Does PV believe in the capability of the team?

For me there have been many questionable decisions made this season in set up and approach, especially considering the talent in the squad.
We are light defensively in the middle but more than capable of opening any team up.

Thought last night we had turned a corner in terms of approach and desire.
But when PV was asked by the BBC 'how close are this Palace team to being where you want them to be?' he replied 'still far and a very long way to go' and generally seemed like he doesn't have any belief in the team.

For me, this reply almost highlights his approach to games, tactics and subs this season.

I thought he would be the first person to lead and get the team fighting for it but it doesn't seem like it.
last night i think it was more the ref's shambles that got them fired up for the 2nd half.

Agreed. I don't read too much into what PV said it's a standard reply most managers give. I mean how could he be satisfied it's not like we are winning trophies and spanking the other top 6 each week.

PV is a winner with a winner's mentality I doubt he will ever be satisfied even if he was managing Citeh.

I understand and agree with some of the points raised however would also add for context:

- PV hasn't been here all that long - style, philosophy and squad components may take a far longer time to get up to speed/style/requirements for the manager

- He has started to build a very good, young team

- It is still a young team (key components anyways)

- It's the best Palace side I've seen if not ever for a very long time

- We didn't do a whole lot of recruitment in the summer and thus the midfield is quite light, easy to underestimate how much that affects things

- Busy fixture list in bonkers year, rotation may be necessary

So all in all yes, it's lacklustre performances that kill my spirit more than anything. The commonplace sh!t referees, bad luck, poor squad etc can all be dispiriting however when the team look like they're not 'trying' it vanquishes all hope and ignites the passionate anger.

As I see it, we are light on numbers, the squad is young, as is the manager, but we are currently playing far better football than we ever have, the squad has room to improve yet still performing effectively (would have killed for PL mid-table obscurity years past) and on top of all of this, PV looks to be hinting to a longer term project - stability. PV is also trying to establish his 'style' of football here, which is an attractive and effective one, as opposed to the grit, blood and guts of years past. We've had Pulis, Allardyce and Roy for that and whilst it got us through was hardly bliss. We've also won games we've been losing in the second halves this season, perhaps PV does fire them up more than we realise.

The gripes are required in football, there's no time nor space for the burying of heads or deluding yourself however I, for one, am still very optimistic. Can all go wrong in the blink of an eye and I maintain the right to panic, moan and despair as a Palace fan but the fuel for the optimistic fire is more abundant now than I ever expected it to be.

COYP

Some good points made in response to the OP.

I would like to add that in my view the PV ' project ' is still very much work in progress. If you look back to Brighton's first couple of seasons under Potter, they may have being playing decent football but that wasn't being reflected in their results. But over time their squad was developed, Potters style imbedded and hence their top ten finish last season.

Palace are now in the second season of playing PV's brand of football and I think we are well placed to push on and steadily improve. There are areas that need strengthening for sure. If we address that then I think we have every reason to be positive for the immediate future.