Eagle4Caley

It also features the richest game in football (or any sport), the Championship play-off final!

Yep I was there this year...fantastic when you win, absolute ***** when you lose...Palace have won four times and lost once (to a last minute goal off Steve Claridges shin) this year worth minimum of £120m apparently (spread over several years).... In 2014 I'm hoping its a final in Glasgow I'm going to, if its the SLC I will have quite a journney since I have pre-booked expecting a home match in Inverness (but covering bases with rail tickets to, and hotel, in Glasgow!)

Sorry... talk around Billy McKay has moved us slightly off topic!

Given that the OP starts 'Chaps', is he not interested in the views of our many female posters ?

Absolutely!  I use the term 'chaps' in a unisex way, but I guess that doesn't come across on the internet!

Vincent is stepping up his rehab apparently, hopefully back soon.

 

Tough on Raven to be dropped but you can't disrupt a defence that isn't conceding and Shinnie has been brilliant at right back.

 

Watkins has done very well, set up both goals yeserday, is strong and skillful and good in the air.  A better option than Williams and/or Greenhalgh.

 

Doran has a great shot on him and can deliver fantastic balls into the box but often takes the wrong option or delays and slows play down when moving the ball quicker would be better.  He was playing better early in the season, I think he'll get back to that,

 

Not sure Hibs could afford McKay, the guy is quality.  Rumours have been that several Championship clubs have had him on their radar (Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall being two).  His contract has a bit to go so unless we get an unturndownable bid in January I'd say no-sale until the summer.

 I could understand the Millwall link since Lomas is there... I wouldn't be terribly happy to see him go there, but I could imagine he would do well. Be nice if ICT could give him an improved contract

Chaps….what’s the latest on Jamie Vincent, I believe he was out ‘til Christmas, can we expect a return early in the NewYear?
 

I notice that David Raven has been sitting on the bench since his return from injury, is Tremarco playing that well, or was Raven playing poorly before his injury.
 

Marley Watkins… I thought Vincent was the ‘find of the season’, but he got injured too soon, however Watkins has come in, in a different role and looks like he is providing  a constant threat, the BBC report from the Hearts match yesterday said ‘he supplied most of the forward momentum in their engine room.’ He certainly impressed me when I came up, and from comments on this site seems quite highly rated…could he be a potential POTY?

Dean Brill has come in, and not given Esson a sniff of the goalkeeping jersey, in terms of goalies over the last few seasons how do you guys rate him?

Aaron Doran… I see his name mentioned a fair bit in match reports, for good strikes on goal, and he has weighed in with a couple recently, when I have watched him he kind of frustrates me, as I think he could be a really good player, is he having a good spell at the mo?

Billy McKay….scored two yesterday and already has a decent tally for the season, does anyone think he might be a transfer target for someone come January (and not just Butcher), and would the board let him go if decent money were offered?

St Mirren have improved greatly from our game against them in August and it was clear that the plan in the first half was to throw everything at us on the break to try and get an early/first half goal.  We defended well without the need or desire to throw everyone behind the ball and were still creating opportunities for ourself at the other end.

 

As St Mirren decided to lose their legs a bit towards the end of the first half we enjoyed the best of the last 10 to 15 minutes...and that continued in the second half where St Mirrens fast forays forward were much reduced in number.

 

Ryan Esson's heart must sink every time Brill plays as he was outstanding yesterday and, despite the pressure at times, remained fully composed and did nothing to cause the players to lose confidence in him.

 

A few of the guys looked like they were trying a bit too hard and looking for the perfect shooting opportunity...but que sera.  They'll settle under Hughes now and get back to their usual selves.

 

Marley Watkins gets more and more exciting every time I see him play and despite initially giving Dean Brill my MotM, I've changed my mind.  The lad is an absolute joy to watch with the ball at his feet and his strength on the ball and ability/determination to win it back on the odd occasion he does lose it is second to none within the squad.  I'm not normally an advocate of extra long term deals, but we should be offering Marley at least 5 years.

I'm glad to hear continuing good reports about Marley....when I saw him when he came on at home to Partick, I instinctively felt he was a good prospect, sometimes though a player can peak with their first game! In Marley's case I think he could become a very important player for us.

Why does he get called Yogi ?

I wondered about that, there used to be a player called John 'Yogi Bear' Hughes back in the 70's, he played for Celtic I think, but had a couple of years at Palace before a knee injury curtailed his career...clear not the same bloke!

