Utter Bull crap. They aren't idiots, they were running multi-million dollar investments, not buying a condo in Spain.

And there has been investment, look at the published financials. With FFP the Prem isn't a poker game, they can't just throw whatever money they have on the table. The big six made sure they were the last teams able to do that went they set up the new FFP rules. (And even they might get caught out). I should add there a MUCH stricter rules in North American sports that level the playing field between all teams. The Prem is much ore of a pay-to-play league.

Even if they COULD put in loads of cash, there isn't much of a business case for it. 100 million would not take us top 6, which is the next step for making much more money, or even top half --look at Fulham and Wolves. Cash is no guarantee.

If I was on their investment team, the plan would be to build up the pipeline (academy, grounds, stadium, scouting network, links with clubs in other leagues) as well as the value of the brand. All of which take considerable time. With FFP the Chelsea / ManCity route are closed, the only way to build a reliable top 8(?) team is the Spurs route, signing and training teenagers into stars worth tens of millions.

Relegation possibility would be known and planned for. Short-term investment in the squad (1-3 years) would be to keep the team (ideally) safely out of the zone. Of course with limited transfer windows and injuries there is still risk. So if relegation happens you keep enough financial flexibility that with the parachute payments you spend big to get back up quickly (like Newcastle, Burnley, etc.) before the brand takes too big a hit.

If you are down for more than the 3 years of the parachute payments, you sell and write it all off

It's also total horses***.

============
The Ferret
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No transfers today, let's just get on with enjoying rest of season

Hasn't stopped Wolves and Foolem spending a huge amount on players, or Bournemouth with almost £35 million this window on 2 players ? Whatever the ramifications for Palace it doesn't look on paper that it is working.

Edited by Booted Eagle (31 Jan 2019 6.54pm)

“ [T]here are known knowns; there are things we know that we know.There are known unknowns; that is to say there are things that, we now know we don't know.But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know. ”
—United States Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld

Is op dazza about tonight or has he high tailed it back to his sauce ?

Very concerned if no-one else is signed. Sky sports reporting that nothing is on the cards. With less than 4 hours to go it looks bleak.

It was obvious we weren't signing anyone a month a go.
Surely no one is still surprised.

But wait. Getting Benteke fit is like a new signing.

It's gonna be a long end of season... As usual.

Tells you all need to know..!!

Steve P's ego and lack of associated investment will cost us in the long run. I personally don't think it will be this season - but ultimately it will catch up with us.

Don't get me wrong Steve P has overseen the most successful era for our Club. Rescuing us from going going out of existence and to where we are now and he should be rightfully/totally recognised for that.

But his time is run and if we are going to continue at this level - he needs to step aside and let someone with sufficient resources/vision to take us forward.

Then Steve P can sit back with his "Mate" Mark Bright and say look what I did..!!

How do you know that Roy brought in the players that he doesn't play as it sounds to me like someone else brought in players that he doesn't fancy

Only useful if we can play 1-2-5-3 formation