THE signing of Cameron Jerome was something of an anti-climax for many Palace fans during the summer transfer window.
After hopes were raised of an Andy Johnson return, the prospect of signing the former Stoke player did little to excite me or many other Palace fans.
It hasn't really been until recent games that I have seen what Cameron Jerome could offer to the Palace striking force.
Jerome ironically made a name for himself against last Saturday's opponents; Cardiff City, back in the 2005/06 season, before making a £4 million pound move to Birmingham City in the summer of 2006.
After scoring 37 goals in 181 games and following Birmingham's relegation, he moved to Stoke to play under current Palace manager Tony Pulis.
It is well known that Jerome's time at Stoke was anything but smooth. He spent two seasons being used mostly as a rotated player which frustrated him immensely, and this ultimately led to the well-publicised argument with the then Stoke boss.
Understandably, the appointment of Pulis could have left the striker fearful of his place in the Palace side, with some reports stating that we were on the brink of sending him back to Stoke in January.
But, the run of bad luck was about to change for Jerome. On the day of Pulis's appointment, first choice striker Marouane Chamakh was injured in a game against Hull. Jerome completely changed the game, creating chances and holding the ball up exceptionally well, which ultimately led to setting up Barry Bannan's winning goal, and Palace's first away Premier League win since 2004.
Having now impressed in our away game at Norwich, a scrappy 1-0 win against West Ham, and scoring and playing a huge part in a 2-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday, it looks like the tables are now turning for Jerome.
The appointment of Pulis seems to be exactly what he needed; let's hope his work ethic continues and he can help lead us to safety.
