Ted Maul

I honestly can't remember us going into a season so devoid of hope or enthusiasm as a fanbase. Even in the dark years of the mid 2000s I always felt like we might do something (until the season started). Couple it with the corporate decision-making, it's going to be vile.

Atmosphere is going to turn ugly very quickly this season. Feel for Cooper, manager always takes the brunt of it but he's got absolutely **** all to work with as it stands.

Genuine chance of us winning the group here. Or going out entirely. All or nothing.

Go and get the 'Rudkin out' banner.

The collar, the sleeves, the colour scheme, the trefoil logo... ticks all the boxes. Absolute classic.

Whilst I agree that we should be looking at the top end of the championship for talent and there's value to be had there... if Fatawu and Mavididi are our strongest 2 wingers this season, then we're going down (I like them both but if their back ups are of lesser quality, we're in trouble with any sort of injuries/fatigue). Zaha gives us a chance at survival, simple as that. He's been a talisman for Palace in numerous successful escapes from relegation. He knows what it takes and should still have a point to prove.

If we get a season out of him like West Ham did with Lingard, we're laughing.

Look on the bright side, we're finishing one place above where we did last season- progess.

Am I right in thinking we wouldn't be covering the wages? Just the loan fee? If so, 10m euros is c.£8.5m pounds. Let's say he's on £70k- that's £3.5m. So in reality, the fee is more like £5m. The lift he would give the place would probably be worth it alone, I'd say- I'm not one to usually read too much into pre-season but things all felt a bit hopeless before the last few rumours emerged.

Haha! Keeping an eye on bet365, who said it was Wright. Mugged me right off.

He's made up for it there.

No idea what Palace fans having been pissing about at all these years.

Honestly, if he doesn't sign and we miss the opportunity to create an Alan Partridge Leicester song, it's going to be the biggest disappointment of the season. Knowing me, knowing you Zahaaa There is nothing he can't do Knowing me, knowing you Zahaaa Running down the wing in the royaaal bluueee Knowing me, knowing you... ZAHAAAAAAAAAA DU DU DU DU DU DU DU DU DU DU DU

RudkIN

The obligation to buy deals can be extremely beneficial... IF we get the conditions right. Look at last season- we were locked in for Fatawu at what now appears to be a bargain, with Yunus not quite up to it despite us getting a good look at him. We've not got any sort of financial muscle compared to most clubs in the league currently, so we've got to be savvy (unfortunately on this occasion, Brighton are far more competent than we are).

Another good win. Whether we go through or not, you've just got to take a step back and look at where we were a couple of years ago, having been in the gutter for such a long time- I think it’s safe to say that we're now competitive in all formats, with a trophy in the bag. That seemed lightyears away not so long ago and we seem to be building still. Long may it continue.

Properly ****ing depressing, that. Though if we've not got the money to buy quality (or certainly not looking in the right markets), loans are pretty much all we've got.

Are we just bowling really well or is this pitch difficult to score on?

Did well to restrict them to under 300 in the end- we'll chalk that off if we bat properly.

Welcome return to form for Handscomb at a very decent rate. Satisfying win. Almost as satisfying as the state of those stumps...

Even our fans can't be ****ed with us any more- why would any player choose us over the likes of Roma?

I honestly thought he would be head and shoulders above any other player in the league. No idea what happened.

I'm just going to pretend I never saw this one and carry on with my day as normal.

5-9 in the space of 6 overs. Spectacular collapse, even by our standards.

Effectively lost 4 wickets in 2 balls