THE bookies odds on the identity of the next Palace manager have fluctuated wildly after a flurry of bets on Sunday night.
Dan Petrescu has been backed into as short as 1/16 with some firms - the shortest price any candidate has been in the near month-long search for a new boss.
At around 7pm, as Petrescu's odds shortened, Tony Pulis and Iain Dowie - the other two men said to the be in the frame for the Palace job - but saw their odds go out to 20/1.
But, within 30 minutes, Dowie was back into as short as 9/2, while Pulis had come into 8/1.
The bookmakers odds are traditionally a strong indicator in these sorts of situations, as huge bets placed on certain candidates will shorten the odds and, in some cases, imply a degree of knowledge on the part of the person placing the bet.
But, during the Eagles manager search, the odds have proved to be something of a red herring.
Chris Coleman, Aitor Karanka, and Rene Meulensteen have all been favourite at some point, but all ended up deciding to take other jobs or, in Coleman's case, remain in his present role with Wales.
