I'm going to be honest and admit I don't really understand odds. Especially since discovering I could change online betting sites to show decimals rather than the confusing 7/4 nonsense.

The reason I admit to this embarrassing mathematical stupidity, is because my incomprehension has exaggerated how annoying the endless Palace managerial speculation is to me.

If I see one more tweet outlining the current betting on our next boss I think I'll break down.

“DOWIE HAS GONE FROM 30/1 TO 14/2 - THIS DEFINITELY MEANS SOMETHING.” That sort of thing.

Whatever the fractions mean, it's as if nobody understands that odds change based on conjecture, rumours and – crucially – money being placed.

Of course the favourite is going to change regularly when the ferocity of speculation is ridiculous.

Obviously, part of the reason this has all become so tiresome is because it’s dragged on for nearly four weeks now.

Your Local Guardian:

Rumour, speculation, odds shortening: Dowie for Palace - you do the math

It’s hard to pinpoint when the board’s deliberations and apparent hesitancy has transformed from sensibly not making an impulse appointment into a dragged out and protracted gossip-friendly free for all.

Are they still simply taking their time and being careful or have we been turned down by so many big names that now we’re hunting frantically? It's like the summer transfer window all over again.

When I wrote a column in favour of Tony Pulis a few weeks ago, I did so seeing as he was tipped for the job straight away and it initially seemed like a prompt decision would be made. And Pulis was the best of a bad bunch.

That bad bunch has since got far more diverse and exciting, before again settling down to a "beggars can't be choosers" situation.

René Meulensteen and Aitor Karanka were particularly interesting prospects… before joining Fulham and Middlesbrough respectively.

The remaining candidates would amount to a really thrilling manager if they were consolidated into a Frankenstein-esque managerial fusion.

And Dowie’s appearance would certainly suit such a mutant.

Yet I don’t think it’s scientifically or medically possible, so we’ll probably have to settle for one of the forerunners – Iain Dowie, Dan Petrescu, Sean Dyche or Pulis.

Ignoring the perennial outsider suggestions like Mick McCarthy.

By the time this hits your computer screens things may or may not be resolved.

I hope Petrescu gets the job above Dowie or (current bookies’ second favourite Dyche) - but with so many factors like money, managerial experience, top flight credentials, availability and desire all clearly influencing the decision, it’s impossible to call. Which is pretty obvious.

Just look at the latest odds, which have just fluctuated again – in a shock twist.

Whatever happens, I hope this waiting game has been worthwhile – we want to build on recent performances against Arsenal and Everton, not blow the momentum with a disruptive and destructive last-minute appointment right before our next game against Hull.