July 31 2016

Bolasie and Jedinak tussle for possession as Fulham attack Palace at the Putney end

In a repeat of last year's fixture, Crystal Palace visited Craven Cottage for a pre-season run-out. Fulham were victors in a deserved 3-1 win, reports Jamesey.

Hey-ho, another season nearly here. Any reader resolute enough to follow this column over the years is probably fed up wth my references to the sands of time, etc. Just believe me, at my time of life, each season becomes more precious as another one arrives.

Enough of all that. A warm summer's day, a game at one of my favourite grounds, a leisurely stroll along the Thames south bank and a walk through Bishop's Park to Craven Cottage (July 30). What could be better?

As I approached the outdoor area of the Rocket pub at Putney Bridge, what did I hear but the fast fading tones of "Glad All Over". There was the red-and-blue decked Palace boat and its motley band of Eagles supporters disappearing in the distance.

I was just too late to get a decent a picture to top this column. Apologies for that, folks.

Before I reflect on the game itself, may I just comment on what a sweet and sour off-season it has been.

Being a south Londoner of Welsh heritage, there has never before been much conflict over which football team to support.

In my younger days, the England team were usually capable of going to a big tournament and putting on a decent display even though never repeating the triumph of 1966.

On the other hand, Wales, despite having some outstanding individual players like John Charles, Ryan Giggs, Dean Saunders, Gareth Bale and a few more, have never done anything of note whatsoever.

In more recent years, putting on an England shirt has almost seemed to render players (who one knows are usually excellent), into buffoons who perform as though their bootlaces are tied together.

The recent Euro nations tournament was decidedly different.

Wales had qualified for the first time since heaven knows when and for we Palace supporters, there was the prospect of seeing three of our lads representing the Land of My Fathers - Messrs Hennessey, J Williams and Ledley.

The great conflict for your columnist came of course in the England v Wales game. Even with the Welsh Palace credentials, I backed England to win because I thought they had more chance of going further then the Welsh in the tournament. How wrong can you be?

Wales were brilliant and England were as poor as usual and reached rock-bottom awfulness by losing to the Mighty Iceland.

For Wales to reach the last four was a magnificent achievement in itself and with our three Palace men in the mix, my pleasure was complete.

To more immediate matters at the Cottage: Palace fielded a strong starting line-up with key players like Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann.

As is customary now in friendlies a clutch of subs came on in the second half, including Lee.

Maybe I have missed an update but the last I had heard about Lee was that a Korean newspaper had quoted some of his rather insulting views on Palace and Alan Pardew.

It seemed inevitable that he would soon be on his bike but here he is again.

Friendlies are always a little controversial. A chance to try out new tactics and formations or a raft to build team spirit and confidence with victories?

As stated above, a strong line-up ran out including our expensive new man, Andros Townsend, who looked sharp and incisive.

There is not much very flattering to say about his team-mates.

Jordon Mutch ran about giving an arguably accurate impression of a centre forward. Wilf missed the usual golden chances. Julian Speroni, one of our four 'keepers, inspired little confidence and Bolasie hardly registered at all.

It was an unimpressive display and Fulham always looked more like scoring which they did, of course, three times.

At 2-0 down in the second half, sub Keshi Anderson pulled back the Eagles' only goal.

There was plenty to ponder in the walk back over Bishop's Park, the obvious thought being if we can be defeated so easily by a lower division outfit, how are we going to fare against stronger Loadsadosh teams, commencing with Tony Pulis's Baggies a week on Saturday?

It is far, far too early to start getting the heebie-jeebies about relegation yet, so let's hope the gaffer can get the right recipe for a storming start like last season - and that was just as well, reflecting the post-New Year collapse.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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