Tomkins announces retirement published at 15:19 24 March
15:19 24 March
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Former Crystal Palace and West Ham defender James Tomkins has retired from professional football.
The 35-year-old's last appearance came for Palace in May 2024 - and he featured 136 times for the club across an eight-year spell.
He also spent over eight years at West Ham, where he played nearly 250 games and scored 11 goals, and he had a short loan spell in the Championship with Derby.
In a post on Instagram, he said: "Thank you to my amazing family for making my career even possible and their continued support over the years.
"Also, thank you to all the brilliant coaches and players I have worked with throughout my career.
"I was lucky to play for three clubs - all with amazing fans who make football what it is. I will miss the game, but it's time to announce my retirement."
Mateta set to wear mask but fit for FA Cup quarter-finalpublished at 12:48 24 March
12:48 24 March
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to be fit to play in Crystal Palace's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend.
The striker has been out injured after needing 25 stitches to a cut around his ear after a challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Mateta has continued his rehabilitation and joined Palace on their break in Marbella - and according to a source with knowledge of his condition, he is going to be fit to play as the Eagles try to reach the last four of the FA Cup.
The 27-year-old is going to take to the field in a mask to protect the wound on the side of his head but it is a big boost to manager Oliver Glasner before an important game.
Gossip: Eagles youngster Kporha set for summer exitpublished at 07:34 24 March
07:34 24 March
England under-19 full-back Caleb Kporha, 18, is set to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down. (Football Insider, external)
'Small windows for success in football - and this is one for Palace'published at 09:13 19 March
09:13 19 March
Alex Pewter Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace are in the middle of three weeks away from competitive fixtures and the pace of the Premier League schedule. No doubt it is a valuable break, with some warm-weather training in Spain to help fuel this final stretch of league and cup matches.
Yet even with games not happening, there has still been a flow of news and speculation about the future of manager Oliver Glasner, who, as reported, is in talks to extend his contract at the club.
With just over a year left to run on his current deal, it is clear the Austrian has grown his reputation since arriving. English football is often ignorant of coaching successes on the continent until they 'tick the box' here. Glasner has been one of those coaches but now interest in him will likely only develop.
Without intending to steer into hyperbole (while doing so anyway) securing Oliver Glasner may be the single most significant achievement the club could undertake before this summer.
Taking a historical perspective to examine his impact on Palace only lends weight to that thought process.
In the modern era of the club in the Premier League, going back 12 seasons, the team has played 446 matches in the top flight, with 12 men leading from the dugout - three only as caretakers.
When lined up against the records of all those managers, Glasner stands out for several reasons. He's the only manager with more wins than losses (17 against 12) and the only one with a positive goal difference (+18), all while averaging 1.54 points per game.
Having taken charge of the fourth-most league matches in this era, he has already matched the win total of the third, Patrick Vieira, in 24 fewer matches.
His teams have averaged the highest number of goals per game, and only the stellar 26-game spell of Tony Pulis had a better defensive record per match.
Glasner has now convinced us. It may require the club to convince him to stay, and that will likely mean backing him financially and trusting his direction beyond any of those previous managers.
There are small windows of opportunity for success in football, and one is open right now for Palace. The club and chairman may have traditionally been risk-averse, but this coach is worth rolling the dice on.
'Absolute hammer blow' or 'makes little difference'? Fans on Freedman's exitpublished at 12:14 18 March
12:14 18 March
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After news that sporting director Dougie Freedman is set to leave Crystal Palace, we asked for your thoughts on his potential exit.
Here are some of your comments:
Dave: With Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton and possibly Eberechi Eze all touted to leave in the summer, and now Dougie Freedman with his magic touch in recruitment on his way too, the FA Cup feels like the only chance for glory the club is going to get for the foreseeable future. They burned too bright and caught the eye of the rich and powerful, and whether or not the churn of pivotal players is sustainable, that's football.
Moggy: Pretty concerned. He's found us some great players. I'm hoping he didn't do it on his own and there's some good succession planning in place. We're all allowed to move on but why would he leave Palace? Thanks Dougie and all the best.
Simon It makes little difference. Such appointments have a host of clauses in them so I doubt the entire department will go. He is but one person. We move on and I see no difference in the summer for the work we will do refreshing the squad.
