ANYTIME now, it is likely that Alan Pardew will be named the new manager of Crystal Palace. Let's get it right – this is a very, very good appointment.
There are some reservations about the former West Ham and Charlton boss – head-butting opposition players is hardly a feather in his cap for one – and Newcastle fans seem glad to see the back of him.
But Pardew is an experienced campaigner with a decent track record at Premier League level.
Perhaps more importantly, having played for the club during arguably its most successful ever era, he 'gets' Crystal Palace FC.
Pardew will have an affinity with the supporters and the club as a whole – he understands Crystal Palace and what it stands for.
At Newcastle he was a fish out of water but here he can be King Cnut, ruling the waves and running the show.
Steve Parish and the Palace hierarchy should also be applauded (assuming the deal is tied up smoothly) for acting so quickly and decisively.
Their previous managerial appointments have taken a little longer than is ideal but, on this occasion, they've identified their man and got him tied up quickly, even if it did cost a couple of million quid in the process.
In hindsight, decent man though he is, the appointment Neil Warnock was clearly an error but Palace have admitted their mistake and are trying to fix it before it is too late.
On many levels – romantic and practical – this appointment makes sense.
