Palace are a mediocre mid table Premier club and that is the reality of the zenith of what can be achieved with the current finances.
Ten years ago that seemed like a pipe dream, but some fans get bored and expect us to play free flowing football and challenging for Europe. In my 50 odd years of supporting Palace there have only been about 2 or 3 seasons when we achieved that 78-79 and 90-91 spring to mind, the rest we grind out results with the occasional top 6 scalp.
Staying in the Premier is the limit of our realistic ambitions, unless a billionaire steps forward and has no concern about throwing money away, there are very few of them about.

Palace are a mediocre mid table Premier club and that is the reality of the zenith of what can be achieved with the current finances.
Ten years ago that seemed like a pipe dream, but some fans get bored and expect us to play free flowing football and challenging for Europe. In my 50 odd years of supporting Palace there have only been about 2 or 3 seasons when we achieved that 78-79 and 90-91 spring to mind, the rest we grind out results with the occasional top 6 scalp.
Staying in the Premier is the limit of our realistic ambitions, unless a billionaire steps forward and has no concern about throwing money away, there are very few of them about.

Palace are a mediocre mid table Premier club and that is the reality of the zenith of what can be achieved with the current finances.
Ten years ago that seemed like a pipe dream, but some fans get bored and expect us to play free flowing football and challenging for Europe. In my 50 odd years of supporting Palace there have only been about 2 or 3 seasons when we achieved that 78-79 and 90-91 spring to mind, the rest we grind out results with the occasional top 6 scalp.
Staying in the Premier is the limit of our realistic ambitions, unless a billionaire steps forward and has no concern about throwing money away, there are very few of them about.

If you have been a supporter for 5 months or 50 years, is irrelevant.

You don't go against your DNA, just to stay in the league.

The majority of fans are not asking or expecting free flowing football, majority of fans are not expecting top 7 finishes.

The majority of upset fans are asking to see youth come through - it's not happening. Players that fit and work the system with a manager that has a plan b - it's not happening.

The club adhering to a budget - it's not happening.

If palace finished 15th every season, with one youth player breaking into the team each year. With one player moving on to bigger things being replaced by a younger player with potential.. with a scouting network providing us with reasonable signings that compliment the squad, that ultimately get their money back - that's the goal, surely?

No Wickham's, no Benteke, no Sako's - knowing when to sell the likes of Zaha and PVA, with younger lads breaking through.. that's what we want to see.

A club comfortable in the league, the squad being used and playing with passion, for the badge... it's academy working well, the scouts doing well, the manager with a clear aim.... that should be goal.

Like others have said... a billion has past through our club, if went down next season, what would ti have acheived, our 9 years in the prem?

Everton have been a may stay, in the prem - producing some talent - Rooney, Dunne, Jeffers etc - yes, they spent big to break into Europe - that's the difference, if they didn't, would they have still been around the same mid table positions, I believe so.

Our goal, each season should be to get to 40 points in record time, no less and to enjoy the cup runs. It's that simple.

You don't need to break the bank to do that, but you do need a good infrastructure in place.

Whilst I admire the club putting money into academy for Cat 1 status, is it really going to work ?

If a big club come calling then having Cat 1 status may not matter at all, they will choose the big club.

Look at Jaden Raymond, had it been the likes of Chelsea or Liverpool after him instead of Leeds and the Portugese side, would he have decided on Palace ?