Freedman and Staunton to Palace ?

[Mendosa]

Independent today...

"Crystal Palace are to reinforce their campaign against relegation from the First Division by signing Dougie Freeman and Steve Staunton today.
The Selhurst Park manager, Alan Smith, has agreed a £500,000 fee for Freedman, a former Palace stiker, with Nottingham Forest. Staunton, the Republic of Ireland international defender, is moving from Liverpool on a free transfer after being released from his Anfield contract"

Hmmmm. Freedman. Are we sure ?

Discuss.

[Mendosa]

Sorry, just saw the thread "New signings" in the General Discussion about the same thing.

I had a look to see if anyone else had posted about this, but was looking out for the key words "Freedman" and "Staunton".

Sorry !

[arussell]

Not a prob - have closed t'other one.

A lot of Palace fans will be happy with this if true - but I'm not sure about it myself - would much rather have the "better model" (Super Matt ) back than Dougie.

Dougie has lost his way the last few years - become too lazy and greedy and out of sorts.

But if he can recapture his early form with us ? http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif ..and for the fee it's not bad.

Staunton could be an excellent signing - let's just hope his wages aren't too astronomical !!

[eagleDAN]

Super Matt looks like he's on his way to Fulham for 5mil.

[Chocky]

CAN'T SMITH BUY A F**KING TARGET MAN? Morrison will not perform until he does - he only ever played well with Bradbury & Sven, the big men to feed off.

Despite the fact Freedman got the goals against Wolves that helped us get to the playoff final, he'd belted someone the previous game & got sent off so he couldn't actually play in the final, and I've never really forgiven him for the Leicester playoff the year before - he was a disgrace that day.

Mind you Jimmy the Lips will get it now.

[Fat Andy]

I think Dougie is an ok'ish buy for 500,000 but is not the type of striker we need.

but hopefully if Staunton signs he might provide some strength on the left hand side if he plays there.

[Brett]

Absolutely right Chockmeister.

Need a target man you bald headed C|_|NT.

I've totally lots patience now Smiffy, you're an idiot.

If ever two signings smaked of a bloke with no idea, this is them.

[Baloo]

Getting Staunton on a free was a good move - the fact that there was no transfer fee for someone of his quality will ease the burden of paying his inevitably high wages. Staunton (if fit) will do the world of good to our defence. He will also provide crosses for our front men.

There aren't many decent left-backs around, and we have just picked up one of the best of them. Good move.

Dougie - one of those frustrating players who we know CAN show class, but too often didn't. Can Smith get the best out of him? Hopefully his first few appearances will be productive, as he will want to impress.

And let's face it, with Morrison and Forsell our current pairing, Dougie is very much welcome in the starting line up, IMHO.

Anyone know if they're eligible to play tomorrow?

[Chris K]

Does this mean Harrison won't be in the starting line up? Shame.

Dougie could be effective but the jury is out for the time being.

[wedgetail]

Depends whether we sign Freedman the talent or Freedman the tart. Based on past experience http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/mad.gif

[Gooders]

Originally posted by Baloo:

Anyone know if they're eligible to play tomorrow?

Err, I think they probably have to actually sign first...

[Gooders]

If we do get Staunton playing alongside Ruddock and Morrison, at least no one will be able to accuse us of lacking guts anymore.

[Spikemeister]

Totally agree.... Dougie comes as a squad replacement for McKenzie and is here to push/challenge morrison for the spot beside a target man.
Staunton....excellent signing. He can play centre or left-sided defence or left-wing-back. He's good if he's fit.
His arrival, apart from challenging or replacing Harrison, might also allow Fan to play in alternative positions.

[Burr]

Spot on Crunchie - this is (IF it proves to be true) great news! Staunton will not 'maybe' force Harrison out of the team Adrian, he will ensure that Harrison isn't in it again this season! Harrison needs to learn from a proper left-back and in Staunton we have that. Maybe in a few years time, when Staunton is aging badly, Harrison will just about be adequate to replace him.

