Monday 26 April 2010

Shelvey speculation starts as play-offs loom

The speculation began yesterday about the future of Jonjo Shelvey, less than a day after Charlton's automatic promotion hopes disappeared. The first club linked with the enigmatic 18 year-old is Liverpool, which is interesting bearing in mind the languid Gerrard-esk style of Shelvey. Encouragingly, Arsenal and Chelsea are also said to be keeping a watchful eye, so we can hope that the £2m price tag rises a little before any deal is confirmed. I wonder whether this level of interest might keep Jonjo out of the team through the play-offs less he were to do himself a mischief?

As we prepare for a full-blooded game with Leeds United on Saturday that could be a fore-runner for another epic play-off encounter, eyes turn to the bottom of the Championship and the side we hope to replace. Palace host promoted West Brom this evening in a match of real importance for their survival as they bid to stay in business. A win would secure Palace's Championship position. Failure to win and they go to Hillsborough on Saturday knowing that the loser would be swapping places with the League One play-off winners. The south-east London irony here is delicious, with Charlton possibly throwing Millwall an automatic promotion lifeline by beating Leeds and improving their play-off chances of potentially replacing Palace in the Championship. Imagine being relegated the season both of your south-east London rivals are promoted above  you?

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