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Crystal Palace star on manager latest and wants Walsall Cup win

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CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni says the club's chairman Steve Parish needs to take his time over a new managerial appointment. Caretaker boss Keith Millen's name has been thrown into the hat for the hotseat at Selhurst Park, and despite two defeats under his leadership, Speroni says it's too early to judge whether the Croydon-born man is up to the job. "Results come, I don't think the result against West Ham would affect anything," said the custodian. "Obviously if we had won maybe the chairman would see it in a different way but I wouldn't judge so soon. "You can't judge on one or two results. Keith works hard on the training ground. "Every manager is different. A new man will come in and I am sure he will want to put his own ideas into play. "Sometimes it could be similar to what we've done before or it could be totally different. We need to wait and see. "As good as it would be to name someone as soon as possible – whether it's Keith or someone else coming in – it could also be bad if we rush into a decision. "I am sure the chairman is going to take his time and make sure the right man take charge of this team." Palace travel to Walsall on Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup and Speroni says the team are going to the Bescot Stadium to win in order to kickstart their season. "We want to have a good run in the Cup competitions so we are looking forward to that," he said. "We are going to go there and try to win. That always helps."

Crystal Palace star on manager latest and wants Walsall Cup win


BNP's 'anti-mosque' meeting in New Addington fails to attract support

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FEWER than 50 people turned up to the BNP's "anti-mosque" meeting on Sunday, sending a clear message to the far-right group: "We don't want you in New Addington."

The meeting was scheduled in response to news the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – which is based in Shirley – was considering the estate for a new base.

But fewer than 50 people showed up at the meeting, which was moved from inside the Addington Community Association (ACA) after Croydon Council intervention.

BNP members Clifford Le May and John Clarke had claimed to have collected 2,000 signatures stating they did not want a mosque in the area.

Oliver Lewis, Labour councillor for New Addington, said the message from residents was clear. "For the second time in recent months, residents have rejected the divisional politics of the right. They are trying to divide and break up what is traditionally a tolerant community. They are driving a hate-filled agenda."

The council confirmed it had warned the ACA against holding the meeting because of its "political" nature, which the ACA said had led it to cancel the meeting.

A council spokesman said: "The licence does not permit them to rent the building for political meetings.

"We explained if the meeting went ahead it may be necessary to review the agreement."

Mr Clarke said the campaign would continue but admitted there were not as many people at the meeting as he had hoped.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has said it would only want a base in the east of the borough and does not understand the level of vitriol.

Mr Clarke reiterated why the BNP is against "any" base for the Al-Ahmadiyya Association in the estate, despite one in 20 people in New Addington and Fieldway being Muslim, according to the council.

He said: "There aren't the amount of Muslims in New Addington they are saying there is. We have looked up the Census figures and it's nowhere near.

"An Asian man told us he'd been beaten up outside the mosque and that they were bad news. I think he was Hindu."

BNP's 'anti-mosque' meeting in New Addington fails to attract support

Bomber fly-past cancelled due to poor weather

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A FLY-PAST by the only two flying Lancaster bombers in the world at Kenley Airfield last Sunday had to be cancelled because of poor weather.

The bombers, plus a Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were meant to fly over the airfield to mark the anniversary of Kenley's "Hardest Day" on August 18 1940, when the airfield was heavily raided and nine people were killed.

Chairman of RAF Kenley Tribute Committee Mike Street said that the event had to be cancelled due to wind and rain.

He said: "The conditions in which these iconic items of British heritage can fly are extremely strict.

"The pilots wouldn't have been able to see the crowd and the crowd wouldn't have been able to see the aircraft.

"We were all extremely disappointed and speaking to the officers they were as disappointed as we were."

The Canadian Fighter Wing squadrons were based at Kenley Airfield in 1942 and so the crew of the Canadian Lancaster meant to fly on Sunday were particularly upset not to get to see the airfield.

But the 74th anniversary of the Hardest Day was still remembered in Kenley as The Wattenden Arms pub raised a flagpole with the RAF Ensign on Sunday afternoon.

They were joined by Cold War NF11 pilot Mike Webster who gave a speech.

