It would have been nice if he had been given the chance to get through a difficult spell, but it seems there was stuff going on behind the scenes, Derry and PV's recruits clearly did not fit, and looking at the improved performances, not only of Eze and Olise, but of Doucoure, you have to say Parrish has been vindicated, though I was very anti the sacking at the time. PV won't be described as a failure here though, it's a mixed record with far more positives than negatives, criticising PV for playing players out of position is a bit unfair, do you give good players a different role or bad players a familiar one? Schlupp is best as an attacking midfielder, but it's fair to expect him to play a bit deeper to help Doucoure even though Schlupp's positional sense isn't the best (though I think it improved under PV). Younger managers can over-complicate things maybe, sometimes it's just about an arm round the shoulder or a kick up the *rse, Eze and Olise play with a 'smile on their face', off the ball they need to frown a bit more, and that's what we're getting with Roy back in charge - 'aggression off the ball' as the great man said after the Leeds game.

He didn't see it because there was no '' massive decline ''.

In February 22 Palace were in 12th place in the table, 8 points away from the relegation zone.

Last season ended with 1 defeat in the last 6 games.

I referenced a report that said that Palace were considering sacking Vieira as long ago as February 22. I also wrote that such an action would be hard to justify given the placing in the league at that time.

Old, Ungifted and White

I don't remember anyone complaining when we smashed Arsenal 3-0 in April, or beat United on the final day, or when we won 4-0 against Everton in the cup in March. If that is a massive decline then sign me up!

Well said, Anerley Eagle!

There can be no doubt that despite relatively poor team investment during more recent transfer windows, that Vieira left a stronger team in the hands of Hodgson than what the former inherited. Pre-Vieira, we played too defensively and over-cautiously with so many fans bemoaning the lack of attacking bite. Vieira shifted the dial enabling Palace players to move with more confidence and flair yet always cohesively - egos always parked back in the changing room (if allowed anywhere near the club unlike the travails at certain other Prem clubs).

Perhaps it was more of a case of other Prem teams also reading more into Vieira's tactical approach second season in charge and whilst the goals up front dried up in a particularly tough run of matches against top flight teams post World Cup, Palace still managed to pull together creditable (if not impressive) draws against many with individual errors all too often out of PV's hands.

Hodgson's age means that he's not going to be a long term managerial appt therefore the chance to see him work alongside Vieira within a consultative, nurturing capacity, might've been a better option. Hodgson has clearly been able to move on from the tactics of old under his previous reign and move into territory more fruitful by way of scores yet there is undeniably some influence of Vieira's strategy at the heart of his new managerial style. Only caveat is that Palace still have periods of the game, when they resort to soaking up pressure rather than dictating the game - Leeds were profligate with opportunities on Sunday (and also known for dropping off come second half). Better teams will exploit when Palace waste possession and drop off themselves. Southampton and West Ham alone should provide sterner tests.

A fair assessment as to why PV,had to go!!

[Link]

I was referring to both, there was a clear decline in form 2/3s through last season, which was noticeable, and just after Christmas we looked a complete shambles, i posted on Jan 22nd he should go, and if he didn't we would be relegated.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn