Clinton Morrison Exclusive Interview With OLBG

Clinton Morrison Talks to OLBG

Clinton Morrison started his football career at local side Crystal Palace in 1998, for whom he scored over 100 goals across two spells. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland 36 times at full international level, scoring 9 goals, and made their squad for the 2002 World Cup. 

Here he talks exclusively to OLBG about the recent activities of Tottenham Hotspur, mentioning the signings of Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, along with their overall transfer strategy and injury concerns. Exploring Werner's impact and prospects at Spurs, potential signings like Hayden Hackney and Conor Gallagher, the importance of Eze and Olise to Crystal Palace, and the performances of various lower-league teams. Additionally, touching on the Irish national team's situation and the roles of Solanke, Moore, and promising young players.

Interview January 2024

Spurs have been busy this window already making two signings bringing in Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and Radu Dragusin from Genoa. Timo Werner has been in the Premier League before and struggled a little bit, but he does have his strengths, he got an assist against Manchester United at the weekend, do you think he’s a good signing?

I was at the game. He did look a threat, he looked lively, but he's not Son, who is world class. That being said, I think it's a good signing. I think they needed to strengthen in forward areas. They've got a lot of injuries. Some of these injured players are going to be coming back soon, but they still need competition for places. If you look where Tottenham are, they're still in the title race and they want to finish in a Champions League places, and you can't rule them out with the positive signings that they've made. 

Werner had great opportunities to score in the first half but it was the Timo Werner that you saw at Chelsea as he skied a shot into the stands and another one where he was one on one with Dalot and he dragged his shot wide. He got the assist for Bentancur, so I think he's an asset for Spurs. He is great for competition for places, pushing players such as Brennan Johnson and Richarlison which is a positive. 

Do you think over the next month that Tottenham may struggle to score goals?

They might do, but one player who is in good form is Richarlison. He's in fantastic form and has silenced a few critics. People were having a go at him, and he's leading the line ever so well. Not just with his goals, but I thought he led the line brilliantly against Man United at the weekend, I think he is due a lot of credit. They have got a great striker in Richarlison and credit must go to Ange who is getting the best out of him, and of course credit to him for stepping up. However, I do think Brendan Johnson needs to score more goals. 

They did miss Kulusevski this weekend, who was ill, and I think James Maddison is only a couple of weeks away from being back in the side, so they are only going to keep getting better. I’d advise top teams to be wary of Tottenham. 

It is rumoured that Spurs are also big admirers of Hayden Hackney, who played brilliantly against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, but they will apparently have to battle Man United, Man City and Liverpool for his signature. Why do you think these huge clubs are so interested in this player?

He's a great player, plain and simple. I've seen him a lot at Middlesborough. Michael Carrick talks very highly of him. He's got fantastic ability, I think he's a top player and he will eventually make that move and go to one of the big clubs. The problem is, if he goes to Tottenham now, will he be a regular? They are going to have Bissouma and Sarr coming back as well as Bentancur, and Maddison returning soon. They've got a lot of options in their midfield, but I’m not surprised they want to strengthen in midfield with the injuries that they've had. 

He would be a great signing for Spurs, but if they did sign him in the window, maybe it might be best to let him go back on loan to Middlesbrough for the rest of the season. But he's a great young prospect. He wants the ball all the time, I saw his goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi final, he gets into the box, makes a great late third man run and he can clearly score goals as well so it would be a good signing for Spurs. I’m sure there will be plenty of top clubs looking for his signature.

Another player rumoured with a move to Spurs is Chelsea midfielder, Conor Gallagher, what would you think to this move and do you think it’s likely that it happens?

The rumours are not going away with Conor Gallagher, he's a great player, I like him. I liked him when he was on loan at Crystal Palace. He's got so much energy and he can cover the ground, he'll set the press and he's been the captain of Chelsea while Reece James and Ben Chillwell have been out injured. I'd be very surprised if a move from Chelsea to Spurs happened. If it materialises, I think it would be a great move for Gallagher and even better move for Tottenham. 

With the huge rivalry between the two clubs, I'd be very surprised if Chelsea would let him go to Tottenham. So it's a difficult one as, despite the signings Chelsea have made, he has been a regular.

Palace have had a mixed first half of the season, they have struggled with injuries, but they do have a couple of brilliant players in Eze and Olise. However, they have both struggled to stay fit this season, how important are these two players to Palace’s success?

Olise and Eze are massively important for Palace. Of course it's a team effort, but they are the X-Factor keeping Palace in the Premier League. Hopefully they can continue playing well and push Palace up the table, it would be great if they could finish mid-table, but they have to both stay fit. They've both been injured for long periods of times this season and it’s so important for Palace to keep them fit and healthy. If they are, then, Palace will have a successful season. They are two huge talents that will both go on to play for top four teams in my eyes. 

They're top players and they can go where they want to be. I speak a lot to the director of football, Dougie Freedman, he speaks so highly about them both. I think it’s important to give credit to Palace and to Dougie for finding and developing these players. 

With the relatively low amount of money they paid for both of the players, they're going to make some great profit. They have a great recruitment process, both in terms of people and strategy. I know a lot of people don't talk about Palace having great recruitment, but for me it's something they do extremely well. They find these gems of players, and eventually they are going to move on and it could be in the summer or it could be another year, but hopefully Palace can keep both Olise and Eze for a few more seasons yet.  

