Crystal Palace

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Palace seal Fonte capture

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Jose Fonte on a 12-month loan deal from Benfica.

Peter Taylor, who has been tracking the Portuguese centre-back throughout the summer, also has the option to buy if he is impressed.

Fonte's brother Rui is part of the Arsenal youth setup and Taylor admits that was a factor in persuading the 23-year-old to come to Selhurst Park.

"I am quite excited about this one because he is a young player, as well as a good centre-back and a good footballer," Taylor enthused.

"He is not scared of getting his head in the way.

"It is starting off as a 12-month loan, with a small loan fee paid, and then there is a fee agreed that will be paid only if we like him, he likes us and we can make it permanent.

"There were other clubs in for him, but his brother plays for Arsenal and he wants to come to London, so we have been quite fortunate there."

Fonte has also expressed his delight and is now looking to make an impact in the Championship.

He said: "I am very happy to be here. I want to show my value and what I am capable of."

Source: Skysports

[Olzy]

Sounds promising.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I bet he will flop.It will be to much kick and run and hard tackles for him in this league.

[Olzy]

Palace are a passing team. Well I know there were under Dowie. Pretty such Taylor's side's are always passing.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Palace played crap football last season.Still if Palace play possesion football it's still not easy to play against teams who don't.

[Olzy]

Reading got up with being a passing team. It helped that they build there team for quite a few years. Where as Watford did it in 1 season with Aidy but had a mix of Long Ball and Passing. Then went into the Prem and adopted a Wimbledon approach which doesnt work.

Palace could be changing there approach without there star player McAnuff

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Palace duo unhappy on bench

Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman has told boss Peter Taylor that he 'expects' to be back in the starting line-up.

Palace won their opening game 4-1 at Southampton, but then lost to Bristol Rovers on penalties in the Carling Cup before drawing with Leicester and then losing to Ipswich.

And Freedman believes that his current super-sub role is a waste of his talents.

"I expect to play," he told the Croydon Advertiser. "I train hard and keep myself fit. I showed that in the League Cup game against Bristol Rovers when I scored, played 120 minutes and still felt strong and fit and created a few chances.

"It's a little upsetting for myself if people see me being used off the bench because I'm a creator - a maker and taker of goals - and there's somewhere in the team we need that.

"If we're winning every game, I'm more than happy to wait my turn, but the last couple of games have been disappointing with the chances created and not taken."

Kuqi unhappy

Fellow striker Shefki Kuqi is also reluctant to accept his current role on the bench - and wants the Palace fans to get off his back.

Kuqi has struggled for form since making his £2.5m switch from Blackburn last season, and has found himself among the substitutes at Selhurst Park.

"If I was happy to stay on the bench then I would be in the Premiership, not the Championship," he told the Croydon Advertiser.

"I don't care what anyone says, my goal-scoring record is as good as anyone's. I got 20 goals for Ipswich when I was playing week in, week out, and the same happened when I was in Finland.

"I'm not saying I want to leave. I'm happy here. I've settled down off the pitch, so all I need to do is get things right on the pitch."

Fan criticism

Kuqi came off the bench during the 1-0 defeat at Ipswich and was given a warm reception by the home fans - but is mystified by the lack of support from the Palace fans.

"I had a great relationship with the fans here at Ipswich, but sometimes some of the Palace fans were a little harsh, not just on me.

"The fans are meant to support you. When things are going well, you don't need support, but you have to remember when things are not going so well for you, then you need someone there to cheer you up and support you.

"But I don't let it bother me too much."

Skysports

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Crystal Palace have swooped for Liverpool striker Besian Idrizaj on a 12-month loan deal. The 19-year-old joined the Premier League side in 2005 from Austrian side Linzer ASK after being named Austrian Young Player Of The Year.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Striker Lewis Grabban arrives to Motherwell on loan until January.

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Crystal Palace have signed Manchester City striker Paul Dickov on loan. Scottish international Dickov will stay at Selhurst Park until the end of December.

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Crystal Palace v Charlton match preview

Young striker Besian Idrizaj could be handed an immediate debut in the south London derby against Charlton after his season-long loan move from Liverpool.

Paul Ifill and Dave Martin are doubts with hamstring and groin injuries respectively, while Ben Watson (ankle) is expected to be on the sidelines for another month.

Former England international Danny Mills goes straight into the Charlton squad after his move from Manchester City but fellow loanee Sam Sodje will not feature after his dismissal against Swansea in his last outing for Reading.

Alan Pardew has allowed striker Marcus Bent to join Wigan on a season-long loan deal and Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye has left for Rangers on a similar arrangement.

Skysports

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Crystal Palace 0 Charlton 1

The South London derby at Selhurst Park was settled late in the second half as Charlton grabbed a crucial win.

Svetoslav Todorov had been on the pitch less than ten minutes before he latched onto a long ball from Nicky Weaver and finished to seal the points for Alan Pardew's side.

Skysports

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Crystal Palace youngster Victor Moses is set to be out for a month with a thigh strain. Moses strained his thigh muscle during England's victory over Brazil at the Fifa Under 17 World Cup and did not feature after that game.

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Crystal Palace v Sheffield United preview

Peter Taylor will be without Mark Kennedy for the visit of Sheffield United as the midfielder has failed to recover in time from a calf injury.

Kennedy will be joined on the sidelines by Paul Ifill (hamstring), but Matt Lawrence could start after sitting on the bench in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Coventry.

Sheffield United midfielders Lee Hendrie (knee) and David Carney (hip) are doubtful, while Nick Montgomery is unlikely to feature after a hernia operation.

Defender Derek Geary is suspended but on-loan defender Gary Cahill is expected to go straight into the side.

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Crystal Palace 3 Sheffield Utd 2

Ben Watson fired home from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to relieve the pressure on Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor with a 3-2 home win over Sheffield United. Mark Hudson put Palace behind with an own goal shortly after half-time but the introduction of Dougie Freedman looked to have been an inspired substitution. Freedman set-up Tom Soares for the equaliser (60) and then created Carl Fletcher's goal ten minutes later. James Beattie continued his fine goalscoring form by bringing Sheffield United level with 15 minutes remaining but Watson made no mistake from 12 yards with a minute left.