Symons in demand

By Stuart Roach

Report: Reading 0-3 Palace

There will be no shortage of football folk queuing up to buy Kit Symons a drink this Christmas.

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordon owes him one. At least one.

And the players who have blossomed under his eight-match tenure as caretaker player-boss will welcome him back to the playing ranks with thanks.

But there could also be a string of job-seeking managers ready to be seen propping up the bar with veteran defender Symons this Christmas.

Iain Dowie takes over as manager at Selhurst Park on Monday and arrives with the departing temporary boss recalling the first time Dowie was offered a management chance.

"I know Iain Dowie well. I have played against him many times over the years and I was actually on holiday with him in Dubai and having half a shandy when he got the call offering him the Oldham job," Symons recalls.

Some coincidence that, given that Symons was imbibing with Chris Colemen when his former Fulham team-mate took a phone call offering him the Fulham job.

SYMONS' LEAGUE RECORD Nov 8 C Palace 1-1 Preston Nov 22 Walsall 0-0 C Palace Nov 25 Stoke 0-1 C Palace Dec 6 C Palace 1-1 Coventry Dec 9 C Palace 1-3 Crewe Dec 13 C Palace 1-0 Forest Dec 20 Reading 0-3 C Palace

Sadly for Symons, the call regarding the permanent Palace job never came his way, despite an impressive record in his temporary control.

In fact, the only official communication he received regarding the Palace managerial position was an untimely pre-match chat from Jordan ahead of Saturday's Reading game, informing him that the job was Dowie's and not his.

Remarkably, Palace still went out and thrashed the play-off chasing Royals 3-0, with Symons, forever the dignified professional insisting there was no bitterness.

"Life's too short to be bitter. I'm just glad to have had this opportunity and I think it's fair to say we're in a far better state now than when I took over.

"It's a big improvement and I'm sure Iain Dowie will be very thankful for that.

"If he wants anything from me at all, I would be more than willing to help, but on the other hand if he doesn't I will just come in get my head down and get on with the job.

"I have always conducted myself very professionally as a player and will continue to do that.

Palace set to unveil Dowie

"All the time I am contracted to Crystal Palace I will help out in any way I can."

Symons admits it will be strange slipping back into the playing ranks, having only just got used to management.

But he has clearly put himself in the shop window for any club searching a new boss.

"Management and coaching was always something that interested me and I was given a fantastic opportunity by Palace.

"You can go and do all the coaching courses you like but nothing can prepare you for actually doing the job.

"I've been doing it for two months and haven't got bored of it yet. There is plenty to do and I have enjoyed it."

"It won't be difficult slotting back among the players, though I'll probably be sat at a table on my own after training.

"As a manager you need to be that little bit detached from the players and that is something I just could not be.

"I had to make big decisions and I was leaving my mates out but the lads realised that any decision I made was for the good of the club and there was nothing personal in it.

"It has all gone down pretty well. My record is there for everyone to look at and it's a good record."

Palace fans will drink to that this season.