Stop Press: Palace sign Ruddock

Neil Ruddock has just signed...more later...

[SIKO]

Bloody Hell!!!!! thats come right out of the blue hasnt it

[arussell]

Bit of a shock Tim - nice to see the club can still surprise us I guess !!?

He was linked to us when Venables was last here.

Too bloody right, SIKO. I wanted an early night...hehe

[Snorwood Eagle]

Please someone tell me you're joking. I really don't rate or like Ruddock. Please...say it ain't so.

[Ash]

That bloke's a nutter. Excellent.

[Snorwood Eagle]

Please someone tell me you're joking. I really don't rate or like Ruddock. Please...say it ain't so.

[RUSSELL]

Top news!!

[Spanish Dan]

That must make the average age of our defence pretty old - in fact it might even beat West Ham with their Pearce/Winturburn combo.

[Gooders]

"a defender"...

"a free-transfer who's well-known"

Two birds with one stone I think!

And I think it's cool - a resident nutter who'll look after the kids. Excellent!

[Swampy Eagle]

I don't know whether to laugh,cry or cheer.

Personally I don't rate him but he has been around some big clubs so he must know what he's doing. On the plus side at least he can handle himself.

[Man 'n' Boy]

Shrewd move...providing he stays on the pitch long enough.
More surprises please.

[Goldberg Basher]

Just what we needed, although he'll probably be more like Andy Gray than Ninja.

[Justin]

Have too say i am surprised the Pikies didn't sign one of their own.

Think this is the correct strategy post Bosman. Buy good young players for amounts around the million mark and get the senior old pros on free transfers.

[Palace Don]

Alan's just answered my central defender quezzie.

Adds a bit of steel to our defdence. Probably end up a Palace hero, being a nutter and all that!

[Payney]

Has to be a good signing(short term),he maybe a bit wild but will sure us up at the back and can pass a bit too.

[CPFC Cheerleader Observer]

Is this Serious?

[James Verrinder]

Well its a start. I reckon this will turn out really well or really badly...

[Baloo]

More great news - I really thought Ruddock was an exceptional player while at Southamption, but he hasn't really proved himself since leaving the Dell - either because of competition for central defender places or through injury - didn't he miss most of last season with injury? Is he fit now?

Now all we need is a keeper - over to you, Tim....?

Adder tomorrow (late edition)

Palace signed Neil Ruddock yesterday (Thursday) to complete their biggest transfer for three years.
Ruddock joined for an undisclosed fee from West Ham and has signed a three year contract.
Not since Attilio Lombardo arrived from Juventus in the summer of 1997 have the Eagles captured such a big name.
Ruddock is a powerful, experienced defender whom Jordan and manager Steve Coppell believe will add essential strength to the club’s back-line.
Jordan said straight after completing the deal: "I think Neil is a winner. He will bring a loud voice to a side which is quite quiet. He has a lot of experience and he is at the right stage of his career.
"We need him to set an example to the younger players at the club."
Jordan and Coppell agreed on a move for Ruddock after watching a friendly between Gillingham and Southend on Tuesday.



[This message has been edited by tmjwat (edited 27 July 2000).]

[winners]

Ruddock - Slow, Poor Ball distribution, Good in the air, ageing, sounds like someone weve already got in the team!!! Might add a little agression though!

[Goldberg Basher]

After thinking about it I thought he was moving away from football and into golf? I hope he hasn't lost any of his agression.

[Baloo]

Originally posted by tmjwat on 07-27-2000 05:19 PM

Jordan and Coppell agreed on a move for Ruddock after watching a friendly between Gillingham and Southend on Tuesday.

[This message has been edited by tmjwat (edited 27 July 2000).]

Umm, am I the only one who is slightly confused about this sentence?

Perhaps Sir Steve is scouting for a Gillingham or Southend player...?

[Riccardo 'the cat'Parrini]

Justin has got a really good point - hopefully SC and SJ will be exercising this more in the next week or so.

What about Baardsen in goal....?????

I think everyone will get behind Razor as well.

http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Palace Don]

Riccardo - Baardsen definitely. He is a great player and languising at Spurs! So Palace are prepared offer money to Premiership clubs for Premiership players. Good show!

As for the Gillingham/Southend friendly, could it be one of the Gills strikers we are looking at?

[Stellavista]

Excellent news!
A bit long in the tooth, I know, but he's one of those players that can bring some mouthy spirit to the dressing room and wind up the opposition and their supporters no end.
About time we had a bona fide fruitcake in the team again.
Welcome, Bonkers'Razor'Ruddock!

Razor's Diet and Fitness Regime: http://www.soccer-fanzine.co.uk/prem%20div/westham/current3/story6.html

[Gooders]

Originally posted by winners on 07-27-2000 05:21 PM
Ruddock - Poor Ball distribution...


Whatever else you level at Ruddock, poor distribution is not right - he can hit very accurate long passes out of defence.

Unlike Linighan and Austin.

