Jordan tears into his Palace 'flops'

Simon Johnson13 April 2012
Crystal Palace 0 Portsmouth 0

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has slammed his players for their lack of commitment and insists an instant improvement is necessary if they are to win promotion.

While last night's goalless draw at home to Portsmouth was a bit harsh on a dominant Palace side, it was another blow to their play-off hopes.

Palace have failed to score at Selhurst Park in their last three games and have earned just five points from their last six matches to drop out of the top six.

Such is the extent of Jordan's disappointment he has sympathy for Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, who came in for criticism after threatening not to pay his players for their poor performances last month. Jordan said: "When you look at the actions of Milan I have to say I empathised with him totally. We dip our hands in our own pockets to pay players their salaries and the least we expect in return is commitment.

"The results lately, apart from Barnsley away, have been at best disappointing and at worst downright unacceptable. Capitulating the way we did to Grimsby 5-2 was embarrassing and humiliating.

"Twice in a week we needed to win games that would have put us back into the play-off spots, yet have produced performances that defy explanation as far as urgency, desire and commitment are concerned."

Jordan has given manager Trevor Francis £3million in the last three months to strengthen the squad with signings such as Ade Akinbiyi and Curtis Fleming.

But he makes it clear that he blames the players and not Francis for the disappointing results.

He added: "I'm deadly serious about wanting success, as is Trevor Francis, but I look at some of our players and question their desire.

"I listen to rubbish from players stating they are committed and want to play in the Premiership, yet when you look at some of our performances you are forced to question the integrity of their words.

"As the chairman and paymaster of this club, I expect to see my players totally committed and focused every week rather than just when they feel like it.

"The intention here is not to demotivate, but rather to make sure everybody's aware of the high standards which are expected at this club."

In truth, Jordan had only Portsmouth goalkeeper Dave Beasant to blame for Palace's failure to win all three points as he pulled off a string of fine saves.

Clinton Morrison, Aki Riihilahti and Julian Gray were all denied by the former Chelsea and Wimbledon No1, and Morrison had a penalty appeal turned down after he fell under the challenge of Jamie Vincent.

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