I feel we have hit the nadir, the only way is up, as the song goes. We're Palace so before anyone starts of course it could get worse!

Hodgson's reappointment was a mistake because it wasn't progressive but I'm not sure now, given everything, if changing him is the answer. It's also indicative of our strategic vacuum, our lack of style and our haphazard recruitment.

The Olise thing is really annoying but it's easy to blame the medics, Hodgson and the club rather than bad luck.

Our set pieces are a disaster at both ends and for that I blame the coaching team.

But we are where we are. I don't think any changes are in the offing. It's time for a siege mentality, cut out the banners (the point is made, they will only harm us from here), get behind the manager and team and to tough out the rest of the season.

Belief is essential and we do have the players even without Olise. Infighting is what will take us down as there are many more teams in more trouble with worse squads.

But they are together.

I think if Olise was fit and Hodgson had gone then we could find safety over the stretch you mentioned. Unfortunately, that is not the case and our final 7 games are home fixtures against Man City, West Ham, Man Utd and Villa and away at Liverpool, Fulham and Wolves. We need to have a good cushion or be playing at a much higher level before that stretch

Watford got 1 point from 27 in their final nine games under Hodgson

You look at our run in and the games against Burnley, Everton, Forest, Bournemouth and Luton are going to be huge. If we could get 9-10 points from those then we will probably be fine, but if not we go into the final seven games facing four teams who will be pushing for CL spots (albeit we seem to love playing Manchester clubs!)

My possibly optimistic predictions for the next seven games are:

Chelsea - Lose
Everton - Lose
Burnley - Draw
Spurs - Lose
Luton - Draw
Newcastle - Lose
Forest - Lose

2 points

With hopefully Eze and Olise fit to play in at least some of the remaining seven games I think we can limp over the line.

Fixed

Watching the first half of Burnley's game against 'pool they'll be no pushover. Fofana looks like a solid bit of business by them. We never beat Everton even when they're sh^t. Forest have so many options and they have their two best players fit, but I did think they were poor against the worst looking Newcastle team I've see for a few years.

You look at our run in and the games against Burnley, Everton, Forest, Bournemouth and Luton are going to be huge. If we could get 9-10 points from those then we will probably be fine, but if not we go into the final seven games facing four teams who will be pushing for CL spots (albeit we seem to love playing Manchester clubs!)

My possibly optimistic predictions for the next seven games are:

Chelsea - Lose
Everton - Draw
Burnley - Win
Spurs - Draw
Luton - Win
Newcastle - Draw
Forest - Lose

9 points

With hopefully Eze and Olise fit to play in at least some of the remaining seven games I think we can limp over the line.