I've got alarm bells ringing in my head over this whole situation. (maybe I need to see a psychiatrist? or is this just a symptom of following Palace for over 30 years?)

Of course it would be a great coup for the club to get such a promising young manager, but all this 'should I/shouldn't I' pondering doesn't bode well for me.

What happens if he does take the job at Palace and, as expected, we continue to struggle early on? You know what it is like taking a new job: it is very easy to look back at what you had before with rose tinted glasses, especially if you're struggling to settle in at your new place, and the pressures are tenfold what you had previously - which they most undoubtedly will be.

Do we really need someone in charge who will carry around some residue of regret of what he's left behind in the midst of a massive relegation battle? Especially if Bournemouth continue to look like they'll gain promotion.

Just watched his post match interview, and to me it looks like he has made up his mind to come to us, mainly due to not getting on with Bournemouth's owners and probably feeling more in tune with Parish, but he is obviously finding it severley painful to wrench himself away from what he's built.

This has all the hallmarks of the Dave Bassett debacle back in 1984. We had just sacked Mullery and Bassett was the rising star very much like David Howe: taking 4th division Wimbledon all the way to the 2nd tier in 3 seasons. He had a similar battle with heart and head; took the Palace job; 4 days later realised he'd made a massive mistake and ran back to Wimbledon. Thankfully as it happens, as Ron Noades turned to Coppell.

Ironically, my gut feeling is that this is what we should be doing now: turning to Coppell. After all the upheavel of the last year, the main task has to be to steady the ship; get us sitting comfortably in mid-table and then, and only then, start taking risks with young, promising lower league managers.

People underestimate the impact administration can have on a club. I felt this when we exited admin in July, and that is why I wanted the safe and knowing hands of Coppell back then, just to cradle us through to calmer waters. This is something Coppell himself realised when we came out of administration the first time back in 2000, and the reason Simon Jordan thought he was far too negative to take Palace forward. I think our last gasp survival that following season bore out Coppell's fears.

Don't get me wrong: i'm as excited as everyone to be linked with such an up and coming managerial prospect as Howe. Unfortunately, I just don't think it is good to start a new job with a heavy heart.

As a Palace fan, i'm packing his bags for him; as a friend I would be telling him to stay put.

Edited by Bubbs (09 Jan 2011 6.57am)

The more I think about it the more I'm wondering about EH. They guy clearly loves Bournemouth to his bones and is going through severe emotional torment wondering whether to come to Palace. I think he might be having a nervous breakdown right now just thinking about possibly moving on from his beloved Cherries.

You know what? If it's that hard Eddie, don't worry about it. Stay where you are. We'll be fine. We wouldn't want to take you out of your comfort zone or anything. If you come here you'll need to be totally focussed on us, not having a lump in your throat about the club you appear to be umbilically attached to at the moment.

Just decide one way or the other and make it snappy, the transfer window is running out. Ta ever so.