With reference to the moans about Roy not giving the youngsters a chance he did play Franca as a sub along with some other youngsters and rightly bemoaned the lack of game changing effect they had in that game.
I think with Franca given his age, the change of country and change of language and lack of previous career games it was always going to take time for him to settle. The easy option would have been to have played Franca more often (as many managers would have been tempted to given his price tag) but you have to respect Roy and Ray. They have been in the game long enough to know when a player is ready to play and make a positive contribution rather than be ineffective get the crowd on your back and your confidence dented.
I remember Olise had to earn his spot through impressive substitute appearances coming on for Ayew last season. It has not done his development any harm.

Yes, the first 8 pages of this thread contained more pessimism, criticism of the manager, swearing and insulting of other posters than I can recall seeing. So in this season (allegedly) of goodwill I have composed these words to a well known carol:

O come all ye moaners, joyless and defeatist,
O come all ye pessimists of Selhurst Park,
Come all ye moaners, angry and impatient,
O come and start supporting, o come and start supporting,
O come and start supporting the team that you love.

Just seen the highlights on sky. City's second is hand ball. It comes off a players elbow before being lashed in but they just looked at offside!!!!

More big club bias to add to Edisons yellow. That was a straight red tackle to an outfield player so why not a keeper.

Its becoming a joke now.

Edited by The groover (17 Dec 2023 10.42pm)

On Ref Watch, Sky via Dermot Gallagher addressed the handball in the expected way; they didn't mention it. Dogso Gallagher did though say Ederson didn't deserve a red card because JPM was going away from, rather than toward, the goal.

Ref watch - so pointless. Gallagher refuses to criticise a ref and agrees with 99% of decisions, or at least refuses to say they were wrong.

Gallagher, is a toddy for Sky.. But refereeing in this league stinks for me. The very notion of , “ clear and obvious,” and the constant full back on, “ subjectivity,” backed up by VAR,. Means there is an excuse for every event, and it’s amazing how the big teams seem to benefit . Pep was reasonably together at the end of the game,I sort of wondered why. Well the more you see the ball hit arm and on to Rico,, he knew he should have lost.