The Opposition View: Crystal Palace

Last updated : 14 September 2010 By Jim Bonner
Like Pompey fans, Palace fans have experienced the lows of seeing their club in administration and on the brink of extinction. Did you believe that you wouldn't have a club to support at one point?

I remained fairly hopeful throughout, particularly because the prospective buyers were open about their intentions, but at one point it was looking incredibly bleak. I think to an extent everyone takes it for granted that clubs like Palace or Pompey will always find a buyer, but this summer was probably the closest we've ever come in
Britain to a sizeable club actually ceasing to exist. Fortunately both clubs lived to fight another day, but who is to say that the next club to find themselves in such a position will be so fortunate?

Another thing we have in common is that Paul Hart has managed both of our clubs. What did Palace fans think of him during his time at the club?

I can't fault him in any way because he did precisely what he was asked to do and kept us up in incredibly difficult circumstances. I cannot say that the football was particularly inspiring, or that we won as many games as we would have liked, but he held the squad together well when many would have expected us to crumble in the wake of Warnock's defection. However, we needed a fresh start in the summer.

I remember reading a survey once that claimed that the only football ground in the country worse than
Fratton Park was Selhurst Park. Is your home ground really the worst in the country?

It must be one of the most aging, well-sized (ie 20k+) stadiums in the country these days, but I don't think that's a totally bad thing. These days there is a perception that a football ground should be wholly modern, sterile and friendly; Selhurst doesn't fit the mould in that respect, but I still think it can be a great place to watch football.

Palace have had a poor start to the season. Are you expecting another relegation battle or can George Burley get things together and get the Eagles climbing up the league?

I think it's going to be a hard season. We've probably got a more technically gifted side than we've had for a while, but the new faces are going to take time to gel and we're struggling to create the level of chances needed to win games whilst conceeding sloppy goals. It's a funny league and who knows what could happen, but I think it'll be a long season with many frustrations.

Like Palace, Pompey have been hit hard by administration too. What do you think of Pompey's prospects this season?

A bit like Palace, it's quite hard to assess how good the team could be at this stage due to all the unrest and upheaval. There are still enough experienced players around to turn them into a solid outfit, however, and I don't expect them to remain near the foot of the table for too long.

Most fans will know Edgar Davids, but who are the key players in the Palace side?

We've missed Darren Ambrose hugely since he's been out injured. He really does provide a lot of our creative impetus and we relied hugely on his goals last season. Julian Speroni is our star man though; I don't think there has been a consistently better keeper in the division over the past 3 seasons.

And what are the biggest weaknesses in the team?

We're inexperienced, naïve and we lack a goal scorer. Time will tell if the players brought in will address those issues sufficiently.

Are there any players in the Pompey side that Palace fans are fearful of?

Nugent has always played well against us and he'll be a huge threat. I've always been a big fan of Liam Lawrence and I would have liked us to have looked at him. Michael Brown is another player I have always rated; he's very well suited to the division.

How is the game going to pan out? Will Pompey's recent Carling Cup victory give the fans any clues as to which way this is going to go?

I don't think you can read too much into the cup game really, particularly given that both clubs have made changes to their personnel since then.

Predict the outcome of the game.

I fancy us to win it, but that's based on a gut feeling rather than anything else. In truth I think we'll have to play really well to get a result.