It's not baffling at all if you are less selective in your summary of events.

I wouldn't suggest that Ward or Clyne playing LB is ideal, or that we wouldn't benefit from an upgrade in the RB position, but quite obviously, that's not all there is to it.

As a matter of indisputable fact, we have a limited budget whether we like it or not. We surely could have bought a new pair of fullbacks at some point since PVA left, but that would likely mean not signing one or two of the players we did sign. It's not like we sat on the money and decided not to spend it. Again, please do take the time to read the accounts - we have spent every penny we can afford, plus some that we can't, on players.

Once we understand that, it is just a matter of where you think the priorities rest at any one time. I can't see that a new RB would be more important than replacing Zaha, or signing Olise or Eze, or Docoure, or Andersen or Guehi. Edouard and Mateta have been unconvincing, but if the club had focused on a new RB and a reserve LB instead of strikers then we would all be moaning, perhaps fairly so.

A new RB and reserve LB would be good, but they are not going to improve us significantly, if at all. The other positions have been far more critical.

As most have said, if the window closes and we have spent £15m - £20m on Henderson just so Johnstone can be No2 then I will be as baffled as you, but as most have also said, it seems unlikely that we would be bringing Henderson in unless we had to for some reason that is not yet clear.

Finally, to repeat the point (and without me trying to be a tit about it), nobody outside the top six has two good players for each position (i.e. two separate XIs that can both do well in the league). The budgets just don't stretch that far. I don't know why you think it should be different at the palace.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (31 Aug 2023 2.54pm)

f*** me, you're right.

It is plainly impossible for us to have achieved solid mid-table positions with Ward and Clyne playing. Any team picking them will have an awful defensive record, and spend all season fighting relegation, probably unsuccessfully.

Oh no, hang on, that's not what happened in the real world, is it? In fact, we have done just fine with them both, and didn't do any better when we had a young, dynamic fullback who Man Utd bought for £45m, did we?

You're right that Mitchell is bang average, the very least a club with our epic budget can expect. He is lucky to get a game.

Oh no, hang on, he got called up for England, didn't he? Our defensive record and league positions have been no different with him playing every week than they were when we had PVA who cost us £14m, are they? So he can't be all that bad can he? In fact, he has saved us from spending that sort of money in the market, which is the point of the academy.

You're right that we should have two PL standard left-backs at the club, it's shocking that we don't.

Oh no, hang on, nobody outside the top six has two PL standard players for each position, do they? You can literally just look at their squads and see that. If you can be arsed.

Finally, you're right, we should have bought new fullbacks by now no matter how much we spent on other players because there is no limit on what we can spend, we don't have to limit our spending to what we earn, or even keep an eye on the debt level, we can just use magic beans. There is no need for any compromise, and nobody should read the club accounts because it will only upset them.

Oh no, hang on.....

Sorry TBTP. I should have read the rest of the thread before adding my own contribution.

You’re not alowed an opinion on here against parish. To many of his boyfriends will call you a bed wetter. Remeber he saved us and his our saviour. Mid table is fun. Not competing is very important to a lot of our deluded fan base. Especially on here. Hopefully the deluded clowns who enjoy the same pathetic PR stunts that absolute weasel of a chairman pulls every season wake up one day. Will probably be to late though

OK, to start with sou sounded like a naive and frustrated fan that plays too much football manager so I put a couple of realistic points. Now you are just talking like a spoilt fan that is throwing a tantrum because you cant spend the club's money and bring in the super stars that you want. I'm not a massive fan of Parish. He's done some good things but he has made some mistakes too but if I had to choose between his business model and yours?
Hmmm, its a tough one

What about between his business model and Brighton or Brentfords ? Plus it's getting boring using extremes to try and make your point valid, who's asking for any superstar they want ? Do you think its good enough for a Premier league squad to have 1 lb for the last 2 years ?