TFM and RLC might well have come initially because they liked the look of FDB's style, however both of them have celebrated Roy's approach to management in one form or another since his arrival and there has not been one piece of criticism that I am aware of coming out the training ground about his style of play.

Moving back to the OPs point, it can be difficult for teams like Palace to take the risk on youngsters because if they don't work out then firstly it will be a waste of money and secondly it could impact on our league position with us then having limited resources to fall back on. Most teams of the Palace ilk do tend to go for safe pairs of hands and as someone has already said a Jimmy Mc despite being less technically gifted is a better prospect for us than someone like Campana. Roy is, quite predictably, old school in his approach and is not known for piling loads of youngsters into a team. I don't have an issue with that however I would like to see our academy improved and for players to be filtered gently into the team. Kaikai hasn't cut the mustard at this level as of yet and may never, but I am sure there are a couple of the youngsters who are knocking at the door such as Lokilo.

I completely agree with Roy and even RdB needed as many players. Most of us can reel off 8-10 who simply are not good enough for a lower end club like us.

It's interesting that no matter how many injuries we have Jordan Mutch isn't on the bench.

I agree.

None of us were around the corridors of power when decisions were made so we don't know the truth. However from a throwaway comment that was made in the press I remember reading I think that this is not true. The comment was effectively that names were put forward to FDB and he didn't like them. We know that a number of ex Ajax players were approached and that some offers made. At least two took alternative offers so I question Why? as in all probability it was not the wages on offer.

I think FDB was given a budget of £50 million he bought Riederweld and failed with his other bids. Our start was lets face it not good. I think the board wanted Sakho and he didn't (same as Pulis and Zaha?).

In the last week of the transfer window a director of football was brought in.I think that that SP and board already knew FDB was wrong man.

I think FDB had been given the veto uptil then but in those final days SP took over. I think he insisted on Sakho and Niasse unfortunately the latter did not materialise.

I may be very wrong but suspect FDB was the cause of our lack of transfers.

This thread was about young prospects and clearly we should be bringing young players in. Reiderweld is not a good example as he was not cheap and I am not sure yet he is EPL standard. He lacks physicality and stature of a Central defender but may make a good midfielder. The young Swedish player we seem to be getting on loan was the papers stated, offered a Palace contract but however decided on Benfica who immediately offered him for loan. The Polish Central defender we may have bought is young. We have looked at some young keepers.Nick Powell from Wigan has been mentioned.

So I think we are looking at some youngsters who may be there