There have been rumours that Olise could be on his way to a bigger club in the summer, Man United have been rumoured recently, do you think he has the talent to succeed there?

Olise is fantastic, I speak to people at the football club, his attitude is brilliant. He's willing to listen and learn all the time and I just think you see some of his goals when he's playing on that right hand side, he can cut in, he can go on the outside, he can come on the inside on his left foot, and whip balls in. His finishing is brilliant. He's still developing, so he's only going to get better and keep improving. Whoever buys Michael Olise is going to be getting an amazing player and it’ll be great business for a top club. Whether it happens in the summer or a year down the line, I think he's a top player and he's only going to get better. 

I don't want to see him leaving the football club because he's brought so much to the team and to the whole club. Crystal Palace know what kind of club they are, they can't compete with the big boys consistently, so what a move it will be for him when it eventually happens, and it would be great for Man United if they manage to get him. But I think the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, they'll come knocking on the door as well. 

Out of past or present wingers in the Premier League, who would you compare him to?

You know who he reminds me of? Rihad Mahrez: But I think he's got more pace than him. When Mahrez was playing on that right hand side, I think he's a bit more explosive than him. Mahrez had a fantastic touch, I don't think Olise touches it like that yet because at times, Mahrez had the best touch in the Premier League, the way he could control it on the outside of his foot. 

Olise plays with his left foot and the way he can come in, pick a pass or chop back and do a step over, I think he reminds me a lot of Riyad Mahrez, just with a bit more pace. 

I think he's got the world at his feet, he's a top talent. From what I hear, they say he wants to listen, learn and he works hard, he does his defensive duty, which he has to do at Palace under Roy Hodgson. 

Marc Guehi has been another key player for Palace over the last few years. Why is he so important for Palace? Do you see him being one of England’s starting centre backs at the Euros?

Marc Guehi is a top player, and if Stones or Maguire are not fit for the Euros, he's the next defender in line. Gareth Southgate trusts him, he was the England under-21s captain and then he brought him into the first squad. He's been Palace captain at times this season when Joe Ward hasn’t been fit, and he's outstanding. He's so comfortable in possession, he reads the game perfectly, he can defend despite not being the biggest player, can he leap? Yes, he can. I think the partnership he has formed with Anderson, at the heart of the Crystal Palace defence has been brilliant. He's another player that will go to the highest level. He could eventually go to one of the clubs higher up the table if they come knocking on the door.

He's outstanding. You don't really hear about him, he just goes under the radar. But let me tell you, people in football know all about Marc Guehi because he is a top talent. I bet Chelsea are watching him now thinking, wow, we sold him really cheap, and again it’s great for Palace because if someone's going to buy him, it's going to be big money. 

The big talking point at the moment with Brentford is that Ivan Toney is now eligible to return and play football, how important is it that they hold onto him at least until the end of the season?

They have to hold on to Toney, if they don't hold on Toney, they could be in big trouble, Brentford could be in a relegation scrap. They have Wissa away at AFCON so they need somebody who's going to score goals. Keane Lewis-Potter, I like him, he's a good young player, but Brentford can't put all the pressure on him. 

On top of Wissa, Mbeumo is out injured at the moment with no guaranteed return date. I think once Mbeumo gets fit and if they can keep Ivan Toney, Brentford will be fine. Toney is a fantastic centre forward, but it might take a bit of time for him to get back up to speed. I know he's been playing a lot lately for Brentford B and the reserves, but it's a different level going back and playing in the Premier League every week. 

Toney is so crucial to Brentford and I do think Brentford will manage to keep hold of him because it could be the difference between them getting relegated or staying in the Premier League. I don't think Brentford will get relegated. I think they'll stay up because I think Thomas Frank is a fantastic manager. 

They've got some good players but they've had it hard with a lot of injuries to key players. One in particular I can think of is Rico Henry, who in my opinion one of the best left backs in the Premier League. They just need to get Toney up and running to stay up, and I do believe he'll stay beyond this window and then move on in the summer, which would be a better time for Brentford. 

He has been strongly rumoured with a move to Arsenal- do you think he would fit their system well and solve their striker problems?

Toney’s style of play and goals will suit any top club. Arsenal need an out-and-out goalscorer. I like Jesus. I think Jesus is a top player, what he brings to the team outside the box is fantastic. He's an outstanding player but they need a guy who can be in the box to score, sniff out the goals in the six yard box and that's exactly what Ivan Toney will give you. If you get crosses in, he’ll score goals. 

He's also one of the best penalty takers in the world, so I believe it would be a good signing for Arsenal. That being said, I don't think Arsenal will be able to get him in the window, because I don't think Brentford will sell him, they may have to wait until the summer. If Arsenal don’t come back in for him, then I can see Chelsea trying to sign him if they struggle to sign Victor Osimhen.

Tony Mowbray is the new Birmingham City manager, and they picked up a last-minute draw on Saturday at home to Swansea, how do you see their season going now, can you see them picking up form and finishing in the top half?

They’ll be aiming for a top half finish, I don't think the club should be anywhere near where they are at the moment. There are some good players in the Birmingham squad, but it's just not working out. Tony Mowbray has got so much experience and I think he'll steady the ship and do a good job. I was surprised he lost his job at Sunderland, for all the success they had, getting them into the playoffs but missing out on promotion. 

