Don't forget what Dougie Freedman did for Crystal Palace, as player and manager
PALACE fans wouldn't normally cross off a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers as one of the biggest games of the season.
However, when one of your former managers is now in charge of the opposition, especially in the manner they left Selhurst Park, it does become a rather big deal.
No doubt about it, Dougie Freedman was a playing legend in Palace colours. And despite the the way in which he left the Eagles for Bolton on October 23 last year, he also built a solid foundation towards the position the club find themselves in now.
Yes, it was a poor start to the season as we all remember, but a signing here and there, plus a result against Sheffield Wednesday on September 1 triggered a run of form no Palace fan would have expected.
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Who would have thought that just over three weeks after guiding Palace to their first ever victory at Bolton on September 29, that Freedman would be spending time at the Reebok Stadium on a full-time basis?
What sort of your reaction will he get once he steps out of the tunnel and walks towards the away dugout? That's up to you.
Make no mistake about it, there are likely to be a few who will look to give him a bad reception, while others will remember what he did for Palace as a player and manager.
In May 2010, the club nearly lost their Championship status, and alongside George Burley, Freedman began to rebuild the club before taking on the reins himself. And leading the club to the semi-finals of the League Cup last season was an incredible achievement.
To heckle someone who gave more than ten years playing service, made more than 350 appearances and scored more than 100 goals for the club would be wrong, and as current boss Ian Holloway has said in his exclusive column this week, he would not be impressed with the home faithful if that were to happen.
On the playing field, it looks as though Wilfried Zaha will face a late fitness test after hurting his ankle on Tuesday night at Stoke City, while youngster Hiram Boateng may be given a place on the bench after an impressive performance at the Britannia Stadium.
Julian Speroni, Jonathan Parr, Dean Moxey, Andre Moritz and Glenn Murray are all expected to return to the starting line-up, although Jonathan Williams will be pressing for a start.
However, new loan signing Jacob Butterfield is also set to play some part, so Holloway must decide whether to start him on the bench or fit him in from the first minute.
When you look at Bolton's squad on paper, it is rather impressive. And since Freedman's arrival, they have been making gradual progress up the league table, plus an impressive 2-0 win at Sunderland in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Marvin Sordell was the hero at the Stadium of Light and will be hoping to start, having had to wait for his chance from the bench in recent months, while long-term injury victim Stuart Holden could continue his comeback with a starting place in midfield.
The middle of the park could be a key battle with Mile Jedinak likely to come up against the tough duo of Jay Spearing and Keith Andrews, while Chris Eagles can be a major threat to any side on his day on the right or left flank, so Parr and Moxey will need to be on their toes come 3pm.
It's also worth noting that next weekend, it looks like Palace will have no game to play as scheduled opponents Huddersfield Town are still in the FA Cup and take on Leicester City, so a win against Bolton tomorrow will be a good way to sign off before the south London derby against Charlton Athletic on February 2.
Comments
by gelend
Sunday, January 20 2013, 4:20PM
“come on children thats why nobody comes up with serious points on here anymore whilst you squabble amongst yourselves.frank your better than that your comments always worth a read dont let these kn**heads drag you in !!!!”
by Jackanory
Sunday, January 20 2013, 1:00PM
“Potty petetheeagle Stone,
yes i certainly did brave the weather yesterday, i do not rely on PalaceIplayer or even laughable getting Palace match reports sent to your phone by text message, my Familly & Me actually go to games home & away.
Potty how come you always go quiet when that word Racism is mentioned?
Potty, what are your thoughts on people making Racist comments on sites like this & what do you think about a so called `Gentlemen`on here, telling a Woman to get back into the kitchen because she(Julie, West Wickham) knew more about football than him?
Potty are you still in touch with SJ, what is he up to these days?”
by petetheeagle
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:39PM
“Yawn yawn, same old tripe coming from the same mouths. How old are you? Just concentrate on what matters Frank.”
by frankbromley
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:07PM
“petetheeagle,
why no comment on Racism on this site or Sexism on this site or why Dumb & Dumber have reported comments, snitched & grassed people up & got them banned from this site?
So you spoke Simon or do you call him SJ for 45 minutes, i bet that was some conversation, the blind leading the blind.
Get £15m upfront rising to £20m for Zaha, no wonder you are known as Potty Pete.”
by petetheeagle
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:13AM
“You need to get out more mate instead of playing with yourself while making, what you think are clever comments.”
by petetheeagle
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:05AM
“Jackanory, you are about as interesting as Frank, two faced, moi. Football fans are fickle, me included.
Why don't you get off your high horse and comment on the game, that is if you were brave enough to go out in the cold weather.
And for your information sunshine, the conversation with Simon was 45 minutes. Trust me, it happened.”
by Jackanory
Sunday, January 20 2013, 10:59AM
“PP
is JW Jonathan Williams
is IH Ian Holloway
how come you call Freedman, Freedman & not DF
Bolasie, Bolasie & not YB
Murray, Murray & not GM
Wilf, Wilf & not WZ
Alex Marrow & not AM
PP are you only allowed out at the Weekends to watch Palace?”
by Jackanory
Sunday, January 20 2013, 10:54AM
“Potty Petetheeagle,
you are so 2 faced, last season you & the other numpty from the Village were praising Freedman, after the Watford game you was ****ging him off, then we hit our purple patch & Freedman is back in your good books & now you are ****ging him off again, you are Boring & so predictable.
We have read your idiotic comments about how you had a 15 minute conversation with your hero Simon Jordan, Wow Wee.
We`ve read about your & your idiot friends views on George Burley, i`m still laughing now how you & the idiot from the village wanted Burley to stay, ha ha ha.
Potty, yes that is the past, but i bring that up because you 2 morons have ruined this site by constantly getting good people banned from here because you do not agree with their comments.
petetheeagle, what are your thoughts on Racism in football & Racism on site like this?”
by petetheeagle
Sunday, January 20 2013, 10:22AM
“Stop your moaning frank for heavens sake, your like that guy on the film airplane when he talks to other passengers and one by one they commit suicide. Why not add a positive spin to your comments.
Bolton were a typical freedman team, building a team from the defence. They were awful and will not go up in my view, and as for Eagles the diver, he should have been sent off shortly after when there was that spat. I wonder if Freedman will fine him for that dive, he should.
Anyway, thought we deserved to win, we would have done had Murray had his normal game. The last half hour the game became more open and we had more than enough chances to win. Wilf had more space and was unfortunate not to score, he certainly created enough chances and the movement between him, Bolaise and JW was sublime on one ocassion.
God, we have so much to look forward to with JW getting back to his best, it is vital we keep him fit. When was the last time we had the likes of Wilf and JW at the club. It appears that the board have turned turn a bid of 10 million from moan u and quite right to. A deal of 15 million up front rising to 20 million is what I am hoping for.
For me the most pleasing thing was to see Alex Marrow back and make an appearance. He fit straight in and looked as comfortable as he did before his injury. Good to see him back, will be a top player for us and well done to 2010 for sticking by him and well done to IH getting him back. Freedman would never have done that, he does not gamble and that has been proved right when he had the chance to sign that guy who who was released by Everton and now knocking them in at Oldham. Freedman said he wasn't fit enough.”
by rambo_3
Sunday, January 20 2013, 9:46AM
“A Hard Fought 0:0 Draw that Could,Easily,Have been Won.Alex Marrow Impressed on Introduction.With 18 Games to Go,2 Points off 2nd Place.Leicester,Hull & Middlesbrough,All,to Visit Selhurst Park.A Couple of Signings,or Loans After Transfer Window Closes,& were Still in the Mix.”