Sam: Quite possibly the most important individual for Palace's development over the past 25 years, if you put together his playing career, time as coach and manager and then as football director. Very disappointed he's leaving, hope to see us appoint someone similarly driven to lead our recruitment. Hope for him that he doesn't regret this like he did going to Bolton.
Les: Devastated! He's irreplaceable and taking his hand-picked scouts with him could spell the end of the Palace dynasty. As it has been well known for a month he has been leaving, I hope Steve Parish is already lining up a shortlist.
Pete: An absolute hammer blow, I fear the glacial slow progress of the club over the last decade of Premier League football may have taken a step backwards. But in Parish we trust - a slow and steady progression without putting the club at risk. Oliver Glasner on a long contract is now a must!
Freedman exit makes for 'challenging summer'published at 08:10 18 March
08:10 18 March
Alex Pewter Fan writer
In what was otherwise set to be a quiet news week for Crystal Palace, the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman on Monday evening has certainly sparked it to life.
This is the latest chapter in a storied relationship between the Scottish forward-turned-coach-turned-head of recruitment.
Fans are well-versed in the history, from Stockport heroics to his Bolton departure and everything in between. Yet, his latest exit does create a power vacuum in the recruitment side of the club.
Whereas other sporting directors may be more technocratic by nature, Freedman was pivotal within the Palace setup, taking a more hands-on approach to scouting and player assessment than the equivalent at other Premier League clubs.
The reality is that over the past 30 years at the club, there have only been a few cohesively and logically built squads at Selhurst Park, and most have had the fingerprints of Freedman all over them.
Ian Holloway may have the play-off winner's medal from 2013, but it was built on the back of Freedman's team – one rebuilt from the ashes of administration and turned into a competitor. Freedman showed he was adept at capitalising on an eye for talent and the power of persuasion to construct a team that combined youth and unwanted veteran talent, all on a budget.
Therefore, it was a natural career progression for him to move into a backroom role focused on that aspect of the sport rather than coaching when he returned to the club in 2017.
It may have taken a couple of years to feel that impact, but the summer of 2021 may have been his crowning achievement. The arrivals of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, and Michael Olise - all in a single window - were added to Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta from the previous season. The players have been the basis of the team's rejuvenation in recent years.
Within the financial constraints of Palace, there is a necessity to stretch the budget and still achieve a very high hit rate on players. Although that recruitment record isn't flawless, the club remains in a strong position due to those that succeeded.
For Palace, the question will be what comes next? With Freedman gone and likely many of his handpicked scouts with him, the team will need to navigate a challenging summer while reorganising their recruitment team.
Today's trivia challengepublished at 08:56 14 March
08:56 14 March
Wilfried Zaha has won more Premier League games for Crystal Palace than anyone else (95)
But who is second with 82?
Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT
Gossip: Palace close in on new contract for Hughespublished at 07:53 14 March
07:53 14 March
Crystal Palace are in advanced talks over a new deal with 29-year-old English midfielder Will Hughes, who is out of contract in the summer. (Football Insider), external
Meanwhile, Palace's French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, is one of the four strikers Manchester United have shortlisted for the summer. (TeamTalk), external
Franca scores only goal as Palace win friendly in Marbellapublished at 18:25 13 March
18:25 13 March
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Matheus Franca scored the only goal as Crystal Palace defeated Norwegian side Hamarkameratene 1-0 in a mid-season friendly at the Marbella Football Center.
Oliver Glasner named two completely different XI's for each half, with Franca's goal coming courtesy of a fine left-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area just before the hour mark.
It was a first senior goal for Palace - albeit not in a competitive fixture - for 20-year-old Franca who only recently returned to action after 11 months absent with injury.
The Eagles' Premier League fixture this weekend was postponed due to Newcastle's involvement in the Carabao Cup final so Glasner and his team used the chance for a week of warm weather training in southern Spain before Thursday's friendly.
Marbella break gives Palace crucial timepublished at 17:07 12 March
17:07 12 March
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace have taken the opportunity to go on a mid-season break to Marbella as they have a three week gap between the game against Ipswich and the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham at the end of this month.
The Eagles are in great form, losing just one of their past 13 matches. Some would say playing regularly would be the best thing for them as they keep up the momentum ahead of a season-defining cup game.
However, the break may actually be a blessing in disguise though. If the Eagles were to keep playing and the FA Cup match was sooner, they would definitely be without key man and top scorerJean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta is still recovering from having 25 stitches following a challenge from Millwall keeper Liam Roberts and is so important to how Palace play.