He is also something of a free-kick specialist.

[Palace Don]

Biggest Nutter at Palace since.....erm...Madden??? http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/wink.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Palace Don]

FROM THE WEST HAM WEB SITE
**************************

The club crooner, Neil likes to "get the players going" by singing his old London songs before a match. Unfortunately it just gets them going out of the changing room as quick as possible.

Along with his one-time tormentor Ian Wright, Neil has added a real buzz to the Hammers camp and was brought in by Harry Redknapp to add steel to his defence, and help bring on the youngsters.

Razor, as he's known, spent five stormy years at Liverpool before joining West Ham on the same day the club clinched the services of Chilean international Javier Margas. Neil played 152 games for the Merseysiders, scoring 12goals.

Physical presence and a power in the air are Razor's strong points.

NEIL RUDDOCK
************

Born: Wandsworth, South London
Date of Birth: May 9 1968
Height: 6ft 2ins
Weight: 12st 12lbs
Joined West Ham United: July 30 1998(3year deal. Signed for a small fee and payment based on appearances)

Former Clubs: Joined Millwall as apprentice - March 1986, Tottenham Hotspur - April '86 (£50,000) Millwall June '88(£300,000), Southampton - February '89(£250,000), Liverpool - July '93(£2.5m).

Honours: League Cup winner 1995
International: England Youth, Under 21, England 'B, 1 full England cap.

[Laurie]

I can't believe this. He has always been in my worst current team. I really hate this guy, I think he is useless, fat, v.v.v.slow, fat, watches high balls like Ismael, fat, slower than Linighan, fat, past it, never was it, fat, slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, very slow, fat, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Baloo]

Here's a quote from the web-page quoted above - it appears that our new man is a bit of a comedian:

"The speed in which I can fall over as opposition players skip passed me is, to be blunt, phenomenal.

Without the fantastic fitness I have achieved over the past few years we would have wasted so much playing time needed to get an equaliser (or make our mark on the game) if I had not have been unable to retrieve so many balls out of the back of our goal so quickly."

A character, at last.

He WILL be a Palace hero - I cannot wait to see him in the red n'blue.

[James]

I agree. This is certainly not the big-name signing that I have been hoping for. I have never rated him, and he is well past his best...
I hope I am made to eat my words.

[Stellavista]

Originally posted by Palace Don on 07-27-2000 05:42 PM
FROM THE WEST HAM WEB SITE
**************************
Weight: 12st 12lbs


They're having a laugh, aren't they?!

Big fat nutter, that's what we need!
Our season tickets are already worth more for entertainment value alone...

[Lee B]

I'm happy with this. We haven't been able to attract the big names yet, but he will help organise at the back. It is going to be funny with him and Andy against 2 nippy strikers but let's give him a chance. He has played at the top level and he is a nutter.

Come on admit it we're all smiling....

[BJ]

We are an extremley lightweight side and this is an excellent signing. We need someone with leadership and experience. We also need an old head in midfield and a Shipperley style striker. We have a very young squad who have proved in pre-season how easily they can be pushed around.

[Snorwood Eagle]

Having read many of your comments, I have to agree that he will bring a bit of character to the side, and watching him chase nippy attackers will be totally comical! Less chasing and more hacking me thinks! Well, someone better find a shirt big enough....still don't rate him though.....but if he's wearing red n blue, I'll happily cheer the fat bloke on! http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/clown.gif

[Small number]

isn't this the sort of player everyone has been hoping we don't get? a premiership reject who will be on a fairly large wage... but when we get him everyone jumps on the band wagon... including me I think ruddock is an excelent siging he will kick the living daylights out of everyone and make the team spirit even better, good in the air, and does this mean Austin is out of the team?... if we sign a left back!

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'The wise will one day rise'

http://pub20.ezboard.com/bcpfcchat

[PeterH]

Lets hope they have negotiated sensibly on the wage. Still he probably hasn't cost much.

[Regal Eagle]

Great suprise..he certainly will be a hero at his first full blooded tackle.
I bet he will scare the sh*t out of opposing 1st division forwards.
As long as can get near them!

[matt@teamturtle]

This could be an entertaining season.

[AnotherPete]

As an original "fat *******" myself I think I must object to the inherent fatism prevalent in most of this thread.

Just because Palace have had one or two naff fat *******s (Mr Brolin spings - or rather wobbles - to mind) we also have a fine tradition of gravitationally challenged er, althletes.

I remember when Johny Byrne was playing for England . . . .

[Basingstoke Eagle]

I dont believe all this crap about razor not being worth it.Most of you have seen the way that our lightweights have been rolled over by the likes of Crawley & Reading.Razor is exactly the type of player we need,someone who will give a few slaps,open his gob & make a dirty tackle to raise our game.Great signing.He'll be a hero like Madden.?Things are looking up.

