Kamara: Puncheon and Warnock won’t let the past affect Palace

The appointment of Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace seems to have been met with mixed reaction amongst the Eagles faithful. But one man who could be on edge with Warnock’s return is Jason Puncheon.

The pair had a well publicised falling out last year, which nearly ended in a drawn out legal battle, with claims made by Puncheon over Warnock’s integrity.

But for Palace to move on, the pair need to put it all behind them, according to Ladbrokes ambassador Chris Kamara.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, Kamara said: “It would have been addressed before Neil Warnock got the job, otherwise he’s lost the dressing room before he walks in.”

“I would have imagined that chairman Steve Parish has got Puncheon and Warnock in a room together and said ‘look is all that bad feeling between the two of you put behind us? Because we need to be able to fight together’.”

“In management you will have problems with players. The problem that Palace have got is that Puncheon is one of their best players.”

The midfielder netted seven times last season, and added two assists as the Selhurst Park outfit proved the doubters wrong, and then some, to finish their first season back in the Premier League in 11th place.

But Kamara doesn’t believe the new man in charge will lose too much sleep over past misgivings between the pair.

“Neil Warnock isn’t the type of person to hold grudges, that’s one thing for certain. I know Neil would have been saying let bygones be bygones and move on.”

Although, while he has had previous success at the south London club, Kamara was surprised Parish came calling for the former Sheffield United manager.

“I have to be honest and say yes it was a surprise that Palace took him ahead of the likes of Neil Lennon and Steve Clarke. Neil Warnock announced his retirement after leaving Leeds and said ‘that’s it, I’ve had enough and I’m going to stick to the media now.’”

And the Ladbrokes ambassador believes, despite his previous success at the club, Warnock could have a big task on his hands to keep the Eagles up, one that Ladbrokes have priced up at 4/9.

“Tony Pulis is a hard act to follow from what happened last season, a real hard act to follow. But good luck to Neil, you’re never too old in management, that’s one thing for certain.”

Warnock starts off his second reign in charge with a visit to the north east, with a Palace victory over Newcastle priced at 4/1.

All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing

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