The Premier League thread

Ian Holloway:

"I have pride in the job we've both done. It wasn't easy. If Steve's last manager wasn't head-hunted I wouldn't have been here. We need to shut up shop in this division. At the minute we've got a whole new group there. I have to hold my hand up and say we didn't keep the spirit that got us up. We changed too much too quickly."

"Part of my talking with Steve was about am I the one with the energy left? Someone new coming in now with a tad more experience at this level will have 30 games left."

"The four owners are unique. They are supporters of the club. 7 defeats out of 8 is not good enough. I'd rather call a meeting because some of the stuff I've been reading is total nonsense. We still care immensely about Palace."

"What I say at half time normally has an effect on people. On Monday, it didn't. I'm proud to have been involved with Palace and I wouldn't want to out-wear my welcome."

 

Well. I for one don't think they will find a better man for that job. Perhaps a 'Arry who could spend a few million in Jan, but no-one better than IH.

 

Not even Jos?

 

Really?

 

Yeah, think he's well over achieved there getting promoted last term. Who do you think is going to walk in there a suddenly make them a strong EPL team then? For me, its a squad that needs someone like Ian (who I must just point out, I'm not a fan of, but I can respect the job he's done). They need a close group mentality, maybe he's harmed that with some of the new additions, but I imagine they could spend a lot of money & still finish bottom.

 

I really don't think Holloway was that great for Palace. Sure, he got them promoted, but look at the bigger picture.

They were top when he took over from Dougie Freedman, they pulled clear, but ended up finishing in 4th.

He won 1 out of 8 Premier League games as Crystal Palace manager.

He won 1 of the last 10 games in the Championship last season, blowing automatic promotion.

They won the play-off final courtesy of a late penalty in a game in which Watford looked more likely to win.

He has brought in so many players, he himself admits to having broken the team spirit and has unsettled numerous players...

1. Owen Garvan - stalwart in the side, not even named in the squad without being told so directly by Holloway
2. Florian Marange - signed from Bordeaux for a fee, having played 20+ games for Bordeaux, then not named in 25-man squad, later released.
3. Stephen Dobbie - on loan last season, signed on a permanent this summer. Left out of squad entirely and shipped out on loan again.

 

Well, in 30 games time I guess we'll know a little more.

 

I really don't understand the Palace idea. If they want to deal with their debts and build a good Championship team then fine, seems like a bit of a waste of a promotion to me but there you go. But out of their signings only Campana seemed good, we all know Gayle was way overpriced, and the rest are getting onto the wrong side of 30...or 40 for Kevin P. And it turns out the manager wasn't even onside with the plan, so nothing's getting built at all. Oh well only 30 games to go...at least Holloway would have given the fans some exciting games.

 

Agree with Qwerty. If Palace wanted to give the PL a decent go they wouldn't have hand-tied Holloway with the finances. At the start of the season, they weren't ready for this division. When the transfer window closed, they still weren't ready. I think there has been an attempt to maximise the income whilst absolutely minimising the outgoings, and that has been the bottom line throughout. If they get relegated, they get relegated. If they survive, they won't strengthen unless it is minimal. In all honesty, I think they're setting themselves up for parachute payments already.

 

The Palace Chairman has said he tried to talk Holloway out of it as he was happy to be relegated and try and come back up with Holloway. I have said before it can make financial sense to be a yo yo club and get the parachute payments. They obviously did not have the finances or a good enough team to be a competitive PL club, but they got promoted. Knowing the finances, the Chairman obviously decided that he wasn't going to cripple the club in order to stay up. That makes it horrible for the manager, team and fans, but may be the most sensible option in the long term.

We were entirely different in that we had a decent side anyway plus we were in a good enough position to invest, so I don't want to judge a Chairman who makes a different decision with full knowledge of his club finances.

 

Sunderland really seeking help .



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-24669218

 

Sunderland v Newcastle on Sunday - A home win wont necessarily be a sign of recovery. Even Derby took four points off the Mags in 2007-08!

 

You can see whay they want divine help though. Lose and they could be 3 wins from safety already!

 

85% possession for the gunners.

Time for a palace goal I think.

 

Palace doing pretty well.

 

Certainly don't look like a nailed-on certainty for relegation. Though they've had a tendency to look good this year right before a massive defensive miscue leads to a complete collapse...

 

Oh dear, Chamakh.

 

Only a matter of time before Arsenal score and when they do, Palace will collapse like dominoes.

 

Well, that didn't take long.

 

Told you.