2015/16 Season Review

Now I know that the season isn’t actually over yet and the most significant moment not just of the season, but of our entire history may yet be etched against the edifice of this season. As such the overall impression of this season is yet to be fully determined – a cup win and it has been incredible. A loss in the final and the sharp focus will return to the league form. My how one game of football can change an entire complexion.

That being said, the league season is complete. We know where we are after a 38 game measure and, incredibly, for the first time since 2004/5 we’ve started and finished a PL campaign with the same manager at the helm. Now, in most circumstances a 15th / 16th placed PL campaign and a cup final would have most Palace fans in dreamland, but given how well August – December had gone (indeed, the whole of 2015 really) a lower end of the table finish is really quite disappointing. Lots has been said about it, but I suppose here is a thread for people give an overall review (that takes into account the full 38 game season and not just any, brief or selected part of it) and to look at what we can learn from the season, what we need to do over the summer and what next season has in store for us. My overall impressions are as follows:

Positives

• Whilst it should go without saying, another PL survival in a league where there are no easy games and where dropping off just by 5%-10% will see you punished should be regarded as a success by a club with infrastructure inferior to most at this level and who are still only 3 seasons back into this level.
  
• Outside investment has come in which, IMO, further secures the financial prospects of the club over the medium-long term and gives us a solid base for investment both on and off the field. The retaining of Parish is crucial here I feel.
  
• A first XI who are really starting to play ball at this level. The first half of the season that wasn’t marred by injury had us playing some really lovely stuff (indeed, in recent weeks we’ve seen some flashes of it too). There have been times this season where we’ve been playing incisively and with pace and skill and look very comfortable at this level. Not something we’d really done previously. There was a patch under Pulis where we did look pretty good too, but often under him we looked defensively excellent, but often poor with the ball.

Negatives

• 2016. The worst second half of a season at this level for us bar none. Possibly the worst half of PL football we’ve ever endured points-wise and this needs a long, hard look at in the summer.
  
• Squad quality. Overall, bar one or two fringe players who’ve given us some useful appearances, those coming in to replace injured first team players have just not been up to it. Our first real injury crisis since being promoted and it came quite close to costing us dearly. Yes, there are some questions over AP in this time too – but with a better squad, it could have been much more comfortable.
  
• Questions over Pards. I’m still very much in support of him and feel that he still has the support of the players. There are many reasons as to why 2016 in the league has been so poor and AP is certainly one of them. If and how he learns from this and how he begins the next campaign is absolutely crucial. Important summer for him.

Lessons to be learnt / What to do over the summer

• Pragmatism. We need to develop ways that accentuate the players strengths. We generally play in a way that our first choice XI are not only good at, but get results with too. However, the fringe players are not as capable and we need to find ways to adjust to adversity better than we did January – April.
  
• Squad quality. We’ve added enough filler over the three financial years we’ve been at this level and it is now about a handful of quality signings this window who are first XI quality. Squad depth takes care of itself when you do that. With a new FFP cycle, outside investors and a good few contracts set to expire – there should be no excuses for failing to spend a bit more this summer.

Next Season Projections

• Contrary to a lot of views on here, I don't think that next season is nailed on for a struggle. Yes, a lot will depend on the summer business but I get the impression that SP has been alarmed by the 2016 league slump and will look to avert the PL cash cow slipping from our grasp. Moreover, I think we have a strong character still permeating through our dressing room and the run not killing us certainly can make us stronger. It is important to remember that we spent not one moment of this season in the bottom three which is a first for us in a PL campaign and must be seen as progress (even if the end has been disappointing).
  
• An FA cup win will certainly change the whole mood of the summer and could be a real boost into next season. A loss perhaps might increase the risk of more problematic summer recruitment and a higher risk of poor league form hangover.
  
• I predict a 10th-13th placed finish next campaign.