The last of this weekly segment on a Friday as we are moving it to Saturday’s from next week to make way a preview of the weekend.
So what do we have this week? Bale, Rooney and Suarez. This is what the media ran with but we are going avoid all three of those stories and see what else the week had to offer.
Selhurst Sponsor
The biggest news and most fresh in the memory. We have said our piece on this already so we will wait for an official announcement to be made. But Twitter went into meltdown yesterday afternoon after a fan posted a picture of a map of Selhurst that had recently been put up with the name ’12Bet Stadium’.
Pre-Season Campaign
Palace continued their decent form in pre-season with a 4-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday evening. Goals from Grandin (2), Jerome Williams and Bolasie secured a comfortable win. Next up it is Lazio at Selhurst Park tomorrow afternoon and a first chance for fans to see Palace at Selhurst this season but also to view the changes that have been done to the ground.
England Squad Announced
It is rather odd to have international games so early, not even sure why they schedule them like it. But regardless, Roy Hodgson named his squad this week to face Scotland next week. It included Wilf Zaha and more surprisingly Southampton striker Rikkie Lambert. Interesting to note that as soon as Wilf joins Manchester United he walks into the squad, peculiar that but just how it is. Most fans wouldn’t argue the fact that Lambert deserves his chance for his country. A good old fashioned centre forward that is perhaps an option that we have missed in recent games.
Wales Select Sensibly
Both Joniesta and Danny Gabbidon celebrated call ups to the Welsh squad that will face the Republic of Ireland next week.
Cup Shocks
Plenty of football action this week with the first round of the League Cup taking place and plenty of shocks. Wolves were dumped out by Morecambe while Blackburn were beaten on penalties by Carlisle. But arguably the biggest and funniest result was from the Amex where Newport County, newly promoted from the Conference, beat Brighton in extra time. The low point of the match though was Newport skipper breaking his leg in two places and home defender Calderon being sent off for the challenge. Newport manager Justin Edinburgh was understandably upset at the home fans cheering their own player off the pitch while the injured player writhed on the floor in agony. Pretty low from the home support we have to say.
League Cup Draw
The draw for the second round was made this week and Palace will face a trip to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City. Perhaps far from the glamour tie that most wanted but we have unfinished business there after last season. It will be a decent match up for our youth side. The tie is due to be played week commencing 26 August.
Goal Line Technology
The biggest change to the modern game for years is being implemented this new season and final tests were being carried out at Wembley. Referees and mangers were there to see how the new system works. They say that it is instant, accurate and television friendly so we will watch with interest. What are the chances that there will not be an incident to review until later in the season.
European Competition
The draw for the Champions League and Europa League take place today in an event taking place in Nyon in Switzerland. It all begins at 10.45am and knowing UEFA is sure to take a while before the first team is selected.
Grass Roots Football
As you will have seen from an article we posted earlier this week, we have chosen to follow Sutton United this season. This is down to the fact that Palace will not have as many league games this season and many will not take place at the usual time on a Saturday. This weekend Sutton continue their pre-season campaign with a visit to Farnborough tomorrow with kick off at the usual time of 3pm. Like Palace, it is their last friendly before the season begins.
