I'm inclined to agree at this point in time where I am concerned.

It feels as though they have somewhat tried to follow the old model in reliance upon Wilf but this time with Eze/Olise taking up that mantle. What we're left with is a couple decent players providing all our threat and a lot of 'filling' elsewhere in the squad.

The Franca one seems like a wild gamble with no real thought process behind it and Henderson purely a financial thing where they thought we were getting a player below his market worth for ROI (Ferguson may also come into this bracket, where their quality may be worth more than their fee, but their ability to stay/get fit renders the whole thing a complete waste of money).

I would suggest trying to pull together a top half PL squad on a minimal budget is an endeavour with very limited chance of success. You'll either look like a genius or, more than likely, face criticism for a lot of your choices. It sometimes looks as though we've tried to pick up a load of bargains but many of these begin to show why such players were available at lower prices in the first place.

You hope Roy can keep the ship afloat for the time being but we all knew, consciously or subconsciously, the reason why he was brought back to begin with. It was never to 'see out the season' whilst they re-strategised, it was always reflective of trying to do as much with as little resource as possible. It's a very small pool of managers willing/able to do that.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Well made points and I totally agree.
We have around six players who form the core group of the side, each one good enough to progress to a side higher up the table, everyone else is either bit part or not good enough. As Dubai Eagle commented in reply to a post of mine, we have spent just to stand still. Astute, and very true.

Edited by southnorwoodhill (13 Nov 2023 9.52am)

100% correct, one of the 3 key players.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Don't forget, for Roy a 0-0 score line is a good result at home, regardless of who we are playing - keeps you out of the bottom 3, which is Roy and Palace's sole objective. It will be the reason why our good young players eventually move on.

If you think we have no option to replace a mistake-prone Joel Ward, we have Clyne, Richards, Holding, Danny Imray, and anyone else we could have bought in the last 6 transfer windows since AWB took his place in the side. Richards may not be a right back, but he is quicker than Ward and would make fewer errors. Let's not forget that Joel adds absolutely nothing going forward - cannot beat a player, cannot cross a ball. Great club servant, but time to move on.

Can't disagree with much of this.

When Roy was appointed for this season, to me it signalled that the club were not spending much in the transfer market. So I was surprised that the best part of £40m was spent. Unfortunately at least half on a goalkeeper which seems over the top to me. Can't blame him or the club for his unfortunate injury though. Franca is a huge gamble given the fee and the fact that we needed ( imo ) Premier League ready players rather than unproven teenagers to bolster the squad.

As for Saturday's game, if you concede 3 goals at home to Everton then you probably deserve nothing. A fully fit Doucoure was much missed in the midfield. I thought we were too easy to play against in that area. I like Hughes's feistyness but he's too one paced and I thought he had a bit of a stinker on Saturday, gave the ball away too often. Edouard continues to frustrate. His work rate, or rather lack of, combined with his powder puff approach to the physical side of the game, gives the impression that we are playing with a man short at times.

I'm not sure what more Roy can do given the resources available. He's there as part of a holding pattern by the looks of it, but without actually knowing what Parish's strategy is, it's all speculation.

For once I'm glad there's an international break ahead !

Old, Ungifted and White

I agree all the comments re Ward and Mitchell. For me it did seem like someone had put superglue on the soles of a number of players boots, but the main problem is of course finishing up front. On paper, when we bought him, Edouard looked a good bet and tbf he is a good finisher (OK, only when he's had plenty of advance warning and space). Unlike soccer computer games, players aren't programmed robots. Moves to other teams can transform or ruin reputations. In reality the most successful strikers must have a sixth sense, to start running on to a through ball - or to anticipate a cross - before the playmaker has indicated their intention - and the playmaker themselves know before they play the pass where the striker will be. This only comes with practice and an innate understanding and respect between key players. The body language says everything. My hope is that Franca will be more in tune with Eze and Olise's mindset which means - for better or worse - give him much more game time (ie s*** or bust as my old coach used to say). If it works we could be in for one of the most exciting attacking lines since Wrighty and Brighty. Then, with more goals and points this might (please god) be the trigger and incentive for SP to spend a few bob and fill in the missing gaps necessary to make us top quartile team.