Yes they are.

In the world of stats, if they are an attempt or are on target, they go down along with foot attempts as 'shots' Ok?

This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise.

I agree with much of that and, as I said in my initial post, I blame the board as well.

They are the ones who have effectively prioritised survival at all costs and Roy knows full well that as long as he does just about enough to keep us safe, he's in a job. With no fans to hold anyone to account, there's no incentive for him to play anything but Royball if there's a chance we can grind out a draw or narrow win.

They have also sanctioned this crazy transfer strategy where we have loaded our squad with old players on huge wages and no resale value, most of whom have contracts expiring this summer. It means that we'll either have to renew half of them or face replacing about 14 players which clearly isn't going to happen.

In an ideal world we would get a decent director of football in who could sort out our awful recruitment and try to emulate the Leicester model. Like them we would start lining up replacement managers and players to continue the club's philosophy before we actually let them go.

In reality the second we win a game or two we'll take the opportunity to announce that we're renewing Roy for another year and probably half of our Dad's Army squad alongside it.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...

A thought provoking article but will anyone from the Palace hierarchy read it? Probably not, unfortunately.

Perhaps I will forward it on to someone.

Edited by Willo (27 Jan 2021 3.39pm)

It's obvious that a new manager is always a risk, but this is where a cronyism around Premiership teams starts.

Lots of clubs aren't willing to take a risk on a manager that hasn't got Premier League experience. Very few managers get the opportunity to get Premier League experience so clubs get locked in with the same old faces doing the managerial merry go round. Roy's proved he can do alright for a relatively short period of time at Blackburn, Fulham, West Brom and Palace, but he's never really showed he can take a team forward (without the unsustainable backing Al Fayed gave him). The clubs been in decline for at least a season, yet everyone's scared to replace him as the crop of managers with PL experience aren't too appealing either.

Now we are established in the Premier League with the best squad Roy had worked with, I think we have enough buffer to cast our net a bit wider in the search for a manager.

We took a gamble with FdB after 4 seasons in the Premiership. Previously we wouldn't have been able to take that gamble as the squad wasn't good enough. The gamble failed, but we still stayed up comfortably with one of the merry go round managers.

Brighton have appointed a frankly average manager from the Championship and are relatively comfortable.

It's worth taking a risk again, rather than just playing 4-4-2 every week and getting overrun by teams that don't get out of second gear. There's now Howe, Franks, Lampard etc available. There's got to be dozens of other managers that we could get who are better the Ray and Roy.

Although, personally, I'd break the bank for Rafa.

I have read recent comments and picking up on a few:
I think we are in trouble.
However, does the chairman see it that way too? Clearly not.

There is no joy or excitement with Palace at the moment- there hasn't been for some considerable time.
Last night, it was great to take a lead, be in front, be momentarily on the front foot!

However, we know the outcome!

Who's fault?

In any organisation, the leader has to take responsibility. Therefore that falls to SP and RH.

Guaita has literally saved us many, many times, but he seems to have lost all confidence. Butland needs to be brought in now.

Mitchell and Clyne in the main, have done well.

I understand why Kouyate played defence earlier in season, BUT he is not a defender- he needs to go.

For us to score we need to create chances. Townsend is at the end. Why is he playing?
Mac works so hard and at least appears that he wants to win.
Luca is not effective anymore and is an accident waiting to happen with his discipline.

Eze is a star in the making. Please play him in his right position. Why is he stuck out on the left??

Zaha is NOT an out and out striker. Please play him appropriately.

We have nothing to lose (apart from Prem status!), so please play Mateta against Wolves. We NEED something different, but we need to create the chances.

Roy OUT- We need a different manager to ignite and save our season before it is too late.

Supporting Palace used to be fun- this is torture!