By Chris O'Brien
May 31 2005

Cardiff City winger Joel McAnuff has joined Football League Championship rivals Crystal Palace for a fee thought to be in the region of £600,000. It's a tough start to life in the hotseat for new manager Dave Jones, forced into accepting a bid for one of the club's highly-rated stars.

The break-up of the Cardiff City squad is seemingly underway, with new manager Dave Jones agreeing the sale of winger Jobi McAnuff to Crystal Palace for a fee in the range of £600,000. The former Wimbledon and West Ham United player has been linked with a move away from Ninian Park for some time, and as one of City's more valuable his sale will ease the crippling financial state the club is in.

Iain Dowie has been quick to swoop for McAnuff, with his Eagles side relegated on the final day of the Premeirship season. Dowie will now work with controversial chairman Simon Jordan to try and strengthen the team's squad for the Championship campaign that lies ahead. McAnuff is a high-profile signature for Palace, and fans of the London outfit are excited about the pace and threat he could add to the team.

McAnuff moved to South Wales in an impressive coup from West Ham United for £200,000. Reports suggest we have not even paid all of this fee to the Hammers yet. The Edmonton-born Jamaican international made 48 appearances for The City in all competitions, netting three goals including one superb strike against his former club.

Supporters are venting anger at Sam Hammam and Peter Risdale for the sale, but this looks a good price for a luxury player. McAnuff is a talented player but he lacked consistency last season, and for every world class display there was another Sunday League effort the following week. He will be missed undoubtedly, but with debts of £30million this must be deemed as a good peice of business with the winger also one of the club's highest earners.

Good luck at Selhurt Park.

Meanwhile, with season ticket sales not going well, expect an announcement of an extended deadline for the cheaper prices. It's oh so predictable!