February 7 2011

James Vaughan

Our three consecutive Saturday home games started with a whimper and ended with a bang, reports Jamesey.

It was a scrappy, deflected goal from James Vaughan against Middlesbrough but it brought three points and blessed relief to Eagles supporters on a blustery day at Selhurst (Feb 5).

Middlesborough are a classic example of how the mighty can fall. A superb stadium, an impressive history and a big north-eastern fan base, do not guarantee immunity from scrabbling for survival in the second division. Having said that, Boro did come to town on a run of three wins and three draws, so they weren't going to be a pushover (are there ever any pushovers at Selhurst in recent times?).

The last two weeks have given us some reasons for optimism.

Our 0-0 draw against Bristol City (Jan 22) was a big disappointment. Two badly performing teams slugged out a tedious draw and hopes of nine points out of nine were abandoned there and then.

However, anyone who thinks a 0-0 draw must be boring was confounded the following week when we were dished up a vibrant, exciting and cracking game of football against Norwich City (Jan 29). The result was the same but somehow we were beginning to feel that the Eagles were getting their act together.

I was less than kind to James Vaughan in a column a while back, and was already eating my words when he turned in a fine performance against the Canaries on his return from Everton in the difficult and often thankless task of lone striker.

Without wishing to take anything away from any of the players' efforts, an eye-opening and sensational debut from young Matt Parsons at left-back left many of us gasping in disbelief. Another gem from our academy...let's hope he gets more chances despite the fact that Dougie Freedman has now acquired another left back, Dean Moxey.

Next on the agenda was Watford away (Feb 1) which was always one of my favourite Saturday afternoon excursions. But I didn't fancy it on a miserable winter Tuesday night, I am afraid, although I was impressed that 1652 Eagles fans did, to their great credit.

Travelling has not been a happy hunting ground for CPFC this season and fog all is what we might have expected at Vicarage Road. And indeed there was fog all over the place in Watford but another James Vaughan goal gave us another point in a 1-1 draw.

Our victory over Boro completed a lovely upward curve in the performance graph and lifts us a few points clear of the other relegation strugglers, for the moment at least.

*The subject of our all-girl dancing troupe, the Crystals, has caused enough of a furore already.

So for the sake of peace and goodwill on HOL and deferring to the wishes of the directors of CPFC, I promise not to dwell on the lovely ladies again.

It does, however, seem ironic that the massive US football event, the Super Bowl, taking place at the weekend, was without what was once considered to be a fundamental element of the whole shebang - cheerleaders. Neither side can be bothered with them any more...

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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