Pub manager Steve Stevens said: "Our pub dates back to the early 1900s. There is a lot of history here and in Kenley, especially with the airfield so close by and fairly untouched by time. We thought it important that we do something special."

Bomber fly-past cancelled due to poor weather

New social network for those who live and work in Croydon

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A SOCIAL network just for those who live and work in Croydon launched last week.

Just Croydon is the brainchild of web designers Chris Howson, 28, and Steve Hemsley, 32, and is completely free to sign up to.

It had its launch event at Matthews Yard last week and around 100 members and have businesses already signed up.

Mr Howson said: "It's a social network for the borough, a place to encourage conversations in a local environment.

"There are a lot of features you would find on other social networking sites such as buying and selling your stuff or posting jobs and news stories."

The site offers businesses free advertising, work for jobseekers and simply the chance to make new friends.

Purley resident Mr Howson said the duo had the idea because of a gap in the market.

"We went to Croydon Tech City meetings and we met quite a few people and saw what was on offer and we thought we could do better," he said.

"So we went away and thought, knowing the bad reputation Croydon has, it might be nice to do something good for the community.

"I think it will work because on sites like Facebook and Twitter it's not so easy to find stuff advertised locally and we think it's really important we keep it free."

Visit justcroydon.com to register your profile.

Owner looks on in horror as fire threatens home

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It took twenty firefighters and four fire engines almost two hours to quell a blaze in a Coulsdon house on Wednesday.

The fire at 95 Chaldon Way started at 3.45pm and was not brought under control until 5.30pm.

Station manager Justin Coo said the fire started in an upstairs room. "We do not know at this time what caused the fire but an investigation is ongoing. There are no suspicious circumstances that we are aware of."

Neighbour Anais Druard said: "I was in the garden when my friend and I saw the entire back of the [house] billowing flames, which were two or three metres high. It all happened very quickly, they blocked off the road and at the front were four fire engines.

"The house owner was clearly distraught going back and forth, asking questions."

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said a man had left the property before crews arrived.

Neighbours believe that a couple live in the house, which was their family home.

Mr Coo confirmed no one was hurt as a result of the blaze.

Another neighbour, Paula Rains, said: "I feel horrible. It's a bit of a shock and I feel very sad for them.

"But no lives were lost and that's the main thing. You can replace and repair things, so long as no one was hurt."

Mr Coo urged people to make sure they have a working smoke alarm fitted in their homes.

He could not comment on whether there was a working fire alarm in this house.

Owner looks on in horror as fire threatens home

Former Crystal Palace hotshot Bruce Dyer nominates Prime Minister David Cameron to take ice bucket challenge

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FORMER Crystal Palace hotshot Bruce Dyer has nominated Prime Minister David Cameron to take the ice bucket challenge. Dyer, 39, took to Facebook to dare Mr Cameron to be doused in icy water in aid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ex-Barnsley and Watford legend also nominated Tykes legends Bobby Hassell and Danny Wilson to take a soaking for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The Prime Minister is yet to reply to the request.

Former Crystal Palace hotshot Bruce Dyer nominates Prime Minister David Cameron to take ice bucket challenge

Defender Martin Kelly on Crystal Palace's set-play problem and looks to Walsall Cup clash

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Martin Kelly says that conceding to more set-pieces on Saturday was "not good enough" and wants the team to replicate their form shown under Tony Pulis. Under the former boss, Palace conceded just once from a set-play, while inside the opening two games so far this season they have conceded four out of five from those situations. However, Kelly says he and the players are not too down and are working on fixing the problem. "We didn't get off to a good start and the gaffer felt were second best to most challenges," he said. "We came out in the second half but then we go and conceded another sloppy goal. "It was a bright start but they were dictating play and it's not what we should have been doing at home. "We should have been attacking the play and creating chances ourselves. "We had a good chat at half-time and got the goal back. Of course, no one likes losing but we have got a team here that try and never give up. "We're all in it together. From set-plays, we got punished for it. It's not good enough when the team has been so good at that. "We need to become stronger and better to get it back to the way it was, because that's what we're known for. "The lads' morale wasn't down, it was just simply down to a bad start and being second best to most challenges. "We have Walsall first then Newcastle away to put things right." And Kelly is hoping the squad can put a smile back on the fans' faces in tonight's Capital One Cup game at the Bescot Stadium. "Every game is different but we go to Walsall looking to win," he said. "It's a Cup game and for all the travelling supporters they deserve for us to put a team out that is going to win the game."

