Lacroix

[martinelliff]

Then you should be used to the farcical nature of our recruitment.

Esse, Franca, Johnson, Strand Larsen, Ahamada to name a few.
Far too many duds and too many quality players sold.
If this is book balancing then someone needs a word with themselves.

Signing players is always hit and miss and a gamble. Mateta was a dud for a while, Sorloth and Eduard we let go, look at them since. Even established players dont always work out. Benteke wasnt great for us. All clubs have the same issues. Torres was toilet at Chelsea. Sanchez, Wan Bizaka toilet at United. Occasionally we unearth a diamond. Like Wright, Eze, Zaha, etc. I dont take any of it too seriously in the moment, things can change quickly. As long as who we have give 100% then thats good enough for me. They dont have to be the best (Thomas, Delaney, Freedman, Jedi). If they dont have the right attitude or want out we get rid. Enjoy the ride. Winning thd FA cup etc for us provides a similar feeling to England winning the World Cup or Euros. Supporting Man City and winning the premier league is probably like England winning the Nations league, meh.

 

[Houston Eagle]

“Joining the best club in the world” end quote sits as well with me as Glasner thinking working with the corrupt fat Greek is the best option for him!!

Oh wait £13M a year or a 6 year contract might be the reason!

Life as a Palace fan for me was most enjoyable 1970-2000 (outside our recent triumphs). Money has changed everything.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

Then you should be used to the farcical nature of our recruitment.

Esse, Franca, Johnson, Strand Larsen, Ahamada to name a few.
Far too many duds and too many quality players sold.
If this is book balancing then someone needs a word with themselves.

I think the highlighted three are completely different, Esse was 14m, only 21, i haven't given up on him yet, Franca was expensive, but is on a low wage, and you cant blame him for his injury, Strand Larsen has only started 12 games, his best feature is his strength and power in the air, not ideal with no wingers playing, Johnson is extremely disappointing so far, and Ahamada was crap, Vieira should pay the refund for him out of his own pocket.

 

[Linford]

Could it be we took a lower deal for Max that we see the benefits 'the other side' via a deal for Chalobah, Acheampong or Disasi?

Doubt it. Probably end up bidding £60m for one of 'em 🙄

 

[martinelliff]

“Joining the best club in the world” end quote sits as well with me as Glasner thinking working with the corrupt fat Greek is the best option for him!!

Oh wait £13M a year or a 6 year contract might be the reason!

Life as a Palace fan for me was most enjoyable 1970-2000 (outside our recent triumphs). Money has changed everything.

Yes. Peak Palace was the 89 to 98 ups and downs, although other highlights have been Dougie saving the club in 2001 vs Stockport, 2010 admin team saving us vs Wednesday, promotion in 2013, after that most of it has been a money chasing exercise. Admittedly the FA cup win was a dream. Guehi is on 200k+ a week when we paid him 50k, Lacrouix probably similar change. Who can blame them. Recently the bible crew gave the team a bit of soul but they are nearly all gone/going.

 

[Linford]

If reports are correct this deal was negotiated at ownership level. It’s not like Hobbs operates in a complete vacuum, especially on outgoings and fees. The ownership is heavily involved and has the final say on fees offered and fees received. It is fair to criticise Hobbs over recruitment as he is responsible for identifying players and attracting them to the club. Fees aren’t on him though nor is the decision to sell a marquee player

What report are you referring to?

 

[martinelliff]

I think the highlighted three are completely different, Esse was 14m, only 21, i haven't given up on him yet, Franca was expensive, but is on a low wage, and you cant blame him for his injury, Strand Larsen has only started 12 games, his best feature is his strength and power in the air, not ideal with no wingers playing, Johnson is extremely disappointing so far, and Ahamada was crap, Vieira should pay the refund for him out of his own pocket.

Agree with that assessment.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Then you should be used to the farcical nature of our recruitment.

Esse, Franca, Johnson, Strand Larsen, Ahamada to name a few.
Far too many duds and too many quality players sold.
If this is book balancing then someone needs a word with themselves.

In the same time period we've signed those players, we've also signed Munoz, Wharton, Lacroix, Henderson, Sarr, Lerma, Kamada for about £60-65m all in.

I think most clubs would wish their recruitment could be as 'farcical' as ours.

 

[Nicholas91]

In the same time period we've signed those players, we've also signed Munoz, Wharton, Lacroix, Henderson, Sarr, Lerma, Kamada for about £60-65m all in.

I think most clubs would wish their recruitment could be as 'farcical' as ours.

"They're not all 'hits'" springs to mind.

 

[Linford]

In the same time period we've signed those players, we've also signed Munoz, Wharton, Lacroix, Henderson, Sarr, Lerma, Kamada for about £60-65m all in.

I think most clubs would wish their recruitment could be as 'farcical' as ours.

