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FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace players and the use of Twitter

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IT seems like such a long time ago when if you had a problem with someone you'd say it to their face, right? You'd pull them to one side and ask for a private word. An exchange of opinions, a customary handshake and either a resolution or agreement to disagree and go your separate ways. One thing was for sure though, it would be dealt with in a private and confide way. Oh, how things were so different before Twitter arrived and football players thought they could vent their frustration to the public. On Saturday, prior to Palace's home match against Leicester, midfielder Barry Bannan tweeted five angry faces. Had he just stubbed his toe? Or had he just found out the news that he wasn't to be included in Neil Warnock's squad? Only he knows the answer but we are left to speculate and assume - and that's not a good thing. I'm all for footballers having Twitter accounts. I think it's great that fans get an insight into what footballers get up to. It's a perfect platform for players and fans to connect on a personal level. But social media has a negative side. It provides a space for abuse of all kinds, manipulative behaviour and in some cases opinions that can lead to very bad consequences. If Bannan's tweet was about Palace he should seriously consider chatting to Jason Puncheon about the use of Twitter. Puncheon took to Twitter last year expressing opinions on comments that Warnock had made about him. They weren't pretty but Warnock insisted on Saturday the air is completely clear between himself and the midfielder. Puncheon was fined £15,000 by the FA. Lesson learnt? Let's hope so. We infamously saw Owen Garvan tweet last year:"I'll be here longer than he will… trust me," which sent sparks flying between the midfielder and then manager Ian Holloway. Indeed, Garvan was right as he still belongs at the club, which included an unlikely reunion with Holloway at Millwall at the end of last year. It's great to see the players providing their thoughts on match days, thanking their fans etc, but making comments that can only have a negative impact on the club or individual really shouldn't be posted over Twitter. I mean, QPR's owners must wait with baited breath every time Joey Barton tweets. He is not afraid to voice his opinion on any matter, and he really doesn't take any prisoners with that kind of thing. At Palace we don't have anyone like that, thankfully, and I hope that continues. At the end of the day no matter who you are or how much you're getting paid, you shouldn't think you are bigger than your club. Footballers, just think before you tweet please.

FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace players and the use of Twitter


Crystal Palace striker 60/1 to notch only goal at Hull City

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Crystal Palace take their unbeaten four-game run to the KC Stadium in Hull this weekend to meet a side without a win in their last five home Premier League games and one who has shipped 13 goals in their last five matches in all competitions. The Tigers are Even money to keep all three points on Humberside with the Eagles 31/10 and the draw 12/5 at BetVictor. The Eagles won both PL games between the sides 1-0 last season and the 31/10 for another Palace win looks far too big and might not last until the weekend. A 1-0 away win and third successive Palace win by the only goal of the game between the sides is 11/1, with in-form Fraizer Campbell to score the only goal priced at 60/1. The striker is now 4/5 to be the top Eagles' PL goalscorer following back-to-back strikes, 9/1 to score the opening goal on Saturday and 4/1 to score for the third game in a row. Skipper Mile Jedinak also added to his Goodison penalty with the second goal against Leicester at Selhurst Park last weekend and is into 16/1 to be the Club's top PL goalscorer, 14/1 to grab the weekend opener and 8/1 to score at anytime at the KC. The hosts have yet to win in front of their home crowd in the PL this season and they are into 4/1 from 5s to be relegated at the end of the campaign. The Eagles are 7/1 to end the season in the top half of the table from 10/1 after their wins against Everton and Leicester and 33/1 (from 66s) in our market without the "Big Seven." Southampton continue to be the surprise package in this particular market and the Saints are 11/10 favourites with Swansea 4s and Stoke 13/2. Hull have scored in each of their six PL games so far this season but not kept a clean sheet since their 1-0 win at Loftus Road on the opening day. With that in mind the 9/10 at BetVictor for both teams to score must be the recommendation although I keep going back to the 31/10 for another Eagles' win and think it is more of an insult than a big price! For all your football odds check out BetVictor.com.