I know he had some top players like Amad Diallo, who was outstanding, and Jack Clarke was too. He has some good players at Birmingham City and hopefully in January he gets a bit of money to spend and we see where we go from there. I expect my old club Birmingham City to be climbing up the table. I want to see Birmingham City back in the Premier League where they belong.

Coventry have been sneaking up the league and are currently sitting 6th in the playoffs, unbeaten in all comps since December 2nd, why do you think their form has improved and can you see them making a promotion push come the end of the season?

I can see Coventry pushing for promotion at the end of the season, sometimes it takes a bit of time to get things right. I heard Mark Robins talking and saying, remember, they brought in a lot of players. It takes time to get all these players all on the same page. They've been outstanding these last few months. They've got plenty of goals in their team, Ellis Simms can score goals and so can Matt Godden and Haji Wright, who they signed for big money.  

They've got creative players like Casey Palmer who can also cause problems. They've been outstanding so far,and they're my tip to get into the playoffs and maybe go on a great run. The one player who's really lifted them is Callum O'Hare, who's a fantastic player. Premier League clubs were sniffing around him before he picked up an injury. I think he's been a difference maker because he gets goals. I can see Coventry getting in the playoffs and they'll thoroughly deserve it if they do. 

Despite losing to high-flying Southampton on Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday have picked up some form over the last few months. How well has Danny Rohl done to galvanise them after a bad start? Can you see them surviving relegation?

Sheffield Wednesday have a great chance now to stay up, I couldn't see it at the start of the season, I'll be honest with you. Rohl has come in and I think he's given them a bit of hope. They lost to Southampton at the weekend but that’s not a game that is going to keep them up. It's beating the teams that are in and around you that are going to help them survive.

Southampton are pushing to get promoted and probably will get promoted. They've got a fantastic squad. Danny Rohl coming in for Wednesday has made a massive difference, he has great experience and he’s brought in Chris Powell, a great coach, who knows what he's doing. In my eyes, I think Sheffield Wednesday have got a great chance of surviving. 

They've got a run of games where they play a lot of teams around them and these are the games Wednesday need to win to stay up. But we will have to wait and see. I really hope they stay up, I've got fond memories there, I had two very good years there. I've always had a good relationship with the fans up there, so I hope they do stay up. 

Are Sheffield Wednesday too big a club for League One?

They're a huge football club but we can say that about a lot of clubs that are in League One. You have to earn the right to be in the Championship. They did ever so well last season under Darren Moore to get up from League one. It took a bit of time but now they're in the Championship, they need to stay there, and then kick on again next season. It's going to be difficult. But I give them a fighting chance. They've got some good players in their squad. Barry Bannan, George Byers, and Josh Windass, these are the type of quality and experienced players that can get you results and hopefully help them to safety. 

Colchester are struggling down the near the bottom of League Two, but they have got themselves new managers recently. The Cowley brothers have come in and they started off by getting a couple of draws away to Swindon and at home to Bradford, what do you think of their appointment, and can they steer Colchester clear of any relegation threat?

The Cowley brothers have a good CV, especially going against clubs that are down there. They always do well. I've worked with Danny Cowley a few times and seems like a really good guy, really knowledgeable about the game and I think it's a good appointment. I think it's what my old club Colchester needs. I still know the chairman there and they need to be doing better on the pitch. 

It's been up and down. They need to get the right manager and hopefully Danny Cowley is the right man to get them out of the relegation trouble that they're in at the moment. It's not been the best of times at the football club of late, I remember Colchester playing in the Championship, and now they're fighting relegation in League Two. Cowley is an experienced man, he's been there before, seen it and done it and I think he can keep Colchester in the EFL. 

Dominic Solanke has had a brilliant season so far, what do you like about his game and why does he score so many goals?

Solanke is a top player. The clubs he has been at when he was younger, Liverpool and Chelsea, where he just didn't get the opportunities and when he first signed for Bournemouth, they had Callum Wilson there, so he didn't get the opportunity. He's the main man now, there’s no doubting that. Being the first choice number nine, you think everything relies on you and that's what he's doing at the moment by stepping up to the plate. 

I think his movement is fantastic. His hat-trick he scored against Nottingham Forest was brilliant. The glancing headers, they are the most difficult headers, and to put them where he put them past the goalkeeper into the top corner is absolutely fantastic. I like him. He can hold the play up, he can link the play. All he's got to do is keep doing what he's doing, because if he's doing this and coming into the Euros in the summer, it gives Gareth Southgate a big headache. He's a top player, still young, has loads of ability, can lead the line, and he's causing a lot of problems. At the start of the season, everyone thought Bournemouth were going to struggle, but Solanke had a big part in getting them up the table and pushing the top half. 

Do you think he should be in the England squad in the summer?

Based on current form I think he should be in the squad. I think Ivan Toney will be in the mix, as will Callum Wilson and Solanke. Harry Kane is going to start no matter what, so it depends on what Southgate wants. If he wants to take two other number nines for competition or he could take more wide men who can play as a number nine. All that Solanke and the others can do is just keep scoring goals from now to the end of the season, and give the England manager a decision to make. That’s exactly what you want if you’re an England fan going into Euros, you want players that are in form, and Southgate wants in- form players to pick from. 

Fabio Carvalho has moved from Liverpool to Hull on loan, and they have also signed Billy Sharp - a proven Championship goalscorer - how big are these two signings for Hull in their push for the playoffs?

