We have come damn close to coming seriously unstuck due to lack of squad depth. We need a GK (if Mandanda is off), a RB, a CB (we've just lost one), an AM, another striker and, ideally, cover for Zaha/Townsend. You've learnt nothing from history if you think we can muddle by with a single signing.

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)

Have you seen our u23 team. They lose most weeks and even those out on loan are hardly impress. Whilst it's great in principle to get the younger players a chance. They have to merit that position in the squad, rather than gifted it because of their age. We had a lot of injuries last season. It's too risky to blow the whole budget of Sakho. We got 14 to 15 good players , that not enough for a 38 game season.

Andy Johnson Magic, He wears a Magic Hat
When he Sees the match ball, he says he having that
He scores one with left foot, he scores one with his right
And When his playing Brighton, He scores all f***ING Night!

Quite the opposite Bexleydave. I have watched Palace for sixty years and have seen many ups and downs during my time on the roller coaster. The point I am making is that we had a very decent squad of players last Season that seriously under-performed due to poor tactical play early on (the Pardew expansive experiment) and long-term injuries. Those injuries happened to players in positions that you have identified in the main as needing strengthening.We started to look a top ten side when Mr.Sakho joined on loan. Also, we have given no opportunity to younger players who could well contribute quality to the First Team. The point I am trying to make is that the return to fitness of key players, the addition of talented youngsters and the imposing Sakho should give us a quality Squad to move forward next Season. What I have learned is that Palace will have to give serious thought as to how much money we can continue to splash out gambling on highly expensive players and wages who may or may not add to the ones that we already have. KaiKai and Dreher are exciting players as is Jonny Williams and it was not that long ago that the talk was about building the Team around him. We came too close for comfort last Season to the Club falling into serious financial trouble via relegation and we have to keep this in mind. We are in a much better position nowadays with the Board that we have rather than in the Uncle Ron days where we had a great Team that could have seen us as permanent top three contenders but the investment was not put in.Palace has come a long was since my first visit to Selhurst Park in 1956 and, of course, I am happy to see us bring in quality signings but I have also had the pleasure to see home-grown players develop and make the First Team (the so-called) Team of the Eighties is a casing point.I feel that the onus has now shifted to the idea that a player is not good enough for us unless he attracts an inflated price and wage bill. Just my views but, with a good manager on board and the return of the injured players, I feel that we already have a Squad capable of moving forward, Let's get Sakho though.

The points you raise have already been addressed in mine and other's posts. We do not have the strength in depth across the team, nothing to do with Pardew or fitness, just in terms of quality. Williams has failed to develop as hoped and needs to be moved on for the sake of his career. If the quality existed in the U23s, they'd be called up; to keep insisting that there is, is just wishful thinking I'm afraid. Any chance of signing Sakho went when Sam left and anyway the combination of price and wages puts him out of our league.

I refute utterly that the club is or has come anywhere near to financial difficulties since it was purchased by CPFC2010. There's much more chance of relegation-risk if we fail to invest in the squad. What happened when Noades was chairman is entirely irrelevant, as is how long you've been going to Selhurst Park.

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)

Dave the club is continually investing in the squad.We have seven players who have not been at the club 12 months yet.!!!
And that's without Sakho.
Steve will find a Manager to get the lads to play as they did against Chelsea,Liverpool and Arsenal.
Just a shame Sam did not stay.

Palace 13th 2017/18.

Well we will see, a new manager and a couple of signings will be fine by me.

Palace 13th 2017/18.