Did they?

We had a brief spell of good football mainly down to having Connor Gallagher who could press and close down, but beyond that we had far too many last minute defeats, no clue in front of goal , a poor work rate, too much loyalty to certain players and some ridiculous substitutions.

All the pundits praising Vieira obviously didn't watch more than the occasional highlights of our games. He attracted a few good players to the club but then failed to progress them.

All in all, a failure, as he has been at his other jobs.

In my opinion PV had to go. However you watch your football, both the stats and the live experience were damning. Plus us as a fan base were in a weird malaise not angry enough to boo but too bored to cheer with lack of attacking action and the same out of form players being played each week often out of position ( again in my opinion) That’s not what you need in a relegation battle. Having said we’re the lowest spenders this season in the league, he lost a £40 million player in CG, awful run of fixtures and Parish has clearly not backed PV or this “next level” charade fully so this is massively on his head too.

Ray-
Whatever my thoughts on Roy. The appointment on Ray is definitely a master stroke (especially if it’s to be believed that coaching at the training ground was poor) . Which again to the eye holds up: poor running stats, terrible at set pieces for and against us, no real attacking patterns of play, terrible passing and decision making in final third, no real leadership on the pitch and a massive loss of confidence as soon as we concede.

I know a few pro players and one at palace particularly well and everyone says Lewington is a class act and amazing coach. He’s also got a son still playing so weirdly even being late 60s is actually quite in tune with the younger players of today . Anyone who watched palace on the box in lockdown could hear Ray coaching and motivating players from the side line. I think our younger lads like Eze, Olise and even Wilf to some extent need this. They’re a little milky shall we say. Plus Edouard and Mateta clearly need motivating to run about and press. PV and Roberts didn’t seem to do this, Roberts especially looked like a spare part on a match day cuddling his iPad. I think with Paddy and Ray supporting Roy this isn’t as crazy as it appears especially considering the 10 fixtures remaining.

They should be able to at least improve motivation of the players and crowd by all being palace through and through.. I also think they will improve the basics and probably keep a more consistent side. I think the chopping and changing up top hasn’t helped Edouard's confidence (albeit he has been a huge disappointment and needs to look in the mirror) but he does look a confidence player to me that PV couldn’t get going. I also now fancy us more away from home to nick a point here and there or hold onto a lead. In a final defence of Roy he never had Gueshi, Anderson, Dacoure, Olise, Lakonga or Edouard to work with in his last season either. He had a negative net spend also in his 4 years so he may not be quite as defensive as before we can live in hope! I’m not saying Roy will keep us up but I actually believe we have a slightly better chance in a 10 game mini- season with him than PV.

Up the Palace…..

As long as Ward and Milo play we’ll get tonked by any team. Their lack of pace and nimbleness is now well know with other teams and Ward particularly is targeted down the flank. He presents and shuffles every time asking to get skinned. If Roy walks back into that trap we might as well all pack up.

...

I'm going to forget about PV and Parish until the end of the season now and just get behind the new management team. The last thing we need is people dragging the mood down further. At the end of the season will be the time to get the knives out if necessary.