April 8 2007

Ben Watson

What a performance against Preston. Jamesey couldn't believe his eyes.

Well, the feelgood factor was back in the Selhurst area after CPFC's 3-0 victory against of all clubs, Preston North End.

As we all know, for the previous three seasons we have been engaged in the play-offs pontoon and a Premiership relegation fight, so this season has been disappointing because, barring a mathematical miracle, there is nothing left to play for.

Having said that though, there is always something to play for and that is putting on a terrific performance, winning the match and sending the supporters home with smiles on their faces.

And that was certainly the case on Saturday although it is a shame there was a somewhat sparse crowd to witness it. I was surprised to see the official gate given as a whisker under 16,000 as there hardly seemed anything like that many from where I was sitting.

It seems as though players who have taken quite a bit of stick in the past few months, Shefki Kuqi and Ben Watson in particular, had decided to give their critics metaphorical V-signs. Shefki's excellent brace of goals and Ben's midfield speed and application were big contributions to the victory.

And it was good to see Mrs Kuqi in attendance to witness her old man's good form. I have seen her several times sitting a few rows in front of me and she is a fine-looking woman - nearly as tall as Shefki but obviously distributed in a different, but not unpleasant, manner to these masculine eyes.

It was also a treat to see a current and a former England player on the field, an uncommon event in these CCC days. But David Nugent and Michael Ricketts could do little to save Preston from a battering.

This column is being written before our away visit to Stoke (April 9) so it will be most interesting to see if we can get some winning consistency for the last few games of the season.

If only we had been able to produce performances like the Preston one in a few more games this season we would definitely be facing another season as promotion candidates.

Aaah, if only...

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