Bolton News are reporting that Gartside has made an approach for Freedman, but Palace are yet to reply.

 

The daily mail are also running this story.

 

Personally would give Jimmy a chance.

Maybe, but I wonder .....

 

Given what things have been like on the pitch for the last 18 months, who are these "best players [who] may well not stick around for a second season" ?

 

And do the likes of Reading, Southampton, Norwich actually have genuine "Prem squads" that we should be worried about ?

 

The clock ticking on the parachute payments is the most important thing. There's not much margin for error. But it doesn't necessarily mean promotion this season.

 

And anyway what does our 'plan' say about how we DON'T put another £7m a year on the already ginormous debt back in the Prem, should we get there ?

I think the "best players" thing is subjective and perhaps I worded it clumsily; however, if we don't go up this season there will I'm sure be some playing staff that feel they can get a contract in the Premiership or have a better chance of getting there with another club. I hope that makes sense. Who can say now which of our players will be attractive to others come the summer, but some will be for sure...and not being at BWFC will be alot more attractive following a season of non-Promotion. I'm sure there are players that were happy to stay because they "expected" to bounce back immediately - we know that they did think we'd walk it from soundbites and interviews...a 2nd season is entirely a different prospect.

 

It's all speculation of course, but I'd say not complete guesswork

 

Looking now for example (and much can change); if Eagles continues playing out of his skin, no doubt a club would gamble on him...maybe the same for M Davies; CYL; Petrov even; we wont have Spearing....it's all ifs and buts but is alot more likely than this season....

Davies needs to get his hands in his pockets in January, the tight fisted cunt.

 

Drogba, Eto'o and Ribery in.

have we got a new manager yet?

Well bwin have paid me out, so they must think so

Blimey. To say we're shocked at this end is an understatement. Genuinely thought it was just a play to get himself an improved contract, but it seems it was about the money after all. Ah well, another hope crushed! It really is only us fans that have any loyalty!

 

As to Freedman, have you actually signed him yet? I was quite pleased with our board not playing along with the rules and pushing him out the door once it was clear he didn't want to stay, but how come it hasn't been announced your end? Don't listen to any Palace fans who try and rubbish him. He is a good manager, you just need to give him a bit of time. We were dire from January onwards last season, and the first three games of this season, but we really are an exciting team at the moment and he should have more resources to work with at Bolton. Still, expect anyone who's fitness (or attitude) is in any way questionable to be shipped out, regardless of ability. A good thing I think, but some fans moan when their favourite show-pony is dropped.

 

As for us, we are clinging to rumours of Coppell wanting a return to management. Would be weird to come out of all of this feeling we were better off, but I can't see it myself. Still, he favourite, and the bookies were right with you lot...

Blimey. To say we're shocked at this end is an understatement. Genuinely thought it was just a play to get himself an improved contract, but it seems it was about the money after all. Ah well, another hope crushed! It really is only us fans that have any loyalty!

 

 

I'm not sure about that. We may well have a better all round set up and have greater amibiton than your club.

well, yes

 

he even added 'he should have more resources to work with at Bolton'

 

even their owner admitted he would receive more backing at bolton

Blimey. To say we're shocked at this end is an understatement. Genuinely thought it was just a play to get himself an improved contract, but it seems it was about the money after all. Ah well, another hope crushed! It really is only us fans that have any loyalty!

 

As to Freedman, have you actually signed him yet? I was quite pleased with our board not playing along with the rules and pushing him out the door once it was clear he didn't want to stay, but how come it hasn't been announced your end? Don't listen to any Palace fans who try and rubbish him. He is a good manager, you just need to give him a bit of time. We were dire from January onwards last season, and the first three games of this season, but we really are an exciting team at the moment and he should have more resources to work with at Bolton. Still, expect anyone who's fitness (or attitude) is in any way questionable to be shipped out, regardless of ability. A good thing I think, but some fans moan when their favourite show-pony is dropped.

 

As for us, we are clinging to rumours of Coppell wanting a return to management. Would be weird to come out of all of this feeling we were better off, but I can't see it myself. Still, he favourite, and the bookies were right with you lot...

 

I think there were less than 5 % of our supporters actually wanted Dougie Freedman.He may well be a legend to Palace fans, but to us he's not.

Heard an interview with the Palace owner on Talkshite were he conceded that he was doing his best (and presumably doing a good job too) at just keeping the club afloat, never mind actually getting promoted.

 

Of course, DF will have received a considerable pay rise, but his new employers are desperate to get into the Barclays Premier League rather than just staying in business.

 

You could argue that DF has actually shown ambition and, yes, here it comes ... hunger. He could've stayed at Palace working under no pressure and simply existing in the Npower Championship or he could climb out of that comfort zone and take up a job where he's under pressure to get promotion if not this season then certainly next.

I'm not sure about that. We may well have a better all round set up and have greater amibiton than your club.

