Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Some of Sam Allardyce's Bolton teams were able to do it all. Sometimes I was left out against Sam's Bolton teams because I wasn't physical enough or tall enough. 

He will find a way of winning games with the players he has inherited. I think he will be quite pleased when he looks around the Crystal Palace dressing room and sees the likes of Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha.

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Trevor Sinclair
Ex-Man City winger on BBC Radio 5 live

This is never a good time for managers. Owners get a little trigger happy at this stage. Crystal Palace have struggled defensively. They can't keep clean sheets and they're not winning games. 

Palace have good players going forward. The biggest thing for Sam Allardyce is that he's organised at the back. He tries to get players in who can entertain. 

I thought he was a perfect fit for England. He could have been something special for England. He was a bit silly getting involved in what he did but that's gone. 

Image source, Rex Features

Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Sunderland...

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Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

Alan Pardew said at the start of the season that in trying to implement a new brand of football, Palace would be a team in transition and their league position might be affected.

His failure to strike the balance between a more expansive approach and defensive stability has led to a place in the table and list of statistics the board could, understandably, no longer tolerate.

Image source, Rex Features

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

The clue will be in the instant reaction of Palace chairman Steve Parish, who admitted a switch to a more "expansive" style this season had failed and it was now time to "wind the dial back the other way".

This could almost be code for "we've conceded too many daft goals", so Allardyce's first task will be to give Palace some defensive backbone, a managerial job he has been adept at in the past.

It will certainly present a different scenario to Allardyce, who has often - not always with justification - been criticised for not being expansive enough when in charge at clubs, such as Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.

Read more from Phil.

Image source, Getty Images

If you hadn't marked down today's early kick-off as a must-watch, I forgive you. Let's say it's the time of year.

But Crystal Palace's lunchtime trip to Watford takes on a different glow after last week's sacking of Alan Pardew.

His replacement, Sam Allardyce, is back in work after his "dark" exit from the England job...

Match of the Day

With eight games on Boxing Day there probably isn't anywhere else you'd want to be between the hours of 22:55 GMT and 00:25.

Gary Lineker will be joined by Alan Shearer and Ian Wright to talk you through the highlights of all eight Premier League games.

Final Score

Final Score starts at 14:30 GMT on the website and on the red button, when presenter Jason Mohammad is joined by Kevin Kilbane and Trevor Sinclair.

They'll bring you all the big team news, drama and goals over a jam-packed three hours.

BBC Radio 5 live

There is a big day of action coming up for you on Radio 5 live.

It all starts with live commentary of Crystal Palace at Watford, kick-off 12:30 GMT, brought to you by Alistair Bruce-Ball, with Sir Trevor Brooking summarising.

We'll be going around the grounds for the 15:00 games, before full match commentary of Hull v Man City, brought to you by John Murray and Pat Nevin from 17:30.

Feast on that lot.

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So, what Boxing Day treats do we have in store?

Eight matches. Three of the top four in action. A familiar face back in top-flight management and a manager making a first return to his former club.

Here's what's ahead. All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated.

Watford v Crystal Palace (12:30)

Arsenal v West Brom

Burnley v Middlesbrough

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Leicester v Everton

Man Utd v Sunderland

Swansea v West Ham

Hull City v Man City (17:15)

Image source, .

What did you get then? Anything good? Anything really, really bad?

We'd love to have a looksee. 

So send in your photos and stories of football present fails to #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, or you can text us on 81111 in the UK only.

Actually, there's probably a lot more you could ask for, which you might not get. 

Which brings us on to our topic for conversation this morning... 

Image source, Getty Images

Morning all. Welcome to one of the iconic days of the football year.

You've got your opening excitement in the August sun, what's usually gloom on the final day...

But here, as we clamber out from beneath the tinsel, a crisp Christmas entry in the story of your season.

There's something for everyone. Even hope, as we approach the campaign's halfway stage.

Eight top flight games. A full EFL programme ahead.

What more could you ask for?

Image source, Getty Images