Rebuilding the Palace: to former glory and beyond
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January 2013
Premiership – Matchday 21
Palace 1-0 Bolton
Verkhovtsov (89)
Palace played well and defended in style not letting Bolton get one shot on target. Yet again the Eagles left it let to secure the win, scoring from a corner which Verkhovtsov heading home proving again how important his presence at set pieces are.
FA Cup 3rd Rnd
Ipswich 1-2 Palace
Church (9) – Dembele (48), Leandro (56)
Palace march on to the 4th Rnd with a narrow win despite dominating the game, controlling possession with 63% and rarely allowing Ipswich to get a shot away. Tomasz Jodlowiec was shown red after 71 minutes of play. Dembele got his 50th goal for the Eagles capping off a solid win.
Premiership – Matchday 22
Newcastle 2-4 Palace
Macheda (pen 53), Ben Arfa (58) – Hlousek (10, 41), Dembele (32), Leandro (90+2)
The Eagles now make it six games unbeaten with five games won in a row. Palace jump to 4th in the league, could we be seeing Palace making a push for a Champions League spot?
Premiership – Matchday 23
Palace 5-2 Aston Villa
Delfouneso (10, 27, 44, 65), Hlousek (87) – Agbonlahor (5), Bent (50)
An end to end game the any neutral would have enjoyed. Delfouneso scored his 20th goal of the season as lived up to all the recent hype surrounding him, the young striker scored four against his former club. There were sour notes for the Eagles however, Dembele fractured his skull and will miss 3months, also Verratti suffered a hernia leading the key playmaker to miss 5 weeks.
Premiership – Matchday 24
Liverpool 2-3 Palace
Gerrard (3), Suarez (73) – Delfouneso (42, 55), Burdisso (90+3)
Again it was Delfouneso who will be taking the plaudits with two outstanding goals, first scoring a well taken chip and then topping that was a 30 yard volley chipping Reina in style. Burdisso headed home in injury time to see Palace move to 3rd in the Table.
Transfer News
Palace have signed two new players during the window for a combined fine of £860k. 1st joining was Bruce Radebe (regen), Radebe is an 18 year old South African attacking midfielder with a lot of potential, he has played 4 times at under 20 level scoring 3 goals. Radebe was signed from Kazier Chiefs for £60k. Next signing was Fraizer Campbell from Sunderland for £800k as the Black Cats find themselves in financial troubles. Campbell now 25 years old found himself playing very little only scoring 8 goals in 50 league games.
Premiership – Matchday 25
Palace 0-3 Man City
Tevez (20, 25), Dzeko (60)
Casey will look at this result in bemusement as his side outplayed City but failed to put away their chances. City’s strikeforce however did not have this problem shoeing great composer in front of goal scoring any half chance they had. Campbell made his debut for Palace but Buonanotte came off injury as he suffered broken ribs and will miss 4 weeks of action.
League Table
Premiership – Matchday 21
Palace 1-0 Bolton
Verkhovtsov (89)
Palace played well and defended in style not letting Bolton get one shot on target. Yet again the Eagles left it let to secure the win, scoring from a corner which Verkhovtsov heading home proving again how important his presence at set pieces are.
FA Cup 3rd Rnd
Ipswich 1-2 Palace
Church (9) – Dembele (48), Leandro (56)
Palace march on to the 4th Rnd with a narrow win despite dominating the game, controlling possession with 63% and rarely allowing Ipswich to get a shot away. Tomasz Jodlowiec was shown red after 71 minutes of play. Dembele got his 50th goal for the Eagles capping off a solid win.
Premiership – Matchday 22
Newcastle 2-4 Palace
Macheda (pen 53), Ben Arfa (58) – Hlousek (10, 41), Dembele (32), Leandro (90+2)
The Eagles now make it six games unbeaten with five games won in a row. Palace jump to 4th in the league, could we be seeing Palace making a push for a Champions League spot?
