Patrick Stevens doesn't much sympathy for Tony Pulis after leaving Palace - and here's why...

Well, so glad everyone didn't over react! 

Right, let's get the obvious out of the way first,.. Tony Pulis did a great job for us last year and we all wanted him to stay.....But he hasn't. 

We are all gutted, of course, and many immediately looked around for someone to blame; and (for me sadly) many didn't have to look much further than our owner and financial backer Steve Parish. I mean, Tony Pulis is the manager of the year, he kept us up last season, we even started calling ourselves Crystal Pulis for goodness sake - it can't possibly be his fault - can it? 

Well let's all just take a breath and have a look at that for a moment shall we?

First. What about Steve Parish's record too? With CPFC 2010 he saved us from the brink of extinction, (oh no, not that old chestnut I hear many cry - but, please, it is possibly the most important thing in our history) he then set a five year plan to get us into the premiership and the got there even quicker; he took us to wembley; he kept us up in the premiership for the first time in our history; he fought for Pulis for a month while others ridiculed him for taking so long; and he backed Pulis in the January transfer window.

So, his track record at Palace isn't too bad is it? and it's a bit longer than 9 quick months ; know what I mean!? 

Now, let's look at perhaps why Pulis has really gone... Over an apparent failure by the Board to spend what they say we cannot afford... Just yet. Let's not forget that they are long term fans who have our future in mind and have learned from previous mistakes. They also have already secured Chamakh and Jedi by upping the maximum wages we pay, they kept Jules when TP clearly had other ideas, and they have got in 3 proven premiership internationals with the promise of 4-5 more before the window closes. 

Yes, I can see why Pulis would throw his toys out of the pram at that! And I can see why he would have to do it with only two days to the opening of the new season, leaving us high and dry. Come one... we are in a far better place than when He took over, and he knew what he was accepting. He's not stupid. So there has to be more to it that that. 

And what about the timing? Did this really have to happen two days before the start of the season? Or has Pulis just decided he doesn't care enough. And if we think about this sensibly for a moment, is there possibly a different, more realistic reason why Pulis walked on us now? And if there is should some of those abusing Parish on the internet stop and think they might be wrong. Or at least hear his side?

For me , Pulis knew, on the back of last season's miracles (which btw Keith Millen and the players had already started before he was appointed) and after a summer of swanning around Brazil being feted by the media, that his star may never shine brighter. What better time to cash in and move to a bigger richer club? He knows he will get another top job soon enough in this desperate crazy premiership world, and we will be just a happy notch on his CV. He was never in this for the long haul - I mean he nearly walked in January after two short months. And, with that in mind, what big deal is it to him to leave us a day before we need to be focused? Obviously, he thought he'd give it a go first in pre season and see if the club would cabe in to pressure or panic and spend but when they didn't he sling his hook. I for one think it is to their credit, that CPFC2010 didn't start splashing the money And I think it is to his discredit that Pulis walked. 

We are NOT QPR with their Rio and Samba grandstand signings. And Pulis knew that when he took the job But with Parish in charge, thankfully we will neither be Portsmouth - unless the abuse drives him away and some one who doesn't care buys the club. 

And that's what it comes down to for me. 

This week I talked of some of our fans having a sense of entitlement I used to only hear at Utd and Chelski.; just spend millions we are premier league for goodness sake ! Well we are, but only just, and with a lot of hard work ahead. And we risk everything if we forget that - EVERY thing. 

So, please don't and get behind the climb. Let's say thanks for the memories Tony (and Ian and Dougie) but I will get behind team palace - from the board to the groundsman. Those who were here long before you and will be here long after you : I mean, you didn't even stay as long as Owen Garvan!

And to those abusing the owners and worse still their family I beg you, stop. These guys saved us, took us to the promised land and kept us there. They have been open, honest and kept their word to us every step of the way. And some of you have judged and convicted them without even waiting to hear their side. I have rarely felt less impressed. And I love Palace fans. 

So, onwards and upwards (I'll also take sideways, or even accept downwards) and get behind the team. From top to bottom Because we have a job to do, and that is to support the club. 

To Support 

1. to sustain or withstand (pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.

2. to undergo or endure, especially with patience 

Never has it been more needed and we can do it best - if only we stick together.