As for Dougie I think it is a shrewd buy. I think (and hope) he will take this opportunity to get his career back on track with us. He did indeed drift in and out of games, but even so his goal scoring record was still adequate, even when he left it wasn't that bad. I would see him as a starting player - not a squad member. Either way it should give Clinton the kick up the arse he needs. If he can't handle the competition then he should f*ck off to another club, 'cos all he has done since Forsell joined us last season is throw his rattle out the pram. This is an even better signing when you consider that Forsell will NOT be a Palace player next season. As such Forsell should only be used as cover now - we need to get a team ethic going and a loan player will not work into that in the long term.

I've said it before and I will say it again: We need two strikers. Dougie will do fine for one of them, especially at that price. Now we need the tall 'target man' - jeez I hate that term! This player needs to be a proven goal scorer or else there will be no point in signing him.

As for Smith...I'm not sure yet. He is getting rid of those players that he doesn't want to work with, and whether right or wrong he does need to do that. If he is still looking for that right player to lead the attack then I will give him a tiny bit more time, if not and he thinks that Dougie will solve our problems then he needs to be sacked now.

[Brett]

Originally posted by Crunchie:
Brett, I think your obvious hatred for Smithy is clouding your judgement on the situation.

This is a totally crap comment. Anyone who knows me will tell you I actually have a lot of time for Smiffy, but even my patience is wearing thin with him.

Clouding my judgement? You know Freedman never plays cos of his drink problem?

You know no one has touched Staunton cos of his medical record?

Dont think judgement is clouded, do you?

[Daddy Long]

and best of all....Staunton can take PENALTIES!!!!

[Blind_Eagle]

Staunton seems an ok buy but I am not so sure that a lazy, disinterested sort of player like Freedman is the best type of player to add to an alledgedly lazy, disinterested sort of squad like we currently have.

Imagine him partnering Morrison up front on one of the many days when neither are interested enough to play....

[LP]

I was walking through the Whitgift Centre in Croydon during my lunch hour and to celebrate the opening of the new club shop Simon Jordan and a number of the players adressed a crowd of about 50-60 people and a few bemused shoppers. Jordan announced that Staunton has been signed on a months loan. He also pointed out that Staunton is costing a lot of money and jhow he does will determine whether the deal is made permanant. He indicated that the club where intrerested in the Dougster and were also still keen on Beattie and Le Tissier.

[Crunchie]

Originally posted by Brett:
This is a totally crap comment. Anyone who knows me will tell you I actually have a lot of time for Smiffy, but even my patience is wearing thin with him.

Clouding my judgement? You know Freedman never plays cos of his drink problem?

You know no one has touched Staunton cos of his medical record?

Dont think judgement is clouded, do you?

Crap comment my arse! If you state your opinions in the first place this wouldn't happen. My patience on smith is running thin as well but I don't hate him enough just yet to call him a c**t. I would have lost all faith at that point. He might get it right, the next two games will go along way to indicate that.

The reason why nobody has touched Staunton is that he wouldn't get in most premiership teams at left back at the moment anyway. If we did have ashley cole, i dont think we would purchase him. He only has ever one serious injury, when he had a back problem for 9 months. It might mean he past his peak because of it: ala Shearer, Salako etc but he still only 31.

I didn't know Freedman had a drink problem? could you eleborate or is this only hearsay

[Brett]

Re - Doug's liking for falling down water, this is an old story that circulated the 'scene' a few years back.

Staunton - Yes the injury has hindered moves, amongst others to Middlesbrough, back to Villa, and Birmingham.

[arussell]

One worrying thing that is starting to occur to me - especially from reading everyone else's thoughts - is that we always seem to be interested in ANYONE who's half decent and available.

This is worrying because it tells me that either the management don't have a clue who's good and who's not when it comes to signing players - or they don't know which players they want to play.

