DAN GIBBS explains why he hopes we haven't seen the last of Glenn Murray in the red and blue stripes of Crystal Palace...
SCORING goals for Reading.. Glenn Murray. If you just sung that tune in your head it probably hurts you just as much as it hurts me.
I was delighted when I found out that Murray had scored a brace on his debut for Championship outfit Reading on Saturday, but then the picture of him in a Reading shirt on Twitter popped up and it just didn't look right.
I can't help think that Palace may regret the decision to send the 31-year-old out on loan. While at the moment it's only until January, I think it could well be much longer than that and even permanent.
With Kevin Doyle being snapped up and not many best pleased about the acquisition, it could be that Murray's time at the club is coming to an end.
Cast your mind back to our successful 2012-13 play-off promotion season and you'll see a familiar name pop up on each scoresheet. The Englishman scored 30 goals, finishing as the Championship's top scorer and narrowly missing out on the league's player of the season award.
Doubts have been raised as to whether he is just a Championship player and can do the same job in the Premier League.
The answer to that? I don't think he's had the best of chances to prove himself yet. Returning last year from injury clearly had an effect, with Murray only managing one goal in 14 appearances. He has goals in him, it's just about getting the consistency and confidence.
Going to Reading and scoring plenty could be the confidence boost he needs to re-establish the fine form he once had. If he impresses, Neil Warnock has to call him back. It would be a big error not to.
Frazier Campbell hasn't impressed me massively this season while Kevin Doyle seemed to be a bit of a strange buy. We all know what Murray's capable of and come the turn of the New Year, we could need someone of Murray's ability to score vital goals that earn us crucial points.
Reading face Brighton at the Amex on Boxing Day and I've already got a feeling Murray will score again to give Palace fans a late Christmas present and once again leave Brighton fans cursing his name.
Oh what a beautiful sight it would be.
All I'll say Mr Warnock is; please have your phone ready to recall him back the second it strikes midnight on December 31.
