Gerry Francis Returning to Coaching?...Ben Watson Speaks

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Stoke/Dave Knapper - Francis trains with City
FORMER Tottenham manager Gerry Francis is hopeful of joining Stoke as a part-time coach.
Francis, who helped out with training sessions at the club’s Michelin ground this week, says the arrangement could become more formal.
He told Sky Sports News he was happy to be helping Tony Pulis.
He said: “Obviously he has gone into an area he’s not been in before and wants me to do some coaching for him with his staff.
“I did that on Tuesday and Wednesday. It would be part-time from my point of view and it is just a matter of seeing if we can sort something out.”
Former England and QPR midfielder Francis, left, broke into management at Exeter and took change of Bristol Rovers and QPR before getting the Spurs job in 1994.
He was in charge for three years at White Hart Lane before having second spells at QPR and Bristol Rovers. Report


BBC - Francis hopeful of Potters role
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Gerry Francis is hopeful of joining Stoke City as a coach on a part-time basis.
Francis has already helped the Potters' boss Tony Pulis coach the side at their training ground and hopes to make the role more formal.
The 56-year-old said: "Obviously Tony has gone into an area he's not been in before and wants me to do some coaching for him with his staff."
Francis was last in football management seven years ago at Bristol Rovers.
He started his playing career at QPR back in 1968 and went on to score 53 goals in 295 appearances at Loftus Road.
Francis, who also had spells with Crystal Palace and Coventry, won 12 England caps, eight of which were as captain.
When he finished playing in 1987 he went into management, including a three-season spell in charge at Tottenham for three seasons and two spells at both Bristol Rovers and QPR. BBC


Asking for Crystal Palace fan support! No mention of a possible move to QPR.This is Local London/Graham Moody - Watson asks for fans support
Ben Watson is hoping Palace fans don’t turn against him when he returns to the Eagles first team tomorrow.
Speaking on his official Icons website, Watson revealed he was looking forward to playing some part against Swansea tomorrow and that his relationship with manager Neil Warnock was still good.
"I want to play for Palace and hopefully I will start getting those opportunities.”
Ben WatsonWatson’s current deal at Palace runs out at the end of season and he refused to sign a new contract in the summer, prompting months of speculation linking him with moves to Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and QPR.
However, no move materialised and with Tom Soares having left the club to join Stoke City, Watson is expected to play only his second match of the season tomorrow, and he hopes the fans will get behind him.
He said: “I hope that they won't give me a rough time.
“I want them to know that whenever I put the Palace shirt on I will always give 100 per cent. That will never change. It would be nice if they can understand that.
“Me and the gaffer have had a number of chats and I know how he feels.
“He knows I want to play games and I am hoping to play a part this weekend.
“Our relationship is still good – even if people might expect it to be a bit frosty. That's not the case at all. It is as good as ever and nothing has changed.
“I haven’t been playing, which is difficult to take but these things happen in football. I want to play for Palace and hopefully I will start getting those opportunities.” This is Local London


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