Winging It: A Crystal Palace Podcast

Well, that was thoroughly depressing. A defeat in Lyon, some disgraceful treatment of Palace fans by the French authorities, and then the small matter of a 5-0 humiliation against Brighton. Sacré bleu!

This week, it's just Terence and Sam trying to make sense of a truly miserable week for Palace. How did things go so spectacularly wrong against our biggest rivals? Is Pierre Sage's new system simply taking time to bed in, or are there more fundamental problems? And how much responsibility lies with the players, the manager and those responsible for recruitment?

We debate whether Sage deserves more time, look ahead to a daunting run of fixtures and discuss the latest controversy surrounding Phoenix the eagle. Because apparently even the mascot can't escape the drama at Selhurst Park.

Liberté, Égalité, Misère.

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“At the end of the day, we always win.” Well, Evangelos, not this time.

It's a game of firsts as Palace finally beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the 13th attempt. Kamada scores his first Premier League goal, Pino bags his first at home, and Oliver Glasner's reunion with Palace doesn't quite go according to plan. We discuss the 3-1 victory in depth including one touch football and handball goals.

Attention then turns to Lyon, where Sage returns to his old stomping ground and Palace fans prepare for a European away day that might involve more tear gas than football.

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It’s international break time, but there’s still plenty going on at Palace. We round up which Eagles have been making an impact for their countries, before giving exactly the appropriate amount of attention to a 2-0 friendly defeat to Bristol City.

Off the pitch, Steve Parish has been talking to The Athletic about everything from the Holmesdale Fanatics and the Selhurst atmosphere to the Main Stand, Sarr, Mateta and life under Pierre Sage. Meanwhile, Palace are reportedly seeking new investment at a valuation of £900m. Yes, £900m.

We also talk on the Manchester City financial ruling, what they’ve actually been found guilty of and what an appropriate punishment looks like.

Plus, we look ahead to Oliver Glasner’s return to Selhurst with Nottingham Forest.

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Palace are back winning in Europe, with a victory over Lech Poznań inspired, naturally, by Terence’s daughter.

We discuss the article suggesting Pierre Sage’s job was already in danger, much to Hesketh’s disgust, before Sage apparently “saved” himself with a disciplined 0-0 draw at Leeds. But forget the football for a moment, because the real question is whether one of Britain’s great poets somehow predicted Quinten Timber gliding across a football pitch centuries ago.

And finally, there was absolutely no chance we were getting through an episode without discussing Andros Townsend being rolled over in Thailand.

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Palace lose 3-2 to Ipswich and there’s plenty to get into.

We take a proper look at the defensive frailties, a group of players still getting to know each other, the adjustment to a new style of play and whether there were any signs of what Pierre Sage is ultimately trying to build.

There was at least one - Jørgen Strand Larsen’s equaliser, which gave us a glimpse of what a Sage Palace might eventually look like when it all clicks.

And after the final whistle, the good news is that everyone reacted to the defeat with complete calm, perspective and restraint...

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Palace beat Fulham 3-2 and Middlesbrough 3-0, and while neither result is enough to start getting carried away, they do at least feel like the first baby steps towards something resembling a decent football team.

We talk Pierre Sage leaving Guessand and McNeill out of the squad after poor performances, and whether a bit of ruthlessness is exactly what this group needs. Jørgen Strand Larsen has also started brightly, which means there’s only one sensible question to ask: is he the messiah?

Elsewhere, we get into the Palace Women substitution debacle, wish Aki Riihilahti a happy 50th birthday, and take another look at the transfer window with some alternative choices for Palace’s best and worst signings.

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The transfer window is entering its final hours and Palace are right in the middle of it. We discuss the will-he-won’t-he saga of Malick Fofana, Munoz heading to Forest, Liverpool unsettling Sarr and the arrival of Ahanor on loan, plus all the other rumours doing the rounds as the deadline approaches.

Then it’s time for our annual season predictions. Who’ll finish as Palace’s top scorer? Who gets the most assists? Who’ll be Player of the Year? Where will we finish in the league? And, most importantly, what completely outrageous prediction are we willing to put our names to this time?

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Palace start the new season with defeat at Everton after a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. We talk missed chances, what went wrong and whether there were still signs to be encouraged by.

Away from the pitch, there’s plenty going on. Mateta is reportedly trying to void his contract, Galatasaray are told Sarr is not for sale, there’s the latest on the Disasi loan and plenty more transfer talk.

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It's transfer time. Terence and Hesketh are joined by Carl to work through your questions and try to make sense of what Palace are actually doing.

Why was Pierre Sage the standout choice? What's holding up the Gozo deal? And, after the departures of Guehi and Lacroix, where exactly are the centre-backs?

We get into links with Ordonez, Disasi and Camera, whether selling Munoz if the key to unlocking the rest of the window, what happened to Jordan James, the Johnson/McNeil swap and who else Palace might be willing to move on.

Plus: Doucoure’s future, contract renewals, Alessandro Brito's South American scouting, and whether Carl has been on the end of any meltdowns in the DMs.

Everything you wanted to know about Palace's transfer window. Or at least everything that Carl was willing to tell us.

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Where to start indeed.

