November 20 2006

Peter Taylor

Let us hope that our 2-0 win against Barnsley was more than just a flash in the pan, says Jamesey.

It was an Official Fun Day at Selhurst when the Tykes came to town.

We were treated to a deafening diva, people on stilts, other people juggling, a steel band banging their dustbins outside the Players' Lounge and more. My, oh my, what a rib-tickling and entertaining feast for us all.

Having not seen my team win a game since our 1-0 victory over Coventry City on Sept 23, the only fun I was really interested in was three points for CPFC.

We were at home and the team we were playing was second from bottom of the CCC, surely we would register our first victory since what seemed like eons?

And to add a little extra spice to the occasion, many supporters I had spoken to we're of the opinion that this would be Peter Taylor's last chance saloon. Lose this one, and he would soon be in possession of his P45 and complete freedom to pursue his interests in the England Under-21 set-up.

So, it was a surprise to open the match programme and read Simon Jordan's two-page manifesto.

Simon was absolutely adamant that he gave his unequivocal support to the manager, was fulsome in his praise and asked us, the supporters, to get behind PT and the team.

Now I know that much mirth is induced by chairmen offering their managers full support, often followed by a swift exit of the supported party.

But from what I know of Jordan, he would hardly go public in support and then sack his manager anyway.

Of course, as we now know, we won the game and defeated the poorest team I have seen at Selhurst (apart from Palace) recently in quite a few seasons.

Many of our old habits will die hard (hoofing and slipshod passing) but it was step in the right direction and our new keeper Iain Turner didn't have a lot to do but did it well - a clean sheet for the first time since the above-mentioned Coventry game.

Watching the England/Holland friendly midweek, I was delighted to see our much-loved former Eagle, Andy Johnson, playing for his country again. Andy is, of course, one of the finest right wingers this nation has ever produced.

Sven had his faults (although I thoroughly admired his exploits in the Don Juan department) but seeing some of the idiocies perpetrated by his successor, makes me wonder whether the Swede listened to a swede too much.

Well, whatever happens in the immediate future will not concern me because, at great personal self-sacrifice, I will be stationed in Sri Lanka, investigating marine life, local diet, palm toddy manufacturing and the island's fauna (especially those with big ears and trunks).

It'll be a tough couple of weeks but someone has to do it!

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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