September 1 2008

Crystal Palace

Jamesey tries to look on the bright side of life...

I have suffered enough relegation seasons at Selhurst not to be too depressed at our current position.

We are third from bottom of the CCC and in our last two games (League and Carling Cup) we have let in eight goals. What happened to one of the meanest defences in the league?

Prior to our away trip to Reading (Aug 30), we hadn't scored a goal in a league game.

I didn't attend either of the away games mentioned above although I listened to both on the radio and read newspaper reports and HOL away fans' accounts.

From the information to hand, it seemed that there was almost nothing to be cheerful about after the Leeds trouncing. Even Neil Warnock called it one of the worst performances ever from one of his teams.

However despite the 4-2 result at the Madejski Stadium, there were a few redeeming factors. We scored two goals. We launched a fair number of threatening attacks. Our new striker Alan Lee turned in a promising performance and didn't look like the lumbering donkey many had feared.

Well, we now have a couple of weeks to rethink and regroup and it will take a lot more than a very early season bad spell to shake my faith in Neil Warnock.

Don't be too down-hearted, fellow supporters. Only four games have been played and there's a long, long way to go till next May.

* One of my correspondents sent me the following clipping from the UK's top commercial property magazine, Estates Gazette. I think it makes interesting reading.

"FOR SALE. Sports stadium in up-and-coming area of south London. The stadium could be used for its current purpose or, with appropriate planning permission, could be turned into a substantial housing development.

It is situated in a vibrant, ethnically mixed location with many stores and shops selling exotic, tropical foods and three railway stations linking the district to central London are within easy reach.

Inside the well-appointed stadium are several interesting features from the charming wooden village-style seats of the main stand to the period Ottoman-style urinals serving several areas of the ground. There are retail outlets in all parts of the ground, able to serve first-class gourmet food and refreshing cold and hot beverages.

The question of actual freehold ownership of the land would have to be discussed in detail before any arrangement could be finalised.

Only one owner since 2000. £40 million. A reasonable offer would be considered.

All inquiries to Orange Numero Uno, P O Box 4376, Marbella, Espana."

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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