We have gone from possible fourth to relegation in the space of one short post.

The performance today was by all accounts well below what we have enjoyed in the past 7 games and a loss was coming given the way we defended at Burnley shipping 3 goals and against a Villa side buoyed with the arrival of a new manager. We do have a thin squad and quite clear that for the likes of Gallagher and Zaha and the side in general we are reliant on James Mac; without him we lose the link up and cleverness in midfield. We haven’t been able to replicate him or find a plan B.

Today was hopefully just a bad day at the office and a quick chance to make amends on Tuesday at Leeds.

A wake up call yes, top 4 not a chance and the same for relegation.

We are a work in progress and there will be highs and lows along the way. 12th and above would be a success in my opinion and that was before today’s defeat.

Bring back Brolin

I think 52 years watching Palace does that to you

“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

There's been a rush to judgement on Vieira, and indeed on the relative strength of the side.

It's a long season and we need much more of it before we get the complete picture. The real test doesn't come until bad form and injuries.

Nicer football to watch though.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Yesterday may have delivered a reality check to those carried away by a run of decent performances.

Old, Ungifted and White

Agree. Never going to be top four but we avoided relegation last season, played some atrocious football and are surely better this time round.
Before yesterday we had lost only to Liverpool and Chelsea. Comfortably, but no disgrace there.
If I'd been told that from the games against Citeh and Burnley away and Wolves and Villa at home we'd pick up seven points, I'd have settled for that. But of course if we can beat Wolves at home, beating Villa shouldn't be impossible. To set up with Kouyate and Milivojevic at home against Villa looked too defensive. P.V. still has those moments of doubt: almost as if he can't quite believe how well the team can play when he takes the brakes off.
I don't quite follow the point about our squad looking thin. It's the strongest we've ever had.
Now for the heresy: don't start with Zaha. He shouldn't have a divine right to start. I don't see how you fit Zaha, Eze and Olise in the same team. We should always play Edouard if he's fit. Yesterday was the first time the Guehi- Andersen partnership has been broken up and that's always going to be disruptive. But Tomkins is a fine replacement and should play at Leeds.

No reason not to attack at Leeds and Man Utd. If we can win at Citeh? Must admit I didn't see that one coming.

COYP!

Are you on drugs ?