[Kingsdown Eagle]

Anybody remember Mark Dennis? OK, so he was a bit of a criminal and a wifebeater, but watching him in our first season back in the top flight in 1989 was highly entertaining, especially in that massive brawl with Spurs.
I hope Ruddock provides the same value for money.

[Laurie]

Originally posted by Regal Eagle on 07-27-2000 06:27 PM
.
I bet he will scare the sh*t out of opposing 1st division forwards.

He certainly scares the sh*t out of me, and thats just thinking of him in our shirt.

[GING]

Good signing, the team needs his character if nothing else. It will make a nice change to have someone at the back who can distribute the ball well, Forsell may now start to get the improved service he so desperately needed last season.

Balloo I think you'll find that Ruddock didn't actually say those things - satire I'm afraid mate.

[richit]

A very disappointing signing, to be brutally honest.

[che111]

A very very poor signing - though I hope I eat those words as the season goes on. Just imagine the pace of the central defence with Linighan and Ruddock together.... makes you shudder.

[Joe Knight]

I think this signing has highlighted our need to employ a scout.

Ruddock is a well known player but is over the hill and out to pasture.

This season will be interesting if nothing else.

[Adrian]

Sorry, Small number, I don't go for players who "kick the daylights out of everyone" I'm afraid. Just at a time when we're building up a squad of young players who are coached to play football, we go and sign this plonker. Aggression, assertiveness, courage, determination - these are all desirable characteristics - but I want them WITHOUT the sort of disgraceful behaviour you tend to get from a player like Ruddock.

What sort of attitude is it going to foster in the youngsters? That his style of play is ok? Acceptable? He'll get that many red cards he won't be on the park often enough to SET an example - I s'pose we should be thankful for that.

And yes, Kingsdown Eagle, I do remember Mark Dennis - fortunately not that well but enough to feel highly delighted when he left.

Sorry, for me, this is a BIG mistake - I just hope I'm proved totally wrong.

[Laurie]

Originally posted by che111 on 07-27-2000 07:06 PM
Just imagine the pace of the central defence with Linighan and Ruddock together.... makes you shudder.
Hang on Che, you've left Fan out. Do you know something very sinister

[select 5]

Adrian.....My son .Mark Dennis is a Palace hero I was in front of him in the Arthur Waite when we stood and he gave his all for C.P.F.C against the Yids in the old 1 st.Div. This type of player is what has been lacking at Selhurst recently.

[che111]

Nothing sinister Laurie - just omitted Fan 'cos I had this horrid thought of some donkey striker completely outpacing Ruddock and Linighan....

[AJ]

Just the player to draft into the first team against Millwall , incidently, Ruddocks first club.

I think Don King may well be able to sell a few tickets for the game on Saturday;-)

[Kingsdown Eagle]

Adrian,
I don't think Mark Dennis actually left the club, he just got put away. And I agree with you that we need youngsters who are looking to play "The Beautiful game" but without a bit of steel the only way we'll leave Division 1 is through the relegation trapdoor.

[Guvnor6]

He's okay, but I want Dean Gordon BACK!

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Oh 4 Fux sake Connex

[Adrian]

Ok ok, steel - yes, commitment - of course, but if we do want to watch "the beautiful game" - and I do - we have to discourage Steve and Simon from signing players from the Norman Hunter/Tommy Smith School of Science.

Jim Cannon, John McCormick, Micky Droy, Eric Young, Andy Thorn, Mel Blyth - they were all committed players who would never shirk a tackle but they weren't INHERENTLY dirty - at least they had some skill and a gameplan that included the ball.

[Kingsdown Eagle]

Andy Thorn, Gameplan??


Hooooooooooooooooooof.

[Gooders]

I think some of you should do some research before you post. Ruddock's disciplinary record is nowhere nearly as bad as you might think.

Yes, he's slow but it didn't stop us making Linighan player of the season just gone did it?

He is a very good passer, he can strike a good free-kick and he's a threat at corners (which will make a bloody change for us).

But above all that - he will beef-up (in every sense of those words) our lightweight team. We need that more than anything.

Welcome, Razor.

[Stellavista]

You're having us on, Adrian.
Cannon and Droy together scared the **** out of the opposition!
Andy 'elbows' Thorn?!
Big John could also put it about, and they were all capable of dreadful assaults. Difference is, it was a contact sport in those days, and you wouldn't get booked for decapitating the opposing inside-left.
Anyway, where's your sense of fun?!
It's gonna be bet of the day. Who's off first, Fan or Razor?
About time we had a good laugh at Selhurst....

[select 5]

Adrian. I'm not having a pop.. but.. Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter both won the title with their respective clubs,while Palace won F**k ALL.Their type of football wasn't pretty but they were winners!

[Basingstoke Eagle]

No...ive changed my mind,lets buy loads of skilled,young players & play the game as its supposed to be played.Yeah,lets play like Crewe,they have some wonderfull players who play great football.But wait,have Crewe ever played in the premier league?dont Crewe always sell their better players?have Crewe been in the top half of division 1?.You need the right balance to be succesful in this division,big,tall,skillful,powerful...give razor a go will you,we havent seen him play or even know how much he cost us.Good signing Steve.

