14-09-2000, 08:33 PM
STRIKER Paul Kitson became Palace’s seventh signing of the season when he joined on loan yesterday (Thursday).
The exact period of Kitson’s stay will be open for review, but manager Alan Smith is hoping that he will add cutting edge to the Eagles’ attack.
Chairman Simon Jordan feels the investment in Kitson’s wages will be worthwhile if his experience can help players like Clinton Morrison to improve their game.
A decision on a possible permanent move will depend on how well Kitson performs and the size of his fee.
The Eagles made an initial approach to sign the player on Monday but were rebuffed as he was required for the Hammers’ match at Tottenham that evening.
He comes highly recommended by his former West Ham team-mate Neil Ruddock, and is expected to make his debut at Norwich on Saturday.
Palace are also considering a possible move for former fan favourite Neil Shipperley. Barnsley have made Shipperley available at £2m, but the Eagles are reluctant to match that valuation. They plan to study Shipperley’s form before proceding any further.
Palace have been making strenuous efforts to strengthen their forward line in the past two weeks. A bid for Sheffield Wednesday’s Andy Booth at the weekend broke down, as did the attempt to bring Southampton’s James Beattie to Selhurst for £3m.
Palace found Southampton an extremely difficult club to do business with, and are adamant that if the Beattie deal does revive it will be for a much lower fee.
The Saints did eventually accept Palace’s offer, but agreeing personal terms with Beattie proved to be a problem. That was adding to the overall cost of the package, causing Smith and chairman Simon Jordan to have second thoughts. But Southampton refused to budge on the size of the fee.
Palace did make a move for former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier. He jumped at the chance to join the Eagles on a month’s loan, but Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle refused to sanction the switch. Palace were hoping to make the loan into a permanent transfer.
But Jordan’s determination to rebuild the club is showing up in the transfer policy. More activity is likely in the coming weeks as Smith attempts to increase the depth of his squad.
Kitson spent most of last season out of the West Ham first team but has extensive Premiership experience. Overall, he has scored 15 goals in 54 games for the Hammers. He also hit ten for Newcastle in 36 games, and 36 for Derby in 105 appearances, including a long spell in Division One. The 5ft11in forward began his career at Leicester, scoring six times in 50 games.
He had six games on loan to Charlton last term, his one goal ironically being the 82nd-minute winner for the Addicks against Palace at Selhurst.
Smith rates Kitson highly. "He is a very good, vastly experienced player. I am very pleased to get Paul, and have received a lot of good reports on him from several people. "He is a proven goalscorer, can hold the ball up and can act as a mentor for some of our younger forwards.
"So far everybody we have bought this season has been right. It has not been a situation where the fans or even the Croydon Advertiser can say: why did you do that?
Hayden Mullins, praised by Smith for outstanding displays against Burnley and Barnsley, has signed a new four-year contract.
Palace should hear early next week whether their application for Latvian international goalkeeper signing Aleksanders Kolinka’s work permit has been successful. Smith and Jordan are both confident of success. Kolinka has already passed his medical.
Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor’s loan has been extended for another month, making it four at least with Palace. Smith explained: "Stuart has done well for us, and Aleksanders speaks limited English so it would be very foolhardy to have just him with us. Stuart may possibly with us all season on loan. The only problem which I have been faced with has been that Arsenal have always insisted on a 24 hour recall for Stuart, although I don’t think that they would use that."
Palace defender David Woozley has joined Bournemouth on a month’s loan.
Jordan and Smith will both be speaking at the Golden Eagles annual meeting at Fairfield on Sunday. The event starts at 7.30pm and admission is free to Golden Eagles members. Tickets can be obtained from the Palace office on 020 8768 6017.
(Adder tomorrow)
The exact period of Kitson’s stay will be open for review, but manager Alan Smith is hoping that he will add cutting edge to the Eagles’ attack.
Chairman Simon Jordan feels the investment in Kitson’s wages will be worthwhile if his experience can help players like Clinton Morrison to improve their game.
A decision on a possible permanent move will depend on how well Kitson performs and the size of his fee.
The Eagles made an initial approach to sign the player on Monday but were rebuffed as he was required for the Hammers’ match at Tottenham that evening.
He comes highly recommended by his former West Ham team-mate Neil Ruddock, and is expected to make his debut at Norwich on Saturday.
Palace are also considering a possible move for former fan favourite Neil Shipperley. Barnsley have made Shipperley available at £2m, but the Eagles are reluctant to match that valuation. They plan to study Shipperley’s form before proceding any further.
Palace have been making strenuous efforts to strengthen their forward line in the past two weeks. A bid for Sheffield Wednesday’s Andy Booth at the weekend broke down, as did the attempt to bring Southampton’s James Beattie to Selhurst for £3m.
Palace found Southampton an extremely difficult club to do business with, and are adamant that if the Beattie deal does revive it will be for a much lower fee.
The Saints did eventually accept Palace’s offer, but agreeing personal terms with Beattie proved to be a problem. That was adding to the overall cost of the package, causing Smith and chairman Simon Jordan to have second thoughts. But Southampton refused to budge on the size of the fee.
Palace did make a move for former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier. He jumped at the chance to join the Eagles on a month’s loan, but Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle refused to sanction the switch. Palace were hoping to make the loan into a permanent transfer.
But Jordan’s determination to rebuild the club is showing up in the transfer policy. More activity is likely in the coming weeks as Smith attempts to increase the depth of his squad.
Kitson spent most of last season out of the West Ham first team but has extensive Premiership experience. Overall, he has scored 15 goals in 54 games for the Hammers. He also hit ten for Newcastle in 36 games, and 36 for Derby in 105 appearances, including a long spell in Division One. The 5ft11in forward began his career at Leicester, scoring six times in 50 games.
He had six games on loan to Charlton last term, his one goal ironically being the 82nd-minute winner for the Addicks against Palace at Selhurst.
Smith rates Kitson highly. "He is a very good, vastly experienced player. I am very pleased to get Paul, and have received a lot of good reports on him from several people. "He is a proven goalscorer, can hold the ball up and can act as a mentor for some of our younger forwards.
"So far everybody we have bought this season has been right. It has not been a situation where the fans or even the Croydon Advertiser can say: why did you do that?
Hayden Mullins, praised by Smith for outstanding displays against Burnley and Barnsley, has signed a new four-year contract.
Palace should hear early next week whether their application for Latvian international goalkeeper signing Aleksanders Kolinka’s work permit has been successful. Smith and Jordan are both confident of success. Kolinka has already passed his medical.
Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor’s loan has been extended for another month, making it four at least with Palace. Smith explained: "Stuart has done well for us, and Aleksanders speaks limited English so it would be very foolhardy to have just him with us. Stuart may possibly with us all season on loan. The only problem which I have been faced with has been that Arsenal have always insisted on a 24 hour recall for Stuart, although I don’t think that they would use that."
Palace defender David Woozley has joined Bournemouth on a month’s loan.
Jordan and Smith will both be speaking at the Golden Eagles annual meeting at Fairfield on Sunday. The event starts at 7.30pm and admission is free to Golden Eagles members. Tickets can be obtained from the Palace office on 020 8768 6017.
(Adder tomorrow)