Premiership – Matchday 23
Palace 5-2 Aston Villa
Delfouneso (10, 27, 44, 65), Hlousek (87) – Agbonlahor (5), Bent (50)
An end to end game the any neutral would have enjoyed. Delfouneso scored his 20th goal of the season as lived up to all the recent hype surrounding him, the young striker scored four against his former club. There were sour notes for the Eagles however, Dembele fractured his skull and will miss 3months, also Verratti suffered a hernia leading the key playmaker to miss 5 weeks.
Premiership – Matchday 24
Liverpool 2-3 Palace
Gerrard (3), Suarez (73) – Delfouneso (42, 55), Burdisso (90+3)
Again it was Delfouneso who will be taking the plaudits with two outstanding goals, first scoring a well taken chip and then topping that was a 30 yard volley chipping Reina in style. Burdisso headed home in injury time to see Palace move to 3rd in the Table.
Transfer News
Palace have signed two new players during the window for a combined fine of £860k. 1st joining was Bruce Radebe (regen), Radebe is an 18 year old South African attacking midfielder with a lot of potential, he has played 4 times at under 20 level scoring 3 goals. Radebe was signed from Kazier Chiefs for £60k. Next signing was Fraizer Campbell from Sunderland for £800k as the Black Cats find themselves in financial troubles. Campbell now 25 years old found himself playing very little only scoring 8 goals in 50 league games.
Premiership – Matchday 25
Palace 0-3 Man City
Tevez (20, 25), Dzeko (60)
Casey will look at this result in bemusement as his side outplayed City but failed to put away their chances. City’s strikeforce however did not have this problem shoeing great composer in front of goal scoring any half chance they had. Campbell made his debut for Palace but Buonanotte came off injury as he suffered broken ribs and will miss 4 weeks of action.
League Table
February 2013
FA Cup 4th Rnd
Nottm Forest 1-1 Palace
Blackstock (57) – Gunnarsson (26)
Palace were poor today as Championship side Forest force a replay. Both side were poor which made for a boring match, hopefully the replay will have more life in it.
Premiership – Matchday 26
West Ham 0-2 Palace
Reale O.G. (2), Bentley (18)
The Eagles turned on the style today with a convincing 2-0 win at Upton Park. David Bentley got his first goal for the club yet the former England international has been unimpressive since joining on a free and could see himself on his way out during the summer.
Premiership – Matchday 27
Palace 4-1 Wolves
Campbell (3, 26), Delfouneso (36), Leandro (55) – Flecther (11)
Campbell scored his first goal for the Eagles and quickly followed with his second, although the 25 year old came off with a fractured arm and will miss 4 weeks. Delfouneso scored his 25th league goal as Palace regain 3rd place. Hlousek will miss 3 weeks due to a twisted ankle.
Premiership – Matchday 28
Arsenal 3-0 Palace
Nasri (33), Van Wolfswinkel (51), Wilshere (78)
Arsenal yet again tore the Eagle’s defence to pieces as they outclassed Palace in every department, despite they Eagles flying high this still shows they have a long way to go.
FA Cup 4th Rnd Rep
Palace 4-2 Nottm Forest
Delfouneso (7, 69, 76), Medunjanin (61) – Blackstock (36), Austin (47)
A lot more action compared to the first meeting between the sides, Palace this time showing their quality as they progress to the 5th Rnd. Kyle Bartley suffered a damaged achiles tendon and will miss 3 months of football.
FA Cup 5th Rnd
Palace 1-0 West Ham
Buonanotte (87)
Palace again relayed on a late goal, this Diego Buonanotte with the goal to see the Eagles into the quarter finals. Matt James made his debut for Palace coming off the bench. Nelson Rivas torn his hamstring and will miss 3 months as Palace’s injury problems worsen.
