On the contrary, I'm not dreading this window at all. Last two windows, we were dealing from a position of weakness; likely relegation candidates, newly promoted team, everything uncertain. We'll go into this window secure in the Premiership, a London team (with all the attractions of playing in the capital), possibly led by manager of the year, widely recognised as having the best supporters in the country, on the up generally, and with at least one Champions League player (Ledley) having already signed up.

The last two windows we were the poor man trying to persuade our betters to take a shot on Palace. While we may never be Big Five, this time around we have a very persuasive pitch for targets we are interested in and you may well find we're suddenly the choosers and not the beggars. Twelve months ago any mid-table team (Stoke, WBA, Norwich, Fulham, even Southampton) were better options than Palace. Not so sure that will be true come three weeks time.

I think it is important to remember also, that just because we've secured a 2nd season in The Premiership, don't expect CPFC2010 to start paying over the odds to clubs for players.

We all know they will not be ripped off. That will not change this season. If a Championship club wants to put an over inflated price on a player, don't expect us to pay it just because we can. That's not being tight. As always, it's about the long term future of the club and being sensible just the same as you wouldn't allow yourself to be ripped off if you went shopping for a car.

Lets hope fans do not get there knickers in a twist when we pull the plug on a deal, because we see a player only worth £3m and the selling club want £5m. It would be ridiculous and negligent to be any different.

Remember, there is also 2nd season syndrome in The Premiership so we are by no means able to mix it with the big boys yet.

Edited by Stuart Shave (23 Apr 2014 11.17am)

On the contrary, I'm not dreading this window at all. Last two windows, we were dealing from a position of weakness; likely relegation candidates, newly promoted team, everything uncertain. We'll go into this window secure in the Premiership, a London team (with all the attractions of playing in the capital), possibly led by manager of the year, widely recognised as having the best supporters in the country, on the up generally, and with at least one Champions League player (Ledley) having already signed up.

The last two windows we were the poor man trying to persuade our betters to take a shot on Palace. While we may never be Big Five, this time around we have a very persuasive pitch for targets we are interested in and you may well find we're suddenly the choosers and not the beggars. Twelve months ago any mid-table team (Stoke, WBA, Norwich, Fulham, even Southampton) were better options than Palace. Not so sure that will be true come three weeks time.

As long as we finally get Yaya Banana over the line, I'm happy.

Agree with this. We now know that Tony can getting the team going as it is now so there shouldn't be any desperation to get players in. Also I know Tony Pulis likes to get players in early....something we seem adverse to doing!