Transfer trackerIt's that time of year to once again sit back and watch all manner of "big" clubs linked with our bright young stars... Yes, it's the January transfer window. As always FYP will endeavour to keep you abreast of the comings and goings at the mighty Palace throughout the month - and there's already been quite a bit going on.... In
Paul McShane has joined the club on loan from Hull until February 18th. The defender, who can play either in the centre or at right-back, has been out of favour with the Yorkshire club and has moved to Palace for a month. McShane made his debut for Palace coming on at right-back for fellow loanee Mustapha Dumbaya in the Eagles' 1-1 draw with Leeds at the weekend.
Siphiwe Tshabalala, the man who scored the opening goal of last year's world cup, has been 'sort of' on trial with the Eagles. "Shabba" has spent 10 days training with Palace to see if a move to Selhurst would be beneficial to both parties. Should the club and the South African international come to an agreement we'd finally have a primary left-winger in the squad. Freedman told the Croydon Advertiser: "We're going to have a little look at him and he's going to have a look at us. We're just looking to see if it works out. He's a top international player so it's not a trial as such, it's really for him to see if he likes us and if we like him. "If so we'll see what we can do." Freedman has now stated that this is one we'll take another look at in the summer.
Freedman also admitted there was another South African on his radar, goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The move could potentially see Palace hit the record books with the most difficult to read team-sheet in the league. Though the Doog himself admitted this deal is an unlikely one, at least for the time being. "The goalkeeper is on the radar but he won't be coming over. We have got Julian Speroni and Lewis Price so there's no room for a goalkeeper just yet, but we are monitoring his situation," he said.
Young centre-back John Egan has made his way down from Sunderland to join the red and blue ranks on a month long loan and will slot straight into the squad travelling up to Derby for the FA Cup. Egan has represented his native Ireland at U16, U17 and U19 level and has recently broken out of the Black Cats' youth team (where he was captain) and made his way into the Premier League Side's development squad. The 19-year-old is available to play in both cups.
Palace have also secured the services of a full-back. Doncaster's Mustapha Dumbaya has joined Palace on a one month loan deal and will be available for the Eagles' trip to the Midlands in the FA Cup - though will be unavailable for the Carling Cup tie on Tuesday. Dumbaya will be with the club until Saturday February 4 after appearing eight times so far this season for his parent club.
Chris Martin, striker on loan from Norwich, has already been with Palace for a while now scoring two goals for the club in the process. Martin has extended his stay with the Eagles by a further month until February 4th. Forget what he's all about? Check out this article from a Norwich fan on what they think of the fiery forward.
Out
Wesley Foderingham has now permanently left the club following a loan spell at Swindon Town. The young 'keeper impressed so much whilst out on loan that Town decided to make the deal permanent, signing the player on a two-and-a-half year deal. Foderingham said via Twitter: "Massive thank you to @Official_CPFC and every1 at the club! i wish the club all the best and will follow the cpfc throughout my career #cpfc"
Andy Dorman was earlier this season sent out on loan to League Two side Bristol Rovers and will now be extending his stay by a further month. The midfielder who most fans considered lacklustre in his performances whilst with the Eagles has been given permission to play in the Pirates' Fa Cup ties in addition to their league fixtures. It was George "Special Brew" Burley who brought the midfielder to the club and as the Scot made way for his immeasurably more popular fellow countryman Dorman made way for players who actually knew what a football was.
Dekel Keinan has returned to his parent club Cardiff after a short loan spell with the Eagles. The Israeli centre-back made few appearances for the Eagles most recently in our 2-1 defeat to Leicester. His partner at the back in that game. Peter Ramage has now left the club after his half-season loan from QPR. What do you think? Let us know! Comment below...
