Hasn’t Roy even stated he doesn’t get the Brighton rivalry?

Just the point I was making in my email to club glad to see others feel the same way:

The group hung a banner outside the training ground that read: "Palace pandemic of apathy. Change this mentality. Restore the pride, ambition and vision."

The banner was accompanied by an open letter, published on Twitter, that criticised the club's "safety first" approach to games.

The statement read: "Losing games without a fight, flair players shackled in negative formations, a lack of leadership and pride on the pitch. This is not the Palace way.

"Our 'safety first' approach is being exposed and our spineless defensive tactics show no ambition or vision. Unused spaces on the subs bench instead of adding youth players to the first team bubble highlights the lack of inspiration.

"'Consolidating' just above the relegation zone with no plan for progress is not sustainable and breeds a negative atmosphere. This and the continued for cup competitions shows a lack of respect towards supporters.

"We must re-evaluate our long-term vision and use this opportunity with so many expiring contracts to make substantial changes across the club to rebuild with the spirit and mentality of the promotion squad."

"Committed winners fighting for the shirt, attacking football and youth put front and centre - at the very least given a genuine chance. A transfer policy based around young, Championship players and others desperate to make an impact, not overpaid 'marquee signings'."

"Restore the positive values and together we will push forward. Anyone not aligned with these should not be involved.

"The committed supporters deserve better. The club is sitting on huge potential but apathy is limiting ambition.

"Brighton next Monday will expose those who care and those who don't."

That was Holloway before we lost 0-3 there in Championship.

Tbf I think a lot of what has been stated is slowly happening.

Academy is coming along very nicely.

We no longer make marquee signings but let's be honest most of us were happy when we did - Cabaye, Benteke and Sakho made a real statement of intent. However for one reason or another they've not fully worked out and has since restricted our transfer business massively.

I'd say our current transfer policy has shifted to young potential Eze, Mateta and Fergusson (yes one not even played yet) but it's a step in the right direction. Something we'll need to do a lot more of in the summer.

Most costly, underperforming out of contract players will be leaving in the summer which will hopefully help our new approach.

As for the football on the pitch that's obviously the thing which has been getting us down, and for good reason as it's been dire at times (currently further compounded by our injuries). I'm all for a change in style but that won't change overnight especially with our current squad. Ironically I think for the rest of the season we actually need to become more defensively solid by playing 3 central midfielders. Calling for attacking football now with our current defence seems to me as footballing suicide.

My dream scenario is we can pick up points soon, the board can announce before the end of the season that a new manager will be coming in allowing Roy to get some plaudits for keeping us in the league and a nice end to his career. Then we can go full swing into the offseason overhaul... but maybe I'm dreaming.

My overall feeling is that despite the current state of affairs looking pretty bad on the pitch it's not quite as doom and gloom behind the scenes... however survival clearly means everything going forwards... so let's go get 3pts at Brighton please

Edited by samprior (17 Feb 2021 12.00pm)

Edited by samprior (17 Feb 2021 12.01pm)

Edited by samprior (17 Feb 2021 12.02pm)

Edited by samprior (17 Feb 2021 12.18pm)

I'd imagine Parish will do with the letter what most people in power, authority, or a position of responsibility do. Ignore it, or pretend to not ignore it whilst ignoring it.

Some of this will be down to a touch of arrogance and defensiveness, traits all human beings have. Partly it will be due to the practical consideration that democracy and mass involvement in decision making doesn't result in effective organisations.

In the main though it will be down to the long-established, plainly evident fact of the matter: That however articulate or passionate the complaint, the vast majority of people complaining from the outside of an organisation know next to f*** all about how to run it in the real world.