EXCLUSIVE

Selhurst Park had a notable guest among its attendees on Saturday.

For the first time in 15 years, talkSPORT host Simon Jordan ventured back to his old stomping grounds and took in Crystal Palace's 3-2 loss to Ipswich Town.

Crystal Palace fans
3
Palace supporters were in fine voice as always on SaturdayCredit: Getty

Jordan, a lifelong Palace fan who became their owner in 2000, also brought his young son along.

Why did Simon Jordan return to Selhurst Park?

It was an extra special occasion for Jordan, as it was his son's first time at a football game.

And Jordan made sure to give his little boy the authentic experience that makes fans all over the world fall in love with the sport as they sat in the stands - like Jordan's father did with him - rather than in the cushty hospitality section.

Jordan was also pleased to see one element of Palace's pre-match build-up that he introduced still in action.

"One thing that made me smile is they play, 'Glad All Over', which is a great song," Jordan said on Monday's White and Jordan.

"But there's a song I put on years ago, which is the theme tune to Long Good Friday, and they still played it. It made me smile."

Although Jordan will have begun the day with high hopes for a Palace win, it unfortunately ended it heartbreak as Zian Flemming netted a 90th-minute winner to snatch all three points for Ipswich.

It was Palace's third loss from their opening four league fixtures.

Worryingly, the Eagles have now shipped 11 goals this term, the most out of any Premier League team to date.

Luckily Jordan and his son were not there to witness Fleming's goal as the ex-Palace owner revealed he and his son left when it was 2-2.

Zian Flemming celebrates his goal for Ipswich Town
3
Flemming's first goal for the Tractor Boys secured a big away win for IpswichCredit: Getty

Simon Jordan's verdict on Crystal Palace

But from what he'd seen up until he left, Jordan recognised Eagles boss Pierre Sage has a serious task on his hands.

"I have to say, Palace have got some work to get a team together," Jordan said.

"They looked very disorganised at times and defended very poorly.

"For the first 25 minutes, Ipswich Town was Palace's best player with the amount of times they gave the ball to players."

He also admitted he was concerned by what he saw from midfielder Adam Wharton, who has been linked with a big money move elsewhere.

Jordan added: “I'll tell you who was poor on Saturday, it was Wharton. He was really poor.ÂÂ

“I spend a lot of time looking at Wharton because [Graeme] Souness loves him and always talks about him and what a player he is.

“I always think that Wharton is one of those players that was on the precipice of a big move somewhere else.”

To rub extra salt in the wounds, Jordan was forced to eat his words by two individuals.

Prior to the match, Jordan branded Palace striker Jorgen Stand Larsen a 'donkey', only for the Norwegian to score.

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage looks on
3
Sage has had a difficult start to life as Palace bossCredit: Getty

Jordan was also left red-faced by Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil, who the former had previously labelled 'weak'.

Palace will now look to shake off their difficult start to the season when they begin their Europa League journey on Thursday at home against Polish outfit Lech Poznan.

Topics