21 Sep 2026 14:26:53
My take on yesterday. Not one of our best performances after Monday nights game, but Palace were far better and stronger than Newcastle. After giddy talk by some regarding a challenge for a European place, this was a reality check for us that at this point consolidation is the aim. Our effort yesterday couldn't be faulted but glaringly in a game like that, were crying out for some midfield creativity which was lacking, rectifying this must be a priority in January.

As it is, 5 unbeaten and 9 points on the board is a fine start that the majority of us would have taken. The next 5 games after the break will tell us a lot about what the rest of the season may hold for us.

1.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 14:29:35
Fair analysis Feath.

2.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 14:30:11
Lurve it Feath. giddy talk by some indeed.

3.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 16:05:10
Have a look at our league position and form since City game and still tell me European football is a pipe dream. Not to mention Sunderland coming 7th last season!

4.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 16:58:20
I don't fully understand how easy or difficult these financial fair play rules really are to follow and how close we are to them every year if that's true or not. But what I can understand is if you are playing in the PL is a higher % allowed than if playing in Europe.

Would I love to be playing on a Thursday night against teams from around Europe, probably yes. But would I want it at the expense of not having another year of being allowed more to spend on the squad next season. Probably not.

I'd like a decent finish this year and a real push next year for Europe with the stadium increase. 1 season too soon for me. (Based on my little understanding of the FFP / SCR) unless some1 tells me otherwise that it wouldn't effect our ability to improve the squad next season.

5.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 17:06:50
I believe you have 15% less to spend when in Europe. However the extra revenue from a good European cup run more than makes up for the shortfall.

6.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 17:26:01
Well said Feath as usual!
I think people have under estimated Palace they won 4.0 in Europe other night & won the Conference Cup last year!
A point is a point on & on!
Up The Whites Down The Pints ???!

7.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 18:12:53
Corkey, do you know if the spend is based on current seasons income or last season's?
Could make it tricky for those that gamble on a successful season.

8.) 21 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 19:41:15
Google Premier League SCR rules and it's all there to read. Basically, Premier League clubs are capped at spending 85% of their football-related revenue on squad costs (wages, transfer amortisation, and agent fees) . Clubs playing in European competitions are bound by UEFA's stricter 70% cap. The %ages apply to this season's expenditure, not last season.


Personally, whilst I'd to finish as high up the table as possible, I'd not want to qualify for Europe this season cos I don't think we're ready for it yet. Next year with another year's PL experience under our belts, and the stadium upgrades staring to come online, then we shall see.

9.) 22 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 21:59:38
JR mate, you'd like to finish as high up as possible yet don't want to qualify for Europe?

10.) 22 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 22:19:46
It's based on this season's expenditure and income, Canada. We're within the 85% and can go up to 115% without points deductions. If we go above 85 then it reduces our percentage in following seasons.
Currently Bournemouth and Chelsea are in the red danger zone.

11.) 22 Sep 2026
21 Sep 2026 23:00:43
Yes Corkey, I'm being contradictory aren't I. This season European qualification goes down to 8th, though next year it could be 7th depending on circumstances, so ideally I might be happy to finish 9th. However, I always want us to win every game, and if it comes to the last match of the season, and winning will take us to 8th I'll still want to win.

Then I'd approach the next season with trepidation knowing we'd have to fit in at least 6 group stage games on top of our regular PL, FA Cup and League cup commitments, and I don't think we have a big enough squad for that yet. This is all hypothetical for now, so let's just see how we do.

12.) 22 Sep 2026
22 Sep 2026 18:51:19
I get where you are coming from JR but when will the right time be to potentially play in Europe?
If it were to happen next season after a fabulous 6th place finish then I for one will be ecstatic and raring to go.

Will Leeds fans really be saying "oh sugar we've qualified for Europe too early and are squad is not good enough and we are doomed”. I doubt it.
Let's see where we end up.

13.) 23 Sep 2026
23 Sep 2026 07:50:30
Purely my own thoughts, but while European nights are fantastic, being there next season doesn't sit well with the constraints we are operating in, and building a solid foundation to stabilise the club in the EPL.
For context, bringing on BA and DJ as subs was labelled as uninspiring, but we don't have much choice, as we can't afford to upgrade them yet, or have them sat on the bench with similar calibre replacements in other positions.

Until we have that strength in depth, Europe will act as something detrimental, rather than beneficial to our progression, imo.