Round 28: Crystal Palace vs Bolton

So thats what a win and an away clean sheet feels like. Weird.

Tuesday was a night of many positives. A morale boosting win. Two goals from Marvin Sordell to show he seems to be on the right track now. A clean sheet suggesting that maybe Lonergan should be given a run to take the pressure of Bogdan. But most pleasing of all returns to action for Josh Vela and Stuart Holden.

We all know how big a deal Stu's return is. He is the driving force in our midfield, combining dogged determination and tackling with a real eye for a pass. We've only truly appreciated his value to the team once we didn't have him available.

Yet oddly it is the return of Josh Vela which excites me slightly more.

We know what Stu is capable of and know he'll pretty much walk straight back in to the team.

But Vela is still an unknown quantity. We've seen glimpses, and the glimpses have been, well, brilliant to be honest.

We constantly hear that we have alot of good young talent coming through our youth and reserve ranks, the likes of O'Halloran, Blakeman, Kellett, Eaves are all mentioned regularly. But Vela and fellow graduate Riley are the trail blazers for the latest crop of youngsters and so having them both fit again gives Dougie something to really think about. I don't know about anyone else but the prospect of seeing lads who have come through our academy make the step up is something which genuinely has me excited.

In other news the departure of Martin Petrov has been confirmed. Based on the BBC article there was no transfer fee involved and both parties agreed to simply terminate his contract to allow him to sign for Espanyol. Its always a shame to see one of our most naturally talented players leave, however at the age of 34 he probably doesn't have many seasons left and £25k a week is alot of money to free up. So good luck Martin you'll always be remembered fondly.

I've just realised that I'm being far too positive here, simply won't do.

Zat Knight you smell. Oh and Mears you have stupid hair.

Much better.

Dougie reckons there is a chance our match tomorrow may get called off. This would displease me as I've got my ticket sat in front of me right now. I'm not anticipating a large away following, with the travel distance and the Siberian weather I can't say I'd blame anybody for wanted to stay at home in the warm. However with the distance I have to travel to go to the Reebok I'm taking Largehat's advice and picking out the easier to do away games. So here's to an afternoon of freezing my backside off!

Team News

HOLDEN IS FIT!! YIPPEEE!!!

I'll get the rest of the news up when the BBC get themselves in gear.....

Which they have now done, so here is the rest of the news:

Crystal Palace hope winger Wilfried Zaha recovers from the hamstring injury that forced him off at half-time against Stoke in the FA Cup.

New loan signing Jacob Butterfield may start and striker Alex Nimely is also available after being cup-tied.

Bolton midfielder Keith Andrews (Achilles) and full-back Sam Ricketts (groin) will be given late checks.

New signing Craig Davies is available for his debut but midfielder Mark Davies (shoulder) remains sidelined.

Prediction

Tough one. Palace are a good side and will be going for the double. That said, play like we did against Sunderland for the majority of both games and we'll see why pundits tipped us for promotion pre-season (some even thought we'd win the title, egg on face much!).

I'm going to be hopeful and say 2-1 Wanderers win, Sordell to bag the opener. (Watch him not even play now!)