Agree with the posts above. I'd just like to say that our best manager during these past 10 seasons is for me Tony Pulis. Yeah, he's a bit of a cnut, but he inherited an average side and got 25% more out of them every game. Compare that set of players to this current bunch of unmotivated, comfort zone, gravy train riders and it becomes apparent that Vieira has a lot to answer for. The ground covered stat is completely damning and says a lot about training, the attitude of the players, and Vieira's inability to motivate them.

Edited by southnorwoodhill (07 Jan 2023 6.08pm)

PV is just too laid back for this at best average squad who need a rocket up their arses. Fitness, match effort and simple passing weight and accuracy all need to improve. Osian Roberts should be championing this but he looks like a shrinking violet and ‘yes’ man who probably finds it difficult to preach fitness and hard work.

Ward and Clyne are massive liabilities in most games they play and should be immediately put out to pasture. A loan player at right back must be first priority. PV also needs to stick with the Hughes, Doucoure partnership. I thought they were the only good thing today.

Of course a striker needs to be a close 2nd priority.

Edited by NE14T (07 Jan 2023 6.21pm)

Edited by NE14T (07 Jan 2023 6.26pm)

The beatings will stop when morale improves.

Thoroughly agree,Willo .We seem to be going downhill faster than Eddie the Eagle ever achieved!!

Fairest assessment so far.
Not enough has been made of the lack of signings to boost the squad. It is common knowledge that Vieira is frustrated at the lack of financial support in his second season after Gallagher returned to Chelsea.

Heads up though. There are other teams in the division who look ropey. Saints were just less poor than us today and Guaita had a howler.
I don't like the idea of pulling the plug on the Vieira reign coming up to a tough run when we are quite far clear of relegation with a game in hand. Clearly this view will be seen as 'clueless' by certain persons on here, a word I don't like being associated with Vieira.

I ain't got nuthin' funny to say. Sorry.

Let's be honest, the pair of them look more 'fat slob' than lean, hungry athlete...at least Pulis was whippet lean and in the gym at 6am to stay that way and lead from the front.

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

Watching some of the Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United match, I saw that all the players seemed to be in space most of the time. This was also the case for the Fulham, Tottenham, and Southampton teams - they all had space to pass to team mates. Sadly, the current style of Palace play is to score on the break. Palace are good at winning the ball within three yards. This has an effect of inviting opponents to get close - restricting the space players have to go forwards. Keeping close means that often there is no one ten yards away to assist in the next upfield break. I know that football is a 120 minutes game with slow and quick periods, it would be nice to see palace move quickly from the former to the latter. Looking at our team I see the following
In goal - I suspect that refreshing is taking place - Guaita is now 30 and we have Joe Whitworth and Owen Goodman listed as first team squad members. Both of them are confident in their areas. Butland has gone out on loan - will he come back or be considered not to be needed in July 2023.
In defence. The pairing of Guehi and Andersen is magic, the former breaks up attacks and the later can pass successfully forward up to fifty yards (giving the team space). A couiple of helpers, from Academy or imports are needed.
In midfield, PV seems to have found that Doucoure and Hughes work well together. Due to the relentless pressing the received today both needed to be substituted. They need support.
Regarding goal scoring, We are likely to lose Wilf. Eze and Olise need support - debate is whether from Edouard or Mateta (one at a time or both together?), and possibly new (or academy) blood.

The feeling I got from today's crowd is that the team currently does not run (or position) for each other. I hope that PV will make it clear that staying safely within three yards of each other bring more pressure than is bearable, resulting in most goals being scored into the Palace goal.

I await the team playing effectively with conviction.