With the Mexican stand off between the Holmesdale Fanatics and the higher powers at Selhurst Park, you’d be forgiven to forget that there’s been some football played.

Going in to the international break Roy’s boys sit 15th in the league on three points after as many successive defeats, with the solitary win at Fulham on the opening day feeling like a distant memory.

So, are Palace on course for a season of struggles or are there reasons to be optimistic for those in red and blue?

With four games gone we assess the players so far:

Wayne Hennessey:

An impressive start to the season for the Welshman whose position was questioned by some. One clean sheet and one penalty save to his name, the fans can’t blame the man between the sticks for losing points…..yet. 7/10

Jeffrey Schlupp:

A great opening game capped with a goal against Fulham. A blossoming partnership with PVA on the left developing, things are looking up for the left footer who finally has a run of games under his belt after a frustrating season last year. Bundles of potential, we should expect Schlupp to kick on this season. 7/10

Patrick van Aanholt:

Is he a left back or is he a winger? Either way he’s a catalyst for the Eagles and the source of many attacks. Loves a goal as much as he loves Susanna Reid. Sadly, she may have taken his eye off the ball in the last few games. 6/10

Mamadou Sakho:

The lynchpin in defence justifying his price tag last summer. A real force at the back and lifts those around him. He’s forming a good partnership with Tomkins despite the haircut. 7.5/10

Aaron Wan-Bissaka:

Those within the club know his potential and weren’t the least bit surprised with how he’s performed so far this season. It seems odd to be giving a man who’s played only 164minutes and had a red card rave reviews, but it is fully justified. 8/10

James Tomkins:

Was forming a good partnership with Sakho before injury cut his game time short. Still capable of putting your heart in your mouth but slowly gaining reliability. Roy needs him back. 6.5/10

James McArthur:

The unsung hero of the Palace side. Goes about his business quietly and often lets his midfield partner take the limelight. He’ll be a key player for Roy this season, even if you don’t notice him. 7/10

Luka Milivojevic:

The captains’ armband seems to be weighing him down slightly. He’s yet to reach the standards he set last season but a must have in the side. Players look to him for leadership. He’ll come good. 6/10

Andros Townsend:

The perennial frustrater. More dribbles than a creche, more shots than a club 18-30 holiday, but no assists or goals for the speedster. Should be a weapon, needs to up his end product. 6/10

Wilfried Zaha:

The key. When he plays Palace look like a team capable of winning any match. Roy’s move to give him license to roam across the front line seems to have pushed him up a few levels. There was talk of a £60 million move away in the summer, and on early season form, that valuation is around £60 million short of his true worth. 9.5/10

Christian Benteke:

Confidence lower than a snake’s belly. Doesn’t look like scoring and has been hooked in all but one game this season. Needs to improve or he could find himself behind Sorloth and a new striker in January. 4/10

Max Meyer:

Need to get him up to speed. Few cameo appearances seem to indicate he could be the man with they eye for a pass replacing Cabaye in midfield. Needs game time but to have one of the most coveted signatures in Europe at Selhurst is cause for optimism. 6/10

Alexander Sorloth:

Coming from the Danish league, a cold wet rainy night in Stoke may not faze him, but sadly a team of ability might. Needs time to adapt to the pace of the league but Roy, I’m sure, is hoping for it to be sooner rather than later looking at his striking options. 5/10

Martin Kelly:

Started in place of the injured Tomkins and performed aptly, yet with four goals conceded in very winnable games questions will be asked. 6/10

Joel Ward:

Stalwart of the club and a fans favourite. Gives his all, sadly is remembered for that last-minute miss at Watford. If only Harry Redknapp’s wife was on the end of that cross.  5/10

On the whole Palace have played well but have failed to put the ball in the net. There is optimism at Selhurst Park, but the longer the team goes without a win the more worrying it’ll be.

The next five games see match ups against Huddersfield, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Wolves and Everton. Winnable games.

Stick with Benteke? Give Sorloth a run out? Give Ayew the nod? Bring back Bakary Sakho?