“I’m never gonna Danns again…”

So… where to begin? Even though the match against Bristol City was abandoned whilst they were well on their way to the capital (shame), there still seems to be a fair amount to talk about. Even filthy Uncle Ron needs covering! (In both words and some sort of mildly irritating fluid.)

First of all, Gary Johnson’s narked off that the game was abandoned so late in the day… that day being the day before the game. The outrage! Well Gary, we were all disappointed. We all wanted to see the match to go ahead.

Let’ put a nice smear of perspective on the whole scenario:

• The Bristol City team coach departs on a 2-hour journey to SE25, confident that the game is on. They first become delayed due to a pitch inspection. They wait, but then continue. Then, tragically, the game gets called off and they have to go home.
• Meanwhile, the Togo national team’s coach departs on a 10(?) hour journey to Angola, confident that the ACON tournament is on. They enter the host’s nation and become delayed due to murderous bastards ripping into their coach with machine guns. Three dead, several injured and their national president demands they come home.

A real tragedy! Still want that inquiry Gary?


So, game off- Saturday ruined. A big hangover- and the tried and tested combo of Tasty Jerk /Palace match to help clear the cobwebs, wasn’t going to happen. Bad news. Oh well, onwards and upwards. Then the phone beeped- “Fonte-gone!”

Now, first and foremost, I thought Fonte was great! He was one of Peter Taylor’s plus points- along with nice manners, and a good hairline (for his age anyway).
However, as great as he was, the fact remains thus: we need money- pronto! pronto!
Whether we’re 3 points off the play-offs or relegation is irrelevant- our bare existence is at stake- league position is a mere number.

And to play devil’s advocate here- if… IF we’re going to get into the play-offs, Jose Fonte (with all due big respect) wasn’t going to have a great say in it. Speroni, Ambrose and Moses will. If the loss of Fonte prevents any of these three going, (or in Moses’ case, going to the first bidder’s paltry amount) then it is a sacrifice I would make again and again.
Any (logical) combination of Hill, Hills, Clyne, Butterfield, Davis, Ertl, Lawrence and even N’Diaye still makes a solid Championship defence. In my opinion, we don’t need to worry too much.

Slightly more concerning is that Neil Danns might be following Jose down the M3. He’s been a real dynamo this season. Finally fully fit, he has regularly demonstrated skill, guile and box-to-box prowess- a major factor in our current run of form. All that and he does a cracking cover of Kings Of Leon’s ‘Use Somebody’ http://www.myspace.com/dannzy1 . Ok, forget that last point.
If he has to be exchanged for some much-needed sterling, I’d want just as much as we got for Jose, if not a touch more.

With more takeover rumors flying around, mainly coming from Warnock which is either a) very positive or b) a natty trick to keep any incoming bids respectable, Ebeneezer Noades came out and gave his two pennyworth (which is quite generous for him) on the whole scenario.

Now I know general opinion on Noades is fairly split amongst Palace fans, but even his firmest of supporters must have baulked at some of his comments.

Criticizing Jordan for “failing to reunite club and ground” is fair comment… however, when you’re the person responsible for club and ground being two separate entities in the first place, (especially with manner in which he orchestrated the deal,) then it’s simply taking the piss-soaked biscuit. Thanks Ron, thanks a bunch.

All in all, a very interesting week considering no balls was kicked and a big thanks must go to the ground staff, who busted their balls in vein. A credit to the club.

All eyes now on consecutive visits to Plymouth, Wolverhampton and Newcastle!
Sounds like the back end of an East-17 reunion tour… without Tony Mortimer

PTTP