IN HIS latest column, Robert Sutherland gives thanks for the current state of stability at Selhurst Park - unlike a certain other London club...
SACKING a manager tends to be the first option for the chairmen of clubs languishing in the relegation fight. It can have the desired effect providing the impetus to push for safety, or can lead to further plummeting towards the impending doom that is (in essence) a huge loss in income.
Fulham are the latest example of how changing a manager doesn't always have the desired effect. Replacing Martin Jol with Rene Meulensteen didn't have the impact they had hoped it would, so with little consideration for the upheaval it might cause, they disposed of him and replaced him with German coach Felix Magath.
As Palace fans, we can perhaps recall a similar time. Steve Coppell was blamed for Palace's failings in the 97/98 season and was subsequently replaced by Attilio Lombardo. While the Eagles looked relegation bound at that point anyway, it had a further destabilising effect and provided a little insight into how Mark Goldberg's spell as chairman would pan out.
Nothing is certain in this division but, if safety is our goal, we have a manager who is best suited to leading a team to fight that battle. Bringing him in at the time they did, CPFC2010 gave Pulis and the team a better chance purely because it allowed for adaption to his methods and for him to bring in players that could improve the chances of staying up.
With the additions made and the progress that the club have achieved so far, the possibility of staying in the division is greater than it perhaps ever was.
Palace still have significant hurdles to jump, but committed performances and cool heads should see us through. Just as others are losing theirs.
