I was sitting watching the FA Cup replay last night between my beloved Eagles and some Midlands lot, and it suddenly occurred to me. I have just taken a winter break from the blog spot. It wasn't a conscious decision but not having travelled to away games and only having a depressing FA Trophy replay defeat to endure, there has been little if any inspirational events to spur me into action. Having played twice at The Abbey in front of 14 away fans in the space or four days, and there is still no news on whether it was the same 14 fans at each game, and then taken a draw at Tamworth, Priory Lane actually staged a game for the first time in 25 days when Boro v Cambridge, part IV went ahead on a very chilly Tuesday evening.

To be honest, we should never have been there for a replay but, having taken a two goal lead the week before, we managed to keep up our dubious record of throwing it all away, yet again. A disaapointing crowd of some 525 endured the pain of seeing a lacklustre performance. With such low numbers travelling to away games, I actually joked to one of our players that we seem to play better when no one goes to watch. He joked that if that was the trend, maybe the crowds should stay away from home games as well. I was quick to retort that they seem to be doing that already! It is becoming a chicken and egg situation, in so much as, the crowds will come back when we start to get results, but without the crowd numbers, the revenue is dropping which therefore stops squad strengthening.

With the transfer window closing on us fast, there was some anticipation that we may bring in a new name to bolster the team but with no additional monies available, Garry and Nick's hands have been firmly tied. Some fans seem to want to encourage over-spending to try to ensure we stay in Blue Square premier and I keep hearing the phrase "speculate to accumulate" being bandied about. I can understand, to a degree, the frustration that fellow supporters feel but I also admire the dogged determination shown by the powers that be to keep us financially secure. After all, who would give thanks if we were to slip out of BSP having thrown silly money on a gamble. Of course, now we are in February, the double glazed unit of transfer world is firmly shut, but the fan light of loanees is still ajar and maybe there is another hidden gem to be uncovered.

It came as no surprise to many to hear the news that Danny Smith had his contract torn up by mutual consent. Whatever the ins and outs are of his second spell with us are, the fact is it didn't work out. I wish Dan well where he pulls his boots on next.

With the visit of Wrexham coming up, I was wondering whether to offer a piece of managerial wisdom to Garry and Nick. It is well documented that we have a bit of a void in the striker role at present, with LEM being a sole soul, and Andy Atkin sidelined for a few weeks, maybe the time has come to try something radical. I give you Darren Baker. Why Darren?

Most of you know that I am a long time follower of the Palace, and after the week we have endured, losing ten points, dropping like a rock in freefall down the league and being forced to sell our prize asset to Wigan, we took to the pitch for the cup replay v Wolves with a shortage of fit players. Danny Butterfield, a defender of note, was given a free rein by Mr Warnock, and he managed to hit the perfect hat-trick in six minutes. Left foot, right foot and the head. Bearing in mind Danny had hit seven goals in 252 games, and the last one back in December 2008, it was an inspired move by the manager. So, could Darren do the same? Well, what have we got to lose?

This Saturday cold be considered the hors d'oeuvre of February. The dragons of Wrexham are a big name team still, but it's the following weekend we have the biggest visitor to the Lane in a while. Luton Town, who through the administrators of the leagues found themselves in Blue Square have requested 1,500 tickets for our first ever meeting in Eastbourne. Will this game break our home attendance record? It would be nice if the home fans turn out in numbers to match the tourists and bolster the coffers.

I will be there for both and look forward to seeing some decent live football again in Sussex!