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Palace 1 Leicester 2 - Danns returns to haunt Eagles
Johnny Parr pulled one back for the Eagles shortly before half time, but it wasn't to be Palace's day despite pressuring the Foxes goal throughout the second half. Palace started brightly under the captain-ship of Nathaniel Clyne - the Eagles missing Julian Speroni, Paddy McCarthy and Anthony Gardner with Lewis Price, Dekel Keinan and Peter Ramage filling their respective boots. A poor ball out from Price saw Danns in possession, the midfielder taking a touch before a long range effort beat the Palace 'keeper taking his side into the lead 19 minutes into the game. 20 minutes later and Danns turned provider, this time swinging in a free kick which found the head of Sol Bamba, who in turn found the back of the Eagles' net. The goal came against play as Wilfried Zaha, Glenn Murray and Owen Garvan missed chances just before the visitors doubled their lead. Then, four minutes before the players went in for the break Parr gave Palace a life-line. The Norwegian fooled Kasper Schmeichel with his looping shot to close the gap between the two sides. Palace returned for the second half with renewed vigour and thoroughly dominated possession (58%) but were unable to find a goal. For all of Palace's possession chances were few and far between. Steve Howard was shown a late red card for dissent, but it wasn't to be Palace's day as Schmeichel denied opportunities for Martin, Zaha and Easter to salvage a point for Palace. After the game Dougie Freedman admitted Palace's lack of creativity was our undoing on the day. He said: "It's not all about dominating possession, you have to create chances and we didn't quite do that today but I felt the performance was outstanding. We kept trying and we asked them a lot of questions, so we'll see how we go." On Leicester's second: "I haven't seen it again but it was a fantastic cross and we've not headed the ball out. When you don't win that first header you are in trouble and we couldn't quite win it. They're a big team and a powerful team, it's disappointing but throughout the game I felt we gave it our best and gave it everything we had. You can only ask for that." On stand-out players: "Mile's had to do two games in 48 hours and I thought he was outstanding today. Your performance can only get you so far, I thought the character shown was outstanding to keep on going, not give anything up and not get downbeating about losing. I've got a good bunch of lads in there that are disappointed about losing but they gave it everything they had. "Clyney's a fantastic young man and a wonderful player. He's got Crystal Palace in his blood so whatever happens with him I think he's a wonderful young man with a wonderful talent. I had no hesitation today to give him the captaincy, he's a leader on the pitch the way he plays. I was pleased for him and pleased to see him do well with it." On the missing players: "Paddy has the same virus that Julian (Speroni) has got so unfortunately had to miss the game. Of course I'm concerned when you lose your goalkeeper who's probably the best in the division and you lose your captain you start to get concerned. It's two phone calls I've had within 48 hours, so we've got the doctor on call." Palace XI: Price; Clyne, Keinan, Ramage, Parr; Zaha, Garvan, Jedinak, O'Keefe (Ambrose), Scannell (Martin); Murray (Easter). MOTM: Nathaniel Clyne
Millwall 0-1 Palace: It's Easter's Eve as Palace defeat Millwall at The DenJermaine Easter returned to the starting line-up for Crystal Palace and promptly rewarded Dougie Freedman's faith in the striker, scoring the only goal in a rare win for Palace at the Den.
Easter's goal came midway through the first half following some impressive build-up play in midfield from Wilfried Zaha. The youngster, with an abundance of skill, found Norwich-loanee Martin who crossed it for the Welshman to score. It has been a year since Palace suffered an embarrassing defeat at the Den. In that time, Dougie Freedman has converted Palace from a side incapable of defending to one which has become thoroughly frustrating to play against. Gone are the gaping channels on the wing and the stand-off defensive approach, here to stay are a more formidable side - one capable of grinding out wins in the most difficult of settings. Freedman may not have the greatest of budgets to work with, but in this team he has found a core of players willing to fight for every chance they have. It isn't always pretty - nor should it be in this division - but it is effective. It was Palace's defensive unit which stood firm against frequent Millwall counter-attacks. In midfield, Jedinak hustled for every ball, while in defence, Gardner, McCarthy, Clyne and Parr stood up resolutely to the challenges brought by Bouazza, Feeney, Simpson and N'Guessan. Freedman's line-up also featured the unusual inclusion of Lewis Price in goal as Julian Speroni fell victim to a serious viral infection. Price, whose heroics have propelled Palace into the semi-finals of the League Cup, reinforced his role as Speroni's dependable understudy, keeping Millwall at bay on a number of occasions. Freedman has confirmed that Speroni will not feature against Leicester on Monday, either. He told BBC Sport: "Speroni has a serious virus. From the call I got at 11pm last night, he won't be featuring against Leicester. "Every time Lewis Price is called upon he's done fantastic and he did fantastic today. He was counted on today as a goalkeeper and as a man." Palace had chances too, though, with Darren Ambrose proving to be a constant threat to Millwall's goal. A 30-yard free-kick had to be parried away by Mildenhall late in the first half, while Ambrose snapped a shot just wide of the post midway through the second. It was, however, Palace's defending which ultimately won the game. The Eagles now sit in 7th, level on points with Reading. "We knew it would be difficult in the second half but I thought we stood up to it," said Freedman. "Its a wonderful result for us and I thought it was deserved, as well. We're a growing team and we're getting better; you have to take the ups and downs. Its up to me to go in level headed and if we don't get the three points we have to have a learning attitude." As the 1st of January approaches, Freedman would rather look to keep the team he has built together than spend money on reinforcing it: "We've got a fantastic squad and I would wish to keep this fantastic squad as it is. I won't look to bring anyone in for the sake of it just to show that I can. If I had a wish I would wish that everybody stays rather than bring anybody in."