League Table
FA Cup 4th Rnd
Nottm Forest 1-1 Palace
Blackstock (57) – Gunnarsson (26)
Palace were poor today as Championship side Forest force a replay. Both side were poor which made for a boring match, hopefully the replay will have more life in it.
Premiership – Matchday 26
West Ham 0-2 Palace
Reale O.G. (2), Bentley (18)
The Eagles turned on the style today with a convincing 2-0 win at Upton Park. David Bentley got his first goal for the club yet the former England international has been unimpressive since joining on a free and could see himself on his way out during the summer.
Premiership – Matchday 27
Palace 4-1 Wolves
Campbell (3, 26), Delfouneso (36), Leandro (55) – Flecther (11)
Campbell scored his first goal for the Eagles and quickly followed with his second, although the 25 year old came off with a fractured arm and will miss 4 weeks. Delfouneso scored his 25th league goal as Palace regain 3rd place. Hlousek will miss 3 weeks due to a twisted ankle.
Premiership – Matchday 28
Arsenal 3-0 Palace
Nasri (33), Van Wolfswinkel (51), Wilshere (78)
Arsenal yet again tore the Eagle’s defence to pieces as they outclassed Palace in every department, despite they Eagles flying high this still shows they have a long way to go.
FA Cup 4th Rnd Rep
Palace 4-2 Nottm Forest
Delfouneso (7, 69, 76), Medunjanin (61) – Blackstock (36), Austin (47)
A lot more action compared to the first meeting between the sides, Palace this time showing their quality as they progress to the 5th Rnd. Kyle Bartley suffered a damaged achiles tendon and will miss 3 months of football.
FA Cup 5th Rnd
Palace 1-0 West Ham
Buonanotte (87)
Palace again relayed on a late goal, this Diego Buonanotte with the goal to see the Eagles into the quarter finals. Matt James made his debut for Palace coming off the bench. Nelson Rivas torn his hamstring and will miss 3 months as Palace’s injury problems worsen.
League Table
March 2013
Premiership – Matchday 29
Palace 0-1 Chelsea
Eriksen (68)
Again a close game against Chelsea but the Eagles couldn’t hold on to come away with even a point. The only goal was a scrappy one with Christian picking up a loose ball that he blasted by Smithies to break Palace fans hearts.
Premiership – Matchday 30
Wigan 0-3 Palace
Leandro (4, 39), Verratti (21)
Leandro has brought his total to double digits after Palace’s 3-0 win at the DW stadium. Marco Verratti also got his 1st of the season with a well-placed header, not his usual source of goals but a goal is a goal.
FA Cup 6th Rnd
Palace 2-0 Birmingham
Verkhovtsov (70), Ninis (88)
Despite going down to ten men after 57 minutes of played when Haris Medunjanin was given his marching orders for a second yellow, Palace fought hard and see themselves through to the FA Cup semi-final. Sotiris Ninis getting his 1st goal for Palace.
Premiership – Matchday 31
Birmingham 0-1 Palace
Campbell (21)
Just days after meeting in the FA Cup 6th Round Casey’s side went on to beat the Blues again. This time Birmingham had a player shown red, Roger Johnson on the 88th minute for a second yellow. Leandro came off with a hernia and will miss 5 weeks.
Premiership – Matchday 32
Palace 5-2 Everton
Campbell (6, 38), Burdisso (23), Hlousek (44), Buonanotte (62) – Cahill (27), Yakubu (pen 59)
Everton struggled after Jagielka was sent off for a professional foul after just 33 minutes. Verratti picked up another injury, this time a thigh strain and he will be out for 2 weeks. Frazier Campbell keeps up his impressive scoring form since joining from Sunderland as he look a real bargain of a buy.
League Table
Premiership – Matchday 29
Palace 0-1 Chelsea
Eriksen (68)
Again a close game against Chelsea but the Eagles couldn’t hold on to come away with even a point. The only goal was a scrappy one with Christian picking up a loose ball that he blasted by Smithies to break Palace fans hearts.
