February 26 2007

Clinton Morrison

Selhurst Park was full of yoo-hoos rather than boos at the final whistle after a 2-1 victory over Luton Town (Feb 24). Jamesey elaborates.

This season the football may be a tad boring sometimes, but the plot never is.

A depressing loss (0-1) at home to Birmingham City on Feb 17 was swiftly followed by an away win against Southend Utd the following Tuesday evening (Feb 20).

I hereby confess that not only didn't I go to Roots Hall on Tuesday but made no attempt to listen to the match on any obliging radio station.

I donned my judas dressing gown and watched a thoroughly entertaining European game on TV. The game, Lille v Man U, was packed with drama, skill, excitement, controversy, and many other elements little in evidence at Selhurst Park in recent times.

Nevertheless I was delighted when I heard that we had nicked the match 0-1. Three points away is always a satisfying result however tedious the manner in which they are acquired.

I awaited Peter Taylor's usual announcement after a win that "the play-offs are a possibility again" (or after a loss that "we can forget the play-offs now").

And so when Saturday came we were all looking forward to a visit from Luton Town, already languishing near the bottom of the CCC and even nearer the relegation zone by Saturday evening.

There were shades of Clinton Morrison in his pomp in the two cracking goals scored by the Palace forward.

And even the Luton strike was a beautifully executed own goal from Mark Hudson who drifted in and propelled the ball into the net from under the nose of a gobsmacked Gabor Kiraly.

In the second half we played some of the best football I've seen this season, and last season too. Terrific stuff as we tore the Hatters apart with lovely movement and clever tactics.

And for once, we even seemed to take advantage of playing against 10 men when Luton's Richard Langley was sent off after a series of homicidal tackles, two of which attracted yellow cards. I always thought leg-breaks were something they did in cricket, not football.

Another reason to be cheerful at present is the emergence of some talented young blood in the side.

We saw the debut of Lewwis Spence at Leeds, and this was followed by the appearances of Lewis Grabban and Dave Martin against the Shrimpers on Tuesday.

Indeed Dave Martin came on as a sub against the Hatters and looks a very exciting prospect indeed.

And to top it all, the club demonstrated its commitment to youth and the future by bringing a rising young Academy star Victor Moses on to the pitch at half-time.

There, in front of an appreciative and applauding audience, 16-year-old Victor signed a three-year contract, well deserved after his performance in Portugal with the national under-17 side.

And so, as we unbelievably come into the last stages of another season, are we showing a glimmer of what could be a team in serious contention for the Premiership by next year maybe?

We shall see...

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

In Depth Jamesey's Veteran View Index