They’re mine he says drawing much from American sports

“They’re mine,” he says drawing much from American sports.Nevertheless, Dowie has worked his way through the “big book of Oxford quotations”, and a current favourite is on the wall of Harbin’s office. “You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give,” it says “That’s an ethos in life, not just sport,” says Dowie. Dowie hands out “tip sheets” – a page and a half of A4 – which boil down the strengths and weaknesses of opponents “Bullet points They read it over their chicken and pasta,” he says “And I ask questions.” Dowie has his own “buzz words” He refuses to divulge them. I’m a great believer in the good of people, I like feelgood films and they stick in my mind.”Like Patch Adams, the saccharine Hollywood rendition of a palliative doctor – “Treat the disease and you win or lose You treat the person and you win every time,” recalls Dowie Such quotations loom large He wants to improve the person as well as the player “You have to empower Give responsibility,” he says. I think he made the point yesterday that the trouble with us is that we burn people out.”And Harbin can speed-read. “John hands me a piece of paper,” says Dowie, “and it might have a story by Mark Twain or Wilma Rudolph [the American girl diagnosed with polio who went on to win three Olympic golds] Other players remember key incidents in their career I don’t have that I probably couldn’t tell you how many games I’ve played But I can remember stories from books.

The first conversation was about the importance of plunge pools and swimming in all sports. Dowie was hooked.When he was offered the Oldham job he turned to Harbin. “I looked in his eye and there was a bit of a sparkle,” Dowie says “Since then we’ve been close. He’s got great standards, a terrific work ethic that matches mine. They were in the office talking.” Harbin and Dowie went for a cup of tea Two hours later they were still chatting It was a meeting of minds Strong minds. Harbin first met Dowie two-and-a-bit years ago at Oldham Athletic “Mick Wadsworth was the manager,” Dowie says. “And John was the coach of Oldham Roughyeds [the rugby league side].

His effect on Palace has been as profound as the huge reserves of energy he clearly throws into the job. His day starts early – he can’t sleep – when he pores over books and tries to glean information. That morning he woke at 5am and finished the autobiography of rugby league coach Jack Gibson before turning to Roy Keane’s book “I’m not a great sleeper,” Dowie admits “I cannot switch off, which is a weakness. You have to be able to do so, otherwise you burn out.”Burn-out. It’s something he has talked about to John Harbin, his fitness coach and, dare it be said, guru.