You may well do (I have no idea). But you are also giving him what it would have taken 12 years to earn at Palace. Given that your parachute payments exceed our turnover, you're able to. Put it this way, if I was naive for thinking he might stay despite the money on offer, you are equally naive for thinking he has come for any other reason. But to be honest, so would most people. He's not a Palace fan, so I find it hard to blame him too much.

 

A few people have mentioned us having the worst defence in the league. This is true, but last year we had the best defence. Now we lost a few players over the summer, and our defensive coach went back to Oz to take a managerial role, but Dougie is a big big fan of the Italian style of football. He prefers to let in no goals and try and nick one on the break. That is what we tried pretty much all last year, and seems to be his preferred way of playing. When we started the season like that this year, there was apparently an argument in the car park at Bristol City where one of our owners criticised the style of football. Probably Parish, since he also wrote on twitter something along the lines of "I'm not the one who picks two defensive midfielders and one up top every game, I just write the cheques". Some suggestion that being forced to be more attacking as we have since (leaking goals at the back, but thankfully scoring more at the other end!) is really against Dougie's way, and it was this interference that may have contributed to his wanting to leave. Anyway, I think he's capable of sorting you out at the back, so I wouldn't worry!

You may well do (I have no idea). But you are also giving him what it would have taken 12 years to earn at Palace. Given that your parachute payments exceed our turnover, you're able to. Put it this way, if I was naive for thinking he might stay despite the money on offer, you are equally naive for thinking he has come for any other reason. But to be honest, so would most people. He's not a Palace fan, so I find it hard to blame him too much.

 

A few people have mentioned us having the worst defence in the league. This is true, but last year we had the best defence. Now we lost a few players over the summer, and our defensive coach went back to Oz to take a managerial role, but Dougie is a big big fan of the Italian style of football. He prefers to let in no goals and try and nick one on the break. That is what we tried pretty much all last year, and seems to be his preferred way of playing. When we started the season like that this year, there was apparently an argument in the car park at Bristol City where one of our owners criticised the style of football. Probably Parish, since he also wrote on twitter something along the lines of "I'm not the one who picks two defensive midfielders and one up top every game, I just write the cheques". Some suggestion that being forced to be more attacking as we have since (leaking goals at the back, but thankfully scoring more at the other end!) is really against Dougie's way, and it was this interference that may have contributed to his wanting to leave. Anyway, I think he's capable of sorting you out at the back, so I wouldn't worry!

 

I don't think it naive of me to think he hasn't come just for the money.

As others have stated, Palace are struggling financially, I'd not call it jumping ship, more thinking of his own future & career.

Granted the extra wage will be nice too.

Heard an interview with the Palace owner on Talkshite were he conceded that he was doing his best (and presumably doing a good job too) at just keeping the club afloat, never mind actually getting promoted.

 

Of course, DF will have received a considerable pay rise, but his new employers are desperate to get into the Barclays Premier League rather than just staying in business.

 

You could argue that DF has actually shown ambition and, yes, here it comes ... hunger. He could've stayed at Palace working under no pressure and simply existing in the Npower Championship or he could climb out of that comfort zone and take up a job where he's under pressure to get promotion if not this season then certainly next.

That's true, we run at about a £5million pound a year loss at the moment. Four very wealthy owners, but they want the club to be as self-sufficient as possible. Much of our money is pumped into our academy, as frankly it is absolute top class and generates both first team players and profit when they are sold again. Still, Freedman had a much bigger transfer budget than last year so it's not like he was on a shoestring. But we can't compete with any of the clubs with parachute payments. No championship club without them can. The danger for you of course is if you don't go up before they run out, you run the risk of it really going pear shaped (as has happened to a good few clubs in recent years).

I don't think it naive of me to think he hasn't come just for the money.

As others have stated, Palace are struggling financially, I'd not call it jumping ship, more thinking of his own future & career.

Granted the extra wage will be nice too.

We aren't struggling financially at all. For the first time in years we are safe (and it's a real relief). We have four wealthy owners, all fans, who are bankrolling us. We are debt free, and own our own ground again (a massive deal when you haven't for years). We are at no risk, and have a decent Championship transfer budget. We simply can't compete with the Premiership money. That doesn't make us struggling (quite the opposite), but yes, I agree having that kind of money to play with will be attractive to any manager.

 

Still, you're mental if you think it's not about the money!

That's true, we run at about a £5million pound a year loss at the moment. Four very wealthy owners, but they want the club to be as self-sufficient as possible. Much of our money is pumped into our academy, as frankly it is absolute top class and generates both first team players and profit when they are sold again. Still, Freedman had a much bigger transfer budget than last year so it's not like he was on a shoestring. But we can't compete with any of the clubs with parachute payments. No championship club without them can. The danger for you of course is if you don't go up before they run out, you run the risk of it really going pear shaped (as has happened to a good few clubs in recent years).

 

And that's where my worries are ........... we're a little bit short of being debt-free (yeah, owed to the owner, I know)..