Crystal Palace striker 60/1 to notch only goal at Hull City

Barnsley interested in loan return for Crystal Palace defender

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Peter Ramage could return on loan to Barnsley, the Advertiser understands. The defender spent part of last season on loan at Oakwell but suffered relegation with the club from the Championship. The Tykes haven't made the best of starts to life in League One either and are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements. A couple of Championship clubs have also made enquiries for the 30-year-old, but it is believed Ramage would be interested in returning to Yorkshire. It is understood that Palace may look to finalise a loan for Ramage on Thursday, depending on the other offers submitted. The former Newcastle United man played 45 minutes for the Eagles' U21 side on Wednesday in a 2-0 win at Coventry City U21s.

Barnsley interested in loan return for Crystal Palace defender

FAN VIEW: I'm not Neil Warnock's biggest fan but Crystal Palace might actually do OK this season

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NEIL Warnock's return to Palace has not received the most positive of responses from Palace fans in previous weeks, including myself. I was less than enthusiastic about the return of our previous manager, and I certainly felt he was appointed as last choice and that survival this season would be extremely hard. But after a fantastic result at home to Leicester City last Saturday I can't help but think I may have slightly overreacted after the poor performance to Burnley. It was easy to walk away from that game and feel completely demoralised. "If we can't beat Burnley" was a phrase muttered around Selhurst after that match. But after a great game against the Foxes we are now riding high up in the Premier League and I can't help but think we may just be OK this season. I am not Warnock's biggest fan but I can't help but wonder if this season we could manage to have the balance between the attacking style of football played under Ian Holloway and the defensive style achieved under Pulis. Most of the players in our squad have played under both these managers and I think a combination of both managerial styles, alongside the motivation which should come with a manager like Warnock, we could have the perfect balance this season. The return of Joe Ledley and Marouane Chamakh is also a great boost for our squad. I really think we missed Chamakh and I personally think his return will be a huge positive for us, and I can't wait to see how he plays alongside Wilfried Zaha, as I think pace and skill down the wing which Zaha offers will have a great effect on Chamakh's game.

FAN VIEW: I'm not Neil Warnock's biggest fan but Crystal Palace might actually do OK this season

No chance Jonny Williams is leaving Crystal Palace permanently, says boss Neil Warnock

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock says he has told Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy he wants the 20-year-old to play "in the hole" while at loan at Portman Road. Williams made an instant impact on Tuesday night on his second debut for the club, scoring after just four minutes from coming off the substitutes' bench at Sheffield Wednesday. And Warnock has again stressed the Wales international will not be sold permanently, hinting he may look to recall him after just 28 days of his 93-day loan depending on how good his form is. "It was a great start for him on Tuesday and I texted him the morning after to say 'well done', but he came off injured afterwards," Warnock told the Advertiser. "There were other clubs in for him but I want him to play in the hole and that's where he needs to be under Mick McCarthy. "I've told Jonny there is no chance of him leaving Palace permanently and we can have him back after 28 days."For the full interview with Warnock on Williams and more, don't miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

No chance Jonny Williams is leaving Crystal Palace permanently, says boss Neil Warnock

Crystal Palace boss addresses squad playing time: You don't change a winning formula

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock has addressed the issue of trying to keep everyone in his large squad happy following the loan departure of Jonny Williams. The likes of Brede Hangeland, Barry Bannan and Paddy McCarthy have also been in and out of Warnock's matchday squads in recent weeks. Bannan in particular is believed to be frustrated with a lack of game-time despite impressing in the League Cup games against Walsall and Newcastle United in the last four or five weeks. However, Warnock admits it's tough for him to change a "winning formula" after watching his side take eight points in his first four matches in the Premier League. "Everybody wants to play and that's the job of being a manager at this level," said the boss. "You've got to keep them happy and if they aren't happy you eventually let them go anyhow. "They are happy to play games but some can't get in at the moment. When you lose games that when they're banging on your door. "Where would any of these players play? Where would Hangeland play? Where would Bannan play at the minute? "I think you've got to pick your time to knock on the manager's door, if I'm honest. "What can you say to people like Hangeland? You pick your side and they do well and you can keep them. "He's a very good pro. He was one of the first to congratulate us with the result and he trains very, very hard. "It's the same conversation to people like Bannan. They all want to be playing but unfortunately at the moment you don't change a winning formula. "Next week we'll have a proper game for these guys because they have to do more than games. "It's the same for Andy Johnson. We have to make sure we look after these players as they are as important to the first team that's actually turning out. "We're going to need everybody between now and the end of the season."