Defender Martin Kelly on Crystal Palace's set-play problem and looks to Walsall Cup clash

FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace supporters must stay positive, despite managerial turmoil

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CRYSTAL Palace Five Year Plan fanzine editor and Advertiser columnist ROBERT SUTHERLAND reflects on the weekend defeat to West Ham - and urges the fans to remain upbeat...

WE PALACE fans are generally quite level-headed folk. We understand that there are troughs and peaks whenever it comes to supporting our club, we know that things are never plain sailing - it wouldn't be Palace if they were (and I wouldn't want it that way, anyway) - we have a reputation for getting behind our team and supporting the players to the hilt.

However, this summer has been tough. It has been tough because sides that we finished above (comfortably too) spent the summer recruiting quality players and now look like they could finish above us. A summer that should have seen the club move forward has instead seen us stuck in neutral. I can't and won't just blame Steve Parish and the board - there is clearly more to it, and Pulis deserves blame for the way his exit came at a crucial point of pre-season.

Losing three players like we did prior to Saturday's game made matters considerably worse. In Dann, Ledley and Puncheon, Palace have three Premier League quality players capable of raising the standard throughout the squad. And their omission meant we reverted to what looked like nothing more than a Championship side.

With that loss in quality came an inability to compete with West Ham, one of the many teams that strengthened during the summer. And so the frustration that had simmered among supporters reached boiling point on Saturday. With each West Ham short corner came an audible rise in frustration from our support. As the game drew on, Bannan's substitution was met with boos, and then O'Keefe's removal was met with ironic cheers.

We fans are better than that. I'll admit that Saturday made painful viewing, but our players can't help the situation they've found themselves in. If we think it's exhausting as supporters, imagine being right in the middle of it all.

While Saturday's game was a poor one, you can't say that they didn't try. It's just that they're missing the one component that made everything tick. It'll be a real challenge for Parish and co to find an adequate replacement - but let's make sure we supporters still do our bit, with the same positivity that we've become famous for. The Palace way. 

FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace supporters must stay positive, despite managerial turmoil


WATCH: Bikini-clad Croydon Hustler Club girls take on the ice bucket challenge

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UNLESS you've been living in a cave for the past two weeks, you'll be fully aware by now of the ice bucket craze sweeping the nation.

The latest to take the ice bucket challenge are these scantily-clad beauties from Croydon's Hustler Club, who then nominated Courtney Love, Dizzee Rascal, Jodie Marsh and Ricky, Melvin and Charlie from KISS FM to take the challenge.

The craze has swept social media in recent days, with the aim of raising awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Celebrities including David Beckham, Lady Gaga, and even former U.S president George W Bush are among those to have taken part.

See the Hustler girls getting a soaking in the video below.

Allez Les Blues: Croydon to play host to French team during the Rugby World Cup

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THE French national rugby team will be stationed in Croydon during next year's World Cup, it has been announced.

Les Blues, who made the final in 2011 before losing to the All Blacks, will use Trinity School, in Shirley, as a training base during the tournament in September and October next year.

The French superstars will have access to top class facilities at Trinity, including a pitch, sports hall, pool, fitness suite, strength and conditioning suite, and medical room.

Trinity School Director of Rugby, Aaron Liffchak, said: "The whole school is excited at the thought of hosting the French rugby team and being part of the third largest sporting event in the world. 

"To be recognised as one of the top rugby facilities in the country is a huge compliment to the many staff that work so hard to create such a special environment at Trinity and it is really great to be bringing RWC 2015 and the 'Tricolores' to Croydon."

