Crystal Palace supporters have been pretty despondent in recent times after seeing their side suffer a fourth Premier League defeat of the season on Monday night.

Roy Hodgson’s men went into their encounter at Bournemouth unbeaten in their previous three games in all competitions, beating Huddersfield Town and West Brom, the latter in the Carabao Cup, alongside drawing with Newcastle United. Yet the Eagles were unable to keep their unbeaten run going as goals from David Brooks and Junior Stanislas either side of a Patrick van Aanholt equaliser sealed a 2-1 success for Eddie Howe’s men, thus prompting Palace’s fall to 13th place in the Premier League table.

Thus, there have been many frustrated Palace fans up and down the country in recent times, with striker Jordan Ayew one man in particular who failed to have much of an impact at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

And given the London club were reportedly in the race for fellow forward Danny Ings during the summer, who eventually made the move to Southampton, Hodgson may well be regretting letting that particular opportunity slip.

Ultimately, Ghana international Ayew has a pretty decent goal-scoring record in the Premier League having bagged at least seven times in each of his previous two full seasons in the top-flight, including the seven he netted for relegated Swansea City last term.

Thus, luring him to Selhurst Park on loan from the Swans was seen as a shrewd signing by manager Hodgson and the Palace hierarchy, only for the 27-year-old to so far fail to net for the Eagles in four Premier League appearances.

And after another relatively ineffective display on Monday night, which saw Hodgson substitute him with eight minutes to go, it seems that Palace may well have been better served landing Englishman Ings after all.

The 26-year-old had been struggling for game time at Liverpool prior to his move to Southampton during the summer, yet it was clear from his time at Burnley earlier in his career that he had genuine pedigree at Premier League level, having scored 11 times for the club in the 2014/15 season to thus earn a move to Anfield.

And he has once again proven his worth in front of goal for Mark Hughes’ Saints this time round in scoring three goals in just six Premier League appearances for the South Coast club, one of which coming against Palace in their 2-0 win at Selhurst Park last month.

And with the one-time England international seemingly back to full fitness and firing for Southampton, it appears that he will be a huge asset to manager Hughes between now and the end of the season - one wonders whether the same can be said of Ayew at Palace.

Thus, while Ayew is probably still adapting to his new club and the role he is being asked to play in Hodgson’s side, early indications suggest that the Eagles would have been better served luring £7.2 million-rated Ings (as per Transfermarkt) to Selhurst Park during the close season.

Palace fans… what do you think? Let us know!