Fabio Carvalho is an outstanding player, I think this could be one of the best deals of the January window in the Championship. He wasn't getting game time at RB Leipzig. I remember him at Fulham as a youngster, he was fantastic the season they got promoted and he still is magnificent now playing in the number ten role.

Billy Sharp is as proven as it gets at Championship level, he scores goals for fun, you see the amount of goals he’s scored in his career. It could be a really good signing and I think they've strengthened and will only push on further up the league now. I think the chairman there is brilliant and Liam Rosenior is a brilliant young manager. Liam Rosenior is only going to go higher and one day I see him managing in the Premier League.

But one player Hull will miss is Liam Delap, he's picked up an injury and he's been outstanding while he's been there on loan from Man City. I think he's a real threat, someone who has scored goals and Liam Rosenior has got the best out of him, so they will miss him. Jaden Philogene as well, who they signed from Aston Villa, is a fantastic player. They signed good players and credit must go to Liam Rosenior, I think he's a great young manager with great ideas and the only way is up for him, but I hope he can do that with Hull. 

Kieffer Moore is another player who is being linked with a Championship move in this window, with Cardiff, Ipswich, Sunderland and Norwich all reportedly chasing him, why is he in such high demand?

It’s because Kieffer Moore always scores goals. The only reason Kieffer Moore isn’t playing at Bournemouth is because they only play one up front and the one up front is Dominic Solanke. Moore is top quality. Watching him when he plays for Wales international level, he's a handful, he causes problems, he scores goals, he leads the line and he's proven in the Championship, he's done it before and he’ll do it again. There will be clubs who want to push for promotion lining up for him, I think it just depends now if Bournemouth want to let him go. Bournemouth letting him go is a hard one unless they bring someone in because if Solanke was to pick up an injury, they haven't probably got a recognised centre forward like Kieffer Moore that can come in and play that role. 

I'm not saying he can do it like Solanke, but I think Moore is more than capable of scoring goals in a Championship this season. So that's why you see all these clubs interested in him. He's only got a couple of weeks left, he’ll be desperate to go out and play football because obviously Wales can still qualify for the Euros and he’ll want to be in the squad. So he needs to be playing football, I think a move permanent or on loan would be good for Wales and it'd be good for Kieffer Moore. 

There’s been a lot of negativity surrounding the Irish national team over the past year. However, they do have some great players available to them, such as Evan Ferguson, Jason Knight and Jayson Mollumby. Do you think the team should be built around these players and are there any others that really stand out to you?

There's some good players in the Ireland squad there's a lot of talented players. I like Jason Knight and I think everyone loves Evan Ferguson, he's going to be a superstar. He’s exactly what Ireland have been desperate for, a striker to score goals. We had one of the best there ever was in Robbie Keane. His goals to games ratio at international level was fantastic. They need to get the right manager in and then they just need to build from there. There's a lot of good young players coming through and I think you need to get the right manager to have success. Stephen Kenny tried his best, he brought through quite a lot of the youngsters so it wasn't all a failure, he gave the youngsters an opportunity. 

But now it's time for a new manager and it's all about Ireland trying to qualify for major tournaments. That’s all the fans want. We can play the best football in the world, but if you can play the best football in the world, and you're not getting any results no one really cares about it and that's when the pressure comes. Whoever gets that job, they've got a lot of good youngsters to work with. Playing for Ireland provided me some of the best football memories of my career, the fans are fantastic. They'll get behind this young group of players, as long as they give 100%. The main focus now is getting the right manager in because that’s what we need to start qualifying for tournaments. 

Stephen Kenny has now been let go from his role as manager of the national team, who would you like to see take charge, Neil Lennon is the current favourite, do you like his managerial style?

Yeah, I've worked with Lennon. He's a good manager, I like Neil Lennon a lot. I think he's a great bloke and he's a good manager he has a great CV and I think he would be a good appointment if that's the route they go down. Another name I like a lot and would throw into the hat is Lee Carsley, because I think he's doing a great job with England under 21s. He was my roommate for the Republic of Ireland and I know he knows a lot about the country because he played for them, so I think he'd be the ideal appointment. But I think, either Lennon or Carsley would be great for Ireland, I think it'd be two quality appointments.

As always, the race for the Championship playoffs looks like it’s going to be a close affair. There are currently eight teams within four points of sixth place, who do you fancy to be the four teams in the playoffs come the end of the season? 

It's so hard to predict because you remember when Forest got promoted, in January they were second from bottom with Steve Cooper. Anyone amongst the Championship can get into the playoffs. You rule out a team like Middlesbrough at the moment when they get a bigger squad of players and Carrick is a great coach. He’s signed Azaz from Aston Villa, he's a top player, I saw him on loan at Plymouth. I think Leicester will win the league, I can't even pick who comes second, Southampton, Ipswich, Leeds, they are all capable of promotion and can all do it. I fancy Southampton for promotion and Leeds, Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Coventry all have a great chance at that third spot. 

It could be Middlesbrough; there's so many teams in amongst that little bunch there that anyone could go on a fantastic run and get in there. You can’t forget Sunderland as well. West Brom are in there at the moment. I can't rule out West Brom, so that could just chop and change. All it takes is a team to go on a five or six game unbeaten run and the team that's in there to lose three or four on the bounce. That is one of the hardest leagues you can predict. What I can predict is that Leicester are definitely going up.

There are a few teams down the bottom of the table who are struggling such as Rotherham QPR and Huddersfield - do you think these are the top relegation candidates or can you see anyone else getting dragged into it? 

