The Pre-Season 1999/2000

After the fun of a tour through China the team finally got back into the proper role of dashing their fans expectations. The first major match was at Millwall. After dodging through the barbed wire fence and passed the heavily simian security we made it into the ground. It is a nice ground, built for a large sum when they were in the first division with players on large wages in preparation for promotion to the Premiership. They got relegated and went into administration. Sounds horribly familiar. For the first half hour Palace were superb. The attack was co-ordinated and lively, the defence secure and Miller even caught a cross. Morrison got the first goal with a lob over the keeper after springing the offside trap and Bradbury had a one-on-one saved by the keeper but knocked the rebound through to, you guessed it, Morrison, for the second. Then everything went out the window. I can only assume it was either over-confidence or tiredness but the last hour's performance was shocking. The defence looked lost, the midfield went missing and the attack was toothless. It got even worse when Morrison and a recently returned Nicky Rizzo went off. Millwall had grabbed a goal just before half time (didn't see it though 'cause I was at the bar) and in the second half proceeded to miss three chances from within ten yards and a one-on-one with the keeper. This lead the more vocal of the Palace supporters to launch into a chorus of "you couldn't score in a brothel". This was only bettered by the chants of "Goldberg walks on water because shit floats". It ended at 2-1 but was a sobering reminder of the problems that still exist.

After a poor 2-2 draw at Luton, Palace had a home friendly for the first time in yonks. Leicester graciously offered their services and, after an initial stink about the managers paying the entrance fee, finally got around to the game. Palace were very good. They attacked early while Leicester were content to soak up the pressure. A couple of attempts at goal didn't cause too much trouble but then Simon Rodger, starting for the first time since he was given a new two year contract, split the defence with a ball into the path of Bradbury. Unlike at Millwall he directed this past the keeper. Leicester then moved up a gear showing the class difference that the fraction of a second quicker control and touch brings and managed to get a few attempts at goal but were denied by some quite outstanding keeping by the Palace No. 3, Matthew Gregg.

In the second half the game meandered a bit although Leicester did get back on level terms. There appears to be a new rule where you are allowed to foul the keeper so he drops the ball and provides the easiest of tap-ins. Thanks to referee Paul Alcock (and was there ever a ref more aptly named) for that one. Most of the second half was spent watching divots come out of the pitch. The perfect green at the start lasted until the first tackle and at this rate it will be back to its usual mudbath state by next Tuesday. After one particularly large chunk came out two Leicester players got a rousing reception after they carefully relaid the sod (no, not another Di Canio/Alcock situation). It ended at 1-1 and Palace showed that they had a bit of promise for the forthcoming season.

Then they played third division Southend and got thumped 4-0. Oh dear.

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The silly season is almost over

THE OFF-SEASON (1 July 1999)

Naturally enough there has been no action on the pitch. Off it has involved the administrators trying to sort things out, lots of rubbish being written in the papers (and one particular football 'news' site), and the small case of the Football League threatening to throw us out of the competition. Add to that the usual off-season rumours about players going (no rumours at all about players arriving - big surprise) and it hasn't exactly been a dull time.

The current state of play is :

Three consortiums interested in buying the club but only on the proviso they get the freehold to the ground. This puts the ball squarely in Ron Noades' court.

Palace can play in next season's league if they can guarantee they can fulfil their fixtures for the whole season. The League originally said any club in administration by the end of July would be out which would have also hit Chester (administration), Luton (receivership) and possibly Portsmouth (in the process of being bought). I have a strong suspicion that many other clubs will follow.

Goldberg has a stay of execution on bankruptcy proceedings. It is rumoured he is involved with one of the three consortiums looking to buy out the club.

Only two players have gone so far. There have been a couple of bids for Mullins and Morrison knocked back but the realisation that the club will not let quality players go for trivial amounts may force the vultures to more realistic offers.

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