Premiership – Matchday 30
Wigan 0-3 Palace
Leandro (4, 39), Verratti (21)
Leandro has brought his total to double digits after Palace’s 3-0 win at the DW stadium. Marco Verratti also got his 1st of the season with a well-placed header, not his usual source of goals but a goal is a goal.
FA Cup 6th Rnd
Palace 2-0 Birmingham
Verkhovtsov (70), Ninis (88)
Despite going down to ten men after 57 minutes of played when Haris Medunjanin was given his marching orders for a second yellow, Palace fought hard and see themselves through to the FA Cup semi-final. Sotiris Ninis getting his 1st goal for Palace.
Premiership – Matchday 31
Birmingham 0-1 Palace
Campbell (21)
Just days after meeting in the FA Cup 6th Round Casey’s side went on to beat the Blues again. This time Birmingham had a player shown red, Roger Johnson on the 88th minute for a second yellow. Leandro came off with a hernia and will miss 5 weeks.
Premiership – Matchday 32
Palace 5-2 Everton
Campbell (6, 38), Burdisso (23), Hlousek (44), Buonanotte (62) – Cahill (27), Yakubu (pen 59)
Everton struggled after Jagielka was sent off for a professional foul after just 33 minutes. Verratti picked up another injury, this time a thigh strain and he will be out for 2 weeks. Frazier Campbell keeps up his impressive scoring form since joining from Sunderland as he look a real bargain of a buy.
League Table
April 2013
Premiership – Matchday 33
Palace 3-2 Sundeland
Campbell (8), Delfouneso (41), Hlousek (65) – Lewandowski (80, 82)
Delfouneso ended his 10 hour goal drought, Drenthe joined the injury list with a broken ankle and will be out for 3 months. Frazier Campbell scored against his previous club first time of asking.
Premiership – Matchday 34
Man United 0-0 Palace
Casey side he was bewildered how United have maintained an unbeaten record as he again unimpressed by the league leaders. Nathan Delfouneso was shown a second yellow and sent off on the 85th minute, really the only thing that happened during the game.
FA Cup Semi Final
Palace 1-3 Tottenham
Verratti (81) – Bale (42), Huddlestone (90+1), Kalinic (90+4)
The Eagles always faced a tough task with Delfouneso suspended, Campbell cup tied and Leandro injured, however they did have the return of Marco Verratti. 1-0 down, to make things worse after the 3 allowed substitutions made, Michael Owen came off with a broken ankle and will be out for 3 months. Despite this the 10 men equalized but soon after Verkhovtsov was forced off with a groin strain on the 86th minute and then on the 89th minute Turan was forced off also with a groin strain leaving Palace with 8 men on the field and the game as good as over.
Premiership – Matchday 35
Palace 3-0 Leeds
Brown (21), Delfouneso (37), Campbell
Wes Brown got his 1st goal for the club in a rare start for the ex-Red Devil. Nathan Delfouneso scored his 3oth goal of the season. But the most important thing was the 3 points that secured a 4th place finished and the highly chased last Champions League spot.
League Table
May 2013
Premiership – Matchday 36
Stoke 1-4 Palace
Jones (34) – Campbell (36, 56), Delfouneso (44), Gunnarsson (67)
Palace showed Stoke how to play football at the Britannia Stadium. England Harry Redknapp manager was spotted at the game, he was said to be watching Smithies, Delfouneso, Campbell and Simpson for his next squad who will face Brazil in a friendly in June.
Premiership – Matchday 37
Palace 1-1 Blackpool
Dembele (68) – Evatt (61)
By some miracle Blackpool held on today as they fight against relegation. Palace fired over 30 shots with 15 on target, Blackpool will be thanking their keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu for earning them what could be a vital point pretty much by himself.