I think Rotherham have struggled. I think it could be hard for Rotherham to survive. I look at QPR, they've got some talented players in Chair, Willock and then Dykes has goal scoring ability so you give them a fighting chance. Huddersfield are down there, Plymouth are in amongst it. Stoke have just got a new manager and I think they'll get out to safety by the end of the season. In the Championship all it takes is three or four games. This league is the most unpredictable league in the world. In the Championship, everyone can beat everyone. It's just such a strange league. 

Rotherham is the team where you look and say, they’ll really struggle to survive, but everyone says that every year about Rotherham and somehow they find that fighting spirit to get out. This might just be one season too far for them. 

It’s very close at the top of League One with only 7 points between first and sixth place, who do you think will win League One and who do you think is a dark horse for promotion?

Portsmouth are a huge football club but the last few games they've been on a bit of a sticky run. You look at Peterborough, look at Darren Ferguson. The young players he's got there can cause problems. Bolton have experience too, they should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. 

The team you can't forget about is Derby. Huge football club, they shouldn't be in League One. Paul Warne is doing a brilliant job. I was at their game on Monday night against Burton Albion and they scored late and that's the sign of a team that is doing ever so well where they can score in injury time. League One is going to go down to the wire, that’s for sure. 

You want to see teams like Portsmouth, Derby, even Bolton, you want to see all these teams back in the Championship. When I see Peterborough I look at Ephron Mason-Clark, the left winger. Peterborough have got so many young players who cause problems and who can score goals, which is what a team needs to get promoted.

The League Two promotion race is hotting up - do you think Wrexham will win the league, and how will Notts County cope with their manager loss and rumours over Langstaff following Williams to Swansea?

Wrexham could win League Two and then next season could win League One. Wrexham could go back-to-back again. I think they can easily do that, they've got the financial backing. They have a great centre forward in Paul Mullin, he’s an outstanding player, he could leave and play higher than League Two. 

They’ve also got Steven Fletcher, he’s been there, seen it and done it and come in there to score goals. Someone like Elliot Lee, who I played with at Colchester towards the end of my career, is also a very good player. They've got seasoned pros and some young players who are exciting. They've got the players and they've got the financial backing and experienced manager in Phil Parkinson. 

I think Wrexham could win League Two. But then you look at Stockport who are up there as well. There's a lot of good teams. Mansfield with Nigel Clough, they've been there or thereabouts, but three go up and at the moment it’s looking like it’ll be those three, but it could change. Wrexham have been outstanding but Stockport and Mansfield aren’t too far behind them.

Notts County

I look at the squad of players and I think Notts County should be challenging and they've still got a good chance of getting into the playoffs at the end of the season. If they can keep Langstaff and McGoldrick. David McGoldrick is not a League Two player. He’s signed for them because it's his boyhood team where he started and he's gone there and done a great job I know David personally; he's a fantastic player. They need to get a new manager in, get the squad settled. At the moment they're conceding too many goals, going to Grimsby and conceding five goals doesn’t scream promotion. They need to sharpen up, but I would love to see Notts County get promoted. 

They lost a good manager who went to Swansea. I knew his assistant, Ryan Harley, really well. I think Luke Williams has done a brilliant job with County, but they have to get the right man into that football club sooner rather than later, because the results recently haven't been good enough.

Notts County will always score goals, when you can go to places and score four or five goals easily, you expect to be getting the three points, but they need to be doing better defensively. It's a club that I hope does get promoted because I know a lot of people there. I know John Bostock well. There's a lot of people I've played with before, and I just hope they can get promoted.

Interview January 2023

Patrick Viera had a successful first season at Palace – how does he build on that going into his second year in charge?

You always want to improve as a manager for sure and I thought last season they were brilliant. Patrick Viera will be the first to admit that there were too many draws, if they had less draws then they would have finished in the top half of the table.

But to get them to the FA Cup semi-final was a great achievement and I think he proved a lot of doubters wrong because a lot of people thought Palace would struggle last season. People said they lost too many experienced players, but the recruitment was superb with some of the young players he brought in as well as Conor Gallagher on loan.

It made Palace one of the most exciting young teams in the Premier League. This season I still think they could do with a few more signings, but they've done reasonably well so far and kept hold of their star players.

I think Viera will just want to keep evolving and keep improving. Palace have been in the Premier League now for 10 years and for me that's a great achievement for the club.

People used to think they were a club that would go up and down, but it's not the case anymore. They're an established Premier League team, so Patrick Viera just needs to keep that up.

Another thing I've noticed under Patrick Viera is the way the team has tried to evolve their football. Under Roy Hodgson it was counterattack, but now Palace like to dominate possession and play out from the back.

It lets everyone believe in themselves in their abilities both on the training pitch and matchdays.

What have you made of their transfer activity so far? Are there any glaring areas that need improvements?

I think Doucoure is a good signing for the midfield because I did think that was an area that needed strengthening, especially since there's uncertainty over Cheikhou Kouyate. If he's not staying, then signing Doucoure who's young, hungry and can cover the ground in that midfield is a great signing.

I still think they could do with another centre-forward, I know they've got Mateta, Benteke, Edouard and the youngster Luke Plange. But it just still feels like they need a centre-forward who can go and get you the 15+ goals.

Wilfried Zaha was just short of that last season playing off the left, which was a great achievement, but it is an area I'd look into. Possibly another defender as well, there's been interest in a couple of players in that area, but nothing cemented as of yet.