FYP Preview: Millwall v PalaceTeam News
Palace Well, it's time for the last game of 2011 - an eventful year for the Eagles. We've had our ups, particularly this season, with a cup run that has seen us bring current Premier League title holders Manchester United back down to earth and an early run in the league that no one quite expected. We've also had our downs, again narrowly missing out on the kick in the baubles that is relegation at the end of last season. This game marks a chance to leave behind the bad of the previous few seasons and take forward the good of this season into the new year - that, and we owe them one from last time. This fixture in the 2010/11 season saw us lose 3-0 and George Burley lose his job. We return to the New Den with a new manager and a new-found confidence. Wilfried Zaha is back from suspension, as is Mile Jedinak. David Wright is also looking to return after a minor injury has kept the newly initiated midfielder sidelined. Dean Moxey (knee) remains a doubt as does loanee centre-back Dekel Keinan (ankle). As if I even need to mention it any more (but), Lee Hills (ankle), Alex Marrow (apparently doesn't like football) and Joniesta (broken leg) will miss out. Millwall Millwall have cooled after a fiery first season back in the Championship and find themselves in 20th - seven points and ten places behind the Eagles. Our primordial neighbours will want to keep the bragging rights they secured in our last encounter, but will face a Palace team infused with new vigour and determination to succeed. On loan Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker is out, so Tony Craig has been recalled from a loan at Leyton Orient. Jimmy Abdou, Liam Trotter and David Forde are all back in contention but Jake Gallagher, Tam Mkandawire and Shaun Butt are all missing with long term injuries. Key Players
PredictionI think we've got this one. Maybe I'm still drunk from Christmas, maybe I was correct in thinking those mushrooms in hippie uncle Derek's vegetarian Xmas lunch weren't quite right. Either way, I'm optimistic. Millwall 1-2 PalaceWhat do you think the score will be? Let us know! Comment below...
Southampton 2 Palace 0 - Guly do Prado double condemns Eagles to Boxing Day defeat
Eagles boss Dougie Freedman made three changes from the 1-0 win over Birmingham, welcoming back Wilf Zaha from suspension, and giving a start to Peter Ramage and Stuart O'Keefe. Palace had not previously lost when O'Keefe had started this season, although the Southend man was yet to feature in the league. Julian Speroni was soon called into action to deny Rickie Lambert, the Saints top scorer getting a header in at the back post, but Jules managed to block it. And the home side - top of the Championship and unbeaten at St Mary's since December 2010 - continued to pile on the pressure before Guly's breakthrough on 34 minutes. The impressive Steve De Ridder worked space for himself and sent over a teasing cross that Guly's nodded home. Glenn Murray had a chance to bring Palace level but couldn't get full contact on Zaha's cross, and after the break the Eagles had a penalty shout turned down as Paddy McCarthy's shot appeared to hit Jose Fonte's arm. And Palace were punished as Guly met Frazer Richardson's cross to double the lead and seal the points for the Saints. Freedman said after the game that Palace could have got something from the clash. "On the evidence of today I can understand why Southampton are at the top of the league," he told Palace's official website. "We defended well at times but when [Rickie] Lambert or [Adam] Lallana do not pop up with a goal, somebody else steps up to the plate. "Do Prado did the business today but apart from that you scratch your head and are wondering whether we could or should maybe have got something out of the game. "I felt in the second half we pressed a bit higher and were getting a little bit of joy in terms of ball retention and maybe created a few opportunities. But then they got their second goal and we have to hold our hands up sometimes and give credit to Southampton because of the outfit they are." Palace lineup: Speroni; Ramage (Martin), McCarthy, Gardner, Clyne; O'Keefe (Garvan), Dikgacoi; Parr, Scannell, Zaha; Murray (Easter). |
Former Eagle Neil Danns made his return to Selhurst and scored Leicester's opening goal, also providing the assist for their second.
Two headers from the Saints forward saw the home side beat Palace for the first time ever on Boxing Day as the Championship leaders continued their unbeaten run at home.
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