en route to New Cross rail station to be greeted by groups of homicidal gangs kicking and punching any supposed Palace supporters they could see.

The coppers on 'orses stood by doing nothing and with only a minor injury I manage to get the heck out of it and was glad to escape alive.

I refused to ever go anywhere near the New Den after that for quite a few seasons although I eventually relented as times changed and even the Deptford thugs seemed to have been brought under control.

So that's a home draw and an away win this season against the club who I still resolutely regard as the Ultimate Enemy (and snooks to Brighton and the Clowns) although the younger Palace element seem to prefer the Seagulls as their hate target. So be it.

Resignation - there's not a lot of point dwelling on our Boxing Day trip to Southampton. We lost the game 2-0 and when you are away to the Championship top dogs there's little reason to get worked up about it.

Irritation - maybe we expected too much after the Millwall victory.

The match at home against Leicester City (Jan 2) was our second game in three days and inexplicably kicked off early at 1pm unlike all the other Championship fixtures. We were still without our ace 'keeper, Julian Speroni, and also absent were our two first-choice central defenders, Paddy McCarthy and Anthony Gardner.

It was another Palace Old Boy's first visit to Selhurst in front of a crowd of 14,468 (it looked like more to me) since his transfer last year and Neil Danns got a warm ovation from the home fans when he ran out in the Foxes' white away strip.

After second-choice 'keeper Lewis Price's sterling showing against 'Wall, his bungled clearance struck the back of a Palace player and Neil Danns took his chance impeccably, putting the Foxes a goal to the good.

Neil repaid his earlier ovation with great courtesy - no badge kissing or running like a maniac to the away support, just a gentlemanly acceptance of a job well done.

The Foxes made it two after being awarded and capitalising on a free kick for what appeared to be a legitimate and fair tackle to just about everybody else. Jonathan Parr grabbed one back shortly before half time which gave the home supporters hope.

The Eagles came back strongly in the second period but despite creating a bunch of chances and enjoying the advantage of a late Leicester sending-off, a goal wouldn't come and the Foxes travelled back to the east Midlands with a 1-2 win and three points.

Nathaniel Clyne is truly back at his best. His performance was absolutely brilliant - resolute defending, clever passes from midfield and superb work in building up attacks.

Nat looks like the best aggressive full-back in red and blue since the young Ashley Cole played for us on loan over a decade ago and even bears comparison with the legendary Kenny Sansom. And I can't give greater praise than that.

Bostock loaning

Our little Academy prodigy, John Bostock, is making a literally ground-breaking career move. After his (or his Daddy's) decision to move to Tottenham in 2008 comes the news that the club are loaning him to US outfit, San Jose Earthquakes, for a season. In the American has-beens' league at 19-years-old? Oh dear, John.

Warnock moaning

After QPR's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal our ex-boss, Neil Warnock, seems to be reverting to belly-aching Yorkshireman mode. Obviously upset at the Pooper-scoops' predictable inability to hold their own in the Pilesofquids League, Neil launched a tirade against Robin Van Persie's goal scoring prowess, accusing him of "getting away with murder". As the top tier's biggest scorer this season he's getting away with it an awful lot isn't he? Come off it, Colin.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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