Crystal Palace boss addresses squad playing time: You don't change a winning formula

Campaigners set for High Court showdown over Beddington Lane incinerator

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CAMPAIGNERS head to the high court next week hoping to scupper controversial plans for an incinerator in Beddington Lane.

The group was granted permission for a judicial review earlier this year and, after months of preparation, the case will be heard on October 9 and 10 at the Royal Courts of Justice.

A judge will rule whether or not Sutton Council followed proper procedures when it granted planning permission for the plant last year. Judge Justice Collins said in June the case was "arguable".

The two-day hearing could have wide-ranging ramifications both for the multimillion pound 25-year deal and for the four councils - including Croydon - in the South London Waste Partnership (SWLP).

Shasha Khan, a prominent member of the local Green Party, has taken sole responsibility for funding the legal challenge, which could cost up to £35,000. His efforts recently received a boost thanks to a four-figure donation from Mark Constantine, the founder of handmade cosmetic business Lush.

Mr Khan, speaking to the Advertiser this week, said he was confident the group, originally formed in 2008, will succeed.

"I believe we have a convincing case that not only was planning permission granted incorrectly but any future application should be rejected because the land is protected," he said.

If built by developers Viridor the incinerator will burn 275,000 tonnes of waste each year as part of the SLWP involving Croydon, Sutton, Merton, and Kingston.

It would replace an existing landfill site but campaigners argue the incineration process presents serious environmental and health risks.

During the planing process the site - Beddington Farmlands - was been deemed to be "safeguarded", meaning it is must be used for the disposal or recovery of waste for the duration of the contract after the incinerator opens in 2017.

The campaign's case will focus on planning guidelines which stipulate the site should be incorporated into the Wandle Valley Regional Park from 2023 and, as Metropolitan Open Land, should be protected. "It's our banker argument," said Mr Khan.

Paul Pickering, chairman of Stop the Incinerator, said: "One of the things we hope the judge decides is that the land cannot be used as anything other than a country park after 2023 and [the council] has given it the go-ahead under false pretenses.

"My fear is that they may rule in our favour but will take issue with relatively minor planning problems and Viridor will come back in a couple of months' time and have sorted them out."

The group will be represented in court by Justine Thornton, the barrister wife of Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Sutton Council, the planning authority, is expected to argue that if the incinerator is not operational by 2017 then each council will face a heft landfill charge.

If Viridor cannot gain permission for Beddington Lane it may seek an alternative site, with a back-up earmarked in Kingston.

Stuart Collins, cabinet member for Clean Green Croydon, said he has sought advice from council officers about the potential implications of the review but, regardless of the result, the authority would not pull out of the £1 billion SWLP.

He said: "Croydon Labour Party's position is we're opposed to the incinerator. Our concern is if there are emissions it could harm residents.

"I can't, however, as a council we can't come out and say we're going to pull out [of the contract] because we would be subject to penalties. It would be tens of millions.

"We still oppose it but we can't risk taxpayer's money."

Phil Thomas, who backed the incinerator as cabinet member for highways and the environment up until May's election defeat, said a high court victory for the campaigners would have "a huge environmental and financial impact on all the four councils in the partnership".

Campaigners will stage a musical protest on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of the case opening next Thursday (October 9), including a performance from samba band Rhythms of Resistance.

Experts questioned need 

SUTTON Council received expert advice during the planning process which questioned the need for an incinerator in Beddington Lane.

Grant Scott, assistant director of planning at the Greater London Authority (GLA), wrote to the council in June 2010, and advised it would be "difficult" to prove there was an "overriding" need for an incinerator on the site.

Mr Scott also said the incinerator and connected chimney stack would "clearly not fall within the defined acceptable uses of Metropolitan Open Land" and would require "very special circumstances" to justify such an "inappropriate" development.

