This time last year Crystal Palace were in the midst of a seven game unbeaten run - a sequence that saw them hold eventual title winners Manchester City to a goalless draw, thrash Everton 4-0 in an FA Cup quarter-final and demolish this season's champions-elect Arsenal 3-0.
Patrick Vieira was emerging as one of the most promising managers in the Premier League and Palace one of the most exciting teams in England.
Fast-forward 12 months and the team's trajectory has - at best - plateaued. But, perhaps, more pertinently Vieira's rise has come to a shuddering halt.