Hello everyone and welcome back to the latest edition of Fan Chat on TEB, in a week where we saw Jamie Vardy match the record for scoring in ten consecutive games, an England performance that we can actually be proud of and a fantastic show of unity, defiance and strength in the wake of a barbaric act of terrorism.
The moment English and French football fans lit up Wembley with their singing of ‘La Marseillaise‘ was one of those rare moments in football where you are physically touched by humanity’s ability to acknowledge, respect and remember the lives of the 130 people killed in the Paris terror attacks, including the plan to sabotage the France & Spain match at the Stade De France.
To show the world that we are defiant in the face of terror and that our lives continue on despite what these people want to see from us is the best way of honouring the dead, and I was proud to be a British citizen in that moment of unity and strength with our neighbours across the channel. There are some things that are bigger than football, and these attacks really put life into perspective for me, and how it can be cut short at any moment.
The only positive spin on this tragic and horrifying story is that, in terms of football, on the night where we honoured the lost victims of the attack, England played like they had purpose, and cause for a change. Gone was the normal, often frustrating lethargy we are so often used to in recent years, and, despite Hodgson’s refusal to pick Scott Dann, we looked solid at the back and a solid threat going forward.
A superb long range debut goal going forward from Dele Alli and an unusual open play goal from Wayne Rooney showed that we can compete with the big boys in international football, and I could not help but wonder why our performance was so much better than usual. Supporting England in recent years has been a burden so that game was a pleasure to watch.
Whether England’s ability on the field was more obvious due to a French team weighed down and distracted by the loss of their people we will never know, however it showed what England are actually capable of. The game had beautiful link up play, solid defending and well taken goals, coupled with some excellent goalkeeping, which proves that our international team are not just a bunch of overpaid ‘prima donnas‘. For the first time in a good couple of years, I was proud of our strong performance and I look forward to seeing many more.
Moving on to more Palace related news, and wow! Having thought our American investment interest had long since passed, I was surprised to see the story reappear in the last few weeks, and build very very quickly. It seems Mr Harris and Mr Blitzer are very interested in securing a piece of one of the Premier League’s surprise packages. The word from Steve Parish was very reassuring, as he will still have a majority stake in the club, and will continue running the day to day operation.
In an interview Parish stated how the investment has been on the table for a long time, but he wanted to build up the team first before accepting it, and that now he feels this is the right time. It is obvious that Steve and his fellow owners have impressive business acumen and so far, at least, they have got most decisions right and taken the club forward spectacularly in the last five or so years.
What is crucial is the redevelopment of our stadium, as Selhurst Park, for some time now, has looked a bit worse for wear, despite some modernisation over the last few Premier League seasons. I think the goal is to create a more modern version of the stadium with the four separate stands. Whilst initially against this idea, with the want for a modern 360 degree arena, I can see the logic. What with the old fashioned atmosphere generated in Selhurst currently, it would be refreshing to see a modern interpretation of what we currently have, just with an expanded capacity and better facilities, because, quite frankly, having to queue fifteen minutes to use a smelly, dingy toilet is far from ideal.
On the pitch, I have no performance to evaluate and compare due to the international break. However we do have the build up to an exciting match on Monday Night Football under the lights to look forward to. Normally I would be backing Palace to give Sunderland a good hiding, however, last year our performance against them at home was woeful and they beat us 3-1.
I am confident we can do something special and claim the three points but, with Big Sam at the helm, the Sunderland ship is slowly steadying itself and it will be interesting to see how they fare and if they stay up this season. As for my aspirations this season, seeing Palace in the top eight will be fantastic, but with teams like West Ham United, Leicester City and Stoke City offering up some superb results and performances, it is hard to ignore how tough that may be. This is quite possibly one of the most competitive Premier League seasons ever and it is exciting to see these results, where anyone can beat anyone.
My last few words this week go out to all the people in the world, Palace fans and beyond, who have had their lives affected by terrorism. In the modern world it seems barbaric that this can happen and we must show defiance and strength to prove that these people, despite their thoughts, will not win, and that we shall not let our lives be ruled and defined by terror.
Football is a family, and a language as well as a sport, and is one of the many ways we, as people, can unite across the globe and continue to enjoy the things we love despite what the vision of a few radicals may be.
Je Suis Paris.
