As others have said very little flair or attacking quality in there. Most can do a job as an up and down or defensive mid at lower premier league level but bring little in the final third. Meyer has only shown flashes when the opposition defend deep.

Roy hasn’t had much choice but to use defensive midfielders because it’s all we have. He was happy enough to use RLC and Cabaye last season and has persevered with Schlupp because he can run with ball and maybe nick a goal although IMO he’s not at the level needed.

But it is his choice to have them playing so deep and not getting into the box, leaving the striker isolated.

All I’ve said there is the case atm, unless you’re saying Parish has planned ahead and isn’t hoping a buyer comes in.

Of course there is a practical argument.

And it's based around people having an inflated view of the abilities of the squad and the merits or otherwise of Max Meyer, and the way they are managed.

really, I didn’t mention any individuals I merely said our team are capable of playing a different style of football given the chance.

You use the top 2 clubs as a comparison to the way Palace play. Are you being realistic in doing so ?

no I didn’t, I said the top two teams play in a certain way, I didn’t compare us to them, I said they are successful by pressing high up the field and having a fluid attack

The Premier League has become a League within a League. Take a look at the table and the gap between the those top 2 and then the next 4 clubs. Then look at the gap between 6th and 7th place. The top 2 have the resources and players available that make their systems work for them.

so are their players so much better and fitter that they alone can press high up the field. I’m pretty sure our players could do that

Like it or not, the Pardew and FDB argument is relative to this discussion. Those appointments were both made with the intention of changing the style of football. Pardew had limited success and FDB - well, not given a real chance but recent history suggests that Parish was right to take early action.

not sure I understand your point, I made the point that they were failed experiments because of their flaws.

I'm encouraged by your acknowledgement of Hodgson's defensive organisation. I don't fully agree that he is stifling talent. AWB is progressing well. Townsend has performed far better under Roy than he did under the manager that signed him, Pardew. Zaha would have had a more consistent season had he not have been played out of position when required. We lack flair players in midfield.

The jury is divided when it comes to Meyer. But his inability to hold down a regular place is being blamed solely on Hodgson which I think is unfair.

i didn’t mention Meyer at all so not sure what you mean, however my own opinion of Meyer is that he is very talented but needs to settle in the PL.

Hodgson is by no means perfect. Could he do better ? - Yes. The home form and overall performances have been dire overall and I think this is clouding people's judgement. The 2 performances against Brighton were hugely disappointing.

i couldn’t agree more with this paragraph

But I'll say it again - the dividing lines in our part of the league are thin. If we had taken 6 points from Brighton we would be above West Ham and 11th. And Brighton would be in the bottom 3.

not sure of the relevance of something that didn’t happen

If Steve Parish decides to part company with Roy in the summer, that's his decision to make. Ultimately he is a businessman with a lot of money at stake. And that's when the emotion has to come out of it. He may well decide that his investment is in safe hands under Roy....