31-08-2000, 07:35 PM
Inflated transfer fees are hampering Alan Smith’s attempts to strengthen Palace’s squad.
Smith has been in talks with Southampton boss Glenn Hoddle over striker James Beattie, but has been unable to agree a fee.
Southampton have rejected a Palace bid of £2m and are believed to be pressing for £3m. Smith is reluctant to match that valuation, and now regards the deal as dead.
He has made no move to bid for highly-rated Arsenal midfielder Paulo Vernazza, who has recently been on the fringe of the Gunners’ first-team squad.
But Palace have agreed terms with Middlesbrough for left-back Craig Harrison and need only to strike a deal with the player to complete the transfer.
That could be done today (Friday), as Harrison is keen to stay. Since Simon Jordan bought the Eagles in early July, over £2m has been splashed on Tommy Black, Julian Gray, Neil Ruddock, Jamie Pollock and Harrison.
However Smith is very anxious not to squander the club’s money. "We have spoken to Southampton about Beattie, but they want an unrealistic figure for him," he said.
"I am not going to bid too much for players - I don’t want to waste the chairman’s money. With the purchases we have made, the fans can see we have been selective in who were are trying to bring in. That gives us credibility with the supporters and the players.
"These players have not been brought in to replace anyone, just to add to the squad."
Smith said there was no truth in reports linking the Eagles with Leicester striker Tony Cottee and Sheffield United’s Marcus Bent.
The Eagles will have to cope without Fan Zhiyi for virtually the whole of October. The versatile defender has been called up by China for the Asia Cup and could miss up to eight matches.
Palace’s resources will be tested fully in the next few days. On Sunday(1pm) they are at West Bromwich Albion for a Division One game without striker Mikael Forssell, who is away on international duty with Finland.
Also missing are Wayne Carlisle who is in the Northern Ireland under-21 squad in Malta .
Steve Hunt has been chosen for the Republic of Ireland under 21s against Netherlands and winger Steve Evans is with Wales in Belarus for an under-21 international.ately by the defeat against Nottingham Forest.
But Smith is increasingly optimistic about the prospects. "I think we are one of those teams who will win when we are firing. I know West Brom have two good front people and we have detailed reports on their side. But I don’t want to get worried about the opposition. I will warn the players about their strengths and weaknesses. However, if we play well then no one will live with us."
Still, the victory at Huddersfield and the second-half onslaught against Forest have suggested real potential. "I think we can be a very exciting team," said Smith. "It can be difficult to get consistency from young players, but myself and the staff have to keep things steady."
Smith has told Julian Gray to put his penalty miss against Forest behind him. "It is how people react to adversity that is important. A good player gets up and gets on with it. A bad player uses it as an excuse in his next game."
Palace are still waiting for Hayden Mullins’ response to their offer of a new four-year contract, but Smith believes agreement is close. "It is just one or two small points which need to be cleared up," he said.
Neil Ruddock had 12 stitches in a cut after going off injured against Nottingham Forest on Monday.
(Adder tomorrow)
Smith has been in talks with Southampton boss Glenn Hoddle over striker James Beattie, but has been unable to agree a fee.
Southampton have rejected a Palace bid of £2m and are believed to be pressing for £3m. Smith is reluctant to match that valuation, and now regards the deal as dead.
He has made no move to bid for highly-rated Arsenal midfielder Paulo Vernazza, who has recently been on the fringe of the Gunners’ first-team squad.
But Palace have agreed terms with Middlesbrough for left-back Craig Harrison and need only to strike a deal with the player to complete the transfer.
That could be done today (Friday), as Harrison is keen to stay. Since Simon Jordan bought the Eagles in early July, over £2m has been splashed on Tommy Black, Julian Gray, Neil Ruddock, Jamie Pollock and Harrison.
However Smith is very anxious not to squander the club’s money. "We have spoken to Southampton about Beattie, but they want an unrealistic figure for him," he said.
"I am not going to bid too much for players - I don’t want to waste the chairman’s money. With the purchases we have made, the fans can see we have been selective in who were are trying to bring in. That gives us credibility with the supporters and the players.
"These players have not been brought in to replace anyone, just to add to the squad."
Smith said there was no truth in reports linking the Eagles with Leicester striker Tony Cottee and Sheffield United’s Marcus Bent.
The Eagles will have to cope without Fan Zhiyi for virtually the whole of October. The versatile defender has been called up by China for the Asia Cup and could miss up to eight matches.
Palace’s resources will be tested fully in the next few days. On Sunday(1pm) they are at West Bromwich Albion for a Division One game without striker Mikael Forssell, who is away on international duty with Finland.
Also missing are Wayne Carlisle who is in the Northern Ireland under-21 squad in Malta .
Steve Hunt has been chosen for the Republic of Ireland under 21s against Netherlands and winger Steve Evans is with Wales in Belarus for an under-21 international.ately by the defeat against Nottingham Forest.
But Smith is increasingly optimistic about the prospects. "I think we are one of those teams who will win when we are firing. I know West Brom have two good front people and we have detailed reports on their side. But I don’t want to get worried about the opposition. I will warn the players about their strengths and weaknesses. However, if we play well then no one will live with us."
Still, the victory at Huddersfield and the second-half onslaught against Forest have suggested real potential. "I think we can be a very exciting team," said Smith. "It can be difficult to get consistency from young players, but myself and the staff have to keep things steady."
Smith has told Julian Gray to put his penalty miss against Forest behind him. "It is how people react to adversity that is important. A good player gets up and gets on with it. A bad player uses it as an excuse in his next game."
Palace are still waiting for Hayden Mullins’ response to their offer of a new four-year contract, but Smith believes agreement is close. "It is just one or two small points which need to be cleared up," he said.
Neil Ruddock had 12 stitches in a cut after going off injured against Nottingham Forest on Monday.
(Adder tomorrow)