No need for an apology, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I'm in agreement with Badger here. Stats don't tell the whole story - there is too much emphasis on those.

Opposition know that if they can keep Wilf quiet, they will probably beat us. Certainly against the lesser teams, they double up on him and try to mark him out the game. There are no stats on that. That alone merits his place in the team as it frees up space for our other players.

He is so dangerous and explosive on the break and is the only player we have capable of creating something out of nothing. I agree that he is a lacking a bit in end product recently, but despite this, he's still by far our most dangerous player.

For me, you put Zaha in a team that plays on the front foot and he will thrive. For us he is often given the ball and there's no one in front of him and he then has to either take on multiple players or pass it sideways. His through balls are actually really good when he gets the chance and often spots runners, as with PvA on Saturday. Hodgson has added discipline to his game but this season our tactics have also stifled him (plus he has been out of form). The team has to come first, so I don't blame Roy for that. After he went off last night it showed how much we need him as we had zero outlet as Townsend is not very good at holding it up and is more adept at a more direct approach.

In big teams you get more chances, more of the ball and teams wouldn't be able to stick two players on him. The only way we'll ever know if he is good enough though is if he gets his chance. I do worry about his head state if he doesn't get his move this summer, but I just hope it's to a foreign team as I hate the idea of him playing against us.

I think you hit the nail on the head. The problem isn't Zaha it is the lack of creativity and goals from midfield and the reliance on one player that is the issue.

One more point

As well as Liverpool played Palace did not create a worth while chance without Zaha. Townsend looks past his best. I love Ayew but he can't do it all by himself. It is one area we lack cover.

Been going to games regularly since 1974 and Wilf is one of the few players that gets me to sit forward when he gets the ball. I don't have them to hand but I bet our stats with Wilf in the team are hugely better than those when he is not.

Having seen so many honest, hard working "journeymen" at Palace I rejoice that we have one player that sets the pulses racing.

Maybe he does need to move on to be recognised as a truly great player but I will be very downhearted the day that happens.

Good post. Not everything is easily quantifiable and for all of the baggage he brings, he'd leave a big role to fill in his absence.