Premiership – Matchday 38
Palace 2-0 Tottenham
Campbell (8), Hlousek (17)
Maybe the Eagles best all round performance of the season playing top notch football. Frazier Campbell scored against another former club. Palace were treated in the last game of the season and know have European football to dream about during the summer.
League Table
End of Season Report
Nathan Delfouneso finished 2nd in Football of the Year coming runner up to Wayne Rooney, Nathan also came 2nd to Rooney for the Top goalscorer, Rooney with 34 goals a new record and Delfouneso finishing with 28 goals. Hlousek finished 2nd behind Bale for Players’ Young Player of the Season. Palace Boss won the Manager of the Year Award for the second year running despite Sir Alex Ferguson leading United to an unbeaten season, later Ferguson announced his retirement from management, soon after Casey was approach by the Red Devil’s board to take charge but Casey called a press conference soon after to announce he had no intention of leaving Palace. Casey then went on to say he is outraged that neither Delfouneso or Campbell had been called up to the England squad, saying the he must be deluded to pick Defoe and Crouch over his strikers. Defoe finished the league campaign with 2 goals and Crouch with 7. In other news Man City won the League Cup, Spurs won the FA Cup, Real Madrid won the Champions League and Lyon won the Europa League.
Top Scorers
Nathan Delfouneso – 38(5) - 31
Garra Dembele – 24(5) - 14
Adam Hlousek – 40(1) - 11
Leandro Damiao – 19(15) - 11
Frazier Campbell – 10(2) - 10
Top Assisters
Nathan Delfouneso – 38(5) - 19
Adam Hlousek – 40(1) - 11
Marco Verratti – 21(8) - 10
Haris Medunjanin – 34(7) - 9
Dzmitry Verkhovtsov – 44 - 8
Premiership – Matchday 33
Palace 3-2 Sundeland
Campbell (8), Delfouneso (41), Hlousek (65) – Lewandowski (80, 82)
Delfouneso ended his 10 hour goal drought, Drenthe joined the injury list with a broken ankle and will be out for 3 months. Frazier Campbell scored against his previous club first time of asking.
Premiership – Matchday 34
Man United 0-0 Palace
Casey side he was bewildered how United have maintained an unbeaten record as he again unimpressed by the league leaders. Nathan Delfouneso was shown a second yellow and sent off on the 85th minute, really the only thing that happened during the game.
FA Cup Semi Final
Palace 1-3 Tottenham
Verratti (81) – Bale (42), Huddlestone (90+1), Kalinic (90+4)
The Eagles always faced a tough task with Delfouneso suspended, Campbell cup tied and Leandro injured, however they did have the return of Marco Verratti. 1-0 down, to make things worse after the 3 allowed substitutions made, Michael Owen came off with a broken ankle and will be out for 3 months. Despite this the 10 men equalized but soon after Verkhovtsov was forced off with a groin strain on the 86th minute and then on the 89th minute Turan was forced off also with a groin strain leaving Palace with 8 men on the field and the game as good as over.
Premiership – Matchday 35
Palace 3-0 Leeds
Brown (21), Delfouneso (37), Campbell
Wes Brown got his 1st goal for the club in a rare start for the ex-Red Devil. Nathan Delfouneso scored his 3oth goal of the season. But the most important thing was the 3 points that secured a 4th place finished and the highly chased last Champions League spot.
League Table
May 2013
Premiership – Matchday 36
Stoke 1-4 Palace
Jones (34) – Campbell (36, 56), Delfouneso (44), Gunnarsson (67)
Palace showed Stoke how to play football at the Britannia Stadium. England Harry Redknapp manager was spotted at the game, he was said to be watching Smithies, Delfouneso, Campbell and Simpson for his next squad who will face Brazil in a friendly in June.
Premiership – Matchday 37
Palace 1-1 Blackpool
Dembele (68) – Evatt (61)
By some miracle Blackpool held on today as they fight against relegation. Palace fired over 30 shots with 15 on target, Blackpool will be thanking their keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu for earning them what could be a vital point pretty much by himself.
