I think I’m in the calm your pants category, I really don’t get the anger and poison thrown around, especially on Twitter. It’s disgusting some of the filth directed at Parish and other fans who seem a bit more laid back about things and are happy the way the club is run. And some of the negativity is unreal, you wonder why some people bother with their constant moaning and bleating

Other teams may throw more money at it than us, but it doesn’t always mean they’re actually ‘strengthening’ their teams. A lot of money is wasted on average players who don’t actually work out, especially in todays crazy over priced market. Yes we might need a couple more players, but as fans we just sit on our arses watching the games for 90/100 minutes either at selhurst or on TV and can forget it after the game. Parish has to run the club and has it on his plate 24/7, and we know nothing about what is fully involved in bringing just one player in

No panic from me, if we have a mare and go down, it’s not the end of the world, I’ll still be there enjoying the ride the next season, but if we do have a decent season then it’s a bonus

Edited by monkey (11 Aug 2023 7.00pm)

Edited by monkey (11 Aug 2023 7.08pm)

So same old, same old then that’ll do for me

I don't see there is a reason to panic just yet. Basically, we have the team that finished last season well albeit beating the teams we should beat. Olise is injured which is a downside but he is still our player (just). Lerma as you note helps strengthen our midfield as against that of last year.

Our performances in the most recent pre-season games were reasonable.

Panic might well set in if we lose Olise and one other key player and they are not replaced with quality.

Panic might also set in if we get beaten by Sheff U tomorrow given their dire situation.

Without going on a rant, we have a clear issue with our tactical system and our squad. We play three up top, two inside forwards/ inverted wingers. We haven't got any wingers except a long term injured one and maybe three players who can just about play there. That's not good enough - and is what Roy is talking about exactly.
That said, however, who we do have in their proper positions are good enough to keep us up. I'm thinking tough it out til Christmas - fourth or fifth from bottom, then slightly improve second half of the season as Olise comes back, or we settle on a wide player. Then we might genuinely hit the heady heights of twelfth or so.
I wouldn't expect much out of the ordinary. I hope for a cup run every year but you have to remember how terrible some of the big teams are. They're going to need to win something - so it's the usual even if we do make the latter stages.

Red and Blue Army!

It relies on that old gem of needing to gel - again coming back to what I said. Say, we already had Nelson - I would feel like we would do better. But now, they need to get used to our set up, system and personnel. I feel we've missed a trick by not sorting out at least part of our wide areas quickly enough to hit the ground running. That said, I think we'll beat Sheffield and a couple of others at least. However, I expect Forest and Bournemouth to be around us this year - with better squads. As you point out - our man is Eze. We're almost in the Wilf situation with his importance to the team right now.

Edited by ASCPFC (11 Aug 2023 9.20pm)

Red and Blue Army!

Some good posts and just about all reflect the spectrum of my thinking.

I’d suggest there’s a difference between expectations and desire. We can all articulate that which we desire and should retain a right to do so. Spitting a dummy out due to lack of getting all you desire is at the very least, and as implied, juvenile on the other hand.

Then there’s (reasonable) expectation. My expectation would be that, knowing Wilf leaving was a distinct possibility, and having played 4-3-3 for some time now, we’d of at least brought a winger in (especially when he did go) and we have not. We’ve needed a RB for some time now too. I think Lerma is as a very good get however going into the season without any wingers and yet again no RB, so not even an obvious or coherent starting XI, for me constitutes being below a reasonable expectation. I think it fair to say we need a better striker but who doesn’t (Citeh perhaps) so that’s more desire with the expectation being for at least some players to support whoever plays there.

I therefore think, as things stand, we are probably below reasonable expectations in any instance but the greater fear is only being one or two moves away from being in far more impending trouble: Olise or other leaving, losing to SHU, an injury or two and no further incomings as some examples.

My hope is of course for at least a couple new signings before the window slams shut, a clean bill of health, a win to kick off the season and maybe some more points in the following games. None of that feels guaranteed however… and my stomach and heart will always brace for the opposite!

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