[Leap of faith]

A Mark Dennis kind of player I think. Great News

[selhurst]

Yes, I think this is a good signing too. We need his experience. Could be an interesting season...

[SKATE]

I saw Neil Ruddock round at selhurst park late this afternoon and for those of you saying he's fat......he sure didn't look it to me. He looked like a member of the Kray gang but he didnt look fat!!! Can't wait for Saturday now!!

[pintofduvelplease]

Nice to see we have signed a cultured intelligent and above all, fit defender.

At last a professional footballer with a beer gut as big as the rest of us

What the hell are we playing at?

PS. Oh yes, I forgot, young as well.

[This message has been edited by pintofduvelplease (edited 27 July 2000).]

[Skid Row]

You're practically all whingeing *****. He hasnt even played a game yet and you're already bagging **** out of him. And you call yourself supporters.

[The Palace Starlett]

Way Hey! A classic! We ain't had a fat boy at palace since the great Andy Roberts! Should be a great season... well until at least Christmas when we decide to forget... everything about Football!

[Stephenson Soundbyter]

Come on Skid Row


These are the people pledging to follow Palace on Hackney Marshes if need be.

Now we have a new owner dont expect them to be happy unless we buy Shearer.

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I've told my kids It doesnt matter how old you are, swearing isnt big, it just shows a lack of vocabulary!!

[Skid Row]

Point taken SS but if Palace ever bought Shearer I'd be on here complaining in a flash. http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Stephenson Soundbyter]

Glad you got the point.


At times I worry that after all the problems last year we will never please the "supporters"

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I've told my kids It doesnt matter how old you are, swearing isnt big, it just shows a lack of vocabulary!!

[Belly]

considering the state we've been in for the last18 months,i've got to say it's a superb signing,a couple more like him would do us no harm at all.

[Stephenson Soundbyter]

I think part of the problem is that we dont know what is going on do we?

Do we really think Coppell went "Oh Look Ruddocks on a free"?

No Coppell said we need this kind of player and went for him.

Lets give the guy a chance. That also applies to Black and Gray.

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I've told my kids It doesnt matter how old you are, swearing isnt big, it just shows a lack of vocabulary!!

[This message has been edited by Stephenson Soundbyter (edited 27 July 2000).]

[le piddler]

I agree with Gooders, everyone is moaning about Razors disciplinary recored but if you actually check it is actually not that bad & I personally think he is a great signing as he adds a physical presence to us,he is a good passer & free-kick taker & he adds much needed experience to a otherwise young side!!
He's also the biggest nutter we have had since King Dennis Of Stretham & who can forget King Den flattening gazza & lineker v the yids in 90 & his little wink to the Arthur after he had decked lineker, TOP MAN!!!!

http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/beer.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/beer.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/beer.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/beer.gif = http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/supergrin.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/supergrin.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/supergrin.gif http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/supergrin.gif

P.S. Anyone remember spurs away in about 93 (2-2 Eddie missed a penalty, Thorn sent off) when gray made his first appearance against Palace since leaving and was decked by Thomas 5 mins after coming on before ruddock got involved & the amount of stick we gave ruddock afterwards??

[Stellavista]

Well said, SS, though I'm pretty sure the majority are with you.
A month ago, Palace couldn't sign a milk bill, let alone a player.
A few weeks go by, memories suddenly have the retentive abilities of goldfish, and people aren't overjoyed that we can now sign players, they just moan about the ones we're buying.
Things at Palace ain't gonna change overnight, but the signs are that we are on the slow climb back from rock-bottom.
All the pieces of the jigsaw are not there yet, they may not be by the end of Jordan's first season at the helm. He WILL make mistakes, everyone does, and Coppell's also made a few in the past, but I'm sure they'll get it together in time.
Let's be patient, and see what transpires. We've just signed four players in two weeks, and after the last two years, I regard that as a small miracle.

[Laurie]

i'm sorry, but Ruddock ISN'T the sort of person we need. He is a complete and utter hasbeen, spent many a time howling with laughter last season, watching his appauling non defending on match of the day. He was the one always WATCHING the action taking place in the penalty area, never near it. A couple of west Ham fans I know are on the booze celebrating tonight. I only pray that Fan is fit for the whole season, for the thought of the worst defenderin the Premier league last season, patrolling the area with Andy, leaves me in a cold sweat. I know I,m biased cos I've ALWAYS HATED HIM, and have ALWAYS LAUGHED AT HIM. Never again though, for that ghastly defending will know be for us. ****, I really do hate the guy.

[philaire]

Ruddock is clearly not everyone's (or anyone's) first choice, but I think it's reasonable on the basis of keeping a balance. Sure we can rush after the lightweight stars of the future but the idea of maintaining a backbone of experience makes sense.