Jim Redwood, a consultant working for Sutton Council, wrote to the GLA in May 2012 and described Viridor's plan as "visually harmful", that there were "other deliverable alternatives" and the incinerator could "adversely impact on Beddington, and possibly other communities".

Both documents were obtained by the Stop the Incinerator Campaign via the Freedom of Information Act.

Shasha Khan said: "I am stunned by these revelations, quite frankly. These same arguments have been put forward by campaigners all along. However, they have been continuously rebuffed by councillors, ignored in planning consultations and dismissed when submitted as objections.

"Yet, we find that in the past, the authorities quietly agreed with what we've been saying all along."

Sutton Council has yet to respond to requests for a comment. 

Campaigners set for High Court showdown over Beddington Lane incinerator

Clubs make loan enquiries for Crystal Palace captain

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PADDY McCarthy has been the subject of "one or two" loan enquiries and may leave Crystal Palace next week to get game time elsewhere. That's the view of manager Neil Warnock, who is finding it difficult to include the club captain in his matchday squad at the moment. "The problem is you can only have seven substitutes and I like my forwards, I do," said the boss. "Paddy is like anybody else, he's very important to the club and I think the club recognises that. "That's why they've given him a new contract. "If I think he needs games, there have been one or two clubs who have asked me about him. "We'll probably decide on that over the next week whether to loan him out for a few games."

Clubs make loan enquiries for Crystal Palace captain


Croydon scrap dealer guilty of taking in stolen metal goods

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A SCRAP metal dealer has been found guilty of taking in stolen metal at his scrap yard, including crematorium plaques which he cut up into small pieces to try and disguise them.

Joseph Collier, 72, of Woodhall Drive, Dulwich, was found guilty on Wednesday (October 1), of three counts of possession of criminal property, one count of disguising criminal property and one count of attempting to receive stolen goods after a six-day trial at Croydon Crown Court.

Police raided Collier's DSM Scrap Metal Yard in Bensham Lane, Croydon in May 2012 as part of a London-wide crackdown on metal theft, where they also discovered a stolen bronze dragon and a statue of Jesus.

Police were told about Collier's yard after Trading Standards officers from Croydon suspected stolen metal was being accepted there.

When officers entered the scrap yard, they found several bags and boxes containing hundreds of memorial plaques that had been stolen from cemeteries across the south-east, some marked with SmartWater - a liquid that has a unique forensic 'code' that allows police to trace their origin.

Many of the plaques had been cut up into small pieces in an attempt to disguise them.

Officers also discovered a large bronze dragon statue that had been stolen from an address in Teddington, as well as a statue of Jesus, stolen from Putney Vale Cemetery.

In order to identify where the plaques had been stolen from, officers from Croydon spent several hours painstakingly piecing them back together.

Collier was arrested and charged with offences the following day and was bailed pending his court appearance.

CCTV footage at the yard showed Collier overseeing the cutting-up of the memorial plaques by his machines - plaques that he claimed at court, that he had no knowledge of.

In March 2013, suspicious that Collier was continuing to receive stolen goods whilst on bail and awaiting his trial, police contacted UK Power Networks, who assisted them with an undercover operation where an officer sold brand-new copper wiring to him, making it obvious to Collier that the goods were stolen as he was accepting it.

Sergeant George Shannon, of Croydon police station said:"I can only describe Collier's attitude throughout this whole process as brazen.

"He tried to deny any knowledge of receiving stolen items, but some of the memorial plaques even had the mud and wall plugs attached where they'd been prized from the graves.

"There was little doubt that he knew they were stolen and he had absolutely no regard for the law.

"His actions, in accepting stolen metal, have fuelled other criminal activity by thieves stealing metal to make a quick profit by selling it to unscrupulous scrap dealers like Collier.

"Metal theft has a huge impact on society - be it through delays on train networks where cabling has been stolen, or the emotional effects associated with the theft of memorial plaques.

"The majority of registered scrap metal dealers are operating correctly, but we will continue to target those who don't and will bring the full force of the law against them.

