10-08-2000, 06:36 PM
THE Palace revolution continued apace this week with two more signings and another one likely to follow yesterday (Thursday).
Manager Alan Smith made his first recruits to the ranks, snapping up highly-rated Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor on Tuesday. Taylor, 19, makes his debut at Blackburn tomorrow (Saturday) in the opening Nationwide League Division One match of the season.
The Eagles have the option to extend Taylor’s stay by another two months.
Taylor was joined at Palace yesterday by left-back Craig Harrison, signed on loan from Premiership Middlesbrough. If Harrison impresses then the two clubs will agree a permanent transfer.
Palace have also taken former Luton and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Scott Oakes on a week’s trial, starting from yesterday.
Meanwhile, Palace’s new boss was hoping to complete a hat-trick of signings yesterday afternoon, although he would not reveal the mystery player’s identity.
Smith told the Advertiser: "Without any doubt Stuart will make his debut at Ewood Park. He is a very good goalkeeper, standing 6ft 4in, and Bob Wilson and Mike Kelly say that technically he is the best goalkeeper in the country.
"And I am not worried about his age. I am very happy about the situation. I have no hesitation in playing Stuart and he suits what I think the image of Crystal Palace should be about.
"He is tall and healthy, has a great smile on him and the fans will relate to him."
He is also delighted to have secured the 22-year-old Harrison, who at 6ft tall will add height to the defence. He has significant experience in Middlesbrough’s first team.
"Harrison is very strong and skillful. He has been an outstanding prospect in the north east for a long time. Again he will suit the image of the club. He has played in Middlesbrough’s first team and we have had good reports about him."
Smith insists that he will not engage in panic buying and will only sign players he believes are right for the club.
He and coaches Glenn Cockerill and Steve Kember stayed at the training ground until midnight three days this week considering options for bringing new talent in.
Goalkeeper is a position which has caused the management concern throughout the pre-season build-up. Heavy pre-season defeats against created doubts about the credentials of last season’s first-choice keeper Fraser Digby and reserve Matthew Gregg.
Palace were set to buy Francis Benali from Southampton on Monday but the deal was aborted when the player broke his leg.
Jordan is telling fans Palace have money to spend, but not to waste. He will invest in the team, but wants to make sure he gets value for his cash.
Centre-half David Woozley is suspended for the trip to Blackburn.
(Adder tomorrow)
Manager Alan Smith made his first recruits to the ranks, snapping up highly-rated Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor on Tuesday. Taylor, 19, makes his debut at Blackburn tomorrow (Saturday) in the opening Nationwide League Division One match of the season.
The Eagles have the option to extend Taylor’s stay by another two months.
Taylor was joined at Palace yesterday by left-back Craig Harrison, signed on loan from Premiership Middlesbrough. If Harrison impresses then the two clubs will agree a permanent transfer.
Palace have also taken former Luton and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Scott Oakes on a week’s trial, starting from yesterday.
Meanwhile, Palace’s new boss was hoping to complete a hat-trick of signings yesterday afternoon, although he would not reveal the mystery player’s identity.
Smith told the Advertiser: "Without any doubt Stuart will make his debut at Ewood Park. He is a very good goalkeeper, standing 6ft 4in, and Bob Wilson and Mike Kelly say that technically he is the best goalkeeper in the country.
"And I am not worried about his age. I am very happy about the situation. I have no hesitation in playing Stuart and he suits what I think the image of Crystal Palace should be about.
"He is tall and healthy, has a great smile on him and the fans will relate to him."
He is also delighted to have secured the 22-year-old Harrison, who at 6ft tall will add height to the defence. He has significant experience in Middlesbrough’s first team.
"Harrison is very strong and skillful. He has been an outstanding prospect in the north east for a long time. Again he will suit the image of the club. He has played in Middlesbrough’s first team and we have had good reports about him."
Smith insists that he will not engage in panic buying and will only sign players he believes are right for the club.
He and coaches Glenn Cockerill and Steve Kember stayed at the training ground until midnight three days this week considering options for bringing new talent in.
Goalkeeper is a position which has caused the management concern throughout the pre-season build-up. Heavy pre-season defeats against created doubts about the credentials of last season’s first-choice keeper Fraser Digby and reserve Matthew Gregg.
Palace were set to buy Francis Benali from Southampton on Monday but the deal was aborted when the player broke his leg.
Jordan is telling fans Palace have money to spend, but not to waste. He will invest in the team, but wants to make sure he gets value for his cash.
Centre-half David Woozley is suspended for the trip to Blackburn.
(Adder tomorrow)