England
The best chance of remaining a Premiership side is not to have to compete in the Europa League once the knockout stages begins. To that end, the manager might 'rest' a few players before the Liverpool match. How cruel that that lot are next on the list as at present we probably have a one percent chance of beating them. But whatever our strongest team from those available might be, we have to play it on Sunday.
Difficult is their job! If it was easy it wouldn't cost what it did to get them on the pitch. We'd all be applying. Richards was great against Besiktas but he has not been consistent this season so far. Canvot is not playing well, Honest looks lightweight, Disasi not good enough (never was imo), Riad is sadly made of glass. Lerma, while not a long term answer has to be playing at centre back right now. As for the full backs Mitchell needs to do better and for me while I still like Kalaili a spell out of the spotlight would do him good. He needs to be benched and work harder on his defensive responsibilities on the training ground. I currently prefer Mingueza who was good against Besiktas. A more defensive wide player.
I just want a manager who contributes to us winning games and getting results. A good manager would recognise the current tactics are a disaster and change them. If Sage won’t then he isn’t a good manager and he needs to go.
England
To clarify, there's a between the lines insinuation that the recruitment department doesn't know what it's doing and is overspending. Easy to spend someone else's money!
You could be right. On the one hand I'm frustrated he wont change things (he's not going to now). On the other hand I cant help admiring him for sticking to his guns. He believes in what he is doing (even if the rest of us dont) and he believes in the end it will come good. It isn't easy to have the courage of your convictions when all around you are losing faith.
England
Some chap has literally just messaged me :
Ireland
Results change any guarantees.
I hope he is wrong because if Sage is still in charge we might as well give up all hope of staying up. As it is we already need about another 30 points which is a win every three games. Sage has shown no signs he can deliver that. We are getting worse in every department the longer he carries on.
Ireland
I can see why we went for Sage. I can also see why it won't work. Surely everyone thought it was a bit of a gamble?
I remember discussing it with a palace supporting mate at the time. We talked about it for a bit and then he just said “it all feels a bit uh oh” doesn’t it. For some reason it just seemed like one that wasn’t going to work. What’s played out is sadly almost exactly what I feared. I’ll caveat this by saying that as a Palace fan of over 40 years I pretty much always fear the worst.
If we had started like the express train under Sage and been top 5 right now (perfectly feasible when you look at how he signed off at Lille) every one would be hailing Parish a genius.
England
My theory that Parish is actively seeking relegation might seem a bit too conspiracy theory for some, but I think it holds water. The longer he retains Sage the further in the mire we sink, and relegation means he can put aside any plans for stadium upgrades. Maybe a new tin roof on the Arthur and a fresh splash of red and blue paint here and there, nothing too fancy. Sell his shares and formally step down.