Allez Les Blues: Croydon to play host to French  team during the Rugby World Cup

Inbetweeners star applies for Crystal Palace job

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Following the shock departure of Tony Pulis Crystal Palace have found it tough to get the right man in with Malky Mackay's deal collapsing and Tim Sherwood ruling himself out.

Many names are linked with the vacant manager role at Selhurst Park but sometimes a new and inexperienced manager is the right way to go.

They often bring a fresh youthfulness and enthusiasm that can excite the fans as well as the players especially when they're vocal about their support for that team.

However that rule usually applies to former players and not TV and movie stars such as James Buckley's alter ego Jay Cartwright from the Inbetweeners.

The Chelmsford resident and self-proclaimed Crystal Palace fan offered his "services to fill the currently vacant managers role of Crystal Palace Football Club following a successful spell on Football Manager with Manchester United.

Steve Parish responded to Buckley's application on Twitter: "@James_Buckley excellent cv ,working with rio on the stereo business is key, ability to manage big players , @rioferdy5 is it true ?"

Inbetweeners star applies for Crystal Palace job

Pensioner admits causing death of mum-of-three hit by car while picking children up from school

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A PENSIONER who admitted causing the death of a mother-of-three after she was hit by a car has escaped a jail term.

Shelton Hoilett, 77, struck Charmaine Duncan, 29, while she was on a zebra crossing in Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath, on March 19, 2013.

Hoilett, of Selhurst Road, South Norwood, admitted a charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving at a Croydon Crown Court this morning (Tuesday) having initially pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing.

However, he was only handed a suspended sentence and walked away from court.

Miss Duncan - who had been on the way to pick up two of her children from school - was dragged underneath the car.

She was taken to the major trauma centre at King's College Hospital, in Denmark Hill, but died on March 22.

Pensioner admits causing death of mum-of-three hit by car while picking children up from school

Julian Speroni backs Keith Millen and thanks Crystal Palace fans

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JULIAN Speroni believes caretaker boss Keith Millen has to stay at Crystal Palace, whether he becomes the new manager or not. The custodian says Millen has the experience picked up from working under Ian Holloway and Tony Pulis, and he has a chance to stake a claim against Walsall in the Capital One Cup this evening. However, a defeat will surely signal the end of any hope the caretaker has of landing the role permanently. "Who better than Keith to help whoever the new manager is?," said Speroni. "We want to win for ourselves, for the club, for Keith, for everybody. We always want to win. "Nobody goes onto the pitch and thinks 'I don't care if we win today'. "Keith has worked alongside Ian Holloway and Tony Pulis, so I wouldn't say he hasn't got experience. "He has worked with the main men before, with good managers. "We were all disappointed against West Hamand there are things we need to improve. "The fans are always behind us and they know what's going on at the moment "On Saturday they were great again. The display (in the Holmesdale Stand) was unbelievable, that shows you how much they care and how much they are behind the team."

Julian Speroni backs Keith Millen and thanks Crystal Palace fans

Robbery at Co-operative store in Kenley

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Police are appealing for information after a Kenley supermarket was robbed in the early hours of this morning.

Officers were called to the Co-operative food store on Godstone Road at 6.13am.A police spokesman said they do not believe anything was stolen.

The spokesman added no arrests have been made and there are currently three suspects.

A cordon is in place around the store.

A resident of Station Road, just behind the Co-op, who did not want to be named, said: "It's happened before and it's a little bit disconcerting, they don't seem to be able to cure the problem. It's an easy target I guess because of the lack of security and I would like to see more security there."

