Palace was a carbon copy of Stoke. Dubious lead and fail to hang on, the result was the most nailed on of the night. My sympathies to the masochists who travelled down, if this had been a film, it wouldn't even have gone to DVD, but gone straight to ITV 5 after the 'Never the twain' 1983 Xmas special. John Carver asserted that he 'bravely' played 2 strikers on Wednesday, it was Crystal Palace away mate, not Barcelona. The club is slipping into torpor, crowd engagement is minimal and the management-speak being handed down by the bean counters is hardly raising adrenalin levels. Whilst other more progressive clubs are putting on their glad rags for a night on the town, we're putting on our slippers and settling down for a rare John Barrowman programme, we like John Barrowman, he's safe and undemanding.In a week or 2 the renewal packs for the 10 year deal tickets will arrive. After shaking out the adverts for 5 off train fares to Gdansk, and 20% off chocolates from a shop you've never heard of, there will be the begging letter. This will thank you profusely for standing shoulder-to-shoulder as we battled the might of West Brom and Swansea in mid table. It will try to convince you that you're paying for the Rolling Stones, when what we're getting is Showaddywaddy. It will paint a picture of a club that doesn't resemble the one you've been watching recently, and have little faith of watching in the future. Have a little test with yourself, every time you see the word 'ambition' in the letter, send a quid to your favourite charity.Why do we renew then? Bloody-mindedness? The fear that we'll somehow win something the first time you don't renew? Who knows, we just do, maybe not in the numbers of yore, but the feeling never wanes. Maybe the club are going to spring a surprise with the new Coach, it could be anyone from Thomas Tuchal to Thomas the Tank Engine, as ever, we have to wait, and along with the hope, that's what gets you.Stop Press! The manager of my local 'TatWorld' has quit, Tim Sherwood has issued a statement ruling himself out, he's opted for a different cut price basket case.

blackadderboy@yahoo.co.uk