Probably means we will stay up, you have been saying we will get relegated for last few seasons

I had a degree of optimism about our prospects this season, believing that whilst we might not better last season's league placing there was only slender chance we would suffer the dreaded drop, however for the reasons I have documented in this Thread my opinion has changed.
Having been in contact with some supporters this morning, they too are not optimistic about our chances of survival.

Some gentleman once said to me after a defeat "Misery has attached to you like fungus to a dead tree".

An excellent contribution to the debate.
I tip my hat.

Of course we'll stay up!

We may not have signed anyone, but we also still have Zaha.

We can reassess in January. Key targets such as AWB and Gallagher will both have more clearly defined values to their squad. Our interest in both came too soon for both Ten Hag and Tuchel to make a first-hand impression on these players.

I don't think we will go down, but failure to strengthen will still undermine our potential, which is frustrating. We have genuine assets in our squad in Guéhi, Olise, Vieira and especially Zaha. All would have value at other clubs with greater stature, and if we do not prove our ability to develop Crystal Palace Football Club, then they have no obligation to show loyalty. If they decide that it's time for the next step in their career, then we really will go backwards.

We are on the precipice of the greatest era in the history of our football club - and yet thus far we have achieved nothing. There is a constant balance to be maintained in terms of investment. I certainly don't want us to buy players for the sake of appeasing fans, we need to sign the right players at the right price, and I trust the judgement of the recruitment team if they have decided that there simply wasn't value there.

Let's use Conor Gallagher as an example. Chelsea seemed reluctant sellers. But for all we know, perhaps there was a value where they'd have been willing to let him go. Perhaps it was money we could have put together. It takes a show of strength from Dougie and co to not panic and just give them what they want. If the deal is not right, then it's not right.

If AWB and CG were genuine targets, it feels like we have slightly misdirected our targets. Yes, they're (relatively) young, but I feel they're both too expensive in either fee or wages. It's like a return to the days when we went big on Benteke and Sahko. Once players have had their big contract at another club, I feel they're no longer of any benefit to us in terms of profile. We need to find players BEFORE they get the big move, which we have done really well in recent years with Eze, Guéhi, Olise.

People keep saying that if we have injuries then we are screwed. Well, we had really bad luck with injuries under Hodgson. Had it not been for Kouyaté's versatility that season, things could have ended badly. We shouldn't have let him go, and we haven't replaced him. Eze's return to fitness and Doucouré are not a replacement for Gallagher & Kouyaté. You need at least 3 players for 2 positions, and it seems none of Hughes, Milivojević or MacArthur are of the genuine first 11 standard. Maybe I'm under-valuing Schlupp. Hopefully I am.

On a side note, seeing Billy Gilmour go for under £10m is frustrating. It proves there is value out there. But I guess he's not quite the type of player we need.

In terms of squads - I'd say we have the second worst squad in the league. Worst in the league is Bournemouth. However, not a great marker as Leicester and Liverpool don't have large, good squads either. However, clearly far better than ours.
I get a funny feeling we might find a gem by accident - a bit like AWB.
I don't see what choice we have than to play the youngsters occasionally - as our squad can't handle two or three injuries. Obviously, there will be several injuries at some point.
Another factor is Wilf. Long term injury to him, which is quite possible considering his treatment on the pitch, and what are we left with?

My own consideration is we will be no higher than 14tb. We will probably just about survive. Just about is not great - I'd say 60% stay up/ 40% get relegated. Fine margins.
Keeping Vieira is another factor, as is Manager's second season syndrome. Couldn't help notice Patrick did not stick around in previous manager positions. I would be very disappointed if I were he. Why exactly could we not loan anyone? Teams around us have brought some great players in on loan. We could have had two without disrupting the squad massively. This smacks of amateurism. One wonders what is going on behind the scenes.

I'll give our owners one caveat. A lot of this could have been Wilf related. I can, frankly, just imagine him pushing to leave and that taking a lot of time to sort out - with all the permutations. Our pursuit of Gallagher was embarrassing. Once we were getting mucked around, we should have said no and let them come back to us. There's no similar midfielder in Europe we could have loaned? Everyone can think of one or two who went elsewhere, that would have helped us. Sh1t and frankly demoralising transfer window.

And Willo - you forecast relegation every year so I'm not going to worry too much about that.

Red and Blue Army!