'Palace want Wright move' Express tomorrow [Archive]

Dave

17-07-2000, 03:08 AM

Palace want Wright move
Daily Express
Sunday, July 16, 2000

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan is planning to make Ian Wright part of his new regime at Selhurst Park.
Jordan and manager Steve Coppell want to make a high-profile appointment to help turn the club's fortunes around and have discussed offering 36-year-old Wright, who retired last season, a variety of roles - including a playing one.

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Soundbyter- your boy took one hell of a beating

SE25 exile

17-07-2000, 10:59 AM

Sounds a bit Goldbergy to me.

A flashy proposal to get him on board, but surely either he will be a full time member of the first team or not. If Wrighty can still play and score goals and be happy with just doing that, then fine, but I can't believe he would be content with his old role again. He has tasted TV fame and that seems to be his new career direction.

Neil MacQueen

17-07-2000, 01:25 PM

It might sound abit Goldbergy but we need abit of experiance at the attacking end.

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A nice pint (of Fosters)in the Moon and Spoon

Bud Eagle

17-07-2000, 01:35 PM

Yeah, like wright can be arsed to play anymore at anything but the top level. I'm sorry, but he'll just do what he did for Burnley, unless he is suddenly inspired by past Palace glories..

Eagle

17-07-2000, 02:55 PM

Please, before we start saying this sounds abit like Goldberg, let's read the article:
"Jordan AND manager Steve Coppell want to make a high profile appointment to help turn the club's fortunes around e.t.c."
So Simon is consulting Steve regarding this and this is something which Goldberg never done.
Also, i know Wright didn't help us in our hour of need, but did Steve actually approach him?, but to have him on board as a coach or a player will be a good experience for the youngsters coming through, not forgetting the talents he could pass on to young Clinton who i'm sure will be our next Wrighty.
I'm sure if we employed Wright it would give the whole squad a big buzz.

Harry Holmesdale

17-07-2000, 03:40 PM

......paper talk, absolute rubbish, the only way Wright will come back is as a paying punter.....

Kevin T

17-07-2000, 03:43 PM

.....but I did here this rumour from somewhere at the weekend, before this story went to press. Maybe the Express had undercover journos at the BBS piss-up.

Palace Don

17-07-2000, 06:50 PM

Palace did try and sign Ian Wright in our our of need, but couldn't afford him. We even tried to pay him on a basis where he would get money if the home crowds increased with his appearance.

I think he might come back in a coaching role, but I don't think he'd put on the boots?? But who knows? Stranger things have happened...

Palace Don

17-07-2000, 06:52 PM

Palace did try and sign Ian Wright in our our of need, but couldn't afford him. We even tried to pay him on a basis where he would get money if the home crowds increased with his appearance. Nothing materialised, but Steve definitely wanted him back...

I think he might come back in a coaching role, but I don't think he'd put on the boots?? But who knows? Stranger things have happened.... Clinton and Ian up front next season anyone?

Snorwood Eagle

17-07-2000, 06:56 PM

Would definitely give everyone a bit of a buzz if Mr.Wright came back. I reckon he could still hack it for us, and would come in handy with his experience. Wright and Morrison up front would still give most defences in the first division a serious fright.

James Varcoe

17-07-2000, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Snorwood Eagle on 07-17-2000 02:56 PM
Would definitely give everyone a bit of a buzz if Mr.Wright came back. I reckon he could still hack it for us, and would come in handy with his experience. Wright and Morrison up front would still give most defences in the first division a serious fright.

No it wouldn't. I would love to be proved wrong but IW is not even 10% of the player he was 2 years ago.
He failed at Celtic, Forest but most significantly Burnley.
He remains one of the best 2 or 3 players ever to play for Palace but I, for one, would like to remember him fondly, not sadly.

Gooders

17-07-2000, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by James Varcoe on 07-17-2000 03:02 PMI, for one, would like to remember him fondly, not sadly.