So, there's probably two or three new signings which would make it a good window for Crystal Palace. If they didn't make any further signings, then I still think they'd be ok, it would just be about avoiding injuries in key areas which is the same for any team.

Christian Benteke is linked with a surprise move to Wolves, would you let him go or does he still have more to give to Palace?

It depends on what Christian Benteke wants to do because last season he didn't play as much as he would have probably hoped for. It was always Mateta who came in and did ever so well and then Edouard who was probably coming on before Benteke a lot of the time.

If Wolves are offering Benteke a chance to play week in week out then it could be possible, but it'll be difficult with Jimenez. He might get more game time at Wolves, but it's one of those deals that you can see happening.

I like Christian Benteke, I like him a lot and I speak to him when I go to the games, so I know what kind of character he is. But sometimes you get to that part of your career where you need to be playing regular football, especially in a World Cup year.

He's been in around that Belgium squad so he needs to be playing every week and he'll have to decide whether he thinks he can get that game time at Crystal Palace. It'll come down to what Christian Benteke wants to do and what the club want to do, if they let him go then they definitely need to bring in another striker.

That's something that could play out, there's still over a month left of the transfer window, so you'll have to watch that space. Personally, for me, if I'm Benteke then I want to be playing week in week out. 

Image: Eoghan McNally/shutterstock

As a former striker, how excited are you to see Erling Haaland in the Premier League?

I'm super excited to see him play, you look at Manchester City last season they were outstanding, but everyone kept saying they missed that number nine. That player who will be in and around the six-yard box to put the ball in the back of the net.

We've already seen it in pre-season where Jack Grealish put a ball across the six-yard box and Haaland is there to tap it in like good strikers are. I think it'll turn out to be a great signing because he can offer so much, he's still young so he'll only get better, and he'll be playing with world class players.

I think it's a brilliant signing and already you can see what a striker he is.

He'll only improve as well, he can hold the ball up, he's aggressive and he likes balls into the box, so I'm really excited to see him and I'm so glad he's come to the Premier League. I'm sure he'll be a big hit in this league.

Some people think he might struggle to adapt, do you see him having any problems?

I see why people might say that, but personally I don't agree with it. If he was going to a different team in the Premier League then maybe, but he's going to Manchester City, a team who dominate possession and create a lot of chances.

If they're going to create a lot of chances, then he can finish because he is lethal in front of goal. So, I can understand from the point of people saying he's coming from the Bundesliga to the Premier League because it can be difficult to adapt.

We saw that Jadon Sancho probably didn't as much as he should have last season and wasn't quite up to speed for a while, but he's a talented individual, so I can understand from that sense. But Haaland is going to Manchester City who are going to dominate and create chances.

As a centre forward, as long as he's in the box then he will get plenty of goals because we know he can finish. There's no doubt that he'll be a hit for Manchester City this season. 

There’s a lot of top-quality competition for the Golden Boot: Haaland, Kane, Salah, Son, Ronaldo (maybe) – who is your favourite on that front?

It's difficult because there's so many strikers who could easily win the Golden Boot.  I think Jesus will have a good season for Arsenal, he's been brilliant in pre-season so far.

People might say it's only pre-season, but I think what a signing that is for Arsenal to get Jesus. But the three I'd go for which would be hard to pick out of are Haaland, Kane and Salah. You can never rule out Salah or Kane because they're always right amongst it.

The only reason Kane wasn't close to it last season was because for two or three months he wasn't at the level because of the talk around his future. Soon as he gets back to that level which he will be from the start with Tottenham, especially considering the signings they've made, then I think Kane will be right up there.

Salah is world class, so he'll be up there without doubt and so will Haaland. It's a difficult one, but if I was to pick one of them, then I would pick Harry Kane to be the top goal scorer this season.

Manchester United have been chasing Frenkie De Jong all summer, should they be looking at alternatives or should they persist if Ten Hag really wants him?

This is Manchester United Football Club, if they come knocking on the door, I'm walking up the motorway or jumping on a plane straight away to sign for Manchester United. For me I don't know why it's taking this long to get the deal done.

It's either because De Jong really doesn't want to come or if it's because he's got problems at Barcelona that need sorting out. If he doesn't want to come now, then you need to consider that you're at the end of pre-season and he would need to integrate with the squad first.

If he doesn't want to come, then they need to move onto alternatives because they definitely need to strengthen that midfield. They've obviously lost Paul Pogba, Christian Eriksen has come in who I think is a fantastic signing.

He's got so much ability and I think he could go to nearly any team, that's how good of a footballer he is and how much of a difference he could make. They do need to sign someone, but De Jong would be a good signing for them.

I like him, I've watched a lot of him, and I think he's got a great ability on the ball, he can pick a pass and cause problems which is what Manchester United need. I think it's one of those that will go right down to the end of the window, and something could happen with Barcelona where they'll allow him to go.

I know the season would have started, but eventually Ten Hag would have got his man. De Jong is a very good player so I can see why Ten Hag is desperate to bring him in, but for me I'm questioning why it's taking so long to get that deal over the line. 

Everyone is expecting Manchester City and Liverpool to challenge for the title again this season, can any other team rival them? Who would be your favourite before a ball is kicked?

I can't see anyone other than those two teams winning the league. Tottenham have done some good business and I do think the third and fourth spots are open for grabs without a shadow of doubt.

