Undoubtedly one of our greatest ever players, and we have a lot to be thankful to him for, but respect goes two ways; constantly going to the press to say you want to leave is clearly going to tarnish your status with fans, but I'm not sure that keeps him awake at night.

Wilf needs to get his head down and make sure he starts the season like he did last season and prove he's not losing it. If Olise beds in well and Eze comes back from his injury fine then come January either we'll be exceeding expectations and he might want to stay, or we'll be in a stronger position to let him leave. My worry is with his family running his affairs we might get a pantomime situation again.

Benitez likes proven pros so there is still the chance Everton might come in and he can at least pretend he's moving to a big club.

I am very grateful for all that Wilf has done for us. He has been brilliant and without him, we almost certainly would not have remained in the PL.

HOWEVER, he has become his own worst enemy with his on-field histrionics and his regular pleas for a transfer out. He thinks he's better than he currently is. His performances against the so-called 'Big Six' PL teams last season (apart from that early game against an undercooked Man U) were somewhat underwhelming and yet he expects one of them to come in for him.

I would like him to stay but ONLY if he stops his silly on-field antics every time he loses the ball in a challenge and provided he works with the new exciting talented players we have bought in and the talented ones we are bringing through rather than seeing them as rivals for his Palace throne, which was an impression I gained as Eze's stock rose in the second half of last season.

I'm not convinced he will change, however, and his continued presence could prove to be a negative influence if he carries on displaying his reluctance at still being with us.

All-in-all, it may be better for both Wilf and Palace if he moves on in this window and we concentrate on building a new more vibrant squad.

Where did you hear this about Olise as I read that he was a doubt for the Walsall game. If he is as bad as you say then it surely would have been publicised as such.

Bring back Brolin

When he tells the club, fans he want out, for the last 2/3 seasons.. when we see a dip in performance, regardless of reasoning, it doesn't resonate well with hard working, paying fans.

He has a persona to him where he is damned if he doesn't, damned if he does.... he's that kinda guy.

When we see other professionals just get their head down, then that's the comparison.

This was once a quality forum....

I agree with what you say. it could just be me but I sense a change of rhetoric from the board on the subject. I get the sense if a fair offer comes in they will take it. I think this is for 2 reasons Firstly his wages which are a burden for a club of our size and also the economic climate. Secondly the constant leaking to press he wants to leave - I feel they are sick of this and he is losing or maybe has lost the sympathy of directors and even seen as damaging for morale.

Wilf has a descision to make as there appear to be no offers for him. He will have seen other high wage owners contracts not be renewed and where they have its on reduced terms. He should be wondering where this leaves him. He has 2 years left on deal and is unlikely to get as good a deal elsewhere both in terms of support from club and supporters and also his financial package. I would have thought his advisors would be pointing this out to him and even suggesting that extending his contract with club be explored with a buy out clause included. ie he extends for 2 years and is allowed to talk to any club who offers in excess of £60 million. I realise this is more than he is worth in the current depressed market. However it gives him the opportunity to prove to buyers he is worth it which means we get a motivated player potentially on a lower financial package (as his current package was designed to remove the buy out)

Wilf must see the irony in Townsend getting picked up by Everton