Couldn't agree more. There has been a rash of players going on for too long in recent years (e.g. Rush, Beardsley, Southall) and Wright should avoid making the same mistake.

Guvnor6

17-07-2000, 07:18 PM

I have the greatest amount of respect 4 Wrighty after what he did 4 us, however, THIRTY SIX, Clint and Wright sounds better than Leon and Wright. He could teach Sisqo Morrison how to be an even better finisher and how to earn an awful disciplinary record!

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Oh 4 Fux sake Connex

17-07-2000, 09:48 PM

No I'm not sure this would be good. The kind of money we'd spend paying Wrighty's wages would surely be better spent on a young striker with bags of promise (like Forsell for example) who could do for us in the future what Ian did in the past. If Palace have learnt one thing in its recent past, surely it is that money must be spent wisely and we must patiently lay strong foundations for sucess rather than wasting lots of money on headline grabbing signings who make the papers for a few weeks but who do little for the clubs longterm future. Wrighty is probabley our greatest ever player, but he is finished now as his time at Burnley proves, we need to move on and have new heroes.

Adrian

17-07-2000, 10:11 PM

I think it simply depends on whether he wants to do this or not - and whether he wants serious money.

If we have a YES and a NO in that order, then I think it would do his image a lot of good and Clinton's confidence and skill development a lot of good too.

But it has to be Ian wanting to do it for "The Boss" - and for us.

Laurie

17-07-2000, 10:48 PM

Please Palace DO NOT BRING WRIGHT BACK. He has gone as a player. I have been killing myelf with laughter over Everton signing hasbeen Gazza, so lets not have Brighton supporters in hysterics over this.

Holmesdale

17-07-2000, 11:06 PM

Ian Wright is a has been now. He couldn't get into the Burnley side in division two last year.

The way he kissed the Celtic badge in his first game for them said it all for me. He is a glory-seeking, money grabbing reject, who i definately wouldn't want back at Palace for the attitude he has and more importantly his playing ability.

Forever Stripes

17-07-2000, 11:36 PM

I am in total agreement with 'Holmesdale', he's a spent force, and has the type of attitude that I wouldn't want our youngsters picking up. He's shown what he thinks of us many times since he left. Lets not waste our money that he would be keen to grab.

I'd be supprised if he had the intelligence or the inclination for coaching. If we are looking for an ex star to do us proud, bring on Mark Bright.

arussell

17-07-2000, 11:49 PM

I think it's fair to say that for once we all seem to agree on this !

A while ago I would have welcomed him back, but I think James V has hit the nail on the head here. However - it could also be that Palace are looking at Wrighty in some other capacity and don't forget we currently have a youth team coaching vacancy !

jonesy

18-07-2000, 03:04 AM

Hmm now lets compare one of the goals that sent us down in recent history and the celebration that followed that was scored by a former Palace hero and the reaction last season when another certain ex Palace hero could have scored one of the goals that sent us into the 2nd Div and total oblivion..There lies the answer. No way!

The Glazier

18-07-2000, 03:17 AM

Ian Wright has already shown us what he thinks of us, time and time again since he's left us, we was just a stepping stone for him so thanks for the memory Ian but this club has got to move on, to some one who can give us new memories and not have us remembering the past.

CPFC_R_GREAT

18-07-2000, 03:26 AM

I think that Ian Wright would do no end of good for team morale!

SE25 exile

18-07-2000, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by CPFC_R_GREAT on 07-17-2000 11:26 PM
I think that Ian Wright would do no end of good for team morale!

That's fine, if that's the kind of job that can be found for him, but what about his salary? It just seems an unecessary luxury at the moment, when the main task is to use the new money to rebuild a consistent team of new talent that Steve can develop.

Les Butler

18-07-2000, 11:17 AM

When he kissed the "Arse" shirt and we went down ,that was the end for me.

Let him keep on doing his crappy TV show and hope he stays away from us.