[RDSdaEAGLE]

This may sound a little bit silly, but during last season, was there really anybody who was willing to give players a little bit of agressive energy...thought not!
The fact is, Ruddock is a good defender, who knows how to initmidate and unease forwards. Look at how he bossed around the Arsenal players in that match where Viera was sent off. Mr Hard Viera became sh!t scared, and felt intimidated. No offence, but Linighan wouldn't do that, and Woozley is not dissimilar.

We need someone like him, so stop whinging and wait for his first game, he'll either proove you wrong, or make me look like an utter Prat.

[Palace Don]

Laurie and people, I think he might be the exact type of player that Palace need. This is a defender who has played over half last season in a reasonable Premiership side and who is certainly respected by his peers. I read alot of interviews with West Ham players last season and they all paid tribute to Ruddock and his team spirit.

He will give a side like Palace some much needed morale, especially after two seasons of quite low spirit. He adds that little bit of an edge that Palace fans actually warm to, and no doubt he will turn into a cult hero at Palace. It is this type of player that Palace fans love. Committed! And if he wins favour with the Palace fans, you never know....he might turn in a great season, and end up being the second consecutive old man to win player of the year.

Anyway, the main thing is that Palace are looking at players wiht some experience in key positions and it must be difficult finding the right players when most ahve lready moved on...I mean, Palace haven't exactly got an endless put of money to throw about, have they??

[Palace Don]

And talking of transfers, if Akinbiyi is worth 5 of your English, then what does that make Clinton worth??? I mean Akinibiyi is ten-bob as far as I'm concerned!

So who does everyone think is next on the Coppell/Jordan agenda??

[Eagle]

It was only untill i came to page 5 of this thread that i actually read some sensible opinions. What is wrong with some of you, a month or so ago we wouldn't of even been able to look at these sort of signings so give the new lads a go for god sake. It really bugs me when people start slating players before they have even put on the shirt.
I honestly think that this a very good signing and Steve wouldn't buy players if he didn't think they were up for it, so i think if he was overweight then Steve just wouldn't taken a look.
As Skate has said she saw him today and he didn't look fat, the simple reason for that is because he isn't. He is a big built defender and will do very well in this division and will put great spirit into the squad.
Ruddock is a talker, something which we haven't had since Houghton and i personally would make Ruddock captain, with no disrespect to Rodger or Austin, but Ruddock is a good leader. This i feel is a great signing and what were we all saying after the Crawley and Reading games, we need more experienced players and Steve has picked this one out of the bag, he's experienced, played at the top level for a long time and will certainly shore up our defence.
Welcome to Palace Neil.

[Palace Don]

Good summation Eagle. Definitely the Captain for next season, unless we sign a talking midefielder of course!

[johnny]

I think it could be a good move,this signing of Ruddock.It's plain to see from his performances over the last couple of seasons that he's a bit past his best,but I think he's needed for his contribution OFF the ball as much as on it.It's a sad fact,but players like Ruddock are invaluable in the blood and guts first division.We need a hard player with a bit of mouth on him-and Ruddock has both these qualities.How many people moaned when we brought in Ray Houghton and Andy Linighan?,they were both slow and past it when we bought them,but what great signings they turned out to be!.I'm looking forward seeing "Razor" in a Palace shirt.

[cdm61]

Vocal that's what Ruddock is vocal. The team has lacked leadership and now the Comrade Jordan is giving it.

Ruddock will be a sensation for us. Strong powerful and great leadership skills.

The team is was so quite last season and before that.

Have some respect for a seasoned pro.

I'm over the moon Brian.

Welcome Neil. And thank you for having the faith in us.

[SmithEagle]

Ruddock and Zhiyi in the same team!!

A great tag team!

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[richit]

Good luck referees if they do!

[Bud Eagle]

All I'm gonna say is, if you're going to worship at the alter of Coppell - you must have faith in him. Let Ruddock's playing do the talking, believe in Coppell's actions, for he works in mysterious ways.

[Gray]

I run the West Ham site knees up mother brown, and thought I'd pop over here to see what you folks thought of your new signing - hope you don't mind the intrusion!

Got to be honest, when I heard we'd got rid of Ruddock I was over the moon, as were most Hammers fans I know - no, all Hammers fans I know. And that's not just 'cos it'll save us £15k per week. But to be honest I think he'll do a good job for you - he certainly isn't a dirty player as some of you have suggested, and is very strong in both boxes plus having the ability to take a good free-kick. However, his pace has gone completely, and his passing was diabolical last season.

Anyway, I'm doing a piece for the site tomorrow morning with reactions from Hammers and Palace fans - so feel free to mail me with your comments.

Once again, apologies for the intrusion - and all the best for the coming season.

[Glaws Eagle]

As "Gray" says, his pace has probably gone, he cant pass anymore.

But thats the Premiership. There is a massive gap between the Premiership and our division. I think he will do a great job for us for a couple of seasons.

Every team needs a strong spine. Goalkeeper, centre back, centre midfield and striker.

