A deal of naivety as to how things are done. You have serious money bag clubs who will pay whatever is required to get their new ground and a considerably smaller club trying (more or less successfully) to run it sustainably in the most expensive league on earth. Thus, for arsenal an extortionate ransom strip - pay em off. The authority impose outrageous 106 conditions - whatever. We lack the financial clout but have the corporate principles not to tolerate what others accept. You must decide whether you support a club that is bound to its convictions or one so rich they can afford not to have them.

Along with Luton, they’re probably the biggest overachievers in the country currently.

Well run operation, excellent recruitment strategy with a seeming conveyor belt of good players meaning they are not reluctant to sell their best players as they already have a replacement.

Annoyingly they are our rivals. Best to focus on ourselves, we’re also punching above our weight by gradually becoming a competitive and established PL club. Let them have their day. It’s taken them about 50 years to get ahead of us.

Completely agree with sentiment Robbo but just as an attempt:

We sort of remind me of myself at school now - there's potential there for so much more and a good foundation but TBH we're almost guaranteed to be fine even with the most minimal of effort and coasting off that. The difference here is that Palace's position is due to finances whereas my own was down to the want for chasing tail and the lack of inclination to devote a large proportion of my time to academics. I'd suggest this is why we have seen very little investment of late and as a result, a paper thin squad.

A positive spin on this is perhaps that we have a manager who is willing to call this out whilst still soldiering on, doing his job. I would also suggest a lot of teams 'throw' the Carabao Cup and/or are equally unable to compete yet do not voice this. I'd rather have a manager who's honest with both fans and the board than one who seemingly bobbles their head and goes along. We may, may see some investment in January, especially if we are still ravaged by injuries and results fall off a cliff but also perhaps more favourable draws in the FA Cup, the proper one.

United away is hardly a banker, although perhaps very winnable, and Roy's comments may also be aimed to lighten the burden on the players, put the onus on an already under fire United, and perhaps create the conditions for a very mild 'shock'.

COYP, in Roy we trust.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

I think he would too Dave but as a result of us not having a big enough squad to fight at full strengths on all fronts, it's just the reality.

I think Roy's comments reflect the fact that the PL and survival within it is the priority and as a result we will see weaker sides and the big names rested for cups due to our smaller squad.

Again, this may change with more investment in the team, lesser injuries, progress in the league to see us virtually safe and perhaps in the FA Cup, a more prestigious trophy.

Until then we will have to accept that the League Cup is not a priority and we will not be giving it our all at Old Trafford on a Tuesday night. The other scenario is we play our best team, have someone or numerous players get injured, still lose/go out and then struggle even more so in the league.

I'd love us to give the league cup a go, few games then you're in the final at Wembley, but can see perhaps why we do not.

As for the title of the thread, BHA aren't really that much better than us now thought they are in Europe and do have a bigger squad. They lost to Athens at home the other day in Europe, a team I would expect us to beat, and whilst starting well won't be a million miles ahead of us in the league. They've done things a lot better but c'est la vie, not much point b!tching about it though we can discuss it for academic purposes.

We have our own way of doing things, are punching above our weight and look set to do so for the foreseeable future. Doesn't mean we shouldn't always strive for better but hardly a catastrophe. If there's anything we can learn from BHA then great but until then I'm more concerned with Palace and whilst it doesn't explain the never ending wait for a RB and no incoming wingers, we're not doing too badly at all in my books.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Good try!

And to be fair I do like the fact that Roy has come out and said it.

Given we've got a solid 2nd string back 5. I really hope we get to see some of the attacking kids have a go.