It’s deadline day, this North London pub is rammed and I’m surrounded by discussion of the top of the Premier League when suddenly I hear discussion about ‘Jason Puncheon’s big ears’.
In a room surrounded by fan channels, ex-players and fans who largely seem concerned with simply the top six of the Premier League, it’s a refreshing change of topic.
After receiving a quick tackle of my knowledge for all things Crystal Palace, and passing the test I find myself interviewing prominent comedian Sean Hughes on Pulis, Pardew, and most importantly those ‘big ears’ of Puncheon’s.
Now an established comedian who tours nationwide, we got to know Sean at the Ladbrokes #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party.
Ladbrokes invited Ian Wright, Chris Kamara, Peter Reid, Jason McAteer and 50 fans to a north London pub to take part in the Ladbrokes #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day party, fans were treated to free bets, the latest reaction to transfer moves and news by our panel of legends, a singing Kammy and a free bar to keep the night flowing.
Naturally, given our setting, I must start by asking Sean what he has made of Palace’s business in the January transfer window?
SH: We’ve bought those two French players and that was fine, but it’s really weird to get Zaha on a five-and-a-half year deal but when he’s been there all season it’s not that exciting is it?
FFC: (I cannot help but interrupt with surprise) Are you really not excited to get Zaha back?!
SH: I’m delighted but hes been there all season so he doesn’t feel like a new signing. However, I think he’s a great player and I think he has matured a lot as well. When I used to see him as a kid he used to take a lot more shots on goal and not score, and now he passes a lot more.
FFC: So you think that Zaha’s decision making has improved then?
SH: I think that year at (Manchester) United kind of sorted him out a little bit.
FFC: But are you worried that if he finds that forms of old once again he won’t be at Palace for long?
SH: When you think about it with the transfer deadline would you, all of a sudden, be told tomorrow, you are living in, kind of, Winbourne for the next two years – it’s a big decision. I think Zaha was brought up with the Palace academy so it was nice for him and I know he sent a tweet tonight saying it’s great to be home, because of I don’t think people think too much about that, how appealing that is.
FFC: So you think Zaha will stay a lot longer this time than most people might expect?
SH: A 5.5 year deal it was, so obviously if we’re going to sell him it will be for a lot of money. I think he probably had his head turned when (Manchester) United came in for him like anyone would then realised he was never going to get a chance there.
FFC: What have you made of the return of Alan Pardew, this time as Palace manager?
SH: I love the fact that Palace are a bit of a community team in the sense that it’s great to have one of our own back. The thing is people say he is a hero, he did score a goal against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, so people remember him for that, but he was pretty much a fairweather player.
FFC: So do you think that idea has been over-egged a bit then?
SH: It’s great to have one of our own back, I didn’t understand why we brought in Neil Warnock the second time because he’s so old school. I think Pardew’s a great manager and the proof in the pudding is his tremendous start. It was weird though, I was there recently and a lot of the people I go there every week with where still saying ‘our run in is very dodgy.’
FFC: So you are still not confident of survival then?
SH: I think the bottom 10 are in trouble and if you have a bad run you are right back in the mix but, weirdly, I don’t know whether it’s vindictive but I hope West Brom go down because of the way Tony Pulis left us.
FFC: Would you boo Pulis when he returns to Selhurst Park in the future?
SH: I wouldn’t be a boo-er but I’d certainly have no respect for him. Respect what he did for us, but you leave someone two days before the season and I can’t really talk about why he left but I know he left and I know it was for selfish reasons. I could tell you but I’ll go to court!
FFC: Who has been your player of the season thus far?
SH: Bolaise was great ‘til he went to Africa, everyone loves Speroni in goal, Joe Ledley is obviously phenomenal, he’s just one of the top players I wish I could get an interview with him (fear not Sean, this might cure that). The weird thing is there is no really individual standing out – we have played like a team which is what we have needed to do.
I haven’t got a real hero there at the moment but when Zaha gets on it’s quite exciting, because he just runs down the wing and he makes a fool of a lot of his opposing defenders.
FFC: Puncheon has been impressive across recent seasons too though right?
SH: Puncheon has been very good this season, ever since he missed that penalty against Tottenham a couple of years ago, really badly. I think he’s tried to make up for that. The only thing with Puncheon is, and I don’t want to slag him off, but he’s got really big ears and his goal celebration is the thing with his ears and your like don’t…. kind of…show people your ears!
FFC: Finally and most importantly, will Palace stay in the Premier League this season yes or no?
SH: I live in hope but I’m a pessimist. The thing is I started supporting Palace when they were in the Old Third Division… I think we will stay up.
Top chat Sean, you saved your punchline for injury time but when it arrived it was certainly a screamer.
Sean Hughes was speaking at the Ladbrokes #ForTheFans Transfer Deadline Day part.
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