If they are to break into the top 10 and go even further into the FA Cup, they will need a fully-fit Mateta, something this break gives him the chance to achieve.
And that success is what is likely to keep this very talented Palace group together.
There are reports Oliver Glasner is in talks with the club about extending his contract. That would be welcome news as Glasner has transformed the way Palace play football and approach cup games.
Early conversations about next season have also taken place with the club's hierarchy. To make sure that the next campaign carries the same excitement and positivity as this one, Palace will need to keep hold of Mateta and their excellent manager.
'No expectations - but Palace fans can dare to dream'published at 12:20 11 March
12:20 11 March
Alex Pewter Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The scene at Selhurst Park was set.
March sunshine, a traditional Saturday at 3pm kick-off and two special guests in attendance, England manager Thomas Tuchel and legendary commentator Barry Davies.
So, of course, this would be the reminder that the beautiful game is not always so attractive.
Nonetheless, the home fans would walk away happy with the late 1-0 victory over Ipswich, after a performance that would have possibly brought defeat during the poor vein of form at the beginning of the season.
Most importantly, Oliver Glasner and his team now have a well-earned break, a trip to Marbella on the cards and three weeks of waiting until their next competitive fixture.
This run of form, second only to Liverpool over the past six, eight and even 10 Premier League games, has been a remarkable feat.
No Crystal Palace team has been on this many points in the Premier League era after 28 fixtures in the top flight. You must go back to Steve Coppell's team in the early 1990s to find a higher tally – before modern football and records began, allegedly.
The question now is where the team can set their sights.
There is an FA Cup quarter-final on the horizon while it is Fulham who stand between Palace and Wembley and also occupying 10th spot in the league table that Glasner may well be chasing next.
Meanwhile, once Jean-Philippe Mateta returns the squad, will have a clean bill of health, something that has been unheard of this season.
There are no expectations, of course. Palace fans are adept at not counting their chickens. Yet this has all the ingredients to be a special end to the season.
Gossip: AC Milan keep tabs on Mitchellpublished at 07:41 11 March
07:41 11 March
AC Milan are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace's England left-back Tyrick Mitchell, 25, as they prepare for the departure of France left-back Theo Hernandez, 27. (Teamtalk), external
Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich - the fans' verdict published at 11:28 10 March
11:28 10 March
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's Premier League game against Ipswich.
Here are some of your comments:
Palace fans
Craig: Hard fought Palace win. Ipswich were good, organised, showed strength and fought well. Palace must remember the intensity they can play with and win more second balls like they did against Villa. If they do, Wembley and an FA Cup semi awaits them. Keep up the hunger Palace. We missed Hughes and Mateta.
Jerry: An ugly win. We never got into any sort of rhythm today. Far too many loose passes. Ipswich probably deserved a share of the spoils, but there have been quite a few games this season where we have got less than we deserved. We'll take it.
Dave: We didn't match our three previous performances, but a win is a win. Ipswich performed quite well and in honesty deserved something from this game, which lacked much quality (Sarr's goal being the exception). Chris Richards was our MOTM.
Ipswich fans
Xavier: Such a good performance, so it's a shame we didn't get the win.
Tim: Great effort, but today actually sums up the whole season. It's a microcosm of 'so close, yet so far'. We don't have that killer instinct and can't defend for 90 minutes. We're simply not good enough yet.
Will: Ipswich Town will always struggle if they continue to rely heavily on Liam Delap, upfront. I really do not understand why Kieran McKenna does not use George Hirst more often – especially around the 70-minute mark.
'It's nice to know Tuchel is watching'published at 09:26 10 March
09:26 10 March
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson won his second England cap in a Nations League game against Finland in October, during Lee Carsley's spell as interim boss.
The 27-year-old is hoping to be involved when Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad on Friday for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
"I have spoken [to Tuchel]," said Henderson, after Saturday's 1-0 win against Ipswich. "He texted me before the game. Obviously, that's nice to know that he is watching.
"All I can control is what I can control and that's my job for the team, the way the manager [Oliver Glasner] wants me to play and showing up in big moments, which I have been doing.
"I'm really enjoying it and it is the best football I've played in the last couple of years, because I played a lot.
"I'm delighted. I'm on autopilot now, so I've just got to keep on.
"He [Tuchel] said he'd be at the game and in the stands watching and just wished me all the best."
Image source, Getty Images
