Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge saw some solid results against the ‘big six’, a semi-final and a respectable 12th place finish… But what can we call a success in the 2022/23 season?
A full season has passed since the end of the Roy Hodgson era at Palace. The club saw Patrick Vieira as the man to take the club forward after a dramatic off-season in search of a new boss. Appointed with just over a month to prepare for his maiden Premier League managerial campaign, the Frenchman was written off by pundits and fans alike due to his perceived lack of experience and the desperately needed squad overhaul. But what followed surprised many…
Vieira’s first season provided us Palace fans with some much-needed highs to remember. Manchester City (home and away), a semi-final and Wilf’s best goal return yet, to name a few. Not bad for the bookies favourite for the first to be shown the door. All clubs in this transition phase will of course look to push on and progress further, but the recent transfer window and fragmented pre-season has dampened the enthusiasm of many.
Despite the shrewd business of securing Doucoure, Johnstone, Richards, Ebiowei and Plange, we still lack depth and quality in multiple areas. But it would be harsh to say the squad has considerably regressed after losing Gallagher (which we all saw coming), Kouyate, Kelly and Benteke. With five substitutes allowed this season, sending a promising Plange on loan to the Belgian second division, not improving the depth in midfield all while failing to even bring in a loan signing. Some decisions have, justifiably, left many scratching their heads. On the other hand, considering our recent track record of signings that guarantee value for money or sell-on value, perhaps there is something to be said for not rushing too much too soon.
So, after exceeding expectations in a pivotal ‘transition season’ and given the context of summer to now, what would success mean this season?
Survival
There is certainly a proportion of every club not backed by oil rich states that will see Premier League security as enough each season. However, as an established top division side, survival alone with no cup run (good evening, Roy…) surely can’t be called success anymore.
Same again?
For me this is the one. Considering last season’s squad overhaul and the ensuing performances of a young and exciting side, a similar season would aid our progression overall. However, the caveat to this is finding a player/system alteration that fills the Gallagher shaped hole, defending crosses again and shoring up the squad’s overall depth, would allow us to really push on next season.
Surely not…
Europe. It’s the dream. All I am asking for is a Conference League qualification away trip to Romania. Chasing Europe now may be asking too much too soon, but the way modern football is evolving season-on-season, now may be a better opportunity than any. Excluding Newcastle who will buy themselves into Europe eventually, Palace have as much potential as any of ‘the other 14’ to make that leap, as Leicester and West Ham struggle to cope with the demands of the football calendar. Can we take that chance before the gap opens even more?
Is survival enough with our current shortcomings? Would another cup run, and 12th place finish make you happy? Or if Eze, Zaha, Guehi, Andersen, Doucoure and Olise etc, are as good as we all think, should we be pushing higher up the table?
Let us know what you’d consider a successful campaign this year.