We haven’t recorded since Palace won the Conference League and, safe to say, we’ve missed a bit.

Pierre Sage is the new Palace manager, Glasner has somehow ended up at Forest, and the Forest owner is now suing Palace for defamation. Normal summer, then.

There’s transfer stuff to get through too. Tomiyasu, Kamada, Mingueza the piano player and who might still be coming or going before the window shuts.

Brennan Johnson has lasted just six months at Palace before heading to Everton, with Dwight McNeil coming the other way. Given Johnson was our second-most expensive signing ever, Terence and Sam use that as an excuse to go through some of Palace’s other transfer disasters.

And finally, the kits. More specifically, is the new away kit actually one of the worst we’ve ever had?

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Crystal Palace have won another trophy. What has the world come to? Terence, Albert and Hesketh look back on an incredible few days in Leipzig where Oliver Glasner signed off with a third trophy in 12 months and help to ensure that his successor will be playing European football next season. This episode also includes interviews out in Germany with Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown, Sam Murley - who travelled from Hong Kong for the game - Hesketh's wife Vanessa and Stefan from block B of the Holmesdale.

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Adam Wharton scored his first goal for Crystal Palace at Brentford, much to the delight of his Mum who danced to the tune of the Selhurst sound in the away end. Terence, Albert and Hesketh look back at the 2-2 draw in West London, look ahead to Arsenal's visit to South London and cover 'Spygate', Mother doing very Well and whether or not the latest managerial shuffle points Iraola towards the Palace dugout.

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Terence, Albert and Hesketh are back for episode 109, We’re On Our Way. There’s chaos off the pitch as Eagle Holdings head into administration, while former Palace goalkeeper Nigel Martyn eyes an England Over-60s cricket call-up. We also celebrate a BAFTA win for Palace fan Holly Walsh and reveal what listeners can win in the raffle supporting Terence’s Palace for Life ‘Bike From Arsenal’ charity ride.

On the pitch, Palace march into the UEFA Europa Conference League Final after a memorable 2-1 win over FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Selhurst Park, before a dramatic 2-2 draw with Everton F.C. on Sunday. Both games saw another goal from the unstoppable Ismaïla Sarr, who now has 20 goals for the season — becoming the first Palace player to hit that mark in a Premier League campaign since Andy Johnson in 2004/05.

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All of the chaos from our second trip to Poland captured on two little Terry Byfield sized microphones. Interviews with Palace fans and ambiance from the away end as Palace earned a 3-1 first leg win thanks to a fantastic counter attacking display against a very handy Shakhtar side.

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Terence, Albert and Hesketh are joined by John from the Holmesdale Fanatics, marking the group’s first appearance on the podcast. The discussion begins with the launch of the Fanatics fanzine, with its inaugural issue documenting the group’s history, their European journeys to date, and featuring interviews with ultra groups from across the world.

The conversation then turns to the group’s displays and songs, their relationship with the club, and their vision for the future. The episode concludes with a reflection on some of the most significant moments since the Holmesdale Fanatics were formed in 2005.

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Terence and Hesketh wax lyrical about Jaydee Canvot as his performances against Fiorentina and West Ham hit new levels. The trip to Florence is discussed as well as looking ahead to Donetsk in Poland next week in the Conference League semi final, before finishing on a review of the 0-0 draw against relegation threatened West Ham.

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Crystal Palace topple the Conference League masters Fiorentina to set up a semi final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk. In this episode, relive the trip to Florence through chats with Jon Petrie, Chris Windsor and Carl Davies before sharing the atmosphere from the coach back into town after the game.

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After a long international break, Terence, Albert and Hesketh return to relive a brilliant night under the Selhurst Park lights, as Palace trounce ACF Fiorentina 3-0 to all but book a place in the Conference League semi-finals.

We then turn to Newcastle United F.C., where JP Mateta’s 9th and 10th league goals of the season ease any lingering relegation fears and suddenly have us looking up at a very tight table… could Champions League qualification still be on?

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Before we head out to Cyprus, Terence and Hesketh kick things off with a bit of unexpected international pride as Maxence Lacroix gets the France call-up and his compatriot Jaydee Canvot also impressive the panel with his latest interview. There’s also the small matter of Florence logistics, where alternative travel plans are discussed and how a lack of booze might be an issue in Italy.

But it’s not all laughs. We take a moment to address the sour undercurrent of the Larnaka away trip, with racism once again rearing its head and casting a shadow over what should be a European adventure.

Then it’s over to the ground in Cyprus. Nick makes his Winging It debut, bringing a passion for Italian football. Ben and Terence’s sister Pink return to the mic, and Chris Waters steals the show with an unexpected burst of song that absolutely nobody asked for… but everyone gets anyway.

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Nil-nil and not much thrill. Palace follow up a frustrating stalemate against Larnaca with another toothless 0-0, this time against ten-man Leeds... and somehow it’s even harder to watch.

Terence, Albert and Hesketh discuss the two games where the goals never came, the spark never lit, and patience may finally be wearing thin. Oliver Glasner’s post-match comments raise eyebrows (again), with more pointed takes on Palace traditions that don’t quite land with the faithful.

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