What a load of bollox. Every single time pardew has been mentioned for the England job the majority of football fans (or "fans" I should say) laughs at the idea. I've got friends who support various teams who have said from day one he's s***. People keep alluding to the point we are where we should be thus far but the only big team we've played is Spurs (ironically that game being one of our better performances).

Stoke, who were absolutely dreadful, we played very well against. Other than that I don't think we've played that well at all in really any game, name me one where you thought "wow we looked really good in that game". Sunderland was a pleasing performance because of the character shown, that was in the set of players way before he showed up and will continue long after. The only other game is boro, where we looked OK - but we were playing Boro!

That's my point, people say we go quiet when we win but if you could check my post history you'd see me telling people to calm down after his first season in charge. If we were where we are (or perhaps even a couple of points less) but you could actually see this "transition" then I'd be happy. If we were a team like say Bournemouth, who by the way "on paper" have a weaker squad than us but play positive football as a team and really getting the best out of what they have available, id be happy.

Is it any coincidence that one of our players of the year under Pulis has been poor lately? (Ward) Or our previous record signing who's natural ability is there for all to see (Cabaye) a lot of fans are turning on, or even Wilf who is still in the "has massive potential" bracket but just doesn't seem to be progressing to the next level? It's all well and good managing expectations but we spent over 30 million on a striker in the summer and I don't care what anyone tells me we have quality all over the pitch and our squad is no weaker than a lot of other clubs yet our first 11 is better than a lot of other clubs.

It's the way we play that makes me think Pardews s***. We never seem to have a plan, we've bought Benteke and all of a sudden our game plan has gone from passing to bolasie and sprinting to hoofing the ball into the box at any given opportunity. Pardews basic tactics CAN be effective but there is only so long before any opposing manager sets his team up to stop his very limited game plan and he is completely out of ideas, the past year is evidence of that and it's the same at Newcastle, West Ham and pretty much everywhere he's been.

If we're just looking at the performances without the results, we don't look good enough. But for those who say it's a results business well I'm sorry 5 wins in 31, 38 points in 38 - is not good enough.

This attitude that we can't progress or have any ambition "because we're palace" is pathetic, and the players we can now attract, the sums we've spent and the way parish talks about our progression is proof that those at the top simply do not share this losers attitude. I'm overjoyed at how far we've come but I do not think a top 8 finish is an unrealistic goal for a team with the talent we have - and I think a better manager than pardew could achieve it.

Edit - regarding your last point, I'm more than happy to put my money where my mouth is and bet you a score that won't be the case.

Edited by Mstrobez (25 Oct 2016 10.18pm)

We're the Arthur over ere!

As happy as I am with us every year we stay up. Is staying up by goal difference really acceptable given the team we have?

We're the Arthur over ere!

Like you say with our history the odds are heavily in my favour but it does show how fortunate we are to have a manager that can take charge of 100 top flight games.

You seem to make assumptions in every post I've made. Please refer to me saying that about Pulis? What are you talking about? And no, West Brom's squad isn't better than ours.

We're clearly not gonna agree but I see how you conveniently ignored my offer to take you up on your bet.

We're the Arthur over ere!

Sorry mate but don't share the sentiment of us being fortunate to have him at the helm. Especially if league results continue in the same vein as as the 'vast' majority of 2016 results have ...

So the season finishes tomorrow and your offered 15th and an FA cup final, you wouldn't take it ?