It has been such an appalling season culminating in that shambles of a display on Saturday that any change of tactics and/or players has the feel of re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

That said, with just 14 games left to avoid relegation I think that Sam Allardyce has little option but to re-assess what he's got. There are players who are trying and still putting the effort in but who's confidence seems to be shot and players that already seem to have given up and are playing like they're thinking about their next contract. Maybe Sam should be identifying such leaders and strong characters that he's got at his disposal and build a team around them as a short term measure over the last 14 games.

Hopefully, in this context, our four new signings can make a significant contribution.

Don't be mean Dave. I like what you post. Same for that grump Rudi. I will read it properly now.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

I thought he meant they were of a time before Madonna?

Hold on jist a minute Old Fella!

To be fair to Townsend he does seem to have started to apply himself.

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The Ferret
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I wouldn't necessarily make too many changes unless injury forces it.

Palace like Leicester and to a lesser degree Bournemouth have not suddenly become bad players. Confidence is rock bottom.

The players who were already low on confidence have been asked to play a new system, it's not easy. The key to efficient and successful team work is individuals understanding their role and how it fits into the overall objective. Back to basics with a couple of players switched out.