IN HIS latest column, ALEX WHITE argues the case for Dougie Freedman to return to Selhurst Park...
THE Championship managerial merry-go-round appears to be in full swing, with Watford having appointed their fourth manager in six weeks and Russell Slade being appointed at Cardiff.
Therefore, it was no real surprise to anyone to see one of our former managers, Dougie Freedman, last week get shown the exit door by Bolton. With talk of Neil Warnock's backroom staff chopping and changing, could Dougie make a surprise comeback and would Palace fans welcome back the Scotsman?
Given his leadership aspirations and in part his ego I don't think Dougie would have too much interest in the role, but I would like to see if fans can forgive and forget following the controversial move to Bolton - after all he saved us three times. It might be good for someone like Dougie to go back to the drawing board and learn under Neil, much like Roy Keane and his role at Aston Villa with Paul Lambert.
Warnock has already added two people to his backroom staff to fill the void left by Tony Pulis and his team. He has reintroduced Ronnie Jepson to the club, having been part of Warnock's staff in his previous stint and followed him to QPR and Leeds respectively. Warnock has also brought in one of his favoured assistants, Kevin Blackwell, to replace Gerry Francis and overlook the team from the stand on a matchday.
I am pleased that Warnock has been given the opportunity and freedom to bring in his own staff but I also fear that the setup has taken a backward step. Of course I'm not at the club day to day and don't see the running but from the outside the staff employed all seem to lack the pedigree that perhaps Tony Pulis, David Kemp and Gerry Francis held. The guys that have been brought in seem to lack the top-level experience and knowhow and I believe that this could hinder us.
The experience of Team Pulis really prevailed and kept the camp mentally strong when times were tough. I'm not saying Freedman is the answer by any stretch of the imagination, controversially I would just like to see him back at the club one day as I believe he has unfinished business.
I think the answer has to be a coach with Premier League pedigree. It seems strange to point out a negative so early on into a reign and especially after a great start, but I think that a cutting edge and Premier League experience could prove pivotal come the end of the season.