Justin

18-07-2000, 11:44 AM

No way. I was dissapointed when he left for the Arse because it was the end of the Palace dream of Europe etc but I understood it as they are a much bigger club. I then hated him for his antics like kissing his badge and sitting in the A. Waite with the away fans. Sadly I loved it (nothing like changing emotions!) when he swapped shirts with Lombardo and really wanted him to return last year, as a sort of favour come thank you. When he joined Burnley rather than us - well he can now poke it and as far as I am concerned all the songs we sung about him were true!!!

Gooders

18-07-2000, 12:32 PM

And don't forgot what his piss-taking used to do to the confidence of people like Salako and Collymore - I don't think he should be allowed anywhere near our impressionable youngsters.

Stay away Wrighty.

Tony Humphreys

18-07-2000, 12:37 PM

It's rarely a good idea to revisit the scene of past glories. Wright's too old now to be of much use as a player and I can't imagine how he could be of use in any other role.

It's too late, baby, yes, it's too late.......

Gerry from Sussex

18-07-2000, 01:09 PM

It's not so much a question of whether IW still tries or not. The point is, at his age, you just can't expect him to perform at this level other than the odd cameo appearance.

Burnley got what they wanted - a huge boost in ticket sales and a short term buzz to try and kick start their promotion push. It was good business for a club in their position at that particular moment in time, but that's it. When it came to the crucial games in the run in IW was nowhere to be seen.

Coaching role - well maybe. But as for anything else, forget it.

eastern eagle

18-07-2000, 01:14 PM

Wrighty could be used to ham up the half time challenge and do a bit of glad-handing like Birchenall does at Leicester. But no way let him near the youngsters-he'd finish up as their agent and convince them to move to a bigger club.

Neil the Eagle

18-07-2000, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by eastern eagle on 07-18-2000 09:14 AM
no way let him near the youngsters-he'd finish up as their agent and convince them to move to a bigger club.

Excellent point EE, he's involved with a football agency, therefore he shouldn't come near a club in a coaching capacity. There is a clear conflict of interest.

Look what happened the last time we had a clown who had fingers in both pies. Some of those deals are still being investigated.

[This message has been edited by Neil the Eagle (edited 18 July 2000).]

Jack Regan

18-07-2000, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Gooders on 07-18-2000 08:32 AM
And don't forgot what his piss-taking used to do to the confidence of people like Salako and Collymore - I don't think he should be allowed anywhere near our impressionable youngsters.

Stay away Wrighty.

Spot on as usual Gooders.

The last thing Clinton needs is a 36 year old ex-arse player knocking his confidence for 6.

arse legends - KEEP OUT !

Snorwood Eagle

18-07-2000, 03:15 PM

I think Wright is a little bit older and wiser than he was back in his Palace days. I can't see Clinton being 'knocked for 6' by a bit of p*ss taking either - He has an abundance of confidence, and he is probably more capable of shattering old man Wrighty's!
I still say bring him back.

James Varcoe

18-07-2000, 03:18 PM

Only one question here

'Bring him back as what?'

James Simmo

18-07-2000, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by James Varcoe on 07-18-2000 11:18 AM
Only one question here

'Bring him back as what?'

I keep thinking that.

As a player..Past it

Coach.. What training has he done, at least David Platt went off and did some.

Also seeing as he is now an agent do we really want him signing all our players up then telling them he had to move to a bigger club to get anything?

Nice memories of him ( apart from a couple already mentioned above ) Thanks but no thanks.

fish finger

18-07-2000, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by jonesy on 07-17-2000 11:04 PM
Hmm now lets compare one of the goals that sent us down in recent history and the celebration that followed that was scored by a former Palace hero

Get over it. Remember when he swapped shirts with Lombardo? Wright winds us up as much as we wind him up. It's part of the game. He is a streetwise south london boy and i reckon would love to come back and work with Steve.
We need his personality and character to ignite our resurrection. Think of all the press coverage we will get. We need to be in the spotlight again after the darkness of the last couple of years. We also need a hero amongst the youngsters. Wright is the best man for the job.

