You are here: Home > News > Eagles got the much better deal
July 18 2025 9.54am

Eagles got the much better deal

March 16 2006

Jobi McAnuff

Jobi McAnuff

This time last season Palace were embroiled in speculation surrounding the departure of the club's much- heralded, bright, young winger Wayne Routledge, by Stuart Pink.

The ex-Palace trainee's insistence on leaving Selhurst Park was a bitter pill to swallow for many Eagles fans and it was an unwelcome distraction going into what turned out to be a disappointing end to the season. If only fans knew what was to come of his replacement.

Jobi McAnuff has been without doubt Iain Dowie's signing of the season and, on a par with Emmerson Boyce, the best signing the Palace boss has made since returning to Selhurst Park as manager in 2003.

Comparisons with Routledge were always going to be made and they both share similar qualities, such as pace, good technique and guile.

But the major difference between them is obvious - goals.

McAnuff has already hit seven goals this season, one more than Routledge managed in his last two seasons at Selhurst Park.

Dowie was regularly lamenting his team's lack of goals from midfield last season and the ex-West Ham man has gone a long way to filling that void. Many of them have come in important games, including the last-gasp winner at the Withdean Stadium in November.

McAnuff looks like he's enjoying his time at Selhurst Park, something you couldn't really level at Routledge, which was a reason why many fans fell out of love with the winger.

But if McAnuff keeps up the form and love of the club he obviously possesses, there's no danger of the Palace man falling out with the fans after all he has got his own song.

Live Croydon Guardian text commentary

Latest Headlines

Palace Talk Forum Latest

Happy Birthday Steve Parish
at 9.49am by Teddy Eagle

Palace potentially denied entry to Europa League?
at 9.43am by Badger11

Chant for Forest games next season
at 8.56am by eritheagle

I can see a poor start again this season and a struggle to match last season's achievements
at 6.39am by Gary St.Andrews

What age did you take your son/daughter to their first game?
at 5.33pm by Pete53

Christian Palace
at 5.15pm by Lanzo-Ad

Home kit
at 4.11pm by Part Time James

FA cup final commerative ticket
at 3.59pm by Al6869

Community Shield
at 10.17am by Norbury Old Git

Training sessions
at 9.35am by mtp1958

You are here: Home > News > Eagles got the much better deal