Everyman 3797

[Farrwest]

After doing this xword for many years I am giving up as I can't understand this new setter's methods. However I will submit this last one with many guesses included if someone could kindly give me the answer to 27a Early on, I'm recalled being I space (5) A?I?N Probably alien but it would be just one more guess. Thanks and all the best to other solvers!

[Lie-in King]

Yes - Alien - 'Neil A(rmstrong)' (recalled)

[Farrwest]

Thanks Lie-in-King. You've been a regular on this site for a long time, I wonder what your views are on the current situation?

[Lie-in King]

Hi Farrwest - do you mean re the Everyman? I do feel the standard has slipped over the past few months - it feels almost as though the puzzle has been farmed out to an agency, much like the MOS puzzles were a few years ago.

To be honest, I do it because it's there - I've never entered a finished grid. I can't say much more about it, sorry :-)

[Palustris]

I find that the majority of the time it is just a write in. Some of the parsing is a little obscure at times to say the least though.