Ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime, comedian and host of Crystal Palace's FYP podcast Jim Daly joins us for an update on things south of the river.
Why didn't it work for Neil Warnock? What did he get wrong?
JD: He got being a good football manager wrong. Ok, maybe that’s a bit harsh but it just never quite felt like a right fit; he was very much a stopgap between the last manager and the next and while Palace weren’t terrible they were far from good under his spell. I still think we wouldn’t have been relegated, because there are worse teams in the league, but the club has higher aspirations than just surviving each year and I suspect that was the reason they got rid of him. He was great in his first spell back in 2008 but this time he was just the wrong guy. Still, at least he isn’t Tony Pulis *spit*.
Given how well Pulis did for you last season, rescuing you from relegation, but also the manner he walked out, what kind of esteem is he held in by Palace fans? How will he be remembered?
JD: He would have been held in high esteem if he hadn't walked out 48 hours before the start of the season and acted like a bit of a dick in his final weeks. Honestly I think most Palace fans are over him; like an ex they no longer have feelings for.
Were you supportive of the Pardew appointment and what has he changed to turn the results around so dramatically?
JD: Yes, massively. Pardiola is an egotistical, supermaniac but, let’s be honest, you need to be one of those to succeed in the Premier League. Pulls *spit* was one, Warnock wasn’t. He also, crucially - and like that dickhead in the baseball cap - had something to prove. He wanted to prove to Newcastle fans that he is a decent manager and they were wrong to be such dicks to him. So far he is doing that. Quite simply he has, like Pulus *spit*, got the players believing again and has managed to get the best out of talented but inconsistent members of the team - in particular Jason Puncheon who he has managed to find a new role for in a deeper, central position where he has thrived.
Any opinions on Jordon Mutch so far? Didn't get much of a chance at QPR but didn't impress greatly when he did play.
JD: We haven’t really had the chance to see much of him yet to be honest. A cameo against Everton was solid but unspectacular. He was overrun a bit at Leicester in his first start and taken of at half-time while he did ok against Arsenal as Palace pushed the Gunners (and probably should have won). He looked alright in the first few minutes against West Ham but picked up an injury. I’d say he’s here to play backup really but I liked him at Cardiff a few years ago so let’s see.
Stand out performers this season?
JD: The usual suspects: Mile Jedinak, Julian Speroni, Yannick Bolasie. All three have come under fire at some point for not quite delivering but considering they all arrived for pittance and have their limitations - such traits that keep them from being at at bigger clubs - they’ve all done great. Special shout outs go to Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon. Gale is top scorer for Palace this season despite playing about five minutes in total while Puncheon has, just like last season, found some great form since the turn of the year, aided by Pardew moving him into a deeper, central midfield position.
Who or what are the weak links? Where does the team need strengthening?
JD: Left-back is a problem area. Senegalese international Pape Souare was signed in January but is being drip fed into the team which means centre-back Martin Kelly continues to fill in when required and actually hasn’t yet let the team down. But a nice, natural left-back there is the dream. The defence in general, which was so solid last season, has been a bit leaky this campaign, while up front we could really do with a big old target man who can score goals. A better Glenn Murray would be everyone’s ideal there.
Short, medium and long term aims for the club?
JD: Short; stay up. Medium; stay up a bunch more times in the next few years. Long term; win the Champions League and when people move to Mars to live there win the Inter Planetary Cup.
The Twitter @jimdalycomedy
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