I feel a chant coming on...'Yogi Bear's red n blue army'

Welcome Yogi... you have a tough act to follow, now is your chance to shine.

Only just seen the result as the match ran over yesterday before I had to go out... a better result than I expected seen it was only 1-0 at half time. Good to hear Watkins having a good second half and Agdestein's introduction (in the 91st min) being 'decisive' in getting brought down for the 2nd penalty. I see that Morton's interim manager is David Hopkin, who has hero status down here in Palace land for the the play-off final winning goal against Sheff Utd many years ago

Yessss! (who's Terry Butcher?)  and Palace win as well! I'm a happy chap tonight

HT 1-1

FT ICT 2-1 ST J

ICT- Warren

ST J- Hasselbaink

7mins

 

And if you get a chance to go to a match, it is highly recommended. As a visiting fan from Watford, I was made to feel very welcome and Caley Thistle is now my second team.

I believe I have a replica shirt coming my way from Father Xmas too that I will be able to wear with pride to my beloved Watford

 

Aha a Udinese 2nd team supporter.... I wont mention Wembley, if you don't mention Palace's season so far in the EPL. ICT seems to have more supporters south of the border than one might initially imagine!

Josh Meekings will be a prime target, but not just for Hibs. Young, powerful, quick and plenty left in the tank.

Meekings is definitely one that TB might look at in the Summer, and whose to say that after three seasons JM might think he has served his time and can honourable go to another club...(if he does, I want Palace to have 1st dib!)

Yes...  that question out did me!

Welcome to the site,which part of Italy do you come from? I have a soft spot for Chievo!

I live in South London (and also support Crystal Palace who Attilio Lombardo once played for...a super sportsman)

George Burley for the job.

His last job was at Palace...now that was interesting (although he did have a very tight budget to work with)

Ian Holloway anyone? No..I'm not being serious!    Hope Caley can sort a replacement out fairly quickly. it's been three weeks without one at Palace, and some (just some) of the natives are going 'stir crazy' with the speculation!  Too late for me..... I went crazy years ago...which is why supporting ICT as well, is a blessed relief

Great win for ICT, after a difficult week...if TB is going, let's hope it is done and dusted and we can move on...nothing worse than a long drawn out to-do (and don't want TB's standing amongst ICT fans to be too tainted). Great to hear Ross getting a goal and playing well, (I am not necessarily his biggest fan), also good to hear Billy back on the scoresheet...if my other team could stick it in the net we would be celebrating more than a well earned point...all in all though a good football weekend (Didn't see that Aberdeen result coming!)

So I could be in the position that both football teams I support are looking for a new manager! 

We have a serious chance of getting to the final now , which is on the 16th March, which I have currently booked as a flight and hotel in Inverness for the weekend...now trying to work out a contingency plan (which I can't put into effect until early Feb)!

Good to get back to winning ways...sounds like it was a bit tasty, given the number of bookings.

Bit hacked off I only got to see half an hour (I was late home)...looked a good run out for the boys, especially given the rain, we looked pretty strong everywhere, and were probably up for more than a point. Watkins continues to show promise, Tremarco settled into his role, Ross better than last Sunday, Draper unlucky to be booked.

Yeah Watkins starting..like it!

Taxi for a Mr Holloway

Hmm... I'm gutted, and we will get stuffed by Arsenal on Saturday, so I'm looking for a good result from Caley against County on Friday to cheer me up.

I think you mean Marley Watkins, no?

I've been to Selhurt, many, many moons ago. Wimbledon v Man Utd. Think it finished 0-5 or 0-6!

Yep...Marley Watkins.....not good to post in a hurry!

Would Wilbraham come here though, it would be a great signing imo but can't see it?

Hey guys, what makes you think Mr Holloway may get sacked, the 2 get on well so can't see parish axing Holloway ;-).

If TB offers Meekings in a swap deal, I will personally button-hole Holloway myself to make it happen....not sure you guys would ever talk to me again though!

 

I can't agree with comments on Foran.  I think we miss him more than any other individual when he's not there and as TM4TJ says he's more noticeable when he does something wrong!

 

Hope The Eagles stay up and you stick with Holloway.  I don't think he deserves the sack.  Again.

I would prefer to see Foran up front to support McKay...with Manley on the right, Vincent (when fit) in the centre with Draper...not sure who to use whilst he is out, perhaps Polworth

As for Holloway...I think he will be good for Palace over time, he needs time though.