I lived in Croydon for nearly 30 years and was a regular visitor for 15 years before that. There's no doubt that, these days you don't have to look very hard for a fight. When I first went there in the mid-70's, as Spurf said, it was a lot less hostile, actually quite nice. Now, I avoid going back as far as possible. South Norwood, where the ground is, is particularly unpleasant, especially after dark. I sometimes drink in The Cherry Trees, next to Norwood Junction and I've had 2 occasions where I've had to fight off muggers.
The Wail say that Emerson is starting tomorrow Technically that means Paskotsi has a chance to make his Premier League debut...
...And throw lumps of concrete over that fence onto the 'walk of death' that oppo fans used to have to suffer to get into the away section!
I lived in Streatham as a kid and often went to SP from 69-74 with schoolmates when Spurs fixtures didn't clash. Wasn't a bad place then - but the Thornton Heath / West Croydon / S Norwood triangle was going downhill from the early 80's. Ironically, one of the worst local areas in those days was the Addington Estate. In the late 60's, Planners had built a concrete jungle around an existing quiet community and filled it with scum exported from Bermondsey & Rotherhithe. Felt so sorry for the poor (mostly elderly) existing residents. Became little more than a dystopian open prison. The Roundshaw in Wallington was nearly as bad but on a smaller scale. Feckin' glad I had escaped by '83 and have only seen the area occasionally through train windows ever since!
New Addington was where your stolen car ended up, burned out on bricks. The bus drivers on the 130 were always striking for better protection. Quite right too. It was full of scum.
There was a pub in the middle (the Man in the Moon?) that became known as 'Tesco Home & Wear', as it was a marketplace for all the shoplifters from The Whitgift Centre
Something tells me we might struggle to score… Gil should’ve started over Winks at the least as this will likely mean Dele LW. That midfield three is gonna be painful with him in it. Royal immediately in though and Markanday makes the bench! Son and Bergwijn both out.
What an awful starting 11 that is and the less said about the bench the better. Zero creativity in midfield and Kane apart not much goal threat. Add in Nuno winning manager of the month and only 1 likely outcome. Quite glad that I am unable to watch to be honest.
Poxy international break takes out our first and second choice left wingers and knackers our third one. Really not liking the look of either the starting XI or the bench, either.
I have no interest in Thursday right now. That line up and bench shows the lack of strength in depth the club has. Couple of injuries and suddenly the squad has kids in it