Robbery at Co-operative store in Kenley

Crystal Palace announce deal with sports social media network

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Sportlobster, the sports social network, has been named Official Social Media Partner of Crystal Palace F.C. The new partnership, announced today, will enable Crystal Palace and its players to engage with fans in a ground-breaking way via the dedicated online sports network. The relationship will also provide Sportlobster with a prominent match-day presence at each of Crystal Palace's home games, together with access to behind-the-scenes content, which will be shared exclusively with fans on the Sportlobster platform. Since Sportlobster launched in April 2013, more than 1.6 million fans have joined the network. Clubs, teams and athletes across a wide and diverse range of sports are using the platform to engage with fans. However, this is the first official partnership that Sportlobster has established with a Premier League football club. Arron Shepherd, co-founder and COO of Sportlobster, said: "We made the decision to partner with Crystal Palace, because we were hugely impressed with the club's popularity online and its innovative use of social media. We are keen to continue to attract passionate, social media-savvy sports fans to Sportlobster, and Crystal Palace's supporters are precisely that. A partnership with the club, therefore, made great sense to us. "We are absolutely delighted to become the club's official social media partner. Crystal Palace fans will now be able to access more content from the club, its players and other Palace fans, than they are able to on any other platform. With the addition of access to existing data on fixtures, results and news, fans also have the opportunity to predict the results of games and read and write blogs, all on one platform. The relationship with Crystal Palace is another major step in our journey towards becoming the ultimate network for sports fans." The partnership will begin with immediate effect, as Crystal Palace begins its 2014-2015 Premier League season. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said: "The Club are absolutely delighted to be working in this sector in partnership with Sportlobster.The relevance and buzz of social media to the sports industry continues to grow at an incredible rate, with Sportlobster becoming the social network for passionate sports fans around the world, revolutionising the way people create and source sports content."

Crystal Palace announce deal with sports social media network


FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace's lame surrender to West Ham shows why Keith Millen isn't the man for the job

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ADVERTISER columnist and Crystal Palace fan ALISDAIR KEMP explains why the defeat to West Ham should rule Keith Millen out of the race for the manager's job at Selhurst Park...

Saturday's insipid display against a West Ham side whose own performance has since been vastly overstated, demonstrated – regrettably – why Keith Millen simply cannot step into the breach as manager.

I found myself on the morning of the game desperate for a first win of the season. However, this was not borne purely out of a desire for three valuable points; rather a keenness for Millen to force himself into consideration for the manager's job.

However, the eventual manner in which the team acquitted themselves against a team that last season would have posed few problems, was a three-pronged disappointment: tactically deficient, poor in use of substitutions and worst of all, lacking in spirit.

Regarding defensive errors, I'm not laying the blame firmly at Millen's feet. Conceding four goals in two games from set-pieces is outrageous and it would be churlish to suggest that the team has forgotten how to defend them in the fortnight since Tony Pulis departed.

As would it be to point the finger at Millen for the statuesque approach to defending the first goal or Joel Ward's inexplicable schoolboy error of showing Stewart Downing inside onto his stronger foot for the second goal?

However, the game was lost in the midfield. Due to presumably poor direction from the touchline, I sat immensely frustrated watching Mile Jedinak and Stuart O'Keefe mark open space; all the while leaving Mauro Zarate free between the lines. A simple man-marking job would have rectified this. For all the talk of the difference Joe Ledley would have made through the middle, the outcome would likely have been the same, with Zarate finding space left, right and centre, and our midfield being humiliated by simple passing triangles.

Aside from the bizarre 10-minute delay in making a substitution after West Ham's third goal, there seemed little logic in any of the changes. Swapping Jonny Williams for Barry Bannan was simply a like-for-like replacement; not what is needed when two goals down, while moving Fraizer Campbell out wide when Dwight Gayle was introduced demonstrated clear ignorance at Campbell's ineffectiveness in that role for Cardiff last season.

It was the lack of fight and desire, though, that hurt the most. Palace, if nothing else, always fights to the end. The lack of any sort of pressing or even covering space to shut off the angles seemed peculiar given all the talk of how fit the players would be this term. The body language of the players after West Ham's third goal was the final nail in Millen's coffin for me.

Shoulders slumped forward; heads down; gesticulating angrily to each other, they looked a beaten, wounded group. Where was the desire to sprint back to the centre circle and immediately right the plethora of wrongs?

We can forgive tactical errors on Millen's part as everyone makes mistakes. What cannot be tolerated, though, is an inability to motivate the squad. It is the most fundamental part of the job and, unfortunately for Millen, he fell at the first hurdle.

FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace's lame surrender to West Ham shows why Keith Millen isn't the man for the job

Missing teenager Natasha Sandford found in Croydon

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A 15-year-old schoolgirl who had been missing for more than a fortnight has been found safe and well.

Natasha Sandford, from Caterham, who was last seen at around 10.20am on August 10 in the Foxon Lane area of the town was located this afternoon (Tuesday) in the Croydon area.

Police have thanked members of the public for their assistance.

Missing teenager Natasha Sandford found in Croydon

Crystal Palace legend: Finding the right experienced manager is proving a tough task

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After Tony Pulis' surprise departure various names have been linked with the vacant manager position at Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas says it is obvious Steve Parish is looking for someone with experience.

Neil Warnock is favourite for the job, with the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Mick McCarthy other names mentioned in the past few days.

"It sounds like Steve's going for experience but to find somebody with experience, who is not in a job, is difficult to get," Thomas said. "Because if there isn't one available is it a case of going elsewhere."

Keith Millen has taken the helm again as caretaker manager after successfully restoring team spirit the last time he was in the caretaker role and Thomas has nothing but praise for Millen whilst appreciating it is a tough task for him.

"I think Keith did exceptionally well last year," Thomas said. "Keith is a great guy to have at the helm while this is going on but I think Saturday proved the situation Palace are in and I would question would that have been the case with Tony Pulis at the helm."

For the time being Millen will take charge of his side against Newcastle on the weekend but the former Palace goalkeeper has asked for his club to sort the situation out sooner rather than later.

"What's happening with Palace at the moment is not good and we've just got to get some decent results and the next guy who comes in will see if he keeps Keith in his plans."

Former Eagles skipper Thomas has a self-proclaimed love affair with Crystal Palace and despite not being in a position to take the manager's role he admits he could never turn down an offer to return in some way.

"I've always reserved a passion for Palace and there's still a passion there for football. I've always thought about getting back into football and I'd never say no to Palace that's for sure but we can all dream."

Crystal Palace legend: Finding the right experienced manager is proving a tough task

Is this a false widow spider in New Addington?

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COULD the false widow be alive and well in Croydon?

This photo, posted on the New Addington Pathfinders Facebook page, looks uncannily like the creature which has hit the headlines in recent months for its frequent, yet scary, appearances up and down the UK.

In response to the initial post, Phillip Watson said: "False widow definitely but I would of put outside just because they won't bother you and help rid mossies and flies."

And Natasha Cook added: "That is defo a false widow. kill it if u can lol."

Alas, this falsie didn't meet a happy ending. Having been trapped in a cup, the spider later passed on to the great web in the sky.

Is this a false widow spider in New Addington?

Warnock's potential Crystal Palace return splits opinion among fans

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Neil Warnock has astonishingly become the odds-on favourite to take the vacant manager's job at Crystal Palace four years after departing the club.

The past month has been a testing time for the Eagles with the search for a new manager still on going and the possibility of a Warnock return splitting opinion among fans.

@adamcox3 voiced his concerns in extreme fashion on Twitter after hearing the news, by directing his unhappiness towards Steve Parish "If you give Neil Warnock the job I will give back my season ticket @CEO4TAG @CPFC"

Robert Duncan also expressed dissatisfaction in the news that Warnock is now odds on favourite by asking Steve Parish if there are any better options.

@robbocpfc "Why the hell would we want Neil Warnock as our next manager. He was useless at Leeds – cpfc @CEO4TAG is he supposed to be better than nothing"

However there are plenty of fans positive about the Warnock link.

@finbarjameson tweeted his support by saying "Obviously speculation is out of control, but I love Neil Warnock. He was brilliant for us and also brilliant value. #cpfc"

Darryl Jupp pleaded the club bring back the former manager by begging @Juppopovic "Please can we just get Neil Warnock back. #cpfc"

Some have been so far as to hold Warnock in high regard in their opinion of his reign at the helm with @samueldinnadge joyfully stating "Neil Warnock now favourite for the job – the legend returns!! #cpfc"

If Warnock is given his second stint in charge then the reception from the home fans is going to be fascinating.

Warnock's potential Crystal Palace return splits opinion among fans

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