A preview of Crystal Palace's Premier League season including 'player to watch' and position prediction.
Crystal Palace It has hardly been the ideal preparation for their return to the Premier League after an 8 year absence, with manager Ian Holloway becoming
increasingly frustrated with the process of player recruitment. Back in the big time, Palace are being linked to a plethora of players on a daily basis. It is hard for fans to get too excited as it is obvious that many of the links are either a result of lazy journalism or agents desperate to get their prized assets in the shop window. In a recent interview following a link with Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, Holloway
admitted to not knowing who he was. One player who has been constantly linked is Arsenal's forgotten man, Marouane Chamakh (Editor's Note: A player who had a medical at Palace on Friday and looks close to a move). He would certainly improve the current Palace squad, but whether he is Premier League class remains to be seen. Of the players that have arrived since last season, Holloway has brought in a couple of familiar faces with the introduction of ex Blackpool boys Stephen Dobie and Elliot Grandin, while the capture of Spanish Under 20's captain Jose Campana could prove a master stroke. Further attacking options have been added with the arrival of Jerome Thomas on a free, and the club transfer record was broken when the Eagles splashed out an
initial £4.5 million on Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle. Having only had one season in the Championship it will be interesting to see whether he is capable of taking the Premier League by storm, but expect his youthful enthusiasm to upset a few defences this term. Last season, aside from Glenn Murray with 31 goals, the next best return was Wilfried Zaha with 8 and Kevin Phillips with 7. This is a worry ahead of the new campaign, with the need for midfielders to chip in with a few more goals to ease the additional pressure on the front men. Of the crop that won promotion, there are many who lack experience, but Holloway will be hoping that they can step up to the plate. Wales international Jonathan Williams will be looking to pick up from where he left off last season and provide much needed energy and creativty in the heart of the side. The loss of Zaha to Man Utd and top scorer Murray to injury could prove damaging to Palace's slim hopes of survival and although the evergreen Phillips adds experience to the group, it is doubtful whether he will be able to weigh in with all important goals. Holloway will have no problem motivating his troops, but I fear that this Palace team does not possess the same quality that his Blackpool side did, and it could be a long season ahead. Should 'Ollie' manage to keep Palace up, he will rightfully be considered a top manager rather than one of football's 'characters'. Player to watch - Dwight Gayle Premier League position - 20th