You never know, they might follow the Norwich Model

Which certainly was to evaluate, invest, and look to go straight back up again the next season. Problem was, we invested in s**te and reaped the rewards; there's no guarantee Alan Pardew won't do the same, particularly as I suspect he will have a rather bigger rebuilding exercise than we did.

Money will get you a long way in this division - Brum must have spent well over £15m this season (Yes, I know people were dumb enough to pay £6m each for Upson and Emily Heskey, but still!) and yet Steve Bruce is maybe a little fortunate to not only have made promotion, but to still be in a job.

Iain Dowie, the "Great Up and Coming New English Manager" the media were all w**king on endlessly about a few years ago couldn't do it at Palace with parachute payments and the backing of a tango-tinged t**t of a chairman with immeasurably deeper pockets than our own.

Like most "big" teams which come down, I think they are in for a rude shock next season. And on that cheery note, good night!

Posted By: Iwan Husarmi, May 7, 22:23:02