I know the finishing positions ta.

On and off the field they are a significantly better outfit.

Progression isn't going to be completely linear, and nor can it be solely measured by a league position. Whilst we were signing players for out first team, they were investing in creating world class talent for the future, and completely revolutionising the way the team played.

Potter is highly regarded by some of the best in the game. And regardless of it not working out, the fact that Chelsea poached him is a good yardstick for his standing in the game.

I see Potter as an innovative coach with some interesting ideas but not at this stage capable of managing a top club.
He was clearly losing his way at Chelsea with confused ideas and tactics , although in fairness it’s a basket case of a club to manage with its bloated squad and inflated egos.
I think he will rebuild his career elsewhere, but personally I’m not sure about him at Palace.
You could see him experimenting with Eze at wing back or Olise as a false 9.
For Palace at the moment simplicity is the key.
Players in their correct positions playing in a system they can understand enabling them to show what they are capable of.
Hopefully a manager with a sufficient distance from the players so that boundaries are clear.
It never looked right from the club videos with Vieira engaging in banter with the players as if he was one of the players.
Somehow you can’t imagine a Pep or Klopp doing this.
I’m not suggesting alienating the players or the so called ‘hairdryer treatment,’ but do believe there should be a distance between manager and players so relationships are clear.
When things are going well on the field it’s fine to be all pals, but it does make it more difficult when things are going badly and the manager needs to exert authority and impart news the players may not like to hear.

Fair point. But he's a Croydon boy. He 'gets' the club.
I'm not sure Potter would (and I don't think Vieira did)

I had the same pessimistic, knee-jerk reaction as many did when Roy was announced however I wouldn't be against this if things play out as they may do hypothetically:

Roy was always utilised as he did/would not spit a dummy out of the pram apropos lack of investment in team and was able to keep us afloat in doing so. That translates for many as him being a boring, uninspired manager however as noted with Fulham he can operate differently when he doesn't need a 8/9/10 man block just to stop the goals flowing in due to lack of options and talent.

Team looks a lot better on paper now, we need to invest and hopefully will do so effectively with players out of contract and just not good enough in some areas. Hopefully the Americans will see to that as they purportedly wanted to before Parish put brakes on and in light of a worrying three months this season.

A better looking squad needing the yes grandfatherly but nonetheless well experienced and equally skilled Hodgson drilling and moulding them into an effective unit could well be within the realms of possibility so whilst perhaps fanciful not complete rubbish to entertain.

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

I am certainly not expecting to see Benitez at our club.

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Maybe if Parish wanted, he could give Roy a season extension to oversee the summer window where there will be lots of comings and goings, including Wilf probably? Roy has great experience and knows Palace so well...

I am a bit aghast about the press talk of getting Mr Cooper from Forest.

I am sure his coaching skills are better than his media persona.

Personally I wouldn't object to Rodgers or Potter but there is plenty of time to get this sorted and I am sure there are others 'beneath the radar' that would be suitable.

My 2 concerns about having Roy next season -
a) Age obviously
b) He is too easily manageable by the board, by that I mean that if they say there is no money for new players he will accept it & get on with doing the job as best he can, if that happens we will eventually end up back where we were 2 seasons ago - in terms of the oldest squad in the league - (whichever League that happened to be in)

In a recent conversation concerning Mr Hodgson some gentleman said to me that Bert Head was in his 70s when he left our club, but I respectfully informed him that Head was in his late 50s when Malcolm Allison was appointed as his successor.

Edited by Willo (03 Apr 2023 1.52pm)

There could of course be a different ownership structure.