Fitzhugh Fella

Yeah I agree - we got to go with what is realistic so JPT it is. We are not going to win the Cup but I hope we beat Pompey, and the play offs were always a figment of some of our more "hopeful" fans imaginations so guess we better settle for the Paint trophy. Let's hope NC has his priorities going along similar lines.

Good point. I said when they arrived that this season that I would be happy it it were one of consolidation but as you say expectation has since risen. The reason for this is some fans bigging up the chances of reaching the play offs when in reality we were never in with a shout . We all foolishly got our hopes up after a good autumn, but really the team have never really been playing THAT well, especially recently. And the money spent on new players has meant we are now seen as the M City of Div 2, and when people spend serious money they want instant improvement. NC was unhappy after the Millwall game because his new defence did not hang on for 3 points. Unrealistic? Maybe but he and ML have backed AP with cash and they want to see tangible improvements. Unfortunately if anything things have got worse and the standard of football over the last 3 months has been poor, and I speak as someone who has seen most games over that period. The 2nd halves yesterday and v Brentford were shocking. I like the way AP speaks, carries himself and I think he has a real feel for the game but from recent evidence I am having doubts as to his tactical nous. It will be a great pity if this does work out, but AP was never NC's first choice and I don't think he will hesitate if he does not get what he thinks he ought. Pardew places a lot of emphasis on the pressure he is under in today's Observer and for me his words spoke volumes. Two wins this week and this wobble will go away. Fingers crossed.

I think you will find the 5-year plan is now a 3-year plan

The Guardian journos all do pieces for the Observer. I enjoyed the read but was struck at how much emphasis Pardew placed on the pressure he is under and how NC is in a rush to get things done, I am hearing NC is in a real hurry and the 5 year plan is now a 3 year plan and AP is feeling the heat. Yesterday will have upped the anti. I gather AP faced some stern questions after the Millwall game.

Tim, if you do come over you can have my ticket, after the crap I saw today I am not sure I want to watch next Saturday. Kade had made the bed up as well

That's the first time this season I have heard AP waffle. Yea the pitch was awful, but they played better football than us on it - end off. Lost a bit of respect for him tonight as for the first time I don't think he is being honest.

Indeed. been called all those things and worse. I am really trying to be positive re AP because he talks the talk, but over the last few months I have become increasingly concerned that we are not progressing in the right direction. Brentford A was dire and I did expect an improvement today but that 2nd H was shocking. Exeter were by far the superior team and that, after all the money we have spent is unnacceptable. This is a big week coming up. Win both matches and he should be given until next year, but 2 defeats and I would regard this season as a bit of a waste. Bit harsh maybe but time waits for no man is this modern day football age. I will probably be accused of being irrationally impatient but from what I am hearing NC is even more impatient than me. Fingers crossed for the big week. PS - Enjoyed Exeter's ground today - talk about ramshackle but so full of character.

Yea I saw you come down at HT and give them a coat - they were laughing at all the banter in the 2nd H (their keeper's pink outfit fed the guy behind me's reportoire). They looked like they enjoyed themselves and its good to see kids on a wall within touching distance of the action.

Dave, I am trying to be positive about AP. I like the way he talks and we certainly do not need another managerial upheavel but our football over the last 4 months has been clueless. Yes I know NickG will point out we have picked up results and ugly wins etc but watching Exeter rip through us in the last 15 minutes and only a post stop us from losing made me suddenly think that with what AP has been given over the last 6 months we should at least look like we know what we are doing. Dropping 2 points today was not the end of the world because I long ago thought the play offs were not realistic, but it is more the manner of our performance that has me worried. Tactically we were so inept.

Maybe you should have been there. if you were I think you would be having a whinge. After going to Brentford and seeing our woeful 2nd half performance and todays shocking last 45 minutes when Exeter ran us ragged I have got to say for the first time this season I am starting to doubt AP really knows what he is doing.

Think I might have been standing next to you, just behind the goal? After going to Brentford and seeing our woeful 2nd half performance and todays shocking last 45 minutes when Exeter ran us ragged I have got to say for the first time this season I am starting to doubt AP really knows what he is doing.

If there is anyone completely to blame in the demise of PFC it has to be STORRIE more than anyone else. Whilst Harry played the field and enticed the debt the one man who should have reined him in was PS. Mandaric was crafty, Gaydamark too, but Storrie is the executive who should have either said NO or resigned.

The sash I have belonged to George Carter who is standing to the left of the chap with the bowler.

if I was a 135 year old fan I would disagree with you and you should have seen the furore in 1896 when they went from red and white halves to stripes. A mob gathered at the Bargate and the mayor was thrown into the duck pond on the Common. You simply cannot get more traditional than the 1st strip. I think everyone should calm down - its a one off for one year.

Good report. Can't believe they sent Husband to Jerusalem

And if anyone is interested I actually have one of the original sashes

You can't get any more traditional than going back to your first ever kit

Chanrai -is now backing away from saying he owns the club - he's no fool, if he owned the club he would own the debt. I see he says he has put the shares into a trust! This is even more messy now because no one owns the club technically.

I might see you in the Ave

Perhaps - let's hope you are right and I am wrong.

the suspense is killing me:)

Marcus wins then!

I think one of the reasons you and I "fall out" when discussing NC/ML is that while I agree they did "save" the club by buying us (and I am grateful) I am pretty sure "saving" the club was not their driving motive. They did it for pure business reasons, I would imagine, but a by product was that we got rescued from oblivion. 2 wins = everyone's happy for now. (I am definately happier now than I was 12 months ago ) You are right "we should enjoy it while it lasts" and being in a position to plunder clubs like Palace feels good after all the crap and heartache over recent years. But (and I always have a but with Saints - I can't help it) while I am very grateful for Marcus's euros I am not going to fool myself that he and Nocola are in it for the love. Hopefully their investment will meet our expectations and they might indeed even grow to love the club but one eye should always be kept on the left hand while we watch the right. The development at Staplewood for me was a most encouraging sign as it signifies long-term planning. As for Murray I think he should be encouraged to resign - he's been here a long time now and the Echo need to build some bridges. Having said that I would never want them to be in a position whereby the club tell them what to print.

I am a great believer in magnanimity

the administrator at Palace is saying that he will be trying to loan out players when the window opens next week so the wage bill can be lowered.