I think that's overstating it, Lanzo, but there IS a problem and I'm not sure how we fix it.

1. We start games incredibly slowly almost every time out. It seems to take us a minimum of 30 minutes to get going, by which time we're as often as not already behind the eight ball. I don't know if the slow starts are a (lack of) confidence thing or something else, but we seem to go out undercooked game after game. Vieira has to figure out why this keeps happening and fix it. Urgently.

2. When we do finally get going, we have impressive periods (the last fifteen minutes of the first half today, for example) BUT even during those periods, we still look toothless and largely unthreatening in the danger areas. It's time to admit the reality that our forwards are simply not good enough and do something about it-even if that means taking desperate measures. Edouard and Mateta have had enough time to deliver now and neither is up to the standard required. There's probably not a lot we can do to replace them outside the window, but this has to be addressed in the summer. Meantime, I'd seriously consider recalling Gordon from Carlisle. He's scoring goals and even if they're at a low level, scoring is at least to some extent a confidence game. It's not like he can score any fewer in the PL than Edouard and Mateta are doing. Or is there another youngster who'd be worth a run? We've got to try to find someone who at least might score goals rather than plugging away with forwards who never score them.

3. I haven't lost faith in Vieira yet myself, but my faith is now being tested. He's done a lot of good things and broadly I like the direction of travel, but we have stalled this season and we are now punching below our weight on a consistent basis and it's gone on long enough that I'm concerned. The problems have been obvious for some time and he really hasn't fixed them. It's reasonable to start asking if he knows how to at this point. If anything, we're getting worse, not better. Part of the solution did lie in bringing in players in the transfer window (we've done that) but that's not been the entire problem; there are tactical and apparently motivational issues too and a lot of players he's not getting the best out of. The next few weeks are a serious test for him and while I'm not on the PV out bandwagon right now, if the issues aren't addressed very quickly indeed I soon will be.

4. Lastly, in the main Vieira's selections and tactics are predictable. There's a bit of shuffling (Ward/Clyne, Schlupp/Hughes, etc.) from game-to-game but for the most part, our approach to every game is what it is. The shuffling isn't real change; just re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing again and again, but expecting a different outcome. That's what we're doing. I'm not going to venture my opinion on the tactical change that's needed to get things going; I'm not a professional coach but it's very clear now that there does need to be a different tactical approach and Vieira needs to figure out what that is and go through with it.

For me, it's not time to panic, yet. Or at least not quite. But we're getting there faster with each passing week. Obviously, beating Brighton would be a good start but more than anything else, I want to see a proper performance from the first minute. I want to see some passion, some urgency, some energy, and some bite. It's a long time since I saw Palace take the game to the opposition and impose ourselves. Doing that next week would be a good start, regardless of the result. Another passive defeat or even draw would be far less acceptable.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Well this weekend has been a bummer!

My estimated target points for survival has gone up to 37.

A view as to where we are currently.

Negatives
- we have scored only 19 goals in 21 games while averaging the conceding of nearly 1.5 goals per game
- we have the lowest running stats in the Premier League
- we frequently manage just a couple of shots on target per game and on occasions not even that
- we are usually outmuscled all over the field and lack pace in key areas
- many of our players have regressed this season leading to poor collective team performances

Positives
- we have Zaha, Anderson and possibly McArthur to come back
- we have two new midfielders to hopefully provide more energy and zest to a flagging midfield
- there is significant scope for improvement for improvement from the players who have regressed because the talent is there
- we have a 6 point cushion currently

I’d be more confident if we looked like we had goals in the team and to me that is the major shortfall.
To state the obvious you have to score goals to win games.
Mateta and Edouard are not the players to conjure goals out of nothing so we have to find a way of improving the service , getting the ball into the box quicker and with more accuracy and frequency.
We also need to work harder off the ball and win more of the battles around the field.
Can Vieira get the players to step up performances to win the necessary points?
There must be a question mark if the same patterns are repeated in the remaining games, but there are still plenty of points to play for and four wins and a few draws should be enough.

Precisely the many qualities possessed by Sean Dyche, as we are learning to our cost.

It is a touch odd that PV is getting the criticism here. The problem currently at our club as has been said above, is the Parish, the board and the lack of proper investment - this season he has certainly not been given the tools to compete better or try and improve on the positives of last season !!

So would Vieira as that's what he asked for