I do get the point but this tactic doesn't always work in football and can backfire spectacularly.. here's hoping!

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

Yeah, I completely agree. Just my personal opinion of course but I think Dele/VDB do not offer much promise in terms of getting back firing but you, or certainly I, never know. Just seems as though their names might far outrank their actual ability to contribute currently.

Any incomings are always going to evoke feelings of excitement and optimism however I am not too sad for us to miss out on what could potentially be a washed up, tw@ of a player in Alli or very expensive & ineffective VDB Again, could go the complete opposite way, but I definitely hope for the former if they end up at Everton.

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

Once we settled our nerves Liverpool didn't enjoy paying us, I know key players were missing for them but then the same could be said for us, we are much better then you realise.

I think Watford are the banker. Roy cannot be expected to always pull a rabbit out of the hat. They lack quality, haven't added any, don't have the same cohesive group we do and the fans don't believe as ours do. Roy took a while to get things running at Palace, but he had almost a full season.

Norwich have had a revival. I think we will burst their balloon next week, and they will start to struggle again. They are lightweight.

Burnley ought to go down. Ugly team.

Newcastle have spent enough, Everton have the class under the surface and Leeds will surely find some form.

So Watford, Norwich and Burnley.

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.

I actually think that was a mistake by Newcastle. They overpaid for an out-of-form player. Burnley have replaced him for half the money with a player with a great scoring record in the Bundesliga who is in much better form and is younger and who is still a giant at 6'6". I'd find it hilarious if their plan backfired and rather than weakening their relegation rival they strengthened them. Having said that Burnley really did need at least one or two more deals. It'll be tough for them now.

Now the window has closed, my view of the strugglers (in no particular order):

Watford: Got their business done early so if the new players are good enough, they'll be fully bedded in by the time the Prem resumes. Bringing in Roy was probably the "signing of the window" in terms of setting yourself up for a relegation battle.

Norwich: They brought in the right manager but they haven't strengthened the side and it looks to me like their focus is on promotion in 2022/3. By far the weakest team I've seen this season and have done nothing to get better.

Newcastle: Burn, Targett, et al are for me exactly the sort of players they needed. Not "big names" but proper, experienced, Prem battlers. No question their defense will improve, though it may be another month before everyone's really bedded in. Their big issue remains where the goals come from. If scoring is the question, Chris Wood, even though he makes them better generally, probably isn't the answer.

Leeds: Been a horrible season for them but my sense is that with injured players returning they'll just about have enough to stay away from serious trouble. Might be less comfortable than they think, though.

Everton: I've always thought they were in trouble and I think the next four weeks or so are critical. Lampard needs a fast start, good results, and to get everyone (fans included) pulling in the same direction. A slow start and a couple more bad results and things have the potential to go downhill fast. As players, I like the idea of resurrecting Van De Beek and Alli. But honestly, does anyone think these are two good signings in the middle of a relegation battle?

Burnley: The million-dollar question is whether the Dutchman scores goals. If Cornet comes back from injury strong and Weghorst has a fast start, you can't argue that Sean Dyche knows what he's doing in a relegation battle. They also have a lot of games in hand which could be a plus (pick up points quickly) or a minus (tiredness).

For me: Norwich go down. But among the other five, which two will be a very close run thing. I'm still picking Newcastle for the drop. They've improved in the window particularly at the back but goals win games and I'm not sure they have enough of those in the side. I'm also not convinced Eddie Howe is the man you want leading a relegation battle. And I'd probably take Watford as the third side to drop though, conversely, of the bottom sides they're also the one I can see as most likely to go on a run of results. I think the arrival of Roy is the most positive addition that any of the bottom sides have made in the window.

From a personal point of view, I'd love to see Everton go down and I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility though all-in-all, I think they'll end up safe.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.