Charlton land Palace Captain

In a surprise move, Palace's out-of-contract captain and centre-half, Mark Hudson, has today signed for the Addicks and becomes the first Summer signing for Alan Pardew. Hudson had expressed an intent to move from Selhurst Park but the smart money was on him opting for Iain Dowie's filthy lucre at QPR.

I think this is an encouraging signing. Hudson has been one of Palace's best players this season and he will compliment our defence. There is no fee and he's only 26. It's also another point scored over hapless Palace and you just know that Simon Jordan will not be pleased. Tweaking Iain Dowie's nose in the process is just the icing on the cake. I guess the implications are that we will shortly be waving goodbye to Madjid Bougherra and a permanent signing of Sam Sodje might look less likely.

News too that Matt Holland has signed for another year. Whilst I don't think he is good enough to play regularly at this level any longer, he can't be faulted for effort and rarely let's you down single-handedly. Sensibly he has accepted a one year deal which is pragmatic; many senior pros in similar positions insist in the extra year and talk themselves into moves they probably regret.

Elsewhere, Milan Mandaric has again found a fall-guy for his impatience and Ian Holloway has been sacked at Leicester (sorry Ian, but you only have yourself to blame). You have to hand it Milan, he puts his hand in his pocket when he does the dirty deed because everyone he sacks is always complimentary about him, the club and the fans they leave behind. Ian Holloway's quotes this evening almost mirror Martin Allen's word-for-word after he was unceremoniuously given the heave-ho by Mandaric after four matches in charge because he dared to disagree with Milan's attempt to sign Jimmy Floyd Cashinbank.