There is some mileage in this. Apart from Spurs on 5 November there is a continuous run of winnable/drawable games from October 21 to December 23.

Dangerously, this is reliant on being injury-free during the period.

If our form/luck improves Tottenham remain vulnerable at Wembley. I am optimistic that a lucky goal or even a good one will take that voodoo off us. Players returning from injury. The future is bright. And all said and done, I've been on the rollercoaster that is Crystal Palace for over 50 years now and will still wake up tomorrow a fan all be it a little miserable one at this current time. I'm now looking forward to the next episode as you couldn't write this script!

We have several winnable games from October - January, and with sakho and Wilf fully fit and integrated into the team we still have a great chance to get points on the board, and pull out the relegation zone.

I would much rather be in this position now than in March-April.

It is not over yet - not by a long shot!!!

The next 3 games are a bit of a red herring in the overall scheme of things. None of the bottom half will get many points from Man U, Man City or Chelsea. If we do then it will be a bonus. we are just unfortunate that they all come along at once which makes it seem worse than it really is. The damage was caused by the first 5 games in which we really ought to have come away with at least 8 or 9 points. We know we have the players. Having only one fit striker is a concern of course but so long as he can stay fit and get his confidence back what a striker he is! If Benteke gets injured then our ability to adapt is going to be challenged but I still think we have the capacity to handle it. We have also left one space unfilled, so presumably would look to find a free agent replacement if needed.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Obviously as we've had on paper the easiest start possible. But we're doing it the Palace way...

Hopefully somehow that starts with 3 points against City.

COYP