Am looking forward to meeting Mr Smith on Monday night for the Q&A session.

[Ash]

Originally posted by Chocky:
Mind you Jimmy the Lips will get it now.

Lipsy's snogged loads of Palace birds on the strength of it.

He will be pleased.

If he ever gets back from Slovenia alive.

[Gaffer]

To add what's already been said, I can confirm Beattie IS the next target for Smith. The manager might be a bit zany but he clearly does realise that a big striker is needed!

Forest actually want £700,000 for Freedman, Palace are only prepared to pay £500,000 so that's very much in the balance. Personally I feel it's a good move, clearly Forssell is not up to the job so Dougie could be the answer.

[Baloo]

Originally posted by LP:
Jordan announced that Staunton has been signed on a months loan.


Another loan signing. I'm surprised Palace have so much credit. http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[AlanW]

Originally posted by budgie:
Good Call Eagle Dan, but as much as I would like to see Matt back, he would be a luxury we couldn't afford.

WE NEED A BIG TARGET MAN!!

Hayles would be handy.

If Matt is on his way to Foolham, Hayles will probably be surplus to requirements. Not a bad call at all!

[ZOHAR]

With Jordan seemingly still keen on Le Tissier, we seem to be on a roll of signing old washed up mediocre has-been Premier B-Stars...or maybe our youth set up is really that bad

[The Palace Starlett]

Whyare people talking like they are already there. I haven't seen any news on it anywhere! Anybody got any web pages that might have any news on them?

------------------
LIBERATE MY MADNESS!!!!

[eagleDAN]

Perhaps he's still looking for a target man.
Maybe the long term view is for Dougie to play INSTEAD of Morrisson not alongside him.
Just a thought - Morrisson doesn't look to me like he's enjoying playing for Smiffy.

Here's another thought. Sell Morrisson for 3mil.
Add the 2mil for a striker = 5mil. Buy Super Matt for 5mil. Sorted.
If only eh?

[This message has been edited by eagleDAN (edited 20 October 2000).]

[JJ]

As I said on the other thread, I'll believe it when I see it.

[budgie]

Good Call Eagle Dan, but as much as I would like to see Matt back, he would be a luxury we couldn't afford.

WE NEED A BIG TARGET MAN!!

Hayles would be handy.

[eagleDAN]

We only need a big target man because Morrisson hasn't got the guile to do anything on his own. Super Matt doesn't need anyone big alongside him - just someone quick - like Rubins perhaps.
We would just need to play the ball around on the floor. Not too much to ask is it?

[Fat Andy]

er yes it is.

[Blind_Eagle]

Originally posted by eagleDAN:
Here's another thought. Sell Morrisson for 3mil.
[This message has been edited by eagleDAN (edited 20 October 2000).]

hahahahahahahahahaha

or are you talking lira?

[Adrian]

FREEDMAN is typical Palace in that he is potentially a brilliant player - but very inconsistent. He needs to be MUCH more hungry than history has shown him to be. He also has an annoying habit of completely drifting out of the game for long periods.

STAUNTON is a much more interesting buy. Obvious talent, but must stay fit (and lose some weight??) I reckon he's there to give Harrison something to push against: Harrison has obviously not been performing well of late so Staunton may keep him out of the side. Perhaps the idea is to see Harrison for the longer term?

[Crunchie]

Brett, I think your obvious hatred for Smithy is clouding your judgement on the situation.
I think Freedman is a good addition to the squad for the money involved, so we can
a)get rid of the finland muppet
b)to at a later date increase competion for places
The search for a decent tall striker continues..........

[Paul]

I know this will probably get me flammed but
how much would it cost to get Svennson back
from Charlton?

[Strictly Palace]

Right where is the flammer...

I'd only welcome him back if, on his debut for Palace, he took his old Charlton shirt onto the pitch and wiped his arse all over that prattish badge, and humbly apologise to the Holmedale for being a selfish git for leaving us when we needed him most.