This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

Sorry I’ve not read the earlier posts but isn’t this the reality of top flight football now ?
Every club’s an owner’s tantrum or bad decision or two from difficult times.
When the continual point is raised about progress I think back to 2013 when we were promoted with the owners underwriting a £5mil loss a year.
If we hadn’t gone up that season I think we’d most likely be a league one outfit by now.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

Too good for any premier league team except Man City?
You believe this?
He isn’t consistent enough.
I think he’d struggle to make the bench at city and Liverpool and would be a bit part player at Tottenham and Chelsea.
That would leave Arsenal , who need a complete new back 4 before they think about forwards.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

Actually - I don't think that they would because I think we would just say no.
I truly believe that Wilf has too much respect for CPFC to play silly beggars at the last minute and on top of that he has a belief in his own worth and value.
Clubs offering derisory money will not sit comfortably with him or any other player for that matter.
It will also mean that his fee would be with on a par with the other also rans and in turn that would not guarantee him game time.
It's all very well being a in a Champions League squad but no good if you don't play!
In this case the right fee from the right club will likely get him a move - anything less will see him in red and blue again next season I reckon.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

Hope your right, feel that it is crucial its sorted one way on the other quickly

“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

This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

I would agree and disagree with this post.

The squad we had when we came up desperately needed improving and doing that with a couple of established players was a good move in my opinion. You can't just pick hidden gems out constantly.

Also buying those players made a statement to current players like Wilf and future transfers that we were serious about staying in the league and would have undoubtedly helped in keeping players like Wilf at the club.

Having said that, was it financially sensible, in hindsight no. I think Sakho has been worth his fee and wages but we weren't to know Benteke would fall off a cliff quite like he has.

Could our scouting team be better, undoubtedly. I wouldn't call signing Sakho a lack of progress though. We've had him at our club in what is a defenders prime.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'The Wilfried Zaha Thread' by Midlands Eagle

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Zaha wants out' by Midlands Eagle

I think a big problem has been we came up with a team that was a counter attacking team. We were fantastic at it and still are. Holloway alluded to this in the interview where he said he wanted to change the style of play but the players had no interest in playing any other way.

We've then had a chairman who clearly wants us to change the style of play and has made appointments with that goal in mind, Pardew, FDB, Holloway etc. The problem then comes when this doesn't work and we revert to Pulis, Allardyce, Roy etc.

We typically spend when we are in danger and therefore, the purchases have been in keeping with the style of play needed to stay in the division.

As you say, this is down to a complete lack of strategy and the balls to see it through.

If we do sell in this window one or both of AWB and Zaha, now is the perfect time to try and implement that change with the funds available and getting players in to fit the long term goal. Unfortunately, I have no faith in us doing that or Roy having enough say in the transfers for them to fit his vision. If we do go through this process, it will undoubtedly be painful for the first few months, but the only way to progress is be brave and trust what you've implemented. It worked for Norwich but I fear we are too trigger happy here.