January 21 2013

Snow problem? No problem at Selhurst

A freezing white-out didn't materialise for Palace's home fixture with Bolton Wanderers. Jamesey reports.

Would it be off? Would it be on? Those were the questions on our minds in the run-up to an eagerly awaited match - a visit from Dougie Freedman's Trotters (Jan 19).

On the morning of the game, the club announced that the referee had pronounced the pitch playable and the game was on.

There could have been a problem if more snow had fallen . But in the event the weather gods were smiling although it was a bitterly cold day to be out and about at all.

A surprisingly good crowd of 17,000-plus turned out for the match - far more I'm sure than if it had been a run-of-the-mill Championship league affair. But of course it was a far from normal game as it featured the return of a distinguished Palace ex-player and possibly not so distinguished ex-manager.

Acres of verbiage have been expended on why Dougie upped and went to the north-west. I have to say that I was very surprised when he made the decision to go but then I don't know all the background circumstances.

He may well have thought that he had better chance of managing in the top tier and time might prove him right for all we know. And the Bolton owners would certainly have offered him an enhanced pay deal.

Whatever the reasons, Dougie is now Palace history although I still have a touch of nostalgia when I remember the fresh-faced kid arriving at Selhurst from Barnet nearly 20 years ago.

The next issue, widely debated on our own HOL boards, was how he would be greeted when he walked to the dug-out.

From where I sit in the Arfur, the reception seemed decidedly muted. There were some sporadic boos and a few outbreaks of applause but, all in all, little of any note.

Like so many eagerly awaited encounters the game itself was somewhat of a damp squib.

Perhaps, after our incredible run of form last year, we are back in the real world again - a moderately good second tier team which could possibly squeeze into the promotion frame but would seriously struggle at the top level.

Our best player, Wilfried Zaha, won't be here for much longer and our goal machine, Glenn Murray, was outmuscled by the Bolton defence.

The second half brought an improvement but in the end an uninspiring 0-0 result would have sent the Trotters home happier than us.

Finally, I am beginning to wonder if I have the legend "prat magnet" tattooed on my forehead. For the third time this season I encountered problems with inconsiderate oafs standing in front of me.

Three pustules were standing a couple of rows in front of me completely blocking my view of the Sainsbury's end and after kick-off showed no inclination to be seated.

In the Arfur, there is a kind of "gentlemen's agreement" that if you are below the horizontal gangway like me, you are seated but if you are above it, you can stand, sing and do your thing. If everybody sticks to that, we can all enjoy the game in the manner we choose.

Anticipating abuse, I asked a steward to tell the three onanists to sit down which he kindly did. One of the "malakas" realised that I had complained and gestured that I should move my posterior to another seat and thus not have to look at their backs.

I forcefully declined this suggestion, reasoning that having paid out money for a season ticket seat for several decades I had no intention of moving just to suit a group of antisocial bacilli.

Grudgingly and muttering they sat down but later in the match stood up again until other spectators shouted at them. Even then, they seemed unable to accept that they were in the wrong.

And so, dear readers, we travel to Huddersfield next (weather permitting) and at the moment it is hard to predict how we will perform.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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