Have to completely agree. This season looks like it could be the toughest for awhile. Only Bournemouth look quite weak this time around and we currently have lost Kouyate, Gallagher and Benteke, who were all starters/subs that are likely to come on.

Only Doucoure that has come in fits that bill.

Add in Tomkins and McArthur as being constantly injured we are now short of decent starting options in midfield and upfront.

A bad start (which considering our fixtures was always likely) and a couple of injuries and I'm not sure 'young prospects' are the ones that are likely to dig you out of trouble.

To me this season seems the one most where we are likely to get sucked into a relegation battle for awhile.

Yes, I get your point and where we are at now certainly does require a player for "Today". The problem we face is that a proven player for "Today" costs an arm and a leg - not to mention their wage demands and the effect that that can have on the established squad members.

So, as a strategy for any club outside the elite it seems sensible. A certain club down your way seems to be making a reasonable fist of it without seeming to spend on those players for "Today". I for one wouldn't want to give up on it so any thoughts on what they've done right and how we might square the circle?

You can't change the way things are but you can change the way you are with the way things are.

I’m surprised people aren’t more behind this transfer. It’s fair to say last season was his break though season. If he can replicate that form he will be costing 20-25m. People have mentioned he’s only got a year left on his contract, but that’s not quite right…Bristol have a year option to extend. So there is no desperate rush to sell him, and he is a player they have openly admitted is the best player at the club.

I’m conscious and cautious to compare a forward like Semenyo, to a midfielder like Gibbs White…but in terms of goal contributions, Semenyo did better last year, with a total of 20 goal contributions. So he’s had a good year, seems a very good player, and I dare say for 12m, he’s not a huge gamble.

Are Palace after squad depth with this lad, or a first team starter??? That’s the big question here. I think he’d work well in a forward line of 3. He presses well, has pace and strength, seems like a good finisher. Certainly an interesting potential player for us.

Sounds like he will fit in at Palace fine

Not scoring many goals and poor decision making perfect fit.

On serious note I would say no strikers are not the issue not sure why even looking at them.

When you are at this age you are not for the future you need game time now.

(VPN) - [Link]
(Alt VPN) - [Link]

Does he? Over the last 2 seasons he averages a goal every 7 games. He looks like a good Championship player. I'm struggling to see anything so far that says he'd even go above Ayew in the pecking order or that he would have anything to offer in a side that is in the top 10 of the Premier League.

If Edouard or Mateta went on loan to a Championship side and came back with his record, I think there'd be huge disappointment.

If we do sign him, I do hope he does well, but I don't see how he'd even get in Bournemouth, Fulham or Forest's team. This isn't a signing that says we're pushing on, this is a signing that gets made in the scenario of we get relegated, Arsenal sign Olise for £40m and we pick up this guy to try and get us back up whilst banking the difference.

26th January 2010 - Enter Administration
2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough
1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds
7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.

Broadly agree.

Bigger guy, bit of athleticism about him, decent 'footballer', might be good for the team, sounds a bit like a poor man's JPMateta. We already have a better version of that, his name is JPMateta.

I can only think the reasoning behind this would be either JPM is expected to be our starting player and this guy back up, they are once again gambling (massively) on a hope he will be a top player one day which doesn't fit immediate requirements, we are panicking or have little other options even remotely possible at this late stage.

For double-digit millions, if there if f-all else, I'd rather start with Wilf, JPM or Edouard up top and save that money plus a bit more for an astutely and actively scouted target come January... preferably one we know will come in purely to get goals being able to do so too.

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