You can tell things at Palace have improved markedly when the losers are off the pitch rather than on it.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Ooooh barbed.

Yep... echo that, and those still having a pop at him are making themselves look foolish.

Syd =

Yep well done to all at CPFC. Being greedy would have liked a striker but we can't have everything now can we lol

Ledley in my opinion will probably start soonest with Ince being an impact sub for a couple of games before replacing Bolasi, and Dann replacing Gabbidon, who looked shattered before he came off against Hull, soon.

Oh well.

I'm actually quite impressed that we didn't get a striker, much as I wanted and we needed one. The bottom line is that decent quality strikers simply weren't available but quality was available in other positions so that's what we went for. In the end, the striker choice was either the likes of Walters, Oedemwingie, Jones, Long or Jelavic...wildly overpriced and none of them score much... or the likes of Rhodes or McCormack who may or may not make the grade but would be very expensive and are totally unproven in the Premiership. In either case, we'd have spent a lot of money for very little guaranteed return.

My guess is that with a stronger centre at the back (Dann, Hennessey, and Ward back at right back) combined with a shored up midfield (Ledley) and a player who can score from the middle of the park (Ince), Pulis is gambling that we'll create more for Jerome and Chamakh to latch on to and in the absence of anyone who would significantly improve on Jerome (who is playing his role very well and is clearly a part of the team), why disrupt things and risk a lot of money for uncertainty? Smart move...our new midfield will generate more goals, even without better forwards.

I would conclude three things. First, I don't think we'll turn over a lot of players in the summer, but I think a goalscoring centre forward (and a left back) will be our big target and use of budget. Second, yesterday's activity was a big vote of confidence for Jerome, who must be feeling rather good about himself this morning. I'll bet he's motivated to pay Pulis back for his faith. And third, I think Guediora may be the loser yesterday. Ledley's arrival to some extent relegates him to a role as a squad player.

Lastly, I hope Bannan moves on. I love the guy, think he's done brilliantly, and would pick him myself but if Pulis doesn't fancy him, he's far too good to be sitting at the wrong end of the bench and unselfishly, I'd like to see him somewhere he can make an impact.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.