The main source of interest on Tuesday night, quite rightly focused around the live debate on Holmesdale Radio between Steve Parish and Gareth Southgate over the EPPP proposals. With Southgate now occupying a supposedly prominent post within the FA set-up, he bravely stepped into the lion’s den and attempted to allay any fears Steve and the supporters had, unfortunately, his answers didn't provide us with any form of comfort.
As much as credit has to be given to him for taking the plunge and allowing himself to be shot at in terms of the specific issues we as a club have with the new proposals, his performance gave the impression of a man in over his head. It was obvious throughout, that he does sympathise with the problems the EPPP poses for us, but it was also abundantly clear that he is somewhat powerless to help.
The main crux of the issue, and it is something that has been obvious throughout the whole of this process, is that, due to our academy proving to be so much more successful than many, our specific circumstances relate to a very small section of the professional English game as a whole. In the main, clubs don't put anything like the same amount of effort and money into their academies as we do relative to their income. As a direct result of this, the increased blanket funding that is being offered to all by the EPPP is an attractive proposition to many, as they will, it seems, be given more money for doing exactly what they have always done, not a lot.
It is now obvious, given Gareth's comments on the subject on Tuesday night, that, although we make a very compelling and valid argument for the huge drawbacks the EPPP presents us individually, the FA do not deem our specific set of grievances to be sufficiently important to the overall good of the game for any dramatic changes in our favour.
Steve Parish, as he has done throughout his time as co-chairman, and especially during the recent debates over the EPPP, did a fantastic job in correctly airing every possible problem the club have with the proposals. You can sense a deep and very real passion to ensure that the correct outcome is reached for all parties in the long-term from the way Steve goes about stating the facts, and I am sure that the conversations will continue for some months yet. One thing is certain, we could not wish for a better man to be taking the lead on the battle against Premiership greed, and Tuesday night was yet another occasion, in an already long list, when I was extremely proud to have him at the top of my football club.
If you would like to listen to the entire debate you can do so by clicking here.
In terms of other club news, there was a predictably ill-informed article linking Wilf with a move to either Newcastle or Everton for the pie in the sky figure of £5 million, which, I suppose we should be flattered by, considering that only a couple of months ago, the sum was a paltry £2 million.
All of the articles published about Zaha's "imminent" departure during the last few months seem to refer to the interested parties "lack of firepower", whilst conveniently ignoring the fact that there has not been a single word uttered from anyone at Palace, Wilf included, about a sale being remotely entertained in the January transfer window.
Normally, I wouldn't even bother to give this type of story the time of day, but given that there really isn't a lot else being said in any media outlet, I was offered little choice but to acknowledge the articles existence. I think everyone is well aware that Wilf sees his immediate future being best served by playing for us, and in truth that is all that really matters.
Finally, Lennie Lawrence has been speaking to the BBC about Jon Williams future as an international player:
"The strong advice from me would be for Jon to play for Wales. There's all sorts of rumours flying about that England are interested in him, but the strong advice from me would be, obviously I've still got connections in Wales, to play for Wales. I think Gary Speed will pick him in the squad and Gary Speed will put him on the pitch when he thinks it's right. I would absolutely stick down that route - that's the advice from me and Dougie we'd be giving to him. Of course it's up to the boy and his parents."
I have to say, that I wholeheartedly agree with Lennie on this issue. As nice as it would be to see Jon representing England one day, the chances of him doing that whilst still playing for Crystal Palace are incredibly slim. It doesn't then take a rocket scientist to work out, that if Jon were to switch allegiances and play for England; the Premier League power clubs would place their scouts on a level of alert higher than ever, thus making it almost impossible for us to keep him.
Playing for Wales, in comparison, represents a happy medium for both Williams and the club. He is already well within touching distance of gaining his first full international cap, having been called up to the senior squad only a couple of months ago, and will, as a result, undoubtedly be given a far more prominent place in the squads attempting to qualify for World Cup 2014 than he would if he declared himself for the Three Lions.
From the club's perspective, it would allow Jon the freedom and confidence associated with playing for his country at the highest level without enticing the humungous amount of interest that is afforded to every prospect that pulls on an England shirt. Obviously, as soon as any player participates for one of the home nations, their stock rises, but it is without question, that the microscope examines players to a deeper degree when they play for England compared with our neighbours from the valleys.
Either way, it is clear that Williams is destined to represent somebody at international level, and if he decides to take Lennie and Dougie's advice to stay loyal to Wales and Gary Speed, the opportunity, I'm sure will present itself sooner rather than later.
Until tomorrow...
Cheers Holmesdale Native, for a good read. The whole Wilf transfer talk is inevitable of course, although as you say, at this stage it is mostly bollocks. However, I definitely think that if a Premiership club comes calling, Everton would be a likely one. Very much doubt we'll be selling him any time soon since he's so integral to our own fortunes, and both CPFC 2010 and Dougie/Lennie seem unlikely to see sense in selling him.
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