"Now that he's been found guilty of these offences, we will certainly be considering further action against Collier under the Proceeds of Crime Act to look at confiscating any assets he has gained through his criminal activity."

Collier will be sentenced on November 3.

Croydon scrap dealer guilty of taking in stolen metal goods

Murder charge pair 'shared cigarette after dumping victim in South Norwood skip'

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THE pair of "lovers" accused of murdering a man found in a South Norwood skip shared a cigarette after stripping their victim naked, a court heard this week.

Prosecutors claim Arry Green, 22, and Fiona Nalty, 24, kicked Irishman Michael Hunt, 37, to death on March 15 in Station Road after a row in a cab office.

When questioned at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Green, of Dinsdale Gardens, South Norwood, admitted punching and kicking Mr Hunt, but insisted he was still alive when the pair threw him into the skip.

Green also said he had no idea how Mr Hunt's trousers or underpants came to be removed.

Mr Hunt died in hospital from his injuries, which included a fractured skull and multiple fractured bones.

Prosecutors found a cigarette in the skip with traces of both Nalty and Green's DNA on it, but Green said he didn't remember any smoking or any blood on Mr Hunt.

Green told the court: "I didn't see blood on me. I don't remember all that blood. I thought he was going to get out.

"I thought he would get out of the skip and go home."

Green had been drinking a cocktail of Stella Artois lager, pernod, peach schnapps and vodka before he went out with friends.

He denied the prosecution's claims Nalty was his lover and insisted she was just an "associate".

He admitted prosecution claims he had spat at the cab controllers in Courier Cars on Station Road, where the fight is said to have broken out. He said he had joined in a fight between Nalty and Mr Hunt.

"She was punching him. It just happened out of the blue. When they both fell on the floor I went over," Green said.

"I remember getting him up. I was helping him, just getting him up off the floor.

"Fiona was still trying to punch or kick him. I was grappling with him. We went down towards the alleyway.

"Michael punched me. He hit me in the head.

"I pushed him away from me and I hit him back.

"He dropped on his bum. I started kicking him in the legs."

When asked why he had continued to attack Mr Hunt while on the floor, Green added: "I was still quite angry that he had punched me. Fiona walked into the alleyway. She came round the back of him.

"She pulled him down and started kicking him.

"He was saying 'no' at first. He was lying on the floor. He was trying to protect himself with his arms."

He also admitted throwing the body in the skip but said he did not think father-of-three Mr Hunt was that badly injured.

Last week, Nalty, of Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, accused Green of doing "most of the damage" to Mr Hunt.

The trial continues.

Murder charge pair 'shared cigarette after dumping victim in South Norwood skip'

Barnsley fend off interest from Fulham for Crystal Palace man

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Peter Ramage is on his way to Barnsley on loan for three months and could make his debut on Saturday away at Rochdale. The 30-year-old was also the subject of an enquiry from Championship side Fulham, but it is understood the defender wants to be closer to his family in Newcastle. Ramage enjoyed a loan spell at Oakwell last season and it us understood he has pushed for a move back there. Fulham enquired about his services but Barnsley's offer was more concrete and they want to throw him into their starting line-up in 48 hours' time. The move could be made permanent in January depending on how he gets on.

Barnsley fend off interest from Fulham for Crystal Palace man

Rogue landlords fined for failing to register fire damaged Thornton Heath property as HMO

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TWO rogue landlords have been fined for failing to licence a house where seven people were rescued from a fire.

Owner Wimalendran Jeyaruban and letting agent Chaudry Amir Ijaz have both been ordered to pay £3,000 for failing to register the property in London Road, Thornton Heath, as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Seven people were led to safety by firefighters after a blaze at the flat in January. Five others from a neighbouring property also had to be rescued.

An inspection by council housing enforcement officers found there were five people living in the flat at the time of the fire, all of whom paid £150 per month to Ijaz.

Ijaz, of Bensham Lane, Thornton Heath, did not have a HMO licence, which is required by law when there are more than three unrelated people renting a property.

Jeyaruban, of Langdale Road, Thornton Heath, has agreed to empty the unlicensed flat in 2012 after the council discovered it was being used as a HMO.