Premiership – Matchday 38
Palace 2-0 Tottenham
Campbell (8), Hlousek (17)
Maybe the Eagles best all round performance of the season playing top notch football. Frazier Campbell scored against another former club. Palace were treated in the last game of the season and know have European football to dream about during the summer.
League Table
End of Season Report
Nathan Delfouneso finished 2nd in Football of the Year coming runner up to Wayne Rooney, Nathan also came 2nd to Rooney for the Top goalscorer, Rooney with 34 goals a new record and Delfouneso finishing with 28 goals. Hlousek finished 2nd behind Bale for Players’ Young Player of the Season. Palace Boss won the Manager of the Year Award for the second year running despite Sir Alex Ferguson leading United to an unbeaten season, later Ferguson announced his retirement from management, soon after Casey was approach by the Red Devil’s board to take charge but Casey called a press conference soon after to announce he had no intention of leaving Palace. Casey then went on to say he is outraged that neither Delfouneso or Campbell had been called up to the England squad, saying the he must be deluded to pick Defoe and Crouch over his strikers. Defoe finished the league campaign with 2 goals and Crouch with 7. In other news Man City won the League Cup, Spurs won the FA Cup, Real Madrid won the Champions League and Lyon won the Europa League.
Top Scorers
Nathan Delfouneso – 38(5) - 31
Garra Dembele – 24(5) - 14
Adam Hlousek – 40(1) - 11
Leandro Damiao – 19(15) - 11
Frazier Campbell – 10(2) - 10
Top Assisters
Nathan Delfouneso – 38(5) - 19
Adam Hlousek – 40(1) - 11
Marco Verratti – 21(8) - 10
Haris Medunjanin – 34(7) - 9
Dzmitry Verkhovtsov – 44 - 8
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i thought that, that looks so much like Julien Faubert... but great story so far bud, Kezman would be a amazing signing, he was amazing with PSV but then he dissapeared lol, but Wickham seems good, keep it up
---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------
sorry, made that comment when i was on the first page, just read the whole story - fantastic.
you've inspired me to re-start my Wolves story, can you tell me what update you used please mate?
CiaranSafc
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Great Great Great story
Pre-Season and Transfers 2013/2014
A very promising pre-season for the Eagles with 7 wins from 7. Three of the victories stand out, firstly the 5-1 away win against a up and coming Ranger’s side who have the likes of Fleck, McEachran and Shelvey in their squad. Next came a 2-0 victory against Serie A champions Roma, Delfouneso on fire as he gets ready to lead his side into Europe this season, and lastly topping that was an epic 5-1 thrashing at home to AC Milan which lead to Palace Boss Casey saying he feels his side will be challenging for a few trophies this season including the league.
CP Baltimore (away) 7-0
Northampton (away) 1-0
Queen of Sth (away) 9-1
Rangers (away) 5-1
Hearts (away) 6-0
Roma (home) 2-0
AC Milan (home) 5-1
The Eagles saw a few big names leave this summer, Michael Owen and Julian Speroni just to name two who left on frees. Ahmed Soukouna who had failed to impress in the premiership left to join Xerez for £1.2million, along with Ahmed two others left for Spain, both signing for Tenerife, David Bentley for £2.8million and Wes Brown for £425k. A player who was key in Palace’s successful 1st season back in the premiership but saw very little game time last season, Nigel Reo-Coker joined newly promoted Ipswich for £2.3million. Last to leave on a permanent move was Leandro Damiao, Liverpool active his minimum release fee of £7.5million and there was nothing the Eagles could do but wave goodbye to the Brazilian.
Again Casey opted to work mainly with free agents to strengthen his side with four joining on frees. Darron Gibson from Man United, Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, Ghanaian midfielder and experienced premiership midfielder Sulley Muntari and possiblely the bargain of the season Ivan Rakitic. Along with the above Casey added to English pospects Kyle Naughton from Newcastle for £3.5million and Miles Addison from Wolves for £3million.