18-07-2000, 10:27 PM

Fishfinger I have to disagree. The club does not need to attract media hype for the sake of it. Publicity seeking gimmiky signings may get a few headlines, but they don't represent the long term future of our club, if it is to be sucessful. We've had enough of this kind of thing in the past, look at Goldberg bleating to all and sundry about his plans to sign Gascoigne for example. It was the kind of thing that made us a laughing stock.

What we need is to quietley rebuild as a club, this means making sensible buys, bringing in hard working and talented backroom staff, even if they are unglamorous. Sorting the youth team out etc. Sod what the media say about us or not.

anti-addick

19-07-2000, 02:02 AM

Wright can lick it. Let's analyse this, he's too old to play, he's greedy and expensive, he's an agent, he's a piss-taker too. Why the f*ck do we need him? He would only come to use us, did he care about us so close to liquidation? Did he donate a penny to the trust? Could he be bothered to show his face at the Glad All Over gig?

One thing not mentioned is that he's thick as dogsh*t too. As a coach you will need to be able communicate with the players and I don't think he's able to.

Mark Bright would be much better as a coach, he deserves better than those muppets from the caravan park.

If you ever read this Simon Jordan you'll see what us supporters want and it ain't Ian Wright.

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Support Crystal Palace Internet FC !!
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johnny

19-07-2000, 02:15 AM

....You should speak your mind while you're at it Anti!.Agree with a lot of what you say,but I do think that Wrighty is a lot smarter than he seems.Lets face it,the guy is a Palace legend,and whatever he does(or doesn't do),I'll always have a place in my heart for him,and I think there are quite a few thousand people who feel the same.Don't know if him making a playing comeback for us is a good idea though....

Forever Stripes

19-07-2000, 02:26 AM

Sorry agree with Anti, he's thick as .... (I did say as much of my earlier posting.)

He's history. I don't want him back as anything.

anti-addick

19-07-2000, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by johnny on 07-18-2000 10:15 PM
Lets face it,the guy is a Palace legend,and whatever he does(or doesn't do),I'll always have a place in my heart for him,and I think there are quite a few thousand people who feel the same.

True Johnny, that place in my heart is reserved for his skills on the ball when he was with us, not his actions afterwards. Yes, he was world class at the time and everyone acknowledges that but it doesn't mean that we should be pleased if he walks into SP again.

PS - he IS as dumb as a box of rocks, there is no question.

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

M Shwartz

20-07-2000, 05:04 PM

What we have to remember is we're a club that compete compete on cash resources with most other clubs in the Premier League and First Division. Therefore, if we're to become a bigger club we need to generate a team spirit and pride amongst all our players that is better than any other club. We need to find our wown comparitive advantage.

Forget about your own personal views of Ian Wright, just think about of how the younger players at Palace will feel when they are training and watching a player like Ian Wright - a player most of them will have grown up idolising. If they learn half the skills and attitude to training that Ian had then our club will be going places.

As far as I'm concerned, the more players/ex-players of Ian's stature and ability that can be brought in to work with the players the better.

Well done SJ for trying.

eagle mart

20-07-2000, 05:18 PM

Ask any young striker across the country trying to break into Professional football 'who is your idol?' 80% would say Ian Wright.
He IS a Palace and Arsenal Legend. The youngsters could only benefit from his enthusiasm that has never wained. He's brilliant with kids and if only as a scout, would be a good asset. I remember the shirt kissing incident only too well. All hell broke loose in the stands around me. But that was moons ago and shouldn't get in the way of could be a brilliant coup for the club and morale in general.
Some you welcomed back Terry Venables with half as much disgust as you are showing now, in light of these reports; and you don't even know if they're true....