Instead he let it out to Ijaz who in turn rented it as a HMO despite the warnings given by the council.

Both defendants were found guilty of running an unlicensed HMO.

In addition to the fines, they were ordered to pay the court £2,500 in costs.

Rogue landlords fined for failing to register fire damaged  Thornton Heath property as HMO

Man pleads not guilty to raping child at address in New Addington

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A MAN has denied raping a child at an address in New Addington. 

Alex Kwame Baah, 42, is charged with eight counts of rape relating to the same girl between January 2008 and August 2013. 

He pleaded not guilty to all counts at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday (October 1). 

Baah, of Bostall Hill, Plumstead, will stand trial at the same venue on March 16, 2015.

The girl was under the age of 13 when the alleged offences began and 16 or over at the time of the most recent charge. 

Man pleads not guilty to raping child at address in New Addington

Teenagers deny raping women with learning difficulties in Croydon

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TWO teenagers have pleaded not guilty to raping women with learning difficulties. 

Nasir Huq and Ameen Noori, both 18, are charged with raping two women at a flat in Croydon in April 2013. 

A third man, Ahmad Faiq, also 18, is accused of attempting to rape the women at the same address,

They appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday (October 1) and pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Noori, of St James's Road, Croydon, is charged with one count of raping a woman aged 16 years or over between April 17 and April 20, 2013.

He is also accused of attempting to rape a woman at the flat between April 4 and April 7, 2013.

Huq, of Neville Road, Croydon, is charged with raping a woman at the address between April 17 and April 20, 2013.

Faiq, of Parry Road, South Norwood, faces a charge of attempting to rape a woman aged 16 or over between April 4 and April 7, 2013.

He is also charged with assault by penetration of a female over the age of 13 between the same dates.

The three college students are due to stand trial at Croydon Crown Court on March 23rd. 

Teenagers deny raping women with learning difficulties in Croydon

FAN VIEW: Let's hold our hands up and admit Neil Warnock is proving some Crystal Palace fans wrong

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I, like most Palace fans, was delighted to see the return of one of last season's top performers in Marouane Chamakh last weekend. Chammers' performances last season were a key figure in our successful revival of last season. Very quickly we are seeing the tactics and formation of Tony Pulis transforming into a slightly altered, more assertive Neil Warnock style. One of the biggest changes we have seen early on is a slight alteration in midfield of us dropping the 'number 10 position' and having two more neutral box-to-box central midfielders ahead of Mile Jedinak. The transformation has worked perfectly so far, we seem to have retained the counter attacking drive in the final third and now even seem a lot more comfortable on the ball. The formation change is similar to the one found in Warnock's first regime, which was more of a standard 4-3-3, so there is no surprise to see Neil tamper and create an adaptation of the former setup. The one concern this raises with me is where we can fit Chamakh in the squad, I think last season massively proved that Marouane is most comfortable in behind the striker where he can have a bit of space to move the ball and arrive late onto the edge of the box in attacking moves. Playing with our current formation wouldn't allow us to use Chammers in the same role and I feel he wouldn't be as affective because of that. When the news was eventually broken that Warnock would be taking over the helm I think a huge majority of the Eagles cohort were disappointed. I, like most fans, will hold our hands up and say it was a shrewd appointment, agreed there is a hell of a long way left in the campaign but the squad have really taken to Neil and his approach since day one. One thing I'd mostly like to praise Warnock on is the togetherness of the squad, I think most people would agree we as a club are so reliant on spirit and we've always seemed to have it in abundance and arguably it's what kept us up last season. The spirit under Neil does feel different to the one under Pulis which seems strange to say. The two managers have very different techniques; Tony believes we should always be underdogs and proving people wrong is what we should aspire to do. My understanding from the camp is that Neil wants his players to feel as if they shouldn't be underdogs and deserve their place where they are. When we scored the second against Leicester, all ten outfield players were in celebration together and that's so heart-warming as a fan to see. The players speak highly of Neil and I now have my full trust in his judgement. I would like all other fans to come together now to back Neil. After all, we are now "Neil Warnock's red 'n' blue army".

