Do we need AJ? Probably the single most ridiculous thing I've ever said about a Palace player but consider this: Clinton Morrison and Dougie Freedman are rolling back the years with their strike partnership, Morrison having bagged six goals in nine games since joining, with Freedman weighing in with the odd goal and intelligent support play.

Jon Macken has also started to settle and has already opened his account with a poacher's effort away at Coventry while Wayne Andrews offers pace off the bench.

So should we consider any decent offers for AJ come the January transfer window? Spurs offered £6million at the start of the season, which was far too low.

But if Martin Jol came back with £8million and Tom Huddlestone (currently on loan at Wolves) in exchange, then that would probably get Iain Dowie and Simon Jordan thinking. Huddlestone is young, capped at England U21 level and plays in midfield, where we should strengthen.

But what of last night's opponents Liverpool? How Benitez should have signed AJ instead of Peter Crouch!

Whatever happens, how good is it to even ponder a situation without AJ something unthinkable six months ago.

We'll need him when we go back up though!