Don't want Wilf to go, and don't think he will, but this does smack of an agent stirring things up and try to hold the club to ransom over one of its prize assets.

When Cabaye came in I think everyone accepted we'd broken the wage structure for a 'world class' player (hopefully we'll see it more this season) and it didn't cause any issues. But now with Benteke, and probably Townsend, arriving on big salaries suddenly the agents player has dropped down the salary list and the agent needs to be doing some 'work' (sh!t stirring) to get his client a better contract. Yala's way was to leave, Wilf's may be to, but I think he'll get an improved deal. Trouble is, whose next ..... Dann, Punch, McArthur?

That said, while Wilf and Yala have been great for raising the profile of the club in the Premier League and giving neutrals a reason to watch, as has been said numerous times, the actual end product is still sadly way short of what the skill and talent should produce, and the team needs.

For those of us old enough to remember, perhaps we need to revert to more direct wing play like in the days of Salako and McGoldrick, fast counter attacking wingers who could cross a ball without the need to 5 stepovers and tricks.

Zaha, now that bolasie has left, is probably my favourite player, purely because of the championship days where he was a complete animal. I agree that he is pretty ineffective, no use being exciting and unpredictable if you can't get crosses in the box that can actually find someone. Never trust him in front of goal, just always fails to score. However I do t think we should get rid of him if we have a choice. We can't change stuff too quickly, we are known for our flying wingers, bolasie and zaha would probably be the 2 players that people associate palace with and we are going to get rid of both of them?

At least get a f***ing replacement in first. Can't help but feel that our team is falling apart in front of us

I love Wilf too but can anybody honestly say that he is a better player now than he was three years ago. I dont think his game has improved at all

haha joel ward for England looks almost laughable now

I disagree. He has been the same under several managers & coaching teams here as well as at Manure.

During that game at the tampax I thought he'd come of age but it seems it may have been him having a "Butterfield" moment. He clearly has a huge potential but there is something stopping him going to that next level - he's already had two defining moments this season and seemingly bottled both. The vids of his finishing in training look top class but during games he seems more like a rabbit in the headlights than a world beater in front of goal.

Great asset to the club & great to watch (albeit frustrating at times) but going to a so-called big club to be a smaller fish in a bigger pond can only damage his confidence and have a derogatory effect on his game.

Someone needs to have a word with him and, preferably, hoof his agent in the slats and tell him to **** off.

Edited by Nobbybm (26 Aug 2016 12.07am)

Will this be five? It's gonna be five! It IS five!

I feel the opposite to OP. I'm excited by the transition to a different set-up. Zaha/Bolasie as someone has said hve been well sussed and it seems to me that they're not going to improve much - so best time to sell. I'm fed up with hoofball and individual flashes of brilliance that score 10/10 for artistic impression but zero on the scoreboard. Townsend delivers. I want more of the same.

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