Lastly Palace slashed out a bit, bringing in Daniel Kofi Agyei who had spent the 2011/2012 season at Selhurst and Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre for a new club record signing of £10million. With the squad strong a few players were sent out on loan to get playing time, Matt James to Portsmouth, Kyle Bartley to Bristol City, Axel Witsel to Hannover, Palmer to Scunthorpe and Adeyemi to Colchester.
Champions League Playoff draw
Crystal Palace have been drawn against Italian side Napoli in the Champions League Best Placed Playoff, Crystal Palace were always going to face a tough side due to being unseeded. The first leg will be played at Selhurst Park and the second at San Paolo in Naples. Napoli finished 3rd in Serie A last season but the Eagles will remain confident after their recent victories over Roma and AC Milan. The key men for Napoli will be the two strikers Cavani and Lavezzi, defender Granqvist and attacking midfielder Kagawa. Napoli also have some more familiar names to English fans with Ledley, Lansbury and Olsson in their squad.
A very promising pre-season for the Eagles with 7 wins from 7. Three of the victories stand out, firstly the 5-1 away win against a up and coming Ranger’s side who have the likes of Fleck, McEachran and Shelvey in their squad. Next came a 2-0 victory against Serie A champions Roma, Delfouneso on fire as he gets ready to lead his side into Europe this season, and lastly topping that was an epic 5-1 thrashing at home to AC Milan which lead to Palace Boss Casey saying he feels his side will be challenging for a few trophies this season including the league.
CP Baltimore (away) 7-0
Northampton (away) 1-0
Queen of Sth (away) 9-1
Rangers (away) 5-1
Hearts (away) 6-0
Roma (home) 2-0
AC Milan (home) 5-1
The Eagles saw a few big names leave this summer, Michael Owen and Julian Speroni just to name two who left on frees. Ahmed Soukouna who had failed to impress in the premiership left to join Xerez for £1.2million, along with Ahmed two others left for Spain, both signing for Tenerife, David Bentley for £2.8million and Wes Brown for £425k. A player who was key in Palace’s successful 1st season back in the premiership but saw very little game time last season, Nigel Reo-Coker joined newly promoted Ipswich for £2.3million. Last to leave on a permanent move was Leandro Damiao, Liverpool active his minimum release fee of £7.5million and there was nothing the Eagles could do but wave goodbye to the Brazilian.
Again Casey opted to work mainly with free agents to strengthen his side with four joining on frees. Darron Gibson from Man United, Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, Ghanaian midfielder and experienced premiership midfielder Sulley Muntari and possiblely the bargain of the season Ivan Rakitic. Along with the above Casey added to English pospects Kyle Naughton from Newcastle for £3.5million and Miles Addison from Wolves for £3million.
Lastly Palace slashed out a bit, bringing in Daniel Kofi Agyei who had spent the 2011/2012 season at Selhurst and Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre for a new club record signing of £10million. With the squad strong a few players were sent out on loan to get playing time, Matt James to Portsmouth, Kyle Bartley to Bristol City, Axel Witsel to Hannover, Palmer to Scunthorpe and Adeyemi to Colchester.
Champions League Playoff draw
Crystal Palace have been drawn against Italian side Napoli in the Champions League Best Placed Playoff, Crystal Palace were always going to face a tough side due to being unseeded. The first leg will be played at Selhurst Park and the second at San Paolo in Naples. Napoli finished 3rd in Serie A last season but the Eagles will remain confident after their recent victories over Roma and AC Milan. The key men for Napoli will be the two strikers Cavani and Lavezzi, defender Granqvist and attacking midfielder Kagawa. Napoli also have some more familiar names to English fans with Ledley, Lansbury and Olsson in their squad.
SwineFluGotYou
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Looks really good casey.