Ruddock will at least give us strength and character and the back.

As long as we get a bit of value.

[Marco van Palace]

It's great, Fan & Razor at same time on ground. I think there's not many strikers who likes this defensive pair.

Strikers could get some injuries against Palace...

[Justin]

Agree with Glaws. Last season he had to cope with Henry,Owen and Yorke. Don't think Gallen and Kelly are quite so hard to mark. It does show how West Ham have progressed by being sensible though and we blew it. Five years ago we were very similar clubs and we had actually had more "success" in the previous ten years.

What hasn't been commented upon though(unless on another thread that I have missed) is that Steve made three attempts to sign Ashley Cole. Surely someone can persuade young Ashley to learn a few anti French songs and then the Arse will sell him.

[Baloo]

I'm trying to think how Coppell will play all our defenders - three at the back, namely Fan, Linighan and Razor, with two wing-backs? Deano has played left-back before (although not too successfully) and may be employed there. Smith or Carlisle on the right? We now have five (if you count Woozley) decent central defenders, so something tells me we ain't adopting 4-4-2.

Personally, I think Fan, Linighan and Razor would make a great (albeit slow) defensive barrier - although I'd be tempted to use Woozley instead of Linighan. With Hayden playing just in front of them we should be sorted.

And yes, I think Razor would make a swell captain - provided he's been bought for the first team, and not as cover for the other defenders.

[RednBlue]

Stella said: About time we had a bona fide fruitcake in the team again.
Welcome, Bonkers'Razor'Ruddock!
LOL
I'm in the 'for it' camp: I think he'll bring some leadership and attitude to our defence, and together with Fan provide quite an intimidating presence. Good signing - welcome Neil.

[Gazza1]

Too fat, too old, too slow.

[Maidstoned Eagle]

FAT! FAT! The bloke is 6ft 2 and weighs 12st for christsake! I'm 6ft 2 and weigh 15st, are you calling me a lardarse? Great signing for us I think. Of course I'm sure we enquired about Petit and Overmars before we signed him eh Gazza?
And to answer an earlier question about Fan, he is really a midfielder and the sooner we see him back there the better.

[Dai the Swansea Eagle]

A great signing. I have despaired over the years of the amount of times that I have seen Palace centre forwards since Wright and Bright either intimidated or plain cheated off the park by the likes of Keith Curle, Steve Bruce etc etc. No one more so than Bruce Dyer who lost that raw edge he had in his early games for us. That we now have a player up with the best of them in the hard knocks league can only be good experience for the youngsters. I also believe he has as much if not more to offer on the pitch than Andy Linnighan at this time.

I am genuinely excited by this - I really don't know who better we could expect to sign. I was expecting a player from the Kit Symons sort of level, instead we have a top flight player who should excel at this level and more importantly bring his "enthusiasm" to the club.

[Gazza1]

I believe he weighted 14.5 stones at end of last season. He is a lard arse for somebody who is supposed to be a professional sportsman.

[selhurst]

PALACE GRAB RAZOR

NEIL RUDDOCK will sign for Crystal Palace today in a surprise free transfer from West Ham. Centre-half Razor agreed a £1million three-year deal with new Eagles chairman Simon Jordan within half-an-hour of meeting him. Ruddock, 32, said:

“It is just great to be back home. I’m south London born and bred and lived most of my life just up the road from Selhurst Park. Now I’m back playing that side of the river and I couldn’t be happier. I can’t wait to get started under manager Steve Coppell. I don’t for one minute believe this is a step back in my career. Once Mr Jordan outlined his plans for Palace, I didn’t hesitate to agree terms. Steve Coppell is someone I admired as a player. No one can fault his commitment to Palace.”

THE SUN, Friday 28 July 2000.

[SKATE]

I told you he's NOT fat!! No offense to Maidstoned http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/wink.gif but I'd say he looked sylph like compared!!

[Fat Andy]

Give the guy a chance.
1) if anyone has actually seen him recently he is not fat.
2) he can pass the ball which will come as a shock to the rest of our team.
3) he's not the nutter everyone thinks he is.
4)when was the last time we had a big defender that actually won headers in both boxes?

I for one think it's a great signing,in a quiet team he will add a lot.

[Dodger]

A good signing i think. Remember people this is the 1st division. Ruddock isn't premiership quality but he will bring some much needed stability and experience to our team.

Give the guy a chance!

[Mendosa]

It's been mentioned in passing, but I wonder what sort of wage he's on ? He was a big earner at West Ham, I just hope it's not too crazy with us - that's something we really need to steer clear of.

Any idea, Tim ?

[Fat Andy]

I've just been on the Hammers website and they reckon he was on £15,000 a week !!!

I can't believe that, although he did come fom Liverpool.

[Laurie]

I am biased, I admit it, but I've always hated the guy, always thought he was really cr*p, so just because he has signed for us, I'm not going to be hypercritical and say what a great signing, greaty captain, great lardball. If he was any good, W Ham wouldn't have sold him to us, they collect 30+ players like they are going out of fashion. And admit it all, if he hadn't signed for us, how many of you would say he is a v good defender. Be honest now.