I just think at the moment Manchester City and Liverpool are outstanding, over the past few seasons they've been brilliant. You never know in football though; you have to see how teams start and then there's a break for the World Cup and restart once they get back.

Players will have to adapt to cope with the schedule and you have to look at any potential injuries. But even so, I still can't look past Manchester City and Liverpool because they're both outstanding and have done some good business in the summer.

I think it will come down to them two again, but I think Tottenham will have a good season under Conte. It's difficult to pick between Manchester City and Liverpool, Nunez is a very good signing and he'll be a hit at Liverpool.

But I would just say Manchester City have the edge over Liverpool, it's difficult to call because it's so close, but if I have to pick one it would be Manchester City.

Looking back on your career, you were a part of that Crystal Palace team in 1999/2000 where the club where in financial turmoil, what was it like at the club in that period?

It was a difficult time, but for me I was a youngster and I said I could play for free at the time because I had just broken into the first team. For me it was just a dream to be playing professional football, but it was difficult.

You could see more senior pros struggling because they had mortgages to pay, and they weren't being paid on time. Some players did end up leaving, but for me it was normal financially.

It was difficult to go through in terms of the stuff we were being asked to do and the things going on around us. Sometimes we didn't have the equipment when going away or we'd have to travel on the day of a game rather than staying in a hotel.

Yeah, it was a struggle, but it was an eye opener and it humbles you a bit as a footballer. It did humble me to be fair because as I said I was a youngster, so it was probably better for me in that sense.

It also gave me more opportunities in the first team and that's how I got my breakthrough which made people start to notice me as well as a footballer and what I could do on the pitch. It was definitely harder for some of the other players because you're used to being paid weekly and like I said they had mortgages to pay for.

Some decided to move on which you could understand, but I always felt that the club would sort itself out. I was probably one of the assets that they were looking at to sell, but I always wanted to stay at Palace and I'm glad I did because obviously I had 9 1/2 great years at the football club.

It is an eye opener, but at that time I wanted to help which is why I said I'd play for free, but the club said they could afford to pay my wages since I wasn't on a huge amount.

It was just one of those things that happens, but it was a big eye opener for me.

Image: skysports

How do you think Sunderland will do in the Championship? League position prediction?

It's hard to predict because I still think they need to make a couple of signings. The Championship is one of the hardest leagues to play in when it's constantly Saturday to Tuesday games.

It's an unforgiving league with some very good teams in there. I don't think they'll finish in the top six, I can't see that happening, but you never know there's always one team who surprises the league.

I don't think they'll be relegated either, I think it'll be a steady season in the Championship, and they'll finish in the mid-table region. It's a great club to play football, the stadium is brilliant, and the fans are special who will be needed this season, so it's a good place to go and play your football.

I think Alex Neil did a brilliant job in getting them promoted, they've got some outstanding young talent there and have brought in some decent additions as well. I think Sunderland will have a good season, but I think the home form in particular will be important for them.

Stoke sign Dwight Gayle on 2-year deal - Thoughts? Good signing?

It's a very good signing because Dwight Gayle scores goals in the Championship, he always scores goals in the Championship without doubt. You've seen it many times that he will score goals and I think it's a good move for Dwight Gayle as well.

He's been sitting at Newcastle for years, not playing, not being involved or coming on for five minutes. Any striker will tell you it's not good for them, you need to be playing week in week out and feeling the love from the manager.

Michael O'Neil and Stoke bringing him in is a good bit of business. You just need to get that ball into the box because we all know how good Dwight Gayle's movement is and he will score goals for Stoke if that happens.

What do you make of Djed Spence's move from Boro to Spurs - Good move?

It's a great move all round because he's a fantastic player. I watched him a lot at Nottingham Forest, and I think he's a top player.

I'm not sure if Conte will throw him in straight away because they've got Emerson Royal who they really like and Matt Doherty as well. But Djed Spence for me, if he's fit, firing and learns the role Conte wants him to play quickly, then he should be a regular starter at Tottenham because I think he's outstanding.

He can go both ways, but there could be some improvements to his defending and I'm sure Conte will be looking at improving that side of his game. As a wing-back and the way Spurs want to play, we all saw the way he was at Forest last season and he's still young so he can still work on things to improve.

To work under a world class manager like Antonio Conte is a great move for him, it's probably the move that he wanted. If it didn't happen then I think Forest would have signed him, but I think Forest knew Tottenham were knocking on the door.

It's a brilliant signing for Tottenham and he will certainly play for them this season. Maybe not straight away because Conte likes his experienced players, but what an opportunity for Djed Spence to go and work under a manager the calibre of Conte.

He's also walking into a team with world class players like Kane and Son, so he'll only get better.

Thoughts on Keane Lewis-Potter's departure from Hull to Brentford?

I think he can make that step up to the Premier League, I don't want to put pressure on him, but I've seen a lot of him at Hull and I thought he was ready to make that step up. He's exciting, he can play on either wing and he's in the England U21s, so if he can have the same impression as Jarrod Bowen at West Ham then he'll be brilliant.

Those are big shoes to fill, but they do produce good talent at Hull. People questioned whether Bowen could do it when he first joined West Ham and he's now an England international.

This kid Keane Lewis-Potter has got the potential to be a big star at Brentford. He's quick, he can beat people and most importantly he scores goals and creates chances.

