November 2 2003

Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant

Unhappy times for Palace supporters after the weekend's drubbing. Could it have been worse...it could have been at home? Only joking, says Jamesey

Wigan 5 Palace 0...last Saturday's (Nov 1) result makes for sombre reflection. And the universal calls for Steve Kember's head on a platter make an amazing contrast to the glee with which his appointment was received six months ago.

First, can I say that for once, writing my column gives me little pleasure, and it could well be that by the time my thoughts reach any readers, Steve will have joined that great pack of unemployed football managers in the unemployed limbo-land.

I also take little pleasure in seeing my initial doubts about Kember's appointment being vindicated. I don't often get anything right, so forgive me mentioning my column of May 27 earlier this year ("Kember in command").

While wishing Steve every good fortune I had my doubts even then - among the explosion of euphoria at the appointment on the HOL message boards - that SK was the man for the job.

I also said that had his (and Terry Bullivant's, of course) record of four points from four games (end-season 02-03) been extended, it would have been relegation form.

As I said at the time, it was rather an unfair jibe, as we were picking up the pieces from Trevor Francis's near-two seasons of control.

Well, glancing at the Nationwide Div 1 table after the Wigan game, what do I see? Crystal Palace, played 16, and 16 points. What a coincidence.

Even in the reign of the Carrot impersonator, I can't remember being particularly worried about relegation. Or promotion either, it must be said.

As one who has always urged moderation and lack of panic over the past few weeks, I still believe we could come good. Cock-eyed optimist maybe, but I observe the old adage...never panic till Christmas.

But when things start to look worse than in the Francis era, we must have an awful lot to worry about.

Email Jamesey with any of your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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