[Baloo]

Well, Coppell and Jordan obviously rate him, if the reported £1 million for his services is to be believed. He obviously hasn't been bought as cover for our other defenders.

And I agree with Maidstoned Eagle that Fan should return to the midfield. He and Hayden will offer an exciting compliment of styles in the centre of midfield.

Maybe that leaves the left wingback position for Jolly?

[This message has been edited by Baloo (edited 28 July 2000).]

[Jon Thompson]

Fair point Laurie, most people may not have pointed him out as a v good defender. However what a great signing for Palace. He has a lot of experience and great presence. He is one of those players that every football fan hates unless he's in your team. I can't wait for him to kick his first lump out of an opposing forward. It's just what we need to get the team and the crowd going.

[Palace Don]

So who do you think would have been a better purchase then for the money we paid???

[mr spoon from button moon]

Give the guy a chance then judge him if you have to.

[tomario]

How much did we sign him for?

I think he will add a bit of expereince to our team At last we have found someone to take over Marky Dennis nutter role.

[gcwhite]

Originally posted by Goldberg Basher on 07-27-2000 05:22 PM
After thinking about it I thought he was moving away from football and into golf? I hope he hasn't lost any of his agression.

Wrong nutter. You are thinking of Julian Dicks. He is trying to make it as a pro golfer.

[Small number]

I doubt we will play 5 at the back as that means we will have to pick between rodger, grey, black, mullins and carlisle(spelling?) for 3 midfield places. Even though I always thought Mullins looked at his best at the centre of 3 centre backs.

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'The wise will one day rise'

http://pub20.ezboard.com/bcpfcchat

[Evil Eagle]

After reading all your comments I personally think Neil Ruddock is a good signing for us.

1. He can provides the steel what we lack.

2. He a good passer of the ball and can also distribute an good pass 40 - 50 yards upfield.

3. He a leader on the pitch with a load of experience and will fire up the younger players.

4. He a good at taking free-kicks. Which is something we lacked in recent seasons.

5. He one hell of a dirty player and will show no sign of respect towards the opposition.

Neil Ruddock is not the pretty player what most people are crying out for, but he got the attributes that can certainly win games for Palace and help turn us into a force in division one, I for one look forward to seeing Razor turn out in the Red & Blue. And beside Clownton were link to both Ruddock and Forsell and we beaten the tosser's for both players. look who laughting now.

PALACE TILL I DIE

[lightweight]

it's just so nice to be reading arguments.. sorry discussions http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif about something other than noades/goldberg/lim etc!!!!

ruddock - well - I think there's good and bad about him.. what I do like however are his comments about coming to palace / admiring stevie and simon's plans.. don't think he would have signed if he didn't really want to...

time will tell - we do need some pace at the back - but he will add charachter and many of the oppositions forwards will certainly not relish the thought of having to get pass razor....

[PeterH]

I think he could become a Palace hero and should be welcomed with open arms. I would be surprised and worried if we had paid a £1m
for him and were also willing to pay big wages. I didn't think undisclosed fees tended to be this large, other web pages / news tends to lean towards a nominal fee. But with £37m for Figo and £25m for Overmars perhaps the fee that Trevor Francis signed for is nominal these days.

Am I correct in recalling that Ruddock should have been withdrawn from the field for Liverpool against Palace in that Coca Cola Semi Final for pulling down one of our players who was completely through. Needless to say the referee bottled it at a big club.

[anti-addick]

Originally posted by Kingsdown Eagle on 07-27-2000 06:37 PM
Anybody remember Mark Dennis? OK, so he was a bit of a criminal and a wifebeater, but watching him in our first season back in the top flight in 1989 was highly entertaining, especially in that massive brawl with Spurs.
I hope Ruddock provides the same value for money.

Oh, Mark Dennis. He was one of the best we've had. I remember that Spurs match (we lost 3-2), Gascoine had done something nasty to someone at the corner by the tunnel entrance to the pitch infront of the Holmesdale (Palace kicking towards it) and then Dennis leaped into action. It was the first time i'd ever seen a player make that extra effort to cross from the opposite corner of the pitch to flatten another player - f*cking great!!! He'd have played for England if he wasn't a cocaine addict.

Finally, Ruddock. Yes, struggles in the prem now but this is the first!! Just what we need to bolster us and get us back up before we strengthen further. He's not there to partner Linighan, he's there to replace him.

Who else were the whingers expecting to sign? Blanc? Stam? Don't dream boys, we don't want to overstretch again do we? I'm sure the same bunch would be moaning if the new player would have been an unknown from the lower divisions too!!

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Support Crystal Palace Internet FC !! http://www.cpifc.co.uk

[This message has been edited by anti-addick (edited 28 July 2000).]