Edited October 24, 201213 yr by Rembrandt

We aren't struggling financially at all. For the first time in years we are safe (and it's a real relief). We have four wealthy owners, all fans, who are bankrolling us. We are debt free, and own our own ground again (a massive deal when you haven't for years). We are at no risk, and have a decent Championship transfer budget. We simply can't compete with the Premiership money. That doesn't make us struggling (quite the opposite), but yes, I agree having that kind of money to play with will be attractive to any manager.

 

Still, you're mental if you think it's not about the money!

 

At no point did I say that. I said it may well not be all about the money.

You're just being bitter now.

At no point did I say that. I said it may well not be all about the money.

You're just being bitter now.

Apologies. It's painful you know. Surely you remember from when it's happened to you!

That's true, we run at about a £5million pound a year loss at the moment. Four very wealthy owners, but they want the club to be as self-sufficient as possible. Much of our money is pumped into our academy, as frankly it is absolute top class and generates both first team players and profit when they are sold again. Still, Freedman had a much bigger transfer budget than last year so it's not like he was on a shoestring. But we can't compete with any of the clubs with parachute payments. No championship club without them can. The danger for you of course is if you don't go up before they run out, you run the risk of it really going pear shaped (as has happened to a good few clubs in recent years).

 

No arguments from me on that.

 

DF has without doubt taken up a position where he's under a hell of a lot more pressure. Obviously I hope he succeeds.

 

Apologies. It's painful you know. Surely you remember from when it's happened to you!

 

I think our last manager who was poached was Bruce Rioch when he went to arsenal.

 

The rest either quit or were sacked for being shit.

I think our last manager who was poached was Bruce Rioch when he went to arsenal.

 

The rest either quit or were sacked for being shit.

 

Are you saying Fat Head wasn't poached by Newcastle?

I think our last manager who was poached was Bruce Rioch when he went to arsenal.

 

The rest either quit or were sacked for being shit.

 

There's one positive for us there. I reckon we'll get far more interest in a team that is firing on all cylinders than we would if we were advertising for a manager because we'd just sacked one for being rubbish!

 

Our owners have been talking about it on our messageboard. Not sure if the workings behind the scenes interest you, but it seems to have been as much a surprise to them as it was to us. These are the quotes

 

I can tell you absolutely, and Dougie and Lennie I am sure would confirm there was no pressure at all to sell anyone in January, quite the opposite in fact.

 

This calander year I think we've put in about 5million, Im quite happy for you to ask my bank manager this!

 

We did offer Dougie and improved contract and we most certainly wanted him to stay

 

 

Ends

 

Seriously even I'm questioning it, I'm going over everything we've done to see if we could have created a better outcome. I dont blame you all for thinking theres something sinister but I don't think there is. If there's blame to be laid at my/our door then its probably around not seeing that this was in any way likely, that's a situation we need to review, many years in business clearly doesnt prepare you for this game totally because things go on that dont occor in any other business. Anyone at last weeks VP dinner really couldnt have seen this coming from what was said.

 

In the end its done, we need to put it behind us and make the best of the situation, great opportunity for someone loads of applicants , much better quality and amount than before but then we are Palace!!

 

Despite him leaving, I'd still like him to be a success. Not every Palace fan will feel that way mind!

I'm fuming about this Possible appointment there remains more questions than answers why is Curtis involved again? Sounds dodgy to me another fat cheque for him, does he contribute to gartsides pension? What criteria has been used in selecting Freeman? He has no experience or track record of success anywhere at any level. What's going to happen to our quality coaching staff when he grafts his coaching team onto our coaching staff, this is the mother of all fuck ups and Gartside is negligent yet again it's scandalous.

 

You should ask the people that have the answers not listen to fucking morons on twitter

There's one positive for us there. I reckon we'll get far more interest in a team that is firing on all cylinders than we would if we were advertising for a manager because we'd just sacked one for being rubbish!

 

Our owners have been talking about it on our messageboard. Not sure if the workings behind the scenes interest you, but it seems to have been as much a surprise to them as it was to us. These are the quotes

 

 

 

 

 

Despite him leaving, I'd still like him to be a success. Not every Palace fan will feel that way mind!

 

Can you, by way of the messageboard, ask your owner if they are aware that Mark Curtis is in any way involved please.

Whilst salary may be a factor I disagree that it is his only motivator. He has said that he has ambitions of managing in the Premier League and maybe feels he is more likely to achieve that with us than with Palace.

Unfortunately sentimentality tends to gloss over practical thinking. Maybe we had the same with Owen.

Can you, by way of the messageboard, ask your owner if they are aware that Mark Curtis is in any way involved please.

Happy to, but I am guessing since the whole thing came out of the blue to them that they won't know one way or the other.

I'm fuming about this Possible appointment there remains more questions than answers why is Curtis involved again? Sounds dodgy to me another fat cheque for him, does he contribute to gartsides pension? What criteria has been used in selecting Freeman? He has no experience or track record of success anywhere at any level. What's going to happen to our quality coaching staff when he grafts his coaching team onto our coaching staff, this is the mother of all fuck ups and Gartside is negligent yet again it's scandalous.

 

... but apart from that DF has your full support?