It was May 27th, 2013. The place? Wembley. The teams? Watford and Crystal Palace. The prize? Promotion and an estimated £120 million cash influx. The result? Watford going down 1-0 to an extra-time penalty converted by Kevin Phillips. After an eight year absence, Palace was back in the Premier League. They may not have been the most consistent team all season, having finished fifth in the Championship, but they were good enough in the end to come out of the play-offs on top. Cut to November and they are currently sitting bottom of the Premier League, recording only 1 win in 10 games they are looking a sure thing to drop straight back down. The manager’s role is currently empty and there are reports that former Real Madrid coach Aitor Karanka has already had an interview for the position. I think they should instead make a realistic and forward thinking decision in picking someone with solid Championship and/or lower league promotional pedigree. Tony Pulis is apparently no longer interested, so perhaps the likes of Neil Warnock, Steve Coppell or Martin O’Neill?
