The end of the season is a time to reflect on the nine months just gone. As we approach the season’s finale, it is time to consider: Who has overachieved, and who has flattered to deliver? Who has surprised us and who has underwhelmed us? Here we take a look at five clubs who have sparkled this year, and five more whose once bright lights have somewhat dimmed.Defying the OddsPrior to the start of the season, many predicted that Newcastle might follow in the infamous footsteps of Leeds United and implode spectacularly. Nine months later, boss Chris Hughton can look…
All posts tagged Crystal Palace
The Monday Profile: Ben Watson
Robert Martinez’s sagacity in affording Ben Watson his first game of the season for Wigan Athletic yesterday was repaid in shovelfuls as the midfielder engineered a football club-defining performance to help Latics defeat the Arsenal. The Londoner was recalled from a loan at West Bromwich Albion at the start of April and those who have remained faithful to the Spanish manager’s romanticism will be feeling warm inside this morning.But does this signal a new beginning for Watson, or should he expect to continue his picaresque Championship journeyings next term?I have seen Watson in the hoops of QPR and the stripes…
But what of Watford?
The Palace boards were alive with hope this morning after their team’s resounding 3-1 win at Watford last night. With 6 matches to go, including favourable home games against Preston and QPR during the next 10 days, the Eagles now possess a modicum of belief as they look to leapfrog Watford and Sheffield Wednesday to safety.Needless to say, it will take a lot of heart from the former if they are to avoid the drop after such a deflating evening’s work. While the Hornets are still a point ahead of Palace and have a game in hand on those around…
The Cost of Ambition
Of the three divisions in the Football League, the Championship is possibly the most fragmented both in terms of the relative sizes of its member clubs and, by extension, their ambitions. Whilst, with four or five exceptions, there is not a huge difference between the size of the clubs in Leagues 1 and 2, there exists great inequality within the Championship in this respect. There are, of course, many parameters dictating how big a club is – history, budget, stadium – but if we take attendance as a barometer, we can see that Newcastle get over five times the average…
Eight Out of Work Managers
Paul Hart’s instalment at Crystal Palace last week continued the trend for this 2009-10 Championship season to resemble an episode of Swap Shop. We have remarked more than once in recent months how Chairmen have spent a minimum of time over their re-staffing decisions: the first name that springs to mind has become the main axiom. Hence, the newly sacked have been deemed the most suitable to take clubs forward - current experience has been valued above all and we have Darren at Preston, Brian at Burnley, Alan at Hillsborough and now Paul at the Palace.There is no doubt that…
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David Howell: Speaking, sadly, from experience, I can say that Basildon does indeed ...
Lanterne Rouge: Thanks for pointing out the error Peter - corrected now....
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