Cometh the hour...

Palace vs. Peterborough - in any other season, this would hardly be a fixture to get the old juices flowing. Trouble is, this isn't just 'any other season'. In little over four hours time, Palace will be embarking on their biggest match of the season so far. On paper, it's a relegation six pointer - for Palace in particular, a chance to make an immediate step away from the newly discovered drop zone territory. But today is about far more than what happens on the pitch; it's a golden opportunity to show that this is a club which sticks together when the chips are down. From the fans, players & management through to programme sellers, the kit man and the tea lady; everyone - and I mean everyone - has a part to play in helping to lift this club out of the mire.

I couldn't fail to be impressed with Mick Jones' words, both in his ever-excellent blog, or on yesterday's Palace Player interview, which highlighted in far more compelling terms than I have expressed above, the need for unity and positive thinking during this time. The message was unequivocal; negativity in any form will not be tolerated within the club. Whinge, and expect a hairdryer. Mick's regular blog has been a firm fan's favourite this season, it's candid style giving fans a genuine insight into the day to day running of the club. What's become abundantly clear is the great affection Mick and the rest of the team have developed for the club during their tenure (note to administrator - long may this continue), something that, as fans, we can be immensely proud of. In the previous post I waxed lyrical about Neil Warnock, but we can count ourselves particularly lucky that we've got Mick and Curley down there in the trenches with him. Lesser management teams would quite justifiably feel a bit sorry for themselves, particularly in the light of the points deduction, but that absence of negativity will be integral to our chances of getting through this.

Talking of an absence of negativity, I will refrain from unleashing what would undoubtedly turn into an essay's worth of abuse in the light of Danny Baker's comments this morning - good old Danny feels that ten points isn't enough, and that we should be further penalised with a -6 goal difference. It goes without saying that Millwall have always been an utterly classless club, but never before have they displayed their long-held inferiority complex so brazenly. Indeed, where other clubs have made an effort to register their concern, all the noises coming out of the Lego Den have been ones of celebration. Let them have their little moment in the sun (Lord knows they're long overdue one of them) - the fact that it revolves around someone else's plight and not their own success tells you everything you need to know about that little lower league non-entity. Still, football banter is football banter, and in our heart or hearts we'd probably miss it if it wasn't around. I even think Millwall might miss us....well, most of them anyway.

Anyway, back onto important matters (and no, JT having a piece of Bridgey's missus doesn't count). Today is all about sending the players and management a clear message - as long as this club is around, the red and blue army will be there to support them. Dig out your colours, scarves, flags, Wembley flatcaps...anything that will help turn Selhurst into a sea of red and blue. Most importantly of all, make a racket. If you think a few pre-match sharpeners might help then you know what to do. Speaking of that, I'm off down the Cherries...come on you Eagles!!

Dan