FAN VIEW: Let's hold our hands up and admit Neil Warnock is proving some Crystal Palace fans wrong


Crystal Palace skipper a loan target for Sheffield United

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Crystal Palace club captain Paddy McCarthy is understood to be on the radar of League One side Sheffield United for a loan move. The centre-back is looking for game-time away from Selhurst Park and has been the subject of enquiries from Championship clubs too. Boss Neil Warnock - a former Blade - could be key in a deal happening for the 31-year-old, which will see him go out and play up to six games. McCarthy recently signed a new contract at Palace, and he could be the second defender to leave on loan, following Peter Ramage, who looks set to move to Barnsley until January.

Crystal Palace skipper a loan target for Sheffield United

Labour council branded 'hypocrites' over South Norwood homeless families row

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ELDERLY residents have labelled the Labour council "hypocrites" after it moved homeless families into their block – despite campaigning against plans to do so months before.

Residents of the sheltered accommodation block Tonbridge House in Penge Road, South Norwood, expected the council to reverse the Conservative administration's plans to move homeless families into their block.

A number were so convinced, they even took to beating the streets banging Labour's drum in the run-up to the election campaign.

But Labour councillor Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes and regeneration, moved in homeless families just weeks after the party's return to power in May.

This has sparked fury from residents, including Bill Ramsey, who said: "This lady does turn. It's a blatant U-turn which oozes hypocrisy and openly displays her lack of integrity, loyalty and any sense of honour to her colleagues."

South Norwood's three Labour councillors attended a scrutiny committee meeting in January where Mr Ramsey, 81, vociferously spoke out against the plans to move homeless families into the house.

Tonbridge House and Gillett House, in Thornton Heath, were two blocks for which the previous council pushed through plans to house homeless families. Tonbridge House has five flats filled while Gillett House has 23.

But Cllr Butler said although it was a tough decision and understands the concerns of the residents, it had to be made due to the homelessness crisis in the borough.

She said: "We did have a long and frank discussion with the residents and most of the issues they mentioned did not have anything to do with the actions of the families."

Cllr Butler also said a lot of the housing problems the new council is facing are related to coalition Government policy. "I think the residents of Tonbridge were disappointed we haven't reversed the decision but I just don't see how we can," she added.

"Is this an ideal decision? No it's probably not but is it better than seeing families in bed and breakfast accommodation? Yes it is."

Mr Ramsey claimed a front entrance intercom door had been vandalised by some of the block's new residents.

Although it was fixed nine days later, the timing mechanism was changed and the door swung closed too quickly for an 88-year-old lady, causing it to be jammed between a door and her mobility carriage.

The lady, who used to go out every day, has brittle bone disease and is now housebound after the leg became infected and five weeks in the AMU unit of Croydon University Hospital.

Mr Ramsey said: "Her whole quality of life has been taken away. She used to go out with a blind man in the block on dial-a-ride trips and they depended on each other. But she is really going downhill now and needs round the clock care.

"He's really suffering as well now. We are very worried."

Labour council branded 'hypocrites' over South Norwood homeless families row

Coroner warns council over tram line safety after cyclist's bus crash death

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A CYCLIST who died after a collision with a bus fell moments before the impact when his bike slipped as he rode across tram lines near East Croydon, an inquest heard.

Roger de Klerk, 43, was trapped under the 410 bus after falling on the lines at the junction of Cherry Orchard Road and Addiscombe Road on November 12 last year.

South London Coroner Selena Lynch today said she will to write to Croydon Council's highways department to ask that they "urgently" look at the provision for cyclists at the junction, and on the tram system in Croydon as a whole.

She added she was "in do doubt whatsoever" the tram lines led to Mr de Klerk's death, which she recorded as a road traffic collision.

"The wheels of his bike came into contact with the tram lines, causing him to lose control and fall on his right hand side into the path of a bus. The bus driver had no time to take avoiding action or to stop."

The court heard how CCTV evidence from the bus and a nearby tram showed Mr de Klerk falling when he pulled away to turn right after both he and the bus were stopped at traffic lights.

Anastasia Maison, a passenger on the bus, said she heard a "crunch" during the collision.

