The first edition of 2015 for this feature and there is certainly no shortage of topics to discuss.
It is rarely boring at Palace and we all thought that last season could not be touched for pure emotion after the twists and turns likened to that of a roller coaster at the best theme park you can imagine.
If I am honest, imagination would come up short if you were to be asked what is likely to happen at Selhurst Park before a ball has been kicked of any football season.
I do seem to recall finishing 14th in the Championship at some stage but mid-table obscurity is simply not what Palace do and if it does happen then there would have been some controversy on the journey there.
The appointment of Alan Pardew as manager of Crystal Palace was drawn out and protracted one. Well, at least it was in many fans eyes. The fact remains, Neil Warnock was sacked on 27th December. Pardew was officially announced as his successor at 9am on 3rd January 2015. That is a week later and by appointing a manager that was already in a job, that is not that bad going.
It is not a patch on the time it took to replace Ian Holloway. That was protracted but the right man was appointed at the time. As to how good an appointment this latest one could be remains to be seen and only time will tell.
In the days of instant news and rumours through the media and several apparent self confessed ‘in the know’ sources, it seems that fans want it all at the click of the fingers, even then that is not quick enough. I read one fan proclaim on one of the fan message boards that supporters had the right to be updated regularly during the negotiations.
Absolute madness. Who do us fans think we are?
To make matters worse, or to some fans at least, was West Bromwich Albion having the audacity to sack Alan Irvine after Palace had got rid of Warnock and appoint Tony Pulis before the appointment of Pardew had been confirmed.
Why should that have any bearing on the situation? Pulis was out for work. Pardew was not. It is not rocket science to understand that negotiations not only involve a potential new manager but also his former club and any backroom staff. The latter, I understand, was the case for Palace while the deal for Pardew had been done.
The perfect timing of the West Brom appointment was such that Palace are not due compensation for Pulis. You can understand why it worked out like that but after his walkout two days before the season started it is just another kick in the teeth to his former club.
Anyhow, it really should not be of any concern of ours. The Welshman chose to leave the club and we now see the return of ‘Super’ Alan Pardew. The scorer of THAT goal at Villa Park, which I do not think has ben mentioned enough! More importantly, he is an established Premier League manager. A manager who fans of his former club are celebrating his departure.
The appointment is certainly an interesting one. The Palace link is already there of course and the club is one Pardew has a real soft spot for. The club needs Pardew and Pardew needs this club. He was treated poorly by the fans at St James’ Park or is it the Sports Direct Arena now, whichever it is now know in the age of money being more important that the sport itself.
He has experience but so did Warnock and Pulis. Pardew is younger with different ideas. He could end up being our manager for a few seasons, one that can help build something special. It is no secret that the club still have a fragile infrastructure in place which needs some tender loving care.
As for the owners, they have gone out and got their man. We have become used to appointing managers that were out of work and you have to think that they are out of work for a reason. This time it was different. There was the added difficulty of dealing with a certain Mr Ashley but once his seal of approval was achieved, it was only a matter of before Pardew was appointed.
And so it came to pass, Super Alan Pardew returns to the club he made his name at. He is on the front foot from the start as many fans still recall him fondly.
I only hope that his legendary status is not soured like those that have been and tried before him.
Leave your comments for Jay below this article, on our Facebook page or Tweet us.