[pintofduvelplease]

I was rather nasty about Mr Ruddock in an earlier posting; then I realised if it wasn't for Simon Jordan we probably would have become 'Crystal Palace 2000', groundsharing with FC Neasden, playing in the 'Tampax Towels London Amateur League Division 9'.

That said, it would have been nice to sign a young player with a future like Cole, rather than another club's cast-off well past his sell by date like Neil Ruddock.

[M Shwartz]

Originally posted by PeterH on 07-28-2000 04:57 PM


Am I correct in recalling that Ruddock should have been withdrawn from the field for Liverpool against Palace in that Coca Cola Semi Final for pulling down one of our players who was completely through. Needless to say the referee bottled it at a big club.




Wasn't that Pallister in the Man U Semi? - or is there a star name/big club/leniency sort of thing going on here?

[Tony Humphreys]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned but I can't be bothered to read all 9 pages of this thread. I seem to recall Ruddock and Thorny getting sent off at Spurs one year for a bout of fisticuffs (for what it's worth).

[Mike Douglas]

Out of touch for three days and then you come back and we have bought Razor, got Forsell on loan for a year and lost to Reading and Kuwait. This is much more fun than last year, but I'm not sure I can cope with the excitement!!
Razor is just the type of mouthy, bossy type we need at this time. He'll have the kids running around for him. As somebody pointed out he's the kind of player you hate when he's one of the opposition but I agree he has the potential to become one of our favourites.
Roll on the new season.

[Ian Hart]

I certainly agree with Mike. No-one would suggest he has the distribution of Ferdinand or the speed of Radebe. Nor would anyone suggest you should expect that for a freebie. However, he's an able and experienced player, who enjoys a challenge and he's got a point to prove. That all adds up to a good signing.
More than anything else, he's not the sort of player who tolerates his colleagues giving anything less than 100%, or letting their heads drop when falling behind. Judging by what I read of the performances in the friendlies, that's just what we need.

[Eagle]

There's no doubt about it, this guy will be a great asset for us and will bring much needed experience into the side.
I can't wait to see him play.

[The Palace Starlett]

Is evryone forgeting about the other person we signed yesterday? A certain Mikael Forssell! With him and Morrison up front this season, we could see some superb goals this season... not to mention some good passing... i hope!

[Regal Eagle]

Razor will be good for Palace
He will give us a cutting edge.
His electric rotary action will stop forwards passing him by.
He will be able to nick the ball off rivals,
give us a smooth finish and take everything on the chin.
In the cut-throat play to get us to the top pack of six, we will have a trophy for our sideboards yet.

Sorry..I know they are crap but any better ones from anyone?

[Jack Regan]

Originally posted by richit on 07-27-2000 06:56 PM
A very disappointing signing, to be brutally honest.

No.

A very BRUTAL signing to be disappointingly honest!

[Vic Eagle]

Ruddock is a good signing...may not cut the mustard in the Premier any more, but there is a big gulf between the Premier and the first...

[Trolley]

Being an old head and having watched football for several years, my observations on Neil Ruddock are as follows :

Not the quickest
Competitive - Gives 100%. Will not get bossed about.
Dangerous when stays up front at set pieces.
Can take free kicks outside the box.
Has played as a striker in an emergency.
Fine distribution with Left Foot - Something that seldom gets noticed.

[mikestock]

my understanding is that we paid little or nothing for ruddock. the £1m quoted was the total value of the deal. which over a three year contract puts him on around £6k a week, a lot, but not an excessive amount.

[Gloin]

Razor is a brilliant signing. I have had a few jars with him in the past, and can he knock 'em back! I love the guy - lets sign a few more like him! Great Razor!!

[Al From Bromley]

Are you Trolley's country cousin?

[lightweight]

wow - someone you're not slagging off gloin!!

[richmondeagle]

i think gloin likes the beer too much and gets brave when he gets home from the pub and then decides to slag off people

but back to the thread yes i think he can only help the team with the years of knowledge he has to be a asset and for not a lot of money........nice one steve http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/supergrin.gif

[This message has been edited by richmondeagle (edited 30 July 2000).]

[zonin2000]

Originally posted by Gloin:
Razor is a brilliant signing. I have had a few jars with him in the past, and can he knock 'em back! I love the guy - lets sign a few more like him! Great Razor!!

http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif

[nookiebear]

Christ, give a man a heart-attack, I thought we'd re-signed him!!!!

------------------
This is Dougie Freedman... And he's gone right the way through... Would you believe it!!!

[sydney eagle]

Originally posted by nookiebear:
Christ, give a man a heart-attack, I thought we'd re-signed him!!!!


lol http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[henryhallandhisbasque]

Ideal replacement for Hall. Shouldn't cost too much.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally posted by henryhallandhisbasque
Ideal replacement for Hall. Shouldn't cost too much.

No, i think we should forget Ruddock and go for our old favourite left back, Craig Harrison. That is if we can persuade him to quit his dog gromming buisness... :D

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-5-2003-48273.asp