"When he fell, I remember screaming at him falling, then we heard the sound and everyone on the bus started screaming. The bus wasn't moving fast."

The driver of the bus, Laura Leonard, had been driving for Arriva for seven years at the time of the collision.

She told the court: "I saw him at the lights, he was waiting at the lights to the left in front of the bus. As the traffic moved off I checked the van in front had gone and I turned to look and the cyclist had gone, then I moved off. There was no cyclist in view until I saw him fall.

"I was moving from the traffic lights, so I couldn't say exactly the speed I was going, but perhaps around 10 miles per hour.

"I felt something, but I was hoping really it was just the bike. I can't really say much more, because it still upsets me now, thinking about his family."

After being freed from under the bus by firefighters, Mr De Klerk, who was "deeply unconscious", was taken to St George's hospital in Tooting, but died shortly after arrival.

A post-mortem report revealed the cause of death as compression of the head, neck and chest.

Mr De Klerk's mother, Anna De Klerk, described her son, who lived in Forest Hill, as "happy, healthy and active."

"He was always extremely safety conscious, he always wore a helmet and hi-vis clothing."

She said he had phoned her the morning before his death.

"He told me he was going to Croydon to get his mobile phone repaired at a shop near East Croydon station, as far as I'm aware, the day of the accident was the first time he had cycled there.

"He was happy and really looking forward to getting a new work venture set up."

Delivering her ruling, Mrs Lynch said: "The need to keep cyclists away from danger is ever-present. We hear talk about lorries, but it seems to me that tram lines may also be a problem for them, particularly for those not used to cycling where there are tram lines."

Coroner warns council over tram line safety after cyclist's bus crash death

Burst pipe floods Wolsey Crescent, New Addington leaving 63 homes without water

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Houses in Wolsey Cresent, New Addington have been without water since 3pm today after a burst water main flooded the street.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the street at 12.46pm where water was lifting the road and pavement and flooding back gardens, leaving 63 homes without water.

The water even went though some gardens to flood the adjacent gardens of King Henry's Drive.

Jeff Hall, Addington station watch manager, said firefighters closed the road and used sandbags to protect houses and redirect the water. They also pumped water from the part of the street worst affected, near Montacute Road, to a drain further down the road.

Water went into the gardens and floors of at least three houses and one house lost electricity.

Four firefighters and one engine were on the scene and had to call in equipment from Sutton.

Mr Hall said: "When we arrived water was coming out of the pavement. Water was gathering and going down the driveways into back gardens.

"We had to order an operational support unit to bring sand bags and a submersible pump, and once we had used up those sandbags we ordered more.

"We made sure no cars drove over the road and that people avoided the pavement."

A Thames Water spokesman said a four inch pipe burst and they stopped water from flowing out of the pipe at 3pm.

Thames Water engineers are currently on site cutting out the broken piece of pipe. They hope to have water back on and repairs finished later this evening.

They could not comment on whether cordons or road closures were still in place.

He said they will not know what caused the burst pipe until the broken pipe is taken away and examined.

Burst pipe floods Wolsey Crescent, New Addington leaving 63 homes without water

Croydon Advertiser nominated for six awards at regional journalism 'Oscars'

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THE Croydon Advertiser has been nominated in six categories at the 2014 EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards.

We are up against the Hampshire Chronicle, Kent & Sussex Courier, and the Kent Messenger in the Weekly (Paid-for) Newspaper category, while our front page following the inquest into the tragic death of three-year-old Olivia Langley is shortlised in the Front Page of the Year category - and award we won last year.

Chief Reporter Gareth Davies is nominated in three categories - Weekly Print Journalist of the Year, Feature Writer of the Year and Digital Journalist of the Year - while Alex Leys, the man responsible for many of our striking, visually arresting front pages, is up for Designer of the Year.

Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey said: "To get six nominations, in awards which include a string of big daily papers on the south coast, is a wonderful achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of my team.

"I hope we'll be celebrating next month but, to coin a cliche, I think we're already winners by getting this far."

The awards take place at The AMEX Stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, on November 13.

Croydon Advertiser nominated for six awards at regional journalism 'Oscars'

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