Different period, and different director.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

Signing players is always hit and miss and a gamble. Mateta was a dud for a while, Sorloth and Eduard we let go, look at them since. Even established players dont always work out. Benteke wasnt great for us. All clubs have the same issues. Torres was toilet at Chelsea. Sanchez, Wan Bizaka toilet at United. Occasionally we unearth a diamond. Like Wright, Eze, Zaha, etc. I dont take any of it too seriously in the moment, things can change quickly. As long as who we have give 100% then thats good enough for me. They dont have to be the best (Thomas, Delaney, Freedman, Jedi). If they dont have the right attitude or want out we get rid. Enjoy the ride. Winning thd FA cup etc for us provides a similar feeling to England winning the World Cup or Euros. Supporting Man City and winning the premier league is probably like England winning the Nations league, meh.

This is a time for moaning. Never ever be satisfied or the management will think it’s OK to half arse everything. We are where we are as much by luck as judgement. Wealthy people convince themselves that it’s all their genius.

We have to be at least as good as last season or we are in trouble.

 

[Nicholas91]

This is a time for moaning. Never ever be satisfied or the management will think it’s OK to half arse everything. We are where we are as much by luck as judgement. Wealthy people convince themselves that it’s all their genius.

We have to be at least as good as last season or we are in trouble.

I think there's a genuine case there 🤣

Also agree with your last sentiment. You can crash and burn pretty quickly at the top. Can always get the train to Stratford if you need eyewitness accounts.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Different period, and different director.

Sure, but then you also have to acknowledge that in criticisms.

 

[Linford]

Sure, but then you also have to acknowledge that in criticisms.

I think most people were satisfied with Dougie's record.

There is a reason why Man Utd, Newcastle, and others were sniffing around for him, and in the end he was poached by the Saudis.

I can't say I've heard of anyone who's praised Hobbes' work since he's been in South London. I would certainly have some questions for them if they did.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

I think most people were satisfied with Dougie's record.

There is a reason why Man Utd, Newcastle, and others were sniffing around for him, and in the end he was poached by the Saudis.

I can't say I've heard of anyone who's praised Hobbes' work since he's been in South London. I would certainly have some questions for them if they did.

That's fair.

Mingueza on a free looks a great bit of business, but certainly more is needed.

 

[JHB]

What report are you referring to?

Various reports in the press said the owners met in the US to negotiate the deal.

No first team player leaves us without Parish and co agreeing to it and the fee received.

 

[Linford]

That's fair.

Mingueza on a free looks a great bit of business, but certainly more is needed.

Agreed, I'm excited to see how he get's on, and how he will be used.

Anyone signed on a free if they are of the right quality is good business in my eyes. Yes I know we have to watch out for signing on fees, agents fees, and high wages too.

If we do sign Tomiyasu, I think that will be a good bit of business again on a free.

In Jan we shelved out a fortune, and broke our transfer record twice. It turned out to be quite ill-advised.

Right now, sales are more of an issue than purchases. The debate about Eze and Guéhi is well known and over-beaten, but it's a far more clear cut situation with Lacroix; we have been royally done up the rear by Chelsea and lost the bedrock of the last season for peanuts.

 

[TheBigToePunt]

This is probably the only one of the big departures that doesn't have an obvious explanation. I mean, I get why the player wanted to go, but not why palace sold at this point in time and for that price. Unlike with other big sales, there is no suggestion of a release clause, or a dwindling contract.

Perhaps it's as simple as the club wanting to get some money in early so that we can buy some players, and this is the only notable offer on the table at this stage?

It's still a bit unusual, though.

 

[Linford]

Various reports in the press said the owners met in the US to negotiate the deal.

No first team player leaves us without Parish and co agreeing to it and the fee received.

Yes of course Parish and co have to agree to all business done, but it's usually nothing more than a rubber-stamp. That's why we have a DOF.

We don't have any Abramovich's or Boehly's in our ownership group. Steve had to step in for a brief period after Dougie departed, and he spoke about that publicly. Dougie has been replaced for a while now.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Agreed, I'm excited to see how he get's on, and how he will be used.

Anyone signed on a free if they are of the right quality is good business in my eyes. Yes I know we have to watch out for signing on fees, agents fees, and high wages too.

If we do sign Tomiyasu, I think that will be a good bit of business again on a free.

In Jan we shelved out a fortune, and broke our transfer record twice. It turned out to be quite ill-advised.

Right now, sales are more of an issue than purchases. The debate about Eze and Guéhi is well known and over-beaten, but it's a far more clear cut situation with Lacroix; we have been royally done up the rear by Chelsea and lost the bedrock of the last season for peanuts.

Agree re Tomiyasu, assuming we're confident he is over his injury woes.

I don't feel too gutted about Lacroix, which even I am finding hard to explain!

He's clearly an excellent pro, leader in the dressing room and a very good defender. But I don't think he's a Guehi or an Eze - unlike with them, I think there's a reasonable chance we can sign a replacement of similar quality.