For me it's a good signing and isn't a gamble for Brentford paying that much money. Even if it takes him four or five months to settle, it's a long-term investment so it's a smart piece of business.

We're used to this with Brentford, their recruitment is one of the best I've seen. They dip into the Championship, recruit these young talented players, and turn them into Premier League players.

We've seen what they did with Ollie Watkins and Benhrama as well, so for me it's good business for Brentford. 

 Will we see any surprises in the Championship promotion race in 2022/23? Would you expect Norwich, Watford & Burnley to bounce back or are there other sides who can challenge the relegated clubs?

I think there will definitely be other teams that challenge those relegated clubs. I can see Norwich bouncing back with Dean Smith in charge and Burnley could potentially.

I think Vincent Kompany has brought in some good players, he may have lost some big experience with Ben Mee and James Tarkowski. But he's brought in some good young players, they might take a little bit of time to gel, but I do think they'll be there or thereabouts.

I'm not sure about Watford right now, Rob Edwards is a good manager, but they've lost a lot of key players. It depends on what kind of business they do; they still have a lot of Championship experience so we'll see what happens with them.

Other names I'd throw in there are Middlesbrough because Chris Wilder is an excellent manager. Stoke have done some really good business this summer, QPR could potentially surprise a few as well.

But another one who are slightly outside the box are Preston, I think they're not a bad shout to potentially challenge. Ryan Lowe has done a good job; the style of football is enjoyable to watch and they've brought in some good additions to the squad in fairness.

It's a competitive league, there are a lot of good teams in there. You saw the job Nathan Jones did at Luton last year with one of the lowest budgets in the Championship.

It's a hard league to call, if you're asking anybody now then I don't think they could tell you who would finish in the top two and who's going to be in the playoffs. It's the most difficult league to call, but that's why it's so exciting to watch the Championship and why everybody enjoys it. 

Derby County will begin life in League One without Wayne Rooney, they’re building a squad together slowly but how difficult will it be for them to challenge for promotion?

It will be difficult, but I've been to see some of their pre-season games, and they have some really good players and I think Derby will be in the top six this season.

I think they'll finish in there, but they still need to do a little bit more business, but the business they've done are proven players. These are players who can play in the Championship; Conor Hourihane, James Collins, Korey Smith and keeping Curtis Davies all bring a lot of experience in that division.

But the one player who they have brought in who is too good for League One is David McGoldrick. If they keep him fit, then Derby will not be far away at all.

There are some good players in that squad and if they stay fit then it'll be a successful season for Derby. I just hope that Liam Rosenior gets the job because he's building something there.

He's bided his time and he worked with Wayne Rooney so I think they should just give him the job and give him a chance to prove himself. They've got a brilliant stadium and a brilliant fan base as well, so I think Derby will be in and amongst the top six.

I still feel like they probably need a few more players because the squad was so light, and they lost a lot of players.

Sheffield Wednesday missed out in the playoffs last season; Darren Moore has reacted with a host of signings – is promotion a must for them?

I think promotion is a must, I know Darren Moore and he might not want me to put a bit of pressure on him, but this is the season that Sheffield Wednesday need promotion. If they can keep everyone fit will be key because you look at last season, they lost to Sunderland in a game that could have gone either way.

They just lost key players are crucial times across the season, so they've got to keep the likes of Windass fit, Barry Bannan who was outstanding and Dominic Iorfa. They've brought in some brilliant players, but in particular Michael Smith is a great signing.

He scored bundles of goals at Rotherham United last season, and it was his goals that got Rotherham promoted and he's still chosen to drop down. He's dropped down because Sheffield Wednesday are a huge football club, they deserve to be playing in the Championship if not higher.

I think this is the season where I look at Sheffield Wednesday and think to myself that they have a great chance of getting automatic promotion. I think they will take one of those spots, but it's a difficult league to call because I wouldn't write off Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna is doing a great job there and the players they've brought in this season means they'll be there or thereabouts. You've got Portsmouth, MK Dons as well as many others so it's a difficult league, but I hope Sheffield Wednesday get promoted this year.

Are there any dark horses who can challenge in League One?

You've always got Wycombe because Gareth Ainsworth does a brilliant job every season with the budget he has to work with. They're always there challenging and you've got Barnsley who could have a say in the promotion hunt.

Ipswich are a team I fancy to get in there, I think they've done some great business with the likes of Freddie Ladapo up front who scores goals for fun in the Championship and League One because we've seen it before. They've got some good players who know the league inside out and have some good pedigree.

Ipswich are the ones who I think could do really well. Port Vale and Exeter City could surprise a few, the league is so hard to call because anyone can beat each other.

Can Mark Hughes guide Bradford into League One? Will he have any problems getting a tune out of those players?

He has to get a tune out of those players, they've brought in Vladaine Oliver who scored a lot of goals for Gillingham in League One. I know they got relegated, but he's someone who will score goals for them.

Bradford have got some talented individuals mixed in with Mark Hughes who is an experienced Premier League manager. There's a reason he went to Bradford, he probably felt it was a good project to go into and last season was his bedding in season.

This season he has to try and get them promoted because Bradford City are a huge football club. They shouldn't be in that league, but no one has a divine right to get out of the league because there's a lot of good teams in there.

They need to work hard, and I think they'll have a chance this season at finishing in that top seven places. When you've got experience with Mark Hughes and players wanting